The remaining Night Hawks members gathered around Vesper, scrutinizing and surprised gazes glued to the two kids. They whispered, seemingly re-evaluating all information they had about the astonishing debut of two teenagers who just finished the test.

  While still angry with himself, Liam felt the gazes from strangers made him extremely uncomfortable. He was ashamed of his miserable state: face flushed pink on a pale white foundation from blood loss.

  Theo used a deep breath to control the dizziness from exhaustion. He looked straight at the three other Night Hawks members then nodded lightly in return. Despite the exhaustion tormenting his muscles, he slowly stood straight, brushed dirt off his outfit and adjusted his clothes neatly after the harsh test.

  Finally, he turned to Liam. Without saying a word, Theo extended his dust-covered hand toward his friend. That wasn't just a gesture to pull up, but also silent comfort: You did great, Liam.

  Liam looked at the extended hand, the anger and bitterness in his eyes gradually dissolved, replaced by a gaze full of trust. Without needing flowery comforting words, Liam was profoundly and fundamentally optimistic. He didn't lack confidence, he just needed affirmation from people he trusted. And Theo understood that clearly.

  He grasped Theo's hand, using the other arm's strength to stand straight up.

  Applause rang out decisively from Vesper, cutting through the forest's heavy silence. He spoke, tone concise and decisive:

  "We'll wait here for Ryel and Ronan's group. Finn, prepare dinner. Rowan, check our two kids. Boris and I will prepare the tents."

  Vesper's brief, structured, and clear voice immediately made all forest activities transform: everyone busily executed their duties in disciplined fashion.

  Rowan was the first to approach them. She possessed flame-red hair, fluffy and thick, always kept neat but still shining with wildness. The outfit she wore was a specially designed light armor: a sleeveless fitted leather jacket reinforced with thin copper armor plates at shoulders and chest, combined with tight riding pants and sturdy high-top leather boots. The entire outfit gave the feeling of both flexible and elegant like a noble huntress.

  She smiled gently approaching the two boys. Her smile and green eyes no longer carried the provocative look when using magic, but were full of warmth and interaction.

  "Hello, you two. I'm Rowan, the team's mage. At the same time, I'm also responsible for basic treatment and recovery. Let me examine your wounds and condition after that battle."

  Liam looked at the beautiful woman before him—she was too close, too warm. He felt pressure greater than the pressure fighting Vesper. He stammered in reply, voice unable to be fluid:

  "Y-you... I... I am..."

  Theo slightly shook his head lightly, an action concealing deep understanding of his close friend. He stepped forward half a pace, creating Rowan's attention while cleverly covering part of Liam, breaking his friend's awkwardness.

  Theo smiled at Rowan, a professional and charming smile.

  "Sorry miss, my friend is a bit shy when first talking to such a beautiful person," Theo said, tone natural and comfortable. He adjusted his voice a bit to be clearer and deeper. He looked straight into Rowan's eyes, full of respect but not avoiding at all:

  "I'm Theo, and this is Liam. We're both young hunters from Oakhaven region. Very pleased to meet such an elegant lady."

  Rowan was briefly surprised before the reaction and contrast of the two boys. Before her, they appeared clearly, no longer the brave spear daring to face any challenge, or the high-speed dark shadow with treacherous poisoned arrows on the battlefield, but two individuals with nearly complete contrast.

  Theo: Wanderer and Melancholic Beauty

  Theo was a boy who had begun maturing, slender figure slightly taller than her (~1m75). His face was elongated, sketched with jawbone lines gradually becoming sharp, but still retaining adolescent grace. High prominent cheekbones on a somewhat thin face, creating a faintly melancholic look rather than adult hardness.

  The most attractive point was none other than deep gray-green eyes. His gaze was confident, but deep inside brimmed with premature maturity and the loneliness of a different soul. Thick eyebrows slightly slanting up made those eyes even sharper.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  His nose was straight, high and graceful. Full lips, slightly curved up, carrying the sulky wanderer quality of a growing boy. Dark brown hair, nearly black strands, always in deliberately disheveled state, light curls falling on forehead adding wildness and carelessness.

  He possessed a slender but not weak figure, reminiscent of a dancer's flexibility. Theo's muscles hadn't developed in width but tightened, clinging to the lengthening skeleton, concealing the explosive power of compressed springs. His shoulders moderately broad, long arms and slim waist, creating a balanced whole, carrying androgynous beauty full of promise.

  Liam: Instinctive Vitality and Energy

  Completely opposite, Liam appeared with a bursting vitality and energy appearance, contrasting Theo's coldness. His face carried youthful features, angular, with strong jawbone structure showing determination.

