The classroom emptied in a flurry of chatter and laughter as students dispersed. On the first bench, Larin lingered, sitting with his closest companions: Gwendon, Ngieri, and Rinku. Each of them brought a unique personality and background to their tight-knit group.
Gwendon, tall and long-haired, had bronzed skin and a face so striking it often earned him more attention than he wanted. Beneath his outward charm, however, was a sharp mind deeply engaged in the study of magic. Ngieri, on the other hand, was petite and full of energy, her ponytail bouncing as she spoke. Her fair bronzed skin and ever-optimistic demeanor often set her apart, and her devotion to Dysno, the divine entity worshiped by many, added a layer of spirituality to her presence. Lastly, there was Rinku, tall and wiry with intricately braided hair. Her pale bronzed skin and passion for runes and engineering made her a standout among their peers, and her curiosity about Shamanism made her a natural counterpart to Larin's broad magical aspirations.
"I thought Ewin was going to have your head today," Rinku teased, nudging Larin with her elbow.
Larin shrugged with a sheepish grin. "I thought so too. Maybe he's just tired of scolding me by now."
"He probably knows you as the chronic latecomer. I bet he's resigned himself to the inevitability of it," Gwendon added with a smirk. "I was almost late myself, though."
Ngieri leaned forward, wagging a finger. "You would've been late if I hadn't stopped by your house to drop off food this morning!"
"True," Gwendon admitted, laughing. "Ngieri, the savior of my reputation."
The conversation shifted as Rinku spoke up, her voice growing more serious. "What do you all make of these quakes? They've been so strange lately—louder, sharper. It's not like any earthquake I've ever heard of before."
Larin's brow furrowed. "Even my father doesn't have any news about it. All we know is that the rest of the Empire is cut off. Tele-runes are malfunctioning everywhere. I'm worried the Empire might see this as an act of aggression and escalate things unnecessarily."
Rinku nodded, her expression grim. "Pupi once told me about something similar during the Great War. There was a quake back then—not as prolonged as these, but it wasn't natural either. He said a single instance of it obliterated an entire battalion of magi. Vaporized, just like that. He described it as a beam of light from the sky."
The weight of her words hung in the air as the group fell silent, each lost in their thoughts. The quakes had become a topic of both fascination and fear, their origins cloaked in mystery. But no one had answers, only theories. After a while, the conversation shifted to lighter topics as they prepared to head back to the city.
By early evening, they had reached the bustling city streets. The crowd of apprentices and townsfolk moved like a tide, filling the air with the sounds of chatter, footsteps, and distant street performers. The apprentices who lived in nearby villages or towns often stayed in hotels or with relatives, while those from farther regions were housed in the Academy dorms.
As they strolled along, Gwendon suddenly turned to the group with a mischievous glint in his eye. "How about we go fishing? The weather's perfect, and we can be back before morning."
Rinku grinned. "If we leave now, we could be back by eleven. Sounds like a plan to me."
Larin, always the organizer, nodded. "Alright. Meet me by the city gates in half an hour. Bring whatever you'll need."
They parted ways with a cheerful farewell—"Phawts"—a casual goodbye unique to the young adults of Xiaxo.
Half an hour later, three of them were already waiting by the city's grand gates. Ngieri, Gwendon, and Rinku leaned against the stone walls, their excitement palpable.
"Where's Larin?" Ngieri asked, tapping her foot.
As if on cue, Larin came sprinting down the road, his arms full of gear. "Sorry! Took longer than I thought," he panted, dropping the load in front of them. "I brought everything we'll need: cooking pots, an axe, a spear, leather tarps, utensils, and even some food. If we're out late, we can camp."
The group laughed as they began dividing the gear. Larin's over-preparedness was both endearing and practical.
Once equipped, they passed through the city gates. Their identity tags were scanned by the engineers stationed there, logging their departure into the city's magical database.
The journey began with a debate over their destination.
"I think the Tich River will be lively this time of year," Gwendon suggested.
Ngieri shook her head. "The Tlong River would be better for camping, but it's crowded. Everyone's out hunting and fishing for magical components."
Larin weighed their options before deciding. "The Tich it is. It's farther, but worth it. If we push hard, we'll get there in about four hours."
"Then let's not waste daylight," Rinku said, a competitive gleam in her eye. Without warning, she bolted ahead, her laughter trailing behind her.
"Oh, it's like that, is it?" Gwendon shouted, sprinting after her.
Larin and Ngieri exchanged grins before activating minor body-enhancement spells. [Agility] and [Stamina Boost] made their strides feel weightless as they leaped after their friends, the thrill of the race filling the air.
The landscape made roads snakelike and zig zaggy, every other 100 meters or less had a sharp corner to cut, and the forest was an Undergrowth forest with dense vegetation that not even sunlight could penetrate, Undergrowth forests had this feeling that they were Ancient. The forest around the Tich River was serene, the fading sunlight casting golden hues across the landscape. The group arrived just as dusk settled, their laughter echoing through the trees as they caught their breath.
"Alright," Larin said, setting down his pack. "We'll set up camp here. Let's split up—Gwendon and I will gather firewood. Rinku and Ngieri, you set up the tarps and start prepping the cooking area."
"On it," Rinku said, already unpacking supplies.
As the boys disappeared into the forest, the girls worked efficiently, their movements practiced and coordinated. Rinku laid out the waterproof tarps while Ngieri arranged the cooking pots and ingredients. Soon, a small fire crackled in the clearing, its light dancing on their faces.
When Larin and Gwendon returned with loads of firewood tied to a long rope with three to four bundles each, the camp was already taking shape. The group settled into an easy rhythm, each contributing to the meal preparation. The scent of spiced lentils and rice soon filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest.
As they ate, the conversation drifted back to the mysterious quakes.
"You know," Ngieri said between bites, "I've heard stories about the Empire's experiments with ancient magic. What if these quakes are their doing?"
Gwendon frowned. "That's a dangerous thought. If it's true, we're in more trouble than we realize."
"Or," Rinku added, her tone speculative, "what if it's something even older? Something the Empire can't control?"
Larin poked the fire with a stick, his expression unreadable. "Whatever it is, time will reveal it, or we may help solve the mystery. But tonight, let's just enjoy ourselves. We can't solve the world's problems on an empty stomach."
The group laughed, the tension breaking as they focused on the warmth of the fire and the camaraderie they shared. The mysteries of the quakes could wait—at least for one night.
Later, under a sky studded with stars, they cast their fishing lines into the river. The water shimmered with faint bioluminescent hues, a sign of the magical life teeming beneath its surface.
Rinku leaned back, her rod balanced against a rock. "You know, nights like this remind me why I chose the Academy. Magic isn't just about power or knowledge—it's about connection. To each other, to the world."
Ngieri nodded. "And to Dysno. There's a reason they gave us this gift. It's up to us to use it wisely."
Gwendon smirked. "Leave it to you two to turn fishing into a philosophical debate."
Larin chuckled. "Hey, they're not wrong. But right now, I'm more focused on the spells I'll be using to catch fish."
The night wore on, filled with laughter, stories, and the occasional splash of a fish, calls of birds and rustling in the distant bushes. As the stars wheeled overhead, the group's bond felt unbreakable, their shared experiences weaving them closer together. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they knew they would face them as one.