The group's excitement grew as they clustered around the cliff face, examining the glowing ore embedded in the rock. Small tendrils of luminescent energy pulsed within the iron veins, casting an otherworldly glow on their faces.
"Hurry over!" Alaric called, his voice filled with excitement as he motioned to the others.
Leo leaned in, fascinated. "What kind of metal is this? I've never seen anything like it."
Darian joined him, nodding with a grin. "It's iron, but this one's infused with magic. Must have been absorbing magical energy from the environment for decades, maybe even centuries."
Alaric's grin widened, unable to hide his enthusiasm. "This isn't just regular iron. We're looking at enchanted ore. With enough of it, we could make weapons or armor stronger than steel, and if we can mix it right, it can become enchanted steel—something far more valuable."
The group exchanged eager glances, the possibilities of their discovery sinking in. Enchanted steel was rare and in high demand at the academy and among adventurers alike, its resilience and magical potential making it a prized resource.
Alaric walked up to the ore, summoning small earth wisps that swirled around his hands, directing his energy precisely around the metal. With practiced movements, he softened the rock around the ore, pulling it gently from the cliff face without damaging it. Leo watched closely, intrigued.
"Alaric, can you teach me how to do that? What spell are you using?" Leo asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Alaric looked over, surprised by Leo's interest. "It's not too difficult once you get the hang of it. Start by summoning a few earth wisps and letting them guide your energy around the ore. Then focus on softening the surrounding rock, gently loosening it. Just be careful not to crack the ore—if it breaks before it's heated, it can start losing the magic it's absorbed over time."
Leo nodded, summoning his own wisps and mimicking Alaric's movements. The wisps shimmered around his hands, and as he focused, he could feel the rock begin to yield.
Leo reached for the small chunk of ore, his grip steady but a bit eager. Just as he was about to lift it free, he felt a resistance, and a faint cracking sound echoed from the stone. He froze, his heart sinking.
Darian stepped over, glancing at the fractured ore. "Ah, looks like the back wasn't softened enough," he observed, but his voice was reassuring. "Hey, don't worry—it was your first try. Just take it a little slower, and make sure to cover the whole chunk. Soften every part around it before you pull."
Leo nodded, taking a deep breath. He could feel his own wisps buzzing around him, ready to help, and he focused, carefully extending his energy around the remaining ore.
As Leo steadied his breathing, he focused on the remaining chunk of ore, carefully calling on his wisps to guide him. He visualized his energy as a delicate mist wrapping around the ore, softening the stone on all sides. Remembering Alaric's instructions, he made sure every part of the rock surrounding the ore was pliant and loose before he began to pull.
With a gentle tug, the ore separated from the stone, glimmering in his hand with a faint glow. Leo felt a rush of satisfaction as he held it up, grinning over at Darian and Alaric.
"Nice work!" Darian said, giving him an encouraging nod. "See? Just had to go a bit slower."
"Great job, Leo," Alaric agreed, summoning a few more earth wisps to guide his own gathering. "Once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to sense where the stone is solid or weak. It's like learning the texture of different kinds of soil when casting spells."
With a renewed confidence, Leo continued working alongside the group, gradually falling into the rhythm of gathering. The small cave was rich with the vein of magical iron, the infused ore glowing with a faint, earthy light in the dim space. It felt like uncovering buried treasure, each piece more valuable than the last.
They spent the next few hours carefully extracting chunks of ore, filling their packs with each successful harvest. Alaric's experience with earth magic helped them immensely; he would often move ahead, pinpointing promising spots for Leo and Darian to work on while Mira and Sera took turns gathering plants and roots from the cave walls, adding a few rare medicinal herbs to their haul. The entire group worked in harmony, keeping their spirits high with friendly banter and stories of past adventures.
As the day stretched into afternoon, the light filtering through the trees outside grew softer, casting long shadows into the cave.
"Looks like we've got quite the haul here," Mira said, tying off the last bundle of herbs and slipping it into her pack. "We could probably go on for another hour or so, but it might be smarter to head back to the base before dark."
Alaric, who was running his hand along the wall to check for any final pockets, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, especially with the bear yesterday—we don't know what else might be prowling around. We'll have plenty of chances to gather more on the next trip."
With a final look around, the group collected their packs, now heavy with their harvest. As they stepped out of the cave, they could feel the chill of evening settling in, the air becoming thick with the scent of pine and earth. They started their trek back, careful to keep their pace steady but swift as the shadows lengthened around them.
As they made their way back to camp, the group traveled mostly in silence, each step mindful of the shifting sounds around them. About halfway there, Darian suddenly raised a hand, signaling everyone to stop. They stilled, listening intently to the forest, which had fallen eerily quiet. Then, just ahead, a low rustling came from behind a thicket.
