The morning passed quietly, though Eren's mind remained far from settled. He moved through his routine with precision, his thoughts drifting back to Lira and the satchel's contents. The crystal's faint warmth lingered in his memory, and the ominous entries in her journal replayed in his mind like an unsolved puzzle.
The Survival System had gone silent, offering no further guidance. That was fine by Eren. He preferred to rely on his own judgment, even if the system's assistance had proven invaluable at times. For now, his priority was maintaining the sanctuary he'd built and avoiding entanglements with the academy's politics and the dangerous forces Lira had alluded to.
He spent the better part of the day reinforcing the cabin. New traps were set in the surrounding forest, and he added another layer of fortification to the door and windows. The air had taken on a chill, a reminder that the seasons were shifting. Winter would bring new challenges, and he needed to be ready.
As the sun began to dip below the treeline, Eren heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching. His hand instinctively went to the knife at his belt as he stepped outside, his cold gaze scanning the forest.
To his surprise, it wasn't Lira returning, but someone else entirely.
A young woman emerged from the trees, her expression a mixture of determination and wariness. She wore the academy's uniform, though it was slightly disheveled, and a bow was slung across her back. Her auburn hair was tied into a loose braid, and her green eyes locked onto Eren with an intensity that made him pause.
"You're Raynor Velcroft, aren't you?" she asked, her voice steady.
Eren's expression didn't change. "Depends on who's asking."
"My name is Serina Elthar," she said, stepping closer. "I've been looking for you."
The name rang a bell. Serina was one of the academy's rising stars, a prodigy in archery and one of the heroines in the original novel. Eren had made a point of avoiding her and the other key characters, knowing their presence often spelled trouble. Her showing up now was far from ideal.
"I'm not interested in whatever you want," Eren said bluntly, turning back toward the cabin. "Go bother someone else."
"Wait!" she called after him, her tone sharper. "This isn't about you. It's about the academy. There's something happening, and I think you're involved."
Eren stopped but didn't turn around. "You think wrong."
"Then prove it," Serina said, her voice challenging. "There are rumors about you—about what you've been doing out here. People are saying you've been meeting with… unsavory groups."
Eren turned his head slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Rumors are just that. Rumors."
"Maybe," Serina admitted, "but I don't think you're the type to waste time playing games. If you're not involved, then help me figure out who is."
Eren let out a quiet sigh, his patience wearing thin. "Why would I bother? The academy made it clear I'm not their problem anymore."
"Because whatever's happening isn't just about the academy," Serina said, stepping closer. "It's bigger than that. And if you're out here hiding from it, you'll only make yourself a target."
Eren studied her for a long moment, weighing his options. Serina's arrival was an unwelcome complication, but her words carried a ring of truth. If something significant was unfolding, it could disrupt the fragile balance he'd worked so hard to maintain. Ignoring it might not be an option.
"You've got five minutes," he said finally, his tone flat. "Talk."
Serina's shoulders relaxed slightly, though her expression remained serious. "Thank you. I don't have all the details yet, but I know there's a group operating in the shadows. They've been recruiting students—promising them power in exchange for loyalty. A few have already disappeared."
Eren's eyes narrowed. "And you think I'm part of this group?"
"No," Serina said quickly. "But I think you know more than you're letting on. People don't just disappear without a trace, and you're the only one who's been living outside the academy's walls."
Eren crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "If I did know something, why would I tell you?"
"Because whether you care about the academy or not, this will affect you," Serina said firmly. "These people… they don't leave loose ends."
Eren said nothing, his gaze cold and calculating. Finally, he nodded toward the cabin. "Come inside. But if you're wasting my time, you'll regret it."
Serina hesitated briefly before following him inside. The door closed behind her with a soft click, and the forest fell silent once more.