I took out Cecils Stitch. The Stitch itself showed no reaction; it was the parchnt stored with it that was emitting light.
Sothing must have happened to Cecil. There seed to be sothing hidden, but I had no imdiate way to find out what it was.
Could it be a call for help? I had no intention of contacting Cecil in the danger zone. Calling for her would be like summoning the entire group.
Joining forces with redundant personnel in the danger zone would only add to the burden Luna and I had to bear. Our actions would be restricted, and it would be more difficult to draw the cursed sword imdiately in a crisis. Besides Cecil, there was nobody else whose presence would benefit us.
In the current situation, with a top predator of the circulatory system as our target, they were nothing but dead weight.
I put the Stitch and the magical parchnt back into my pocket. Id only respond after the joint class was complete.
Its nothing significant.
As I was about to leave the cave, Luna stood up and awkwardly waved her hand.
That have a safe trip.
Though likely not her intention, the sight made feel like the head of a household setting off to earn a living. It was an odd feeling.
By the way, do you like pork?
Luna nodded twice.
What does that an? Usually, she doesnt nod more than once. Does nodding twice indicate a strong affirmation?
Ill be back.
I took off my outer garnt, hanging it on the cave wall, and stepped outside in just my thin shirt.
The downpour made it difficult to see.
My body was soaked, sending a shiver down my spine. I uncorked a bottle of Griffin Potion and took about half of it to stimulate my heartbeat and raise my body temperature.
The reason I ntioned pork was that while gathering firewood, I had discovered traces of wild boars.
I headed straight for the place I rembered.
The light leaking from my pocket grew stronger, but I intentionally ignored it and continued my search.
Although the rain had washed away the footprints, the paths ford by the creatures heavy bodies moving through the forest remained until plants reclaid them.
As I prowled through the woods, I felt a presence behind and turned my head.
About thirty steps behind , one of Lunas wolf spirits was standing there.
Had Luna sent it?
Dont worry about , go protect Luna.
The creature showed no reaction, as if not understanding my words.
I moved again, and it followed. It seed that Luna really did send it. I appreciated the sentint, but with such a large creature at my heels, the pigs would run off before I could do anything.
Looking back again, the creature sat down, sticking out its tongue and panting.
Stay further back. Youll scare away the prey.
It didnt seem to listen, clearly following Lunas orders alone. I gave up and continued my search.
The path used by the wild boars was wider than expected. It looked like a carriage could have passed through. Tufts of hair were stuck to tree barks, and there were traces of blood here and there. Heavy footprints that hadnt been washed away by the rain indicated that they moved in groups, not alone.
I was nearing the habitat of the wild boars. To prepare for sudden developnts, I drew my wooden sword.
Suddenly, the wolf spirit began to bark, startling sothing in the underbrush aside the path.
Sothing splashed across a puddle towards . The footsteps lacked the heaviness of wild animals, and it was not on four legs.
I instinctively knew a person was approaching and gripped my sword tighter.
Before they could erge from the bushes, I called out.
Whos there?
The rustling stopped at my question, and soone spoke from the other direction.
Who are you?
The voice was familiara womans.
Suddenly, the Stitch in my pocket started thrashing as if trying to escape. Upon opening the pouch, it flew out towards the mysterious woman.
Its really you, Candy.
Then, Cecil erged from the bushes, her top buttons undone, thoroughly soaked, her clothes clinging and revealing underneath.
She was alone, which suggested sothing had happened.
What brings you here?
I had nowhere else to go. Can you help ?
Cecils skin was pale from being in the rain for too long, lips devoid of color.
As her legs wobbled and she stumbled, I caught her by the shoulders to support her.
Its lucky I found you I wanted to surprise you, actually. Had no idea Id end up soaked like this.
It seed she had attached a tracker to Stitch. If Stitch hadnt been stored in the labyrinth, it could have been a real issue. I had just avoided a misfortune due to carelessness.
Her condition was too serious for idle chatter. We had to return to the cave before hypothermia set in.
Can you walk?
No No, wait!
I lifted Cecil up in one swift motion. Embarrassed, she punched my chest softly and covered her face with one hand. A slight blush returned to her pale face.
Next ti, give a warning before picking up.
But what about the other group mbers?
I casually asked, wondering if sothing had happened to Trisha.
The river swelled suddenly, and we got separated. The others are fine.
***
Luna was drying Damians coat by the fire when she occasionally glanced outside the cave, but the heavy rain and mist prevented her from seeing anything.
Not long after, though, a figure approached the cave. The silhouette had a sword at the waist and carried sothing in its arms. Luna recognized Damians distinct aura coming back from the hunt.
When Damian entered the cave, Luna was shocked at what he brought.
