Waking up, the trainees went about their usual routine. An inspection of their cabins followed by breakfast, before they all gathered in the Exercise square. Only this time they didn't go there to train.
As every youth wore a solemn expression - including the Nobles - the gravity of what they might face out there in the wilderness made itself known. They had to be cautious and careful. Being rash would just doom them instead.
Nico, Henry, and Leon stood to the side of their peers. The young farmer was jittery, a large well of nervousness combining with his weighty expression. The sword in his hand trembled slightly.
Meanwhile, the human and half-blood duo appeared composed, showing no outward sign of hesitation. Their posture ram-rod straight.
Elsewhere, Lucas had a neutral expression, his eerily calm facade never cracking. Not even when William's gaze bore into his own. His axe lay perfectly still. The only sign of something amiss was the bulging veins on his hand, his knuckles white.
The sudden change in the formerly haughty trainee's demeanour frightened the rest of the trainees.
William stood in front of his students with his hands clasped behind his back. He swept his gaze across the young teenagers and nodded, sighting the serious looks plastered on their faces. "I have little to say, except be careful, work together as a team and remain vigilant. You're forbidden from venturing further than ten miles from the Camp - you will know when the trees change colour. In addition, you must be back present in the Camp each day before dusk. If I catch any of you breaking this rule, be prepared for the consequences…"
An audible gulp resounded from the large group.
William continued, unbothered, "Remember your training and don't be afraid. Have confidence in your progress and my teaching. All you need to do after completing a mission, is to return to the Camp and hand over what was in your quest. Before you leave pick up a compass… they are magically enchanted. The needle will always point toward the Camp. Fate be with you. Dismissed."
The trainees shared a silent glance with each other, and under the encouraging gaze of their menacing instructor, turned and retrieved a compass before making their way to the front gates.
The point of entry with which they would use to set foot in the East Leaf Wilderness.
Nico shifted his gaze to the dreary clouds and sighed.
'Here we go.'
***
High above, puffy white clouds dotted the cerulean skies, occasionally obscuring the sun from sending its bright rays down to the land dwellers below. A small wind was slowly picking up, bringing with it a zephyr's soft melody.
Three figures could not see this, however. Clothed in pitch-black attire, the grip on their weapons stiff. The dense canopy above their heads barred anything apart from small specks of light to infiltrate the verdant barrier.
Moss covered the floor, besides the countless twigs that littered the ground.
They had to be careful of where they placed their feet. Announcing their position to any of the forest's inhabitants was not on their to-do-list, especially if they ended up attracting a beast too strong for their current level.
The figure on the left possessed slightly pointed ears, his uniform struggling to fit his broad shoulders. Next to him, a pale youth scanned the bush of the forest with endless caution.
Lastly, the figure to the right had his gaze trained on the upper branches of the trees… a solemn light in his eyes.
Recalling what the mission scroll had stated on the habits of Shadow Fang Leopards, Nico doubled his efforts and strained his eyes.
He also did not forget to scan the ground and his immediate surroundings vigilantly.
Included in the sheet was a variety of different information, that ranged from… where they were most likely to come across one leopard…. the preferred method the beast used to stalk its prey - using the shadows in a shaded area, or the upper reaches of a tree - and what exactly the requirements of their mission were.
As far as Nico knew, Shadow Fang Leopards mainly inhabited the inner region of the East Leaf Wilderness. That would most likely not be within the ten-meter boundary that instructor William had set up.
He sighed.
They would just have to make do and scour as much of the outer region as they could in the five days which they would spend on this mission. Patting his right pocket, Nico felt the comforting presence of the Sun Charm and exhaled a turbid breath.
The trio slowly stalked through the woodland, passing tree after tree, each one an almost identical copy of the other. They towered up, some of their bark withered, others healthy and full of vitality.
As Nico scanned his surroundings for the umpteenth time, a frown slowly made its way across his face.
The forest was too silent.
Even the wind that flowed through seemed subdued and lacking in aggression.
Occasionally, a chirp would come from the canopy above, but that sudden sound would just as well disappear the next moment, as if instantly snuffed out.
A subtle shiver crawled down his spine. The tension inside the forest frayed at his nerves. And with that, came a recollection of why he utterly detested forests.
'Blazing fates! Curse it all…'
The deep unease throughout the thicket was most likely the reason William had enforced a limit on how far and long they could traverse for, Nico thought with stark clarity.
His expression turned grim. He decided not to share his worries with his friends… for now.
Although based on how tense the two of them were told him they most likely sensed it too.
'Just great…'
Nico shook his head and focused on what he could control: being vigilant and spotting any danger before it arrived.
Time passed.
Every time the crackle of a twig or branch resounded Nico would flinch, only to find the source of the commotion to be Leon, who had a wronged expression on his face. It seemed he had some difficulty in keeping stealthy. The only disadvantage to his burly frame.
As they rounded the corner of an ancient tree, Henry immediately raised a fist in the air. The human and half-blood instantly stopped in their tracks. The young farmer bent down and scrutinised the earth.
A frown knit his features, before he stood up a moment later. "Boar tracks, as well as some blood…. It appears to be quite recent."
Nico nodded and glanced at Leon, having a silent conversation with him using his eyes. The half-blood nodded as well, and Nico's voice rang out barely above a whisper, "Okay, we stay away and change direction. We'll search somewhere else."