Eren made his way back to the forest outskirts later that evening, his mind racing with thoughts of the day's events. The academy had always been a battlefield of alliances and rivalries, but his return had reignited tensions he'd hoped to leave behind. Between Cassian's hostility and Seris's curiosity, he was skating on thin ice. At least here, beneath the canopy of trees, he could breathe.
His cabin stood exactly as he'd left it: sturdy and unassuming, blending seamlessly into the natural surroundings. The Survival System had guided him well in constructing it, and it now served as his sanctuary. He opened the wooden door, stepping inside to the faint scent of pine and earth.
Eren dropped his bag on the table and pulled out his notebook, where he'd begun chronicling his observations of the Survival System. Pages of hastily scribbled notes detailed everything from skill interactions to mission patterns. If the system had a design, he was determined to understand it.
Survival System Log: Skill Upgrade Potential
Skill: Copy
Progress: Initial testing shows compatibility with various magical techniques. Further trials required to determine efficiency.
Hypothesis: Potential to evolve into an advanced skill, "Perfect Copy," with sufficient Survival Points and specialized missions.
The idea of Perfect Copy was tantalizing, but Eren knew better than to rush into upgrades blindly. Every choice carried risks, and he needed to ensure his survival first and foremost.
Just as he finished jotting down his notes, a soft rustling outside caught his attention. Eren tensed, his hand instinctively moving to the dagger strapped to his belt. He stood silently, listening. The sound was faint, but distinct—footsteps, too light to be an animal.
Cautiously, he moved to the door and cracked it open. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting long shadows across the clearing. At the edge of the forest stood a figure, partially obscured by the darkness. Eren's eyes narrowed as he stepped outside, his grip tightening on the dagger.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice steady.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a young woman with a pale complexion and long, dark hair. Her robes marked her as an academy student, but Eren didn't recognize her immediately. Her expression was tense, her hands clutching a satchel as if it contained something precious.
"You're Raynor Velcroft, aren't you?" she asked, her voice soft but filled with an urgency that set Eren on edge.
He didn't answer immediately, studying her closely. "Who wants to know?"
"My name is Lira. I… I need your help."
Eren frowned. This was unexpected. He'd made a point to avoid interactions with other students, yet here was someone seeking him out in the middle of the night. "You have the wrong person," he said curtly. "I'm not interested."
"Please," she insisted, taking a step closer. "I don't have anywhere else to go. They'll find me if I stay at the dorms."
Eren's eyes narrowed. "Who's 'they'?"
Lira hesitated, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting someone to emerge from the shadows. "I can't say. Not here. But I know you've been living out here, away from the academy. Please, just let me stay for the night. I… I'll leave in the morning."
Eren considered her words carefully. This could be a trap, a ploy to draw him out or test his defenses. But there was a genuine desperation in her eyes that made him pause. If he turned her away and something happened to her, it could bring unwanted attention to his secluded life.
"Fine," he said finally. "But just for the night. And you stay out of my way."
Lira exhaled in relief, nodding quickly. "Thank you. I promise I won't cause any trouble."
Eren stepped aside, allowing her to enter the cabin. She looked around cautiously, her eyes lingering on the simple but functional interior. Eren closed the door behind her, his mind already racing through contingency plans. Whatever trouble she was in, he needed to ensure it didn't become his problem.
Later that night, as Lira slept fitfully on the makeshift bed he'd set up for her, the Survival System chimed softly in his mind.
New Mission Available
Objective: Uncover Lira's secret without alerting her.
Reward: 100 Survival Points
Failure Penalty: Increased likelihood of being targeted by hostile factions.
Eren stared at the notification, his jaw tightening. He'd hoped for a quiet return to his routines, but the system clearly had other plans. Lira's presence was no coincidence, and now it seemed her arrival was tied to something far bigger than he'd anticipated.
Whatever secrets she carried, Eren would uncover them—on his terms.