At night, the forest was thick and suffocating, its canopy blotting out the stars. Yu Xi and his team moved with precision, sweeping the supply station for lurking beasts before settling in. Once the area was clear, Yu Xi deployed small perimeter devices, each one latching onto the surrounding trees with a faint hum. One by one, their lights flickered green, signaling the secure perimeter had engaged.
"Take turns keeping watch," Yu Xi instructed, his voice calm but firm. "I willl take the first shift with Kye, Reign, and Zayn." He picked up his ration pack, walking toward the edge of the camp to begin his patrol.
Rowland, watching him leave, hurried forward. "Team leader, here are some snacks for you," he said, holding them out with both hands.
Yu Xi turned, his gaze steady. "No, it’s fine. You need this more than I do."
Rowland lowered his head, his voice soft, almost shy. "I just... I just want to thank you for earlier. I have been causing you so much trouble, and I didn’t even get to guide you properly."
Yu Xi’s expression softened, though his tone remained resolute. "That’s my job as team leader. You don’t need to thank me."
Rowland opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but before he could, Vigil strode over with that ever-present smirk. Without hesitation, he snatched the snacks from Rowland’s hands. "If team leader doesn’t want it, you should give it to me," Vigil said, his tone mocking.
Rowland, timid yet stubborn, shook his head. "No."
Vigil’s eyes gleamed as he turned his stare toward Yu Xi. Wrapping an arm around Rowland in a mock embrace, he pressed, "Team leader, do you have a problem with me taking it on your behalf?"
Yu Xi’s gaze flicked to Rowland, who looked on the verge of tears. His voice was sharp, commanding. "Don’t take his things. Get to your station."
Vigil chuckled, the reprimand only fueling his twisted satisfaction. This was what he wanted, Yu Xi’s attention. Even if it came in the form of being scolded, it was still attention.
"Sure, team leader. Whatever you say," Vigil replied, feigning obedience.
Yu Xi didn’t waste another word. He turned and walked away, ignoring Vigil entirely. Vigil’s grin lingered, his eyes following Yu Xi’s back, while Rowland stood frozen, clutching his snacks tightly, his heart pounding as he recalled the things he had seen earlier.
***
On the other side of the forest, Alarna walked back to the supply point, her boots crunching softly against the forest floor. The campfire flickered ahead, casting long shadows across the weary cadets. She spotted Leane sitting near the flames, her gaze unfocused, her body stiff as though caught in a trance. Alarna hesitated for a moment, then grabbed a bottle of water from the supplies and approached.
She sat beside her, offering the bottle. "Are you okay?"
Leane blinked, startled, as if pulled back from some distant place. "Huh?" Her eyes fell on the water, and she managed a faint smile. "Thank you," she murmured, taking it with trembling hands.
Alarna studied her quietly. Leane’s fingers shook so badly she nearly dropped the bottle. This was supposed to be her dream. She had wanted to join the vanguard all her life, training endlessly, running simulations as though her very survival depended on them. Before the exam began, she had been excited, convinced she was born for this. Every step of her preparation had led to this moment.
But reality was cruel. She hadn’t expected to be placed in a team led by Jian Ci. His reckless aggression had traumatized not only her but more than half the team. He had dragged them straight into the dens of A and even S rank psychic beasts, places no sane cadet would willingly tread.
As her assigned guide, she was supposed to help him. Yet she realized with a sinking heart that she couldn’t.
Jian Ci fought like a war machine, his movements relentless, fueled by the suppressants coursing through his veins. He didn’t need guiding resonance, didn’t even pause to wait for his assigned guide. When Leane lagged behind, he wasn’t gentle, he would yank her back to safety by the collar, dragging her like a soldier hauling baggage. To him, survival was the only courtesy he offered.
Leane’s hands still trembled long after the battle ended. She twisted the cap of her water bottle, her knuckles white. Alarna, watching her, leaned closer. "Are you okay?" she asked softly.
Leane’s voice cracked. "I am... I am okay."
Alarna tilted her head, her tone deceptively calm. "Was guiding His Highness difficult?"
Leane’s eyes snapped toward her, sharp and furious. "Guiding?" She scoffed, her voice rising. "I didn’t even guide him! He didn’t need it. I was in ten times the danger, dragged around like a rag doll. He doesn’t need guiding at all! Why was I even given this job? Oh, that’s right—you asked me to do this for you!"
Her anger boiled over. She stood abruptly, tossing the water bottle at Alarna.
Alarna froze, speechless. "..." She had never been treated like this before. Fortunately, no one else saw, sparing her the humiliation.
But Alarna’s nature was not one to forgive disrespect. She would be merciful only because Leane clearly disliked Jian Ci. If Leane had shown even a hint of affection toward him, Alarna would have erased her from existence without hesitation.
Instead, Alarna smiled faintly, smoothing her hair back into place, her composure restored, her eyes glinting with quiet menace.
***
Yu Xi scaled the tree with effortless grace, his movements silent as a shadow. From the top, he could see the entire perimeter, the campfire below flickering against the dense black of the forest. The half crescent moon cast faint silver light, but the night was still thick, oppressive. Yu Xi’s eyes scanned the horizon, every muscle taut with focus.
"Team leader," Vigil’s voice crackled through the comms.
Yu Xi’s reply was curt, cold. "Unless you are dying, don’t talk to me."
Vigil smirked, pacing his lookout zone he had swapped with Zayn. "Yes, I am dying, team leader. Dying of boredom."
Yu Xi ignored him, his gaze fixed on the sky.
"Team leader," Vigil pressed again, his tone playful. "I can sing for you. I am really good at it."
Still no reply. Yu Xi’s eyes narrowed, catching something unusual above the treeline.
"Or you can sing for me, team leader," Vigil teased.
Yu Xi rose to his feet, his posture tense.
Vigil chuckled, relentless. "How about we go out for a drink after the exam and celebrate. I can even introduce you to a handsome guide, much more ethereal than Rowland."