Lukas had expected to see a fortified camp ground, the name was "Mystic Camp" after all. However, instead, he was greeted by a few large buildings that were well hidden in the wilderness around them. In fact, he may not have even seen them if Vesa hadn't stopped them there. It was very well camouflaged.
Vesa led them to the smallest of the three buildings present.
"This is the administrative building. You two were both just recruited, so there's a little bit of paperwork that needs to be done. For your sake though, whenever you need to update a mission you have with new information, you come here. Actually... not you Oak. You're in a subdivision, you can do the paperwork if you want, but you can also just give it to Skyla. Also, just for tonight, I will fill in your paperwork for you. Bene already did most of yours, Lukas, and Skyla couldn't finish yours, Oak, so I'll finish it for her."
She led them through the building, and to a barracks. All the buildings were connected by underground tunnels and cloaked corridors
"You two get some rest tonight. Tomorrow I'll need both of you, so make sure you have enough energy."
She left the two of them in a room with two beds. Oak quickly crashed onto one of them before putting his stuff away. Lukas sat on the other and carefully put his things away. It was nearly midnight, if not past that, so they both went to sleep not long after.
When Lukas awoke up the next day, he didn't see Oak. He also did not know what time it was, but sunlight was streaming in from the blinds. He quickly got ready, grabbed his things, and went to go find Vesa.
It did not take long, as she was standing outside of his room waiting for him. She was wearing a more casual outfit, with baggy clothes and... glasses?
"You sure took a long time to wake up."
"Was I supposed to wake up earlier?"
"I'm just messing with you, come on, we don't have time to waste."
She started walking, with Lukas following shortly after.
"Where's Oak?"
"He went to test his Frequency on something. I thought he might have some medical use for his Frequency. But also, I just wanted to run some experiments on it."
They started walking down various halls until they reached an empty room. It was a meeting room, or so he was informed. But currently, it was being unused, so Vesa took him here. She sat down and asked Lukas,
"Alright, Bene told me you joined the Fortissimo with the purpose of killing the ghast that killed your family. Is that correct?"
Lukas nodded.
"He also told me that you have the ability to go back in time a few seconds."
He nodded again.
"Alright. No wonder he assigned you to be a special asset... Do you have any more questions? It would be better if we head out earlier rather than later."
Lukas thought about it for a moment but ultimately shook his head.
"Alright, I have a mission currently, and you're going to help me with it. I don't need the help, but you need the training. There's a ghast in the surrounding region, which seems to be relatively weak and roams the wilderness. We are going to track it down, and kill it."
"Is it-"
"No, it is not the one from Shorstone. It doesn't match your description, nor is it as powerful, according to the reports at least. That doesn't mean it should be underestimated. It's still powerful, but anyone strong - like me - shouldn't have to worry. For you, it should be fine, but I will accompany you to make sure you don't die. It would be funny if you died on your first mission, but it would be more troublesome than it is funny."
Shortly after, they left the Fortissimo outpost and ventured into the surrounding woodlands. They travelled about 12 kilometres away from Mystic Camp before finding a single clue.
However, this was not as fast as it could have been. Vesa had to match Lukas' speed, and Lukas did not want to expend too much energy. But they did find their first clue as to the ghast's location.
A few footprints in the mud.
Now the mud had only been there from yesterday's downpour. So these were fresh, in fact, they were as fresh as they get. As Lukas examined them, he noticed that the mud that was exposed from the outer layers being pushed aside was more wet. Meaning that these tracks were made within only a handful of hours.
They were close.
"These are fresh, it must have been here within the last couple of hours."
"How do you know these are not from the night previous?"
Lukas wasn't sure if this was some sort of test or just a simple question. But he didn't care, he was going to answer the same way regardless.
"Well, firstly, they are in still-wet mud, and it only rained last night. Secondly, when these tracks were made, they exposed some under layers of mud. Those exposed layers are wetter than the outer layers, so they are fresh, very fresh."
Vesa seemed surprised or impressed by Lukas' observations.
"Are you a hunter or something?"
Lukas was snapped out of his momentary trance of studying the prints and stumbled over his words before answering.
"I uh... My father was one, and I went with him a few times."
Vesa chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing. The tracks lead this way, right? Let's go ahead and follow them."