The Academy buzzed with rumors after news of the corrupted forest spread. For most students, it was just another tale to exaggerate over lunch. For Elias, it was another sign that staying in the shadows was no longer an option.
As he sat in the dining hall, poking at his breakfast, Leon dropped into the seat across from him. "You've been quiet, Elgard."
Elias looked up, forcing a neutral expression. "Not much to say."
Leon leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Don't play coy. You figured out the runes in the catacombs and pointed out the corruption in the forest. You're sharper than you let on."
Elias shrugged. "I got lucky."
"Luck only goes so far," Leon said, standing. "We've got another mission briefing after lunch. Don't be late."
Elias watched him leave, his appetite completely gone. The system's soft chime interrupted his thoughts.
Great, Elias thought. Another chance to almost die.
The team gathered in one of the Academy's smaller briefing rooms, the atmosphere tense. A map of the surrounding area was spread across the table, marked with red circles.
"These are the locations where corrupted mana has been detected," said Nathaniel, pointing to the largest circle near the forest's heart. "Our goal is to reach this point and assess the situation."
"Expect resistance," Leon added. "We'll move in formation and maintain constant communication."
Elias stayed silent, nodding along. He didn't need to contribute to the plan—he just needed to survive it.
The forest was eerily quiet as they ventured deeper, the air growing colder with each step. The sunlight barely filtered through the dense canopy, casting everything in shades of gray. Elias activated Enhanced Perception, scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger.
They reached a clearing where the ground was blackened, the trees twisted and lifeless. In the center stood an ancient stone altar, covered in glowing runes. The corrupted mana emanating from it was almost palpable.
"This must be it," Aria whispered, her voice tinged with unease.
Before anyone could respond, the runes flared, and the air filled with a low, menacing hum. Shadows coalesced around the altar, forming into humanoid figures with glowing red eyes.
"Defensive positions!" Leon shouted, drawing his sword.
The shadow figures attacked without hesitation, their movements unnaturally fast. Nathaniel cast protective barriers while Aria fired arrows imbued with mana. Lila focused on healing, her magic keeping the team on their feet.
Elias circled the battlefield, using Silent Step to avoid detection. He analyzed the altar, noticing faint patterns in the runes. If I disrupt the flow of mana, it might weaken them, he thought.
Activating Mana Disruption, he targeted the altar. The runes flickered, and the shadow figures hesitated, their forms wavering. "Focus on the altar!" he shouted.
Leon and Aria moved in, striking the stone with precision. The altar cracked, releasing a wave of energy that dissolved the shadow figures. The clearing fell silent once more, the oppressive atmosphere lifting.
Mission Complete!
Reward: +200 Survival Points.
Bonus: +10 Intuition (for identifying the altar's significance).
As the team regrouped, Nathaniel examined the altar's remains. "This was a binding point," he said. "But for what?"
"No idea," Leon replied, sheathing his sword. "But we'll report this to the Headmaster. Good work, everyone."
Elias stayed quiet, his thoughts racing. The system chimed softly:
It's never over, is it? Elias thought, suppressing a sigh. As they made their way back to the Academy, he couldn't shake the feeling that they were only scratching the surface of a far greater threat.