Dawn broke over a corner of the trial grounds, with the low growls of beasts reverberating through the air. The team found themselves surrounded by a pack of prowling Swift Beasts. These creatures were agile and immensely strong, putting the group's teamwork to a new test.
Ava calmly stood at the front of the group, raising her hand as she softly commanded her Wind Fox, "Wind Barrier!" At her words, a gentle breeze of wind-elemental energy radiated from the fox, forming a translucent barrier. When the Swift Beasts lunged forward, they were deflected back several meters.
"It can do that?" Rein's eyes glimmered with surprise. The Shadow Wolf glanced at the Wind Fox, letting out a faintly amused scoff but saying nothing.
During the battle, Ava used Beast Speech to communicate with the Swift Beasts, noticing something strange about their behavior. "They aren't natural creatures—they're being driven by some force," she said quietly to Rein, while commanding the Wind Fox to expand its wind barrier to protect the entire team.
Rein's brows furrowed as he immediately connected it to the Nether Pact Cult's manipulative methods. "These Swift Beasts might just be bait to test us." He quickly issued commands, rallying the team to counterattack. However, Rayke seemed distracted, his lingering dissatisfaction with Rein's leadership clearly showing.
During the ensuing battle, Rayke's Ironclad Beast failed to coordinate with the Wind Fox, resulting in the fox sustaining a minor injury. Ava glared at Rayke and snapped, "Are you even thinking about the team at all?"
"Stop acting like you're special," Rayke retorted coldly, his tone dripping with hostility. "The Wind Fox is your contract beast, not our shield."
Rein stepped in, speaking in a calm yet firm tone that brooked no argument. "Enough. This was my oversight for not assigning roles properly."
Surprisingly, his words diffused Ava and Rayke's anger, though they left both of them with conflicted feelings about Rein's leadership.
As the Swift Beasts launched an even fiercer assault, Ava encouraged her Wind Fox to push its abilities further. The fox spread its wings and unleashed a massive wind blade, driving back the surrounding beasts. Using her Beast Speech ability, Ava coordinated seamlessly with the fox and even guided other contract beasts to support its efforts.
Rein watched from the side, gaining a deeper appreciation for Ava's capabilities. He walked over to her and said quietly, "You did well just now. If it weren't for the Wind Fox, we'd probably have been wiped out."
Ava blinked in surprise but then replied with a smirk, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Even without you, the Wind Fox and I could've handled it."
Rein didn't argue, simply watching her retreating figure with a complicated expression.
That night, the group rested briefly in the wilderness. By the campfire, Ava fed her Wind Fox while her gaze inadvertently fell on Rein. He was tending to the Shadow Wolf's wounds alone, his expression stern and tinged with weariness.
"Who exactly are you?" Ava murmured to herself, recalling Rein's composure and decisiveness during the day's battle. Questions she couldn't yet answer swirled in her mind.
The Wind Fox gently nuzzled her face, as if offering comfort. Ava stroked its head in silence.
As the group rested, a low, guttural roar echoed from the distance, shattering the quiet of the night. Rein shot to his feet, his eyes alert and fixed on the direction of the sound.
The Shadow Wolf's voice suddenly echoed through their soul link: "The aura ahead is familiar… The Nether Pact Cult's pawns haven't left."
Rein spoke coldly, "Prepare for battle. We're likely about to face an even bigger problem."