[12th Group – Eastern Danz Forest]
Night had draped over Atreus like a heavy cloak, silencing the winds and plunging the Danz Forest into near-total darkness. The timid stars barely pierced through the thick canopy of ancient trees. Only in a hidden clearing did a thread of warmth and light remain — the small campfire of the 12th group crackled softly, casting trembling shadows on the hunters' tired faces.
Melina kept her eyes closed, feeling the warm cloth glide over her dirt- and sweat-streaked skin. Each stroke seemed to cleanse not only her face but the remnants of the battle she had just endured. Beside her, Saicha cared for her with a tenderness bordering on maternal, eyes attentive and hands steady.
Saicha
— I can't believe you got into a brawl with Kai... — she stifled a laugh, trying to stay serious. — And survived!
Melina
— She didn't even fight seriously... — she replied, slowly opening her eyes. Frustration lingered in them, but also a hint of admiration. — A mage… who doesn't use magic. It was humiliating.
Saicha
— They say she's the strongest among the eight recommended ones. — she spoke while wringing out the cloth, droplets falling onto the stones.
Melina raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
Melina
— You seem to know a lot about her...
Saicha
— Rumors. — she shrugged, eyes lost in the embers. — Twenty-one years old. Born on Earth, like us. This was her first mission outside Apex.
Melina
— Hmm? Only trained in Apex and already at that level...?
Thinking:
I only awakened because of Ares. And my mana skills only emerged on the fifth floor...
She let out a muffled chuckle that quickly turned into laughter. Within seconds, she was covering her face with her hands.
Melina
— She really is amazing... evolved that much without even leaving Apex.
Saicha
— They say she refused a promotion so she wouldn't have to leave her adopted daughter. If she became a master, she'd have to spend more time in Atreus.
Melina
— I see...
Thinking:
She must be the strongest advanced-class hunter we have. And she also wields mana... Could she also be trying...?
[Flashback – Angel, Fifth Floor]
The sky held a constant greenish hue, like a frozen aurora borealis suspended in time. Bluish crystals marked the path where Haikai and Melina walked side by side. Ahead, a frozen lake reflected the distorted sky — a broken mirror between worlds.
Haikai
— In this world, there are two main forces: aura and mana. — he said with crossed arms. — Can you tell me which one is yours?
Melina
— That's easy! — she answered confidently. — Aura is our inner energy, and mana… the energy of nature.
Haikai
— Close. — he smiled. — We have both.
Melina
— What!?
Haikai
— Mana concentrates in the chest, that's why we channel it. It's vitality. Aura flows throughout the body — it's power.
Melina frowned, processing.
Haikai
— Imagine a factory. Mana is sealed boxes. Aura is the label that defines function and destination. It organizes and transforms mana into abilities.
Melina
— So aura is... formatted mana?
Haikai
— Exactly. Warrior's Aura, Mage's Aura, Evaluator's Aura… The class defines the label. The packer learns how to use them.
Melina
— And if I teach him to use other labels?
Haikai
— You gain new classes. But the contents of the box also need to change.
Melina
— That's why we train generic mana skills... They prepare the packer to take on new functions.
Haikai
— Yes. But the more labels you want to use... the more it demands of him.
[Present – Clearing in Atreus]
Thinking:
Kai also uses mana... She must be walking the path toward a second class. Maybe she hasn't even used her primary one yet.
Melina
— Evaluation. — she whispered.
System
— Primary Class: Master Wind Mage
— Combat Style Detected: Amateur Berserk
Thinking:
Berserk...? That's the complete opposite of a mage. She's merging extremes... That's monstrous.
Dawn had barely broken the horizon when the ten expedition groups returned to the provisional village. The tents fluttered in the wild wind, and a restless murmur filled the air.
In the central tent, the sergeants gathered around the ceremonial fire, eyes sharp, waiting for what was to come.
Lieutenant (shouting)
— Attention! Today we will receive Lord Július II of the Barak family!
Thinking:
Barak family... One of the 46 rich families that control Apex. This is concerning.
Július II entered with the elegance of a noble whirlwind — crimson cloak, golden details, and eyes hungry for dominion. His presence filled the tent as if it were too small for him.
Lord Július II
— Greetings, hunters. I am the new head of the Barak family. I'm interested in Atreus. I plan to build a city here. And I'm not alone. Fifteen other families will migrate as well.
Thinking:
Apex is overcrowded... This is colonization.
Lord Július II
— Atreus is up to four times larger than Apex. It's time to expand. I count on you.
Thinking:
Sixteen noble families... If Atreus falls into their hands, the world will change.
Lieutenant
— Dismissed!
Melina threw herself onto her bunk bed with a long sigh.
Melina
— Ugh... what a drag.
Knock. Knock.
Saicha (softly)
— Melina?
Soon the two were immersed in a bathtub heated by enchanted stones. The steam created a comforting mist, and Melina calmly washed Saicha's hair.
Melina
— And when all this is over...? What will you do?
Saicha
— I thought about starting a group with you. Maybe go to Ares... or live here. Maybe even Apex... hehe.
Melina (blushing)
— Hahaha... full of plans, huh? But I... I still want to climb. When this mission is over... I'm going to challenge Apex.
Saicha (shocked)
— Seriously!?
Melina
— Yup.
Saicha
— You're amazing... If you beat Apex, you'll be only the third Evaluator in history to do it.
Melina (staring at the ceiling)
— Yeah... So far, only the Guild Master and the Top 2 have managed it. Not even Aether tried...
Thinking:
Could it be... I'm already stronger than him? If he didn't become a master... and I... ah, forget it.
Suddenly, bells rang — three short chimes, one long. Alert.
They both jumped up, slipping into tactical gear almost by reflex. Outside, the groups were already lining up.
Guard
— Lesser monsters! Twenty-eight approaching!
Melina (snapping her fingers)
— Evaluation.
System
— Monsters Detected: 28, Lesser Class
— Probable Cause: Abnormal aura concentration due to mass presence of hunters.
Thinking:
After training with Haikai, my Evaluation evolved. Now it's unique... the Voice of the World. And it... speaks to me.
Melina
— Damn... If they were higher-class, this village would be doomed.
The Cobra groups positioned themselves at the gate. The tension hummed in the air.
Kai (shouting from the barricade)
— Hey, shorty! Don't die, alright!?
Melina (smirking)
— Hahaha... this is child's play.