  The first highlight was precisely his tanned dark skin (reddish-brown skin)—evidence of an active life, close to nature, further highlighting his flame-red hair. This hair, thick and somewhat messy, created a powerful but harmonious contrast with the skin, evoking wildness, rebellion and the instinct of a young warrior.

  His eyes often shone with enthusiasm and exuberance, expressing emotions straightforwardly, without any concealment.

  Liam's body was a forged block of strength. Though not possessing outstanding height (~1m7), he had an extremely firm body and bulging muscles, characterized by broad shoulders and full arms, creating massiveness but not crudeness.

  This was a body created for speed and explosion, with every muscle fiber solid, always ready for instant transformation. His entire figure radiated innocence, health and abundant energy, as if the heat of fire and earth's power both converged in this young warrior's bloodline.

  Rowan slightly tilted her head, withdrawing her assessment. She could clearly see: these weren't just two talented boys, but two perfect poles complementing each other.

  Rowan smiled delightedly at Theo's confidence having to speak for his friend. After gazing at the two once, she smiled saying:

  "I'm also very pleased to meet two handsome young warriors like you, but now let me complete my task. First is Liam—your complexion is truly worrying."

  She led both boys to a more secluded corner, beside an old fallen oak, then gently had Liam sit on the trunk. This unexpectedly intimate action made Liam's face even redder, even looking healthier than when he used Blood-Burn.

  Rowan closed her eyes, hands grasping the kid's hands. Gentle threads of mental force penetrated into Liam's body. About five minutes later, she opened her eyes, gaze contemplative in thought, voice more affirmative than questioning:

  "Very healthy body. Some blood loss, but no major wounds at all. Is that some kind of spell? I don't see any signs of poisoning or curses either."

  Liam stammered, embarrassed at being held by the beautiful girl for so long:

  "It's... it's... Blood-Burn. It's..."

  Theo stepped forward, helping his friend complete the answer:

  "It's a Rune inscription on the armor. It trades blood for strength."

  Rowan concluded:

  "Rune inscription, indeed a rare technique. Well then, no problem—try to rest and eat well, Liam. As for the small wound on your hand, just apply your Minor Potion and it'll heal quickly."

  Rowan quickly retrieved a small bag hanging at her side. With a thin white cloth, she completed bandaging the small wound on Liam's hand very quickly and neatly. She tied a cute butterfly bow on his hand. She looked at him and winked, creating an intentionally intimate gesture. Liam froze slightly, stammering:

  "Th-thank... you..."

  Rowan smiled, intending to lead Theo by hand to sit on the trunk beside them, but Theo had already proactively stepped back, sitting down himself and turning his back to her. This action showed clear physical boundary control. He spoke softly, voice calm and professional, without any awkwardness:

  "Mental scanning just needs body contact, right? I read about it in books..."

  Rowan looked at Theo's back, her green eyes blinking lightly, seemingly amused by his wariness. She placed her hand on Theo's back, mischievously replying:

  "That's right. I personally have a habit of holding hands, because long ago when learning, my teacher also taught me that way."

  Theo's voice remained gentle and calm as usual:

  "I'm very curious about this technique. Could you introduce it a bit? I've researched a lot in books but couldn't find the method to perform it."

  Rowan answered, as her beautiful eyes had closed to concentrate:

  "Alright, but later. Now you need to let me concentrate to check your body's condition."

  About five minutes later, Rowan opened her eyes, beautiful eyebrows slightly furrowing.

  Normally, when using mental force to check body condition, she could sense that person's emotions—not mind reading, but like empathy, where the other's joyful or sad emotions would reflect clearly onto her.

  But with Theo, she had absolutely no feeling.

  "Could this kid be emotionless?" Rowan thought to herself then slightly shook her head. From what Theo displayed through decisive actions and deep gray-green eyes, she deeply sensed that Theo was not only not emotionless, he was someone with very rich and complex feelings.

  This could only mean Theo possessed a very unique talent for controlling emotions or a natural 'insulating' aptitude against mental force.

  "What a strange young man," Rowan muttered, looking at Theo with completely new curiosity.

  Rowan patted Theo's shoulder, a mischievous smile blooming on her lips:

  "You're also very healthy, completely uninjured. But temporarily don't force yourself to run—numb legs aren't pleasant, right?"

  Rowan winked at Theo teasingly, sharp eyes still catching his effort to control his body.

  Theo nodded. His legs of course weren't fine, but Theo could still endure the numbness, not too affecting walking. He stood up, then extended his hand to pull Liam up as well.