Slowly, the rustling intensified, and from the brush, a group of creatures stepped into view. At first glance, they looked like deer, but Leo quickly noticed something different—an ethereal quality that regular deer didn't have. Their fur shimmered in a soft, silvery hue, and their antlers glowed faintly, etched with thin, crystal-like veins. As they moved, faint traces of light followed each of their steps, like stardust scattered on the forest floor.
"Liora…" Sera breathed, eyes wide. "I've only heard about them. I never thought I'd see one in person."
Leo's gaze was transfixed on the Liora. "What makes them different from regular deer?" he asked quietly, captivated by their beauty and the quiet power they seemed to hold.
"It's the magic," Alaric whispered, leaning slightly closer to Leo. "They're infused with it. Over time, they've absorbed enough ambient magic to enhance their strength and senses. They're faster, tougher, and a lot more protective of their territory than normal deer."
Darian observed them carefully, his eyes narrowing. "They're rare, too. People prize their antlers for crafting, and their hides have properties that make them ideal for light armor—something stronger and far more resilient than standard materials."
As if sensing the group's presence, one of the Liora, a large stag with particularly vibrant antlers, lifted its head and looked directly at them. Its intelligent, piercing gaze met Leo's, and it let out a haunting call, low and reverberating, echoing through the trees. The other Liora turned their attention to Leo and his friends, their posture tensing.
"Do you think they'll attack?" Mira whispered, her hand already moving instinctively toward her dagger.
"Only if we give them a reason," Darian replied, though there was a note of uncertainty in his voice. "If we move slowly, we might be able to avoid setting them off."
Leo exchanged glances with his friends, torn between the opportunity to gather rare materials and the risk involved. "Do you think we could try to take something from them without provoking them?" he asked cautiously, glancing at Darian and Alaric.
Alaric hesitated before nodding, a spark of resolve in his gaze. "If we play it right, we could gather some valuable materials. But if things go wrong, we'll have a fight on our hands."
Taking the lead, Darian stepped forward carefully, his hands in plain sight, keeping his posture relaxed and non-threatening. The others followed suit, each of them moving slowly, trying to project calm. They were only a few paces away when one of the younger Liora let out a sudden yelp and bolted, its hooves kicking up leaves as it fled.
The large stag's reaction was instant. Its gaze sharpened, and it lowered its head, crystalline antlers glinting as it pawed the ground, preparing to charge.
"Brace yourselves!" Darian warned, his voice barely above a whisper as he quickly summoned his magic. Leo and Alaric mirrored him, summoning earth and water wisps to form barriers as the Liora began its charge.
The stag darted forward with astonishing speed, its antlers gleaming in the fading light. Darian shot a burst of ice toward the stag's feet, creating a slick surface that slowed it momentarily. Leo quickly called forth a stream of water, wrapping it around the stag's legs in an attempt to bind it. Mira and Sera moved to the sides, Mira with her dagger drawn, and Sera summoning her own wisps, prepared to shield the group if the Liora got too close.
Just as the stag seemed to shake free of the icy bind, Alaric summoned a wall of earth, blocking its path. The stag halted abruptly, skidding in front of the barrier. Frustrated, it let out a snort, pawing the ground as if considering whether to try breaking through. The other Liora observed from a distance, cautious but not approaching.
"Leo, now's your chance!" Darian called over, urgency lacing his tone.
Nodding, Leo focused, summoning a spear of ice, carefully honing its sharpness and stability. He took aim, feeling his pulse steady as he concentrated, then released it with a swift motion. The spear flew forward, catching the stag just as it lunged, striking true. The stag staggered, its body falling to the ground in one smooth, graceful motion. At this, the other Liora scattered, vanishing into the forest in a flurry of light and shadow.
They stood still, breath held, listening for any signs of more creatures. When only the sound of the forest returned, they allowed themselves to exhale in relief.
"Good work, Leo," Alaric said, giving him an approving nod. "That was a perfect strike."
Mira and Sera moved forward, carefully examining the fallen stag. They worked quickly, removing the antlers and hide, their hands respectful of the rare creature. The antlers gleamed, even brighter up close, and the hide was soft yet strong, nearly humming with latent magic. It was a valuable find, something that would help them greatly in crafting or trading back at the academy.
With their prize secured, they collected their gear and made their way back to the camp, moving with a brisk pace as the last light of the day faded behind them. The forest grew darker and colder, and they kept alert, hoping to avoid any more encounters before they reached the safety of their cave.
When they finally arrived, they unpacked their spoils and set everything out: glowing pieces of infused iron, bundles of herbs, and the rare antlers and hide from the Liora. The firelight glinted off their haul, casting flickering shadows that danced across the cave walls.
Darian smiled, his face proud but tired. "Not bad for our first day out here. We've got resources, materials, and we survived our first encounter with evolved wildlife."
by the fire after a great meal. One by one they drifted off, feeling the fatigue of the day ready for tomorrow.