As I headed into the forest, I felt the distinct sensation of being watched. It was logical—my starting position left me at a disadvantage, with minimal time and limited materials. However, what they didn't know was the small detail that I had my head armor activated.
For a first-year student to have this component active was extremely rare. Some would even call it a waste of time, as it didn't enhance physical abilities like other armor components might. Instead, it provided sensory boosts—an ability often underestimated but invaluable in situations like this, where reduced visibility made heightened senses critical.
Once I had put a good distance between myself and the starting area, I activated my armor:
Mana Armis: Left Foot + Hand + Right Shoulder + Head – 2nd Form Condensation.
My speed increased instantly, though this form left faint trails of aether in my wake—something that could be used to track me. For the moment, this wasn't a concern.
When I had traveled far enough, I deactivated the armor. However, instead of interrupting the circuit entirely, I expelled the aether outward from all the components except for the head armor, which I kept active. This created a wide zone saturated with traces of my aether, blending with the atmospheric aether to create false trails.
Satisfied with my diversion, I found a small cave surrounded by stones and hid myself inside. There, I focused on reducing all sensory activity except for my hearing, which I sharpened to its limits.
After several minutes, as I had anticipated, about fifteen people arrived in the area, following the false trails I had left. When they reached the zone of aether dispersion, they stopped to deliberate, deciding who would search in which direction. Based on the weight and rhythm of their steps, I estimated that seven of them turned back, deeming me not worth their time. A group of three headed forward, another group of four veered to the right, and one person stayed behind, carefully inspecting the area.
I felt confident in my ability to hide my tracks, so I was certain the remaining person hadn't pinpointed my exact location. But then, I heard it—a soft, almost imperceptible voice. If not for my head armor, I wouldn't have caught it.
"He's still here."
Wow, she's good, I thought.
Still, I was convinced she wasn't entirely sure of my position. Her movements were deliberate, her steps measured, as she analyzed the area. I remained completely motionless, careful not to make even the slightest sound. My only movement was the steady rhythm of my breathing.
She continued to inspect the area, moving closer with each step. Her next destination was clear—she was heading toward the rocks where I was hiding. Each step felt heavier, louder, until the final step reverberated like an explosion in my ears. She stopped.
"This is just a waste of time," she said suddenly, her voice breaking through my tense focus like a splash of cold water, snapping me back to my senses.
She turned abruptly and walked away, her steps quick and deliberate. I waited, listening, until her movements faded into near silence before emerging from my hiding spot.
"You're a good scout, Luna," I murmured to myself, impressed by her skill.
I recognized the voice, but I wasn't entirely sure. The last time I had heard it was a few years ago. However, the distinct sound of her footsteps, which grew louder with each step due to the weight of her weapon, confirmed my assumption.
Now that I've escaped being the prey, I need to find a more appropriate role.
Rather than wandering aimlessly, I decided to follow the tracks left behind by the hunters pursuing me. They had offered them up without any attempt to conceal them—perhaps thinking their prey wouldn't dare to follow.
Within minutes, the group came into view. Now, I had to decide how to retrieve one of the tags attached to their pants without touching any part of their bodies. Any physical contact would count as a loss for me.
Two boys and a girl walked together, their weapons ready for any unexpected encounter. They were among the lucky ones who, in the previous lesson, had been found and left completely without points. The person responsible for this misfortune had arrived late to the current hunt for points. As soon as the event began, they—along with others—had immediately sprinted after him.
"He should've shown up by now—or at least left some tracks," said the boy with the short sword strapped to his belt.
"Maybe we're just unlucky. We should look for someone else," the second boy suggested. He carried a dagger tucked behind him.
"Why not turn around and try another direction?" proposed the girl, gripping her bow tightly. Her quiver was strapped to her thigh, ready for quick access.
"It's already too lat…"
BOOM!
The sound of something falling interrupted their conversation. All three turned toward the noise and saw the shadow of a figure darting quickly from one tree to another before disappearing behind the trunk.
"You won't escape!" shouted Tim, the boy with the dagger. Without hesitation, he activated his Mana Armis, which coated his limbs and the forearm of his right hand. He charged toward the shadow with confidence.
"Tim, don't rush! This could be a trap!" called out the boy with the sword, trying to stop him.
"Even if it's a trap, I'll handle it!" Tim shot back, his confidence unwavering. He continued the chase, leaving the others no choice but to follow.
The boy with the sword hesitated briefly but ultimately pursued, albeit at a slower pace. The girl, who lagged behind, readied an arrow as she approached the tree where the shadow had last been seen. By the time she reached it, the boys were already ahead of her.
BOOM!
Another sound echoed through the forest, this time accompanied by a silhouet emerging from the distance. Startled, the girl instinctively aimed her bow at the figure while the boys prepared to engage. But when they reached their supposed target, they found only a mannequin, well-known from training sessions, with an arrow lodged in its chest and a rope tied to its waist.
"It was just a distraction," Tim said, annoyed but undeterred. "Let's move further ahead."
