The tournament had ended.
The grand banners had been lowered, and the cheering crowd had long since vanished into the streets beyond. But within the now-quiet arena courtyard, a smaller gathering remained—those who had been chosen.
Zane stood in the center of the group, his eyes drifting across familiar and unfamiliar faces. Beside him, Sera yawned dramatically, wind lazily curling around her boots. "I swear if they don't feed us soon, I'm stealing from the headmaster's pantry."
Zane didn't respond. His attention was locked on one person.
She stood at the far end of the group, poised and silent, her expression unreadable. She had lost to him—everyone had seen it. Yet here she was among the chosen. No one dared question it aloud, but the air was thick with unease.
Then a tall professor stepped forward, his silver-braided hair glinting in the evening sun.
"Congratulations, candidates. You are the ones selected for the expedition to the ruins of Virelundra. Over the next three days, you will journey through the Southwood by carriage. This is not a vacation. It is a mission—and a test."
He stepped aside and gestured toward a line of carriages parked beyond the gate.
"And to ensure your safety and growth, you will be guided by senior students of the Academy."
Zane turned—and blinked.
Leading the approaching upperclassmen was none other than Auri.
Her golden eyes met his, and her expression bloomed into a smirk.
"Well, well," she said as she approached him. "Welcome back, thief."
Zane flinched, but before he could reply, she stepped in close and grasped his hand—firmly.
"It seems like fate brought us together again," she added, her voice softer now. Her fingers squeezed his a little tighter than necessary, her smirk curling into something between amusement and interest.
Zane, slightly stunned, tried to speak. "I—uh—it was just bread—"
"Relax," Auri laughed, releasing his hand with a wink. "I'm your guide now. Try not to disappear on me again."
Sera raised an eyebrow. "Thief?"
Zane groaned. "It was one time."
The professor cleared his throat. "You'll all be dismissed for the evening. Rest well. Tomorrow, at dawn, your journey begins."
As the candidates began to disperse, Zane lingered a moment. Auri gave him a nod before heading back to her group, while Lucia remained at a distance—watching everything.
Zane's system pinged quietly in the back of his mind:
[Quest Updated: Journey to Virelundra – Status: In Progress]
[New Ally Detected: Auri]
[Danger Presence: Masked Hostility Detected]
Zane didn't need to guess who that last one referred to.