"Yes, Sir!"
The response ca in unison, crisp and resolute. Everyone had prepared for this journey long in advance, and anticipation shone clearly in their eyes.
Alaric Von Seraph and Marcus naturally took the lead.
As the usual captains of the two student teams, their authority and leadership were already well established, and no one raised any objections. In the past, special enrollnt students were deliberately divided into two teams to encourage healthy competition, but this ti, no formal team division was made. Perhaps, due to the experience of the beast tide, which was still fresh in everyone’s minds.
When Zora and the others began their journey toward the White Mountains, Sebastian and Miel did not accompany them. At so point, the two ntors had quietly vanished from sight.
No one was surprised.
After all, the ntors had already made it clear that they would only appear at critical monts. Until then, everything within the White Mountains would depend entirely on the students themselves.
Zora had been to the White Mountain Range before, so returning again felt strangely familiar. Compared to her previous rcenary mission, however, this ti the group was significantly larger.
With Reesa and Baldwin along, the journey was lively. Laughter and conversation flowed easily, easing the tension that often accompanied expeditions into dangerous territory.
Despite the large size of the group, everyone moved with discipline and unspoken coordination. Their pace remained swift and efficient, fully displaying the caliber expected of academy elites.
After a full day of travel, the group finally arrived at the small town located at the entrance of the White Mountains.
They rested briefly, exchanged information, and discussed their next move. In the end, they decided not to linger and to enter the mountains directly.
The blue rank mission had been issued for so ti already, and nurous rcenary teams had headed toward the suffocating forest ahead of them. If they delayed any longer, there was a strong chance that other rcenaries would complete the investigation before they even arrived.
No one objected.
Everyone quickly changed into more practical attire suited for mountain travel, prioritizing mobility and protection over appearance. Compared to their usual academy robes, their gear now looked sharper, leaner, and far more battle-ready.
Amidst this transformation, Zora stood out instantly.
She was dressed in a flowing purple gown with a hat, a change from her usual style this ti.
The vivid purple naturally caught everyone’s attention the mont she stepped forward.
Prince Kael’s gaze lingered on her, montarily captivated. On ordinary days, Zora often wore white or red wear, her deanor cool and ethereal, tinged with an otherworldly calm. But now, clad in purple, she radiated a completely different aura and exuded a charm that made his heart tremble.
At the sa ti, Zora couldn’t help but glance at Prince Kael.
His pale gold attire fit him perfectly, enhancing his tall, straight figure and lending him a powerful, commanding presence. Compared to his usual playful, devil-may-care charm, he now looked sharper, more resolute, and undeniably imposing.
His already flawless features appeared even more striking beneath the strong lines of his outfit, like a sunlit blade that naturally drew every gaze.
Prince Kael raised an eyebrow slightly, a wicked smile curving his lips as his dark eyes sparkled with admiration.
"Darling, you look stunning in the purple."
Zora’s lips curved into a faint smile, her clear black eyes glinting with amusent.
For a mont, she wanted to say that "I know," just to tease him back, but sothing else naturally ca out of her mouth instead, "You aren’t bad either."
Everyone’s gaze lingered on the two figures standing side by side, and an unspoken sigh rose in many hearts.
In this vast world, was there really anyone more fitting for each other than these two?
Sylvandria had always been praised for her beauty, yet even she, standing beside Prince Kael, sohow failed to give people the sense of harmony that Zora did.
It was only at this mont that many truly realized how striking Zora’s presence was.
And when Prince Kael and Zora stood together, the contrast and balance between them felt almost unreal. For a brief mont, the surrounding chatter fell quiet.
Was it really appropriate for them to be flaunting their affection so openly? So envious spectators couldn’t help but wonder, collectively inside their heads.
Reesa, however, wore a broad smile. At first, she had thought Zora and Raphael made a fine match, but now it was obvious that Prince Kael and Zora were the true pairing heaven had arranged.
"Zora, you look amazing in this outfit," Reesa said sincerely.
Zora turned to look at her. Reesa was wearing a scarlet outfit that made her resemble a lively forest sprite. The color elevated her playful charm while still revealing a hint of elegance, and her youthful vitality was impossible to miss. At the sa ti, the snug cut of her attire highlighted her graceful figure, drawing more than a few covert glances from nearby male students.
Zora smiled, her eyes narrowing slightly as she teased, "But in so areas, my body still can’t compare to yours."
Reesa froze for a split second before realizing what she ant. She shot Zora a mock-glare. "Zora!"
Zora only smiled and shrugged, clearly pleased with herself, offering no further explanation.
Seeing that everyone was ready, Alaric Von Seraph then spoke up, his expression turning serious. "We’re entering the mountains now. There are monsters everywhere here, so stay alert."
He then turned to Marcus. "You and Tifanny take the lead. The newer students stay in the middle. Raphael and I will bring up the rear."
Marcus nodded. The arrangent was sensible and clearly the safest option under the circumstances.
No one objected. However, Zora couldn’t help but glance at Prince Kael. Among all of them, his strength was undoubtedly the highest, yet he looked utterly relaxed, as if strolling through his own front yard rather than entering a dangerous mountain range.
Sensing her gaze that lingered on him more than a few seconds, Prince Kael leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice with a playful curve to his lips. "Is my lady secretly admiring ?"
"You’re overthinking it," Zora replied quickly, turning her head away. This man’s perception was far too sharp for comfort.
Prince Kael’s smile deepened, lazy and indulgent. "You can keep looking. This husband doesn’t mind at all."
After Alaric Von Seraph and Marcus finalized the formation, the group moved forward in pairs. Zora naturally walked alongside Prince Kael, while Reesa and Baldwin followed just behind them.
They stepped into the White Mountain Range, with Marcus consulting the map as he led the group toward the direction of the suffocating forest.
The mountain range had clearly changed since the monster beast frenzy. Vast stretches of vegetation had been destroyed, towering trees lay toppled across the ground, and what was once dense forest now appeared unsettlingly sparse.
"The destruction from a monster beast tide really is terrifying," Zora murmured softly, her gaze sweeping across the damaged landscape. A calamity caused by century-old beasts was truly no small matter.
At the ntion of monster beasts, a subtle ripple passed through Prince Kael’s calm eyes. His aura shifted almost imperceptibly, like still water disturbed by the fall of a large rock.
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