He held a person in his armsa familiar face. It was Cecil Fontar, soone she had seen a few tis in the dormitory. Luna couldnt comprehend why Damian would return holding her.
Damian carefully sat Cecil down in front of the fire.
Thank you, Candy.
Cecil, in turn, appeared stunned upon seeing Luna there.
?
?
Cecil, hesitant, asked,
Candy, did you et her by chance too?
Compared to such an unexpected encounter, Lunas clothes were pristine.
Shes my friend. Get so rest. Im going hunting.
With those words, Damian left the cave abruptly.
Silence ensued, awkward and lingering.
Damians casual ntion of friend echoed in Cecils mind. After always covering his face, hiding his identity, and not talking much, she had assud he had no friends but her.
Seeing Cecils pale face, Luna understood why she needed to be brought here, but Cecil couldnt fathom Lunas presence.
Cecil had half-expected Damian might offer to form a group if she asked nicely.
She had even given him a Stitch to keep in touch. But he disappeared after taking care of his own business. Was he behind her back, cozying up with a girl?
Moreover, not just any girl but the top student of the Magic Departnt.
Although the situation deviated from her expectations, leaving her less than pleased, Cecil was aware that she was strictly an uninvited guest and on the receiving end of help. Thus, she refrained from acting presumptuously.
She continued to warm her soaked body and tentatively greeted Luna.
Youre Luna, right? Im Cecil. Weve crossed paths a few tis, but here we et again. Its nice to see you.
Luna received her greeting stiffly.
Hello.
Candy and you are a group?
Yes.
So you know about Candys identity?
Luna shook her head.
No.
It felt like an interrogation, even though that wasnt the intention. Cecil needed to assuage her curiosity; otherwise, it would keep nagging at her.
Really? What did Candy offer in exchange for joining the group?
Cecil assud Luna would not simply go into the danger zone with an unknown man without any conditions. However, Lunas response surprised her.
Candy is my friend. No reward is necessary.
Frustration filled Cecil as her chest tightened. She pulled out a wet strand of tobacco and began to dry it by the fire.
Then a thought struck her, and she posed another question to Luna.
But is it alright for Candy to go alone?
Luna nodded.
Creatures in the circulatory system generally had so resistance to magic. When spells were cast, animals could change their outer layers with magic to defend themselves from various attributes, making it especially tricky to hunt wild animals.
And deep within the danger zone lurked a fierce beast known as the wingless dragon.
If Damian wielded an enchantnt sword, he might suffer setbacks due to elental compatibility.
Then heavy, earth-shaking footsteps approached the entrance, and only then did Cecil realize it wasnt the ti to worry about Candy.
***
Not one, but three wolf spirits now followed Damian.
The feeling of being watched candidly intruded on Damians thoughts, but he dismissed it and resud tracking the wild boars.
Their trail was maze-like, disorienting him the deeper he ventured. The signs were becoming clearer, but he had yet to actually spot the boars.
Suddenly, the wolf spirits scattered in alarm, dashing forward with urgency. One stopped, signaling for Damian to follow by wagging its tail fervently.
Sensing an imdiate danger, Damian hurried along the path, following the spirit.
He passed through a tunnel-like thicket of vines and at its end was the cave they had been usinga cave that was actually part of the wild boars territory.
***
Chiik, chiik
Loud snorts pierced into the cave through the torrential downpour.
Luna and Cecil quickly stood, sensing an unsettling presence.
Sothing was outside.
A colossal shape, as large as a carriage, slowly approached the cave entrance.
Through the mist beyond, the red glow of the creatures eyes sparkled ominously.
The beast thudded along, drawing nearer to the entrance. It was a giant wild boar, adorned with distinctive markings. A swipe from its massive head had the potential to crumble even a bull to clay.
What lousy luck to encounter a wild animal of the circulatory system with her recovery incomplete and Candy away.
Cecil pulled out her magical bombs, but their effectiveness against such magically resistant beasts was uncertain.
The boars blocking of the entrance ant there was no escape.
The boars eyes seethed with anger toward the intruders in its territory.
It began to shuffle its feet, preparing to charge.
At that mont, a brilliant light exploded from one side of the caves exterior.
Imdiately after, the white light swept over where the boar stood, followed by an ear-deafening blast.
As Cecil opened her eyes, she saw Candy standing there near the entrance, looking calmly at where the boar had been flung away.
The massive wild boar had been blown away without a chance to resist.
There he was, walking into the cave, calmly asking Cecil,
Do you like pork?
Indeed, the top overall student displayed undeniable prowess.
He was a man she wouldnt trade for a hundred others, not for Victor, Gale, Bertang, no one.
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