The wind changed first.
It was small.
Barely noticeable.
But Lira stopped mid-motion.
"…Wait."
Takemi looked up from the ground.
"…What?"
Rauk stretched lazily.
"…If this is about more training, I vote no."
"…Quiet," Lira said.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the tree line.
"…The mana flow just shifted."
The air—once calm—felt heavier.
Not thick.
Not suffocating.
But… wrong.
Takemi stood up.
"…Like before?"
Lira didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Similar."
That was enough.
Beyond the training field—
The trees rustled.
Not from wind.
From movement.
Birds scattered.
Small creatures fled.
The natural rhythm of the forest broke.
Elira felt it too.
Her grip tightened.
"…No…"
Her voice dropped.
"…Not here…"
A low growl echoed from the trees.
Deep.
Distorted.
Rauk stepped forward instinctively.
"…Alright."
"…Guess break time's over."
Takemi reached for the handle.
"…Stay sharp."
The bushes parted.
Slowly.
A creature stepped into the clearing.
At first glance—
A wolf.
But wrong.
Its body was larger.
Muscles stretched unnaturally beneath its darkened fur.
Veins pulsed faintly with a dim, corrupted glow.
Its eyes—
Not wild.
Not feral.
Focused.
"…Corrupted…" Lira whispered.
Another growl.
Then another.
More shapes moved between the trees.
Three.
No—
Five.
They circled slowly.
Not rushing.
Not panicking.
Hunting.
"Rauk."
"…Already on it."
He stepped forward, planting himself between the group and the approaching wolves.
Lira moved slightly back.
"…I'll support from range."
Takemi stood just behind Rauk.
Handle in hand.
"…Let's not drag this out."
Elira didn't move.
Didn't step forward.
Didn't step back.
Just watched.
Her breathing slowed.
But her mind—
Too many.
Too fast.
You won't make it in time.
The past crept in.
Uninvited.
The lead wolf lunged.
Fast.
Rauk met it head-on.
BOOM.
The impact shook the ground beneath his feet.
"…Heavier than it looks!" he grunted.
Takemi moved.
The blade flickered—
Then formed.
He struck from the side.
SLASH.
The wolf twisted mid-air—
Dodging partially.
Still fast.
Two more rushed in.
Lira reacted instantly.
"Bind!"
Light formed—
Chains shot forward—
Restricting their movement just enough.
"…They're resisting faster than normal," she warned.
Takemi clicked his tongue.
"…Of course they are."
She saw it.
Clear.
The same pattern.
Frontline overwhelmed.
Multiple targets.
Not enough coverage.
You're too slow.
You won't make it.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
"…No…"
One wolf broke through.
Past Rauk.
Past Takemi.
Straight toward Lira.
Too fast.
Too close.
Takemi turned—
"…Lira!"
He moved.
But not fast enough.
Lira's eyes widened.
The same moment.
The same distance.
The same realization.
I won't make it in time.
A figure moved.
Not from the front.
Not from behind.
From the side.
Elira stepped in.
Fast.
Decisive.
Her staff struck the ground.
"Barrier."
A soft light expanded—
Just as the wolf's claws came down.
CRACK.
The impact hit the barrier—
And stopped.
For a split second—
Everything paused.
Lira blinked.
"…You…"
Elira stood in front of her.
Breathing steady.
"…Move."
Lira didn't hesitate.
She repositioned instantly.
Elira stepped forward.
Not back.
Her staff glowed faintly.
"…I'm not letting that happen again."
Takemi saw it immediately.
"…Rauk!"
"…Yeah!"
They adjusted.
Now—
There was space.
Now—
There was timing.
Takemi moved in.
Blade formed—
Clean.
Rauk held the line.
Stronger.
More stable.
Lira cast—
More precise.
And Elira—
She moved between them.
Not panicked.
Not overwhelmed.
Just focused.
Healing.
Shielding.
Supporting.
The wolves faltered.
Not because they were weaker.
But because this time—
The group wasn't breaking.
Takemi stepped forward.
The blade stabilized fully—
For a brief moment.
"…Now."
He swung.
Clean.
Decisive.
The last wolf fell.
Silence returned.
Slowly.
The forest calmed.
The air lightened.
Takemi exhaled.
"…That felt familiar."
Rauk laughed.
"…Yeah, just less dying this time."
Lira turned.
Looking at Elira.
"…You stepped in."
Elira didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…I didn't think."
"…I just moved."
Takemi smiled slightly.
"…Good."
Silence lingered.
Then—
Elira spoke.
"…I'm not joining your team."
Rauk sighed.
"…Here we go again."
"…But—"
That stopped them.
She looked at them.
Really looked this time.
"…If you're going to keep doing this…"
A pause.
"…I'll be there."
Not a declaration.
Not a promise.
But something real.
The wind passed again.
Gentler now.
And for the first time—
The space between them didn't feel like distance.
Just…
The beginning of something.