Only, they didn't know that I, already holding the plate in my hand, was heading in the completely opposite direction from what they had anticipated.
In truth, my plan wasn't particularly brilliant. Observing a nearby mannequin, I tied it to a high branch and positioned it on the tree from where everything began. I dropped it down, then hoisted it back up, ensuring it stayed hidden behind the branches. As they passed below, I descended, released the branch, and, at the precise moment the girl drew her bow, I cut the thread holding the plate. By the time they realized what had happened, I had vanished.
I recognized Tim, though I hadn't seen him since childhood. He was from a branch of the Cindercrest clan that specialized in scouting—a fact confirmed by his black armor with red accents, signifying the use of scout-oriented martial arts combined with an Ignis constitution. It wasn't uncommon to see him wearing the Astrel Landa emblem during theoretical lessons.
Due to his prominent lineage, Tim frequently clashed with allies from other clans, conflicts that sometimes escalated into violence. I'd heard stories about such incidents before. It was unfortunate for me that I had tangled with him twice in the past. However, this time, he couldn't be certain that I was the one who manipulated him. Besides, it wasn't his plate I had taken but his colleague's.
Now that my only task was to find a place to spend the remaining time, I deactivated the head armor. Moving at a more relaxed pace, I made my way through the forest. According to my spatial awareness, I was near the border between the forest and the abandoned city area.
Inspecting the surroundings, I was suddenly hit with a sharp instinctual warning: dodge. Without hesitation, I leapt forward at an angle to the right. Midair, as I prepared to make contact with the ground, I turned to identify the source of the threat.
Luna? How did you end up here?
Standing before me was a girl with black hair that appeared longer in the darkness, as if the shadows clung to it, and strikingly pure purple eyes that gleamed like precious stones. She barely reached my shoulders in height, but the way she wielded a long scythe made her seem far more imposing. The weapon seemed like an extension of herself, as though she had been born with it in hand. Her purple armor, accented with black scar-like ornaments, was already activated and covered her hands, feet, and left calf.
"You have very good reflexes," she said, offering me a compliment immediately after trying to pierce me with her scythe.
"Thank you, but could you tell me what you're looking for out here?" I replied, barely finishing my sentence before she launched another attack. She gave me no time to rest, her movements relentless.
Despite the scythe's size, which required wide, sweeping arcs, I managed to maintain distance. But Luna's attacks weren't straightforward. She mixed them with feints and elaborate spins, turning the fight into a dazzling performance meant to confuse me. Still, I managed to stay out of range.
As she executed a new horizontal swing, I decided to end our confrontation. Timing my move carefully, I leapt onto the flat side of the blade, forcing it downward with my weight. Using the momentum, I propelled myself onto a nearby branch. From this elevated position, I activated my armor—this time leaving the head armor deactivated.
"I can assume you didn't want me to do that," I said, watching Luna as she ended her attack attempts. She smoothly repositioned her scythe, spinning it once before resting it against her back, holding it casually in one hand.
"I tried," she admitted, her tone resigned. "But if you've already managed to activate the armor, there's no chance I can catch you if you decide to run."
"I could've done it without the armor," I replied, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at my lips. Her expression tightened, clearly bothered by my comment.
"Regardless, I had to try," she said with a sigh, before her eyes narrowed slightly, calculating. "But I can assume you've accumulated a large number of points."
Wow, her deductive abilities are sharp.
I hadn't told anyone how many points I'd collected, but from the whispers I'd overheard and the intel Liam had shared, it was obvious I currently held the highest score. Still, for her to reach that conclusion so quickly was impressive.
"You overestimate me," I said dismissively.
"Considering how many people have described being ambushed by a hooded figure wearing armor on the right shoulder," she countered, "who seems to appear and vanish like a ghost, I'd say my assumption is accurate."
"It was nice chatting with you," I said, avoiding her remark. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a place to hide."
As I prepared to leave and refocus on my objectives, her voice stopped me again. Unlike her earlier sharp, calculated tone, this question carried an undercurrent of hope—and a trace of sadness.
"Does Iron Spark want to become allies with the Glacier Dominion clan?"
She remembers me.
"I wouldn't know," I replied flatly, keeping my expression neutral. "I'm not a representative of any organization."
"But you've been with Mr. Stoneforge since you were a child. I saw you," she pressed, her voice taking on a sharper edge.
I turned slightly to glance at her. The aggression in her tone hinted at frustration—perhaps even desperation—as if she believed she had the right to demand answers from me.
"I've told you everything I know," I said, my tone unwavering. "If you want answers, go ask in the guild. Don't interrogate strangers."
I turned my back on her again, intending to leave, but out of the corner of my eye, I caught the faint shimmer of a tear forming in the corner of Luna's eye. It stopped me in my tracks.
A memory surfaced, unbidden, from a childhood that brought me far more trouble than joy. The connection between us ran deeper than I wanted to acknowledge, yet it complicated things in ways I didn't care to revisit.
Without turning back, I spoke quietly but firmly.
"My master is a war buddy of Mr. Henry's. My relationship with Liam has nothing to do with the guild or its politics."