The forest on the western side of the Arcane Field was vastly different from the eastern portion, which was more commonly used for missions and training. While the eastern side was frequently traversed, with marked trails and open clearings, the west was a wild labyrinth of dense trees, twisted roots, and deep shadows. Rarely explored, this area exuded an ancient, forgotten energy.
Evan knew this was the perfect place to test his boots. Few apprentices ventured into the west, deterred by rumors of creatures and abandoned magical traps. He didn't want to risk his experiments being seen or his potential failures sparking unwanted comments.
The freshly inscribed boots were snug on his feet. Evan had spent much of the previous night replicating the pattern with precision, tackling the exhausting challenge of balancing the energy flows between the two. Now, every step felt different—as if the ground responded faintly to the boots, almost propelling him forward.
He took a deep breath, taking in the scenery around him. The trees stood tall like the pillars of a cathedral, and the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves created a low, constant melody. There was no one nearby. Perfect.
"Time to see if this works," he murmured, taking his first step.
The runes reacted instantly. He felt a gentle warmth radiate from the soles of the boots, climbing up his legs. It was as though an invisible connection had formed between him and the ground. The runic pattern, designed to enhance his speed and fluidity, began to take effect, drawing natural energy from the environment while requiring only a minimal contribution from his core.
This was the true advantage of runes: as magical contracts with the world around them, they drew most of their energy directly from the environment. This made their effects accessible to any mage with an active core, regardless of specific affinities.
Evan could feel the subtle energy flow from the environment being channeled through the runes—a clear demonstration that his inscription was functional and aligned with the magical principles he had studied.
Taking his first accelerated step, the impact was immediate. He felt an unusual lightness, as though the effort required to move his body had decreased. Within moments, he was running through the forest, dodging low branches and leaping over fallen trunks with ease he had never experienced before.
After a few minutes, Evan realized he wasn't just faster—he was more agile. The lightness rune integrated into the pattern seemed to improve his balance, while the flow rune smoothed his movements. Twisting his body, he tested a sharp turn and, to his surprise, managed to change direction without losing momentum.
"This... is incredible," he thought, feeling his excitement grow. But he knew he needed to test the limits of the boots.
Evan came upon a steep incline covered with roots and loose rocks. Taking quick steps, he began to climb. The runes seemed to adjust to the terrain, redirecting energy to compensate for the instability. He reached the top out of breath but with no signs that the pattern was failing.
Still, something bothered him.
"There's some resistance," he noticed. On challenging sections like the incline, he felt that part of the runes' energy was being dissipated. This was a problem he hadn't noticed during the inscription process.
During the assimilation process, Evan had estimated that the runic set would improve his speed by around 40%. In the simulation within his core, everything had been perfect: the rune strokes flowed seamlessly, the patterns connected flawlessly, and environmental energy was channeled ideally. However, now in the real world, he realized the improvement was "only" 28%.
The discrepancy wasn't hard to understand. The small errors made during the rune inscription had accumulated, resulting in a significant drop in performance. Imperfect lines and slightly misaligned knots had made the pattern less efficient, causing some energy to dissipate at critical moments. Evan felt this every time he made a bold move—the boost was strong but not as fluid as it should have been.
Still, even with these errors, the impact was substantial. For a mage, a 10% improvement was considered revolutionary; 28% was an extraordinary leap. This explosive gain could save lives in moments of crisis—a thought Evan embraced as he continued testing the boots.
As he descended the opposite side of the hill, something changed.
The once-comfortable silence of the forest now felt oppressive. Evan felt a wave of urgency sweep over him, as though the environment itself had shifted. The air grew heavier, and the usual sounds of the forest—the rustling leaves, the occasional birdcall—had vanished entirely.
He stopped in his tracks, scanning the surroundings with heightened senses. There was nothing visible among the trees, but the feeling was unmistakable: he was being watched. An invisible yet tangible presence seemed to encircle him.
His heart began to race. It was hard to explain, but Evan knew this wasn't mere paranoia. It was as if his core were reacting, pulsing faintly in his chest, warning him of an imminent danger.
"Someone... or something," he whispered, leaving the thought unfinished.
As the tension grew, Evan's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. He knew the world was vast and dangerous, home to creatures known as arcane beasts—beings shaped by magic that inhabited forests, mountains, and oceans. From an early age, he had learned that these creatures were classified by their strength and connection to magic, forming a hierarchy that defined the danger they posed.
Lesser Beasts: The most common and least threatening, yet still deadly to the unprepared. These creatures displayed only traces of magic, such as enhanced strength or heightened senses. Generally, two beginner apprentices were needed to defeat one.
Greater Beasts: Beings with a clear and functional bond to magic, displaying basic but dangerous arcane abilities. Their arcane marks glowed on parts of their bodies, signaling their growing connection to magical power. Facing a greater beast required at least three intermediate apprentices to balance the fight.
Supreme Beasts: At the apex of magical ferocity, these creatures were covered in intricate arcane marks that glowed brightly, capable of manipulating their surroundings and launching devastating attacks. Only teams of advanced apprentices, working in perfect coordination, stood a chance against them.
Above them all were the Sovereign Beasts—living legends, beings so powerful that they shaped their territories with their mere presence. It was said that even mages like Ardan avoided these areas, not out of cowardice but wisdom. Speaking of them was taboo, as though even their names carried a weight capable of inviting disaster.
Evan knew the relative safety of the Arcane Field came not only from its location but from the entire Violet Lagoon region. This vast territory, steeped in mystery, was where magic and nature intertwined uniquely. At its center lay the Violet Lagoon itself—a magical expanse of shimmering waters radiating energy throughout the surrounding land.
The Arcane Field was situated near the lagoon, serving as the heart of training for apprentices, while 32 villages formed a wide ring around this central area, providing the necessary support for the Field's activities.
Far from the lagoon, on the region's remote edge, stood Violet City. It was a place Evan knew only through stories—a metropolis of mages and merchants, grand in reputation yet distant both physically and emotionally from his reality. Though part of the territory, the city felt like another world, separated by vastness and the unknown.
As Evan reflected on the delicate balance of the region, a sound shattered his thoughts.
The snapping of branches wasn't caused by the wind.
His core pulsed, sending a warning that made his heart race. He couldn't see anything, but the presence was undeniable. Something was there, hidden in the shadows, watching him.
Evan didn't know what it was, but he was sure of one thing: running was his only option. He had no weapons, no spells, and above all, he knew that any attempt to fight would be suicidal.
With his muscles tensed and his breath held, he prepared himself. Whatever it was, he had to escape before it was too late.