The chilly night was filled with the chatter of knights in the street. They’d all stared with awe and disgust at the creature’s corpse. One knight had poked its body with the tip of their sword.

  “What the hell is this thing?” One asked.

  “None of you is alone on this. I, too, haven’t the faintest clue.” Xena sighs.

  A handful of knights exited Zeta’s house, walking towards Xena.

  “Don’t make me regret trusting you three. What did you find?” Xena asked.

  “Down a flight of stairs, there’s some kind of… Testing area. Don’t expect me to know what the hell any of it is, all right? There were a lot of chalkboards.” The first knight said.

  “Chalkboards? That can’t be all.” Xena crossed her arms.

  “No, there’s a lot of drawings and… Squiggly lines on them. They’re most likely runes, but I’ve never seen ones like those before.” The first knight said.

  “Fine. I’ll alert the institute and have their best minds decipher it.” Xena uncrossed her arms and looked over towards Veyric.

  He was sitting on the ground with his legs folded.

  “What do you think, Veyric?” She asks.

  “Think about what?” He said.

  “This situation.” She uncrossed her arms.

  “Oh… I think things will only get worse if we don’t capture him somehow. Sure, we’ve got to worry about the other hybrid, but… Zeta’s actively putting Leviara in danger.” Veyric met Xena’s gaze, then looked at the surrounding knights.

  “Hold on, there’s another hybrid? I thought you were the only one?” A knight asked.

  “Yes, there’s another hybrid… I’ve seen him. And if you all don’t train harder, none of you will stand a chance. Not even myself.” Xena said to everyone.

  “On that note… Get rid of this body and return to your posts. I expect all of you to be here again in the morning. We’ll be thoroughly going through that laboratory with the help of the institute.” Xena explained.

  Xena leaned down, patting Veyric’s shoulder.

  “Come on, let’s head back.”

  Veyric stood from off the ground, following beside Xena.

  The first rays of sunlight shed over Leviara. Civilians were gathered near the street where the creature was killed. A group of knights bordered it off, keeping civilians out.

  “What in fucks name was happening last night—?! I heard banging, thuds, and all kinds of rubbish coming from this street!” A man shouted.

  “Everyone, please remain calm! We’re investigating the area right now. Once we’re finished, we will make a public statement later in the evening!” Xena shouted from the back of the crowd.

  She and Veyric just arrived. The angry mob of civilians stared at Veyric, their eyes going wide. The civilians instinctively moved out of their way, gawking at Veyric.

  “That’s the hybrid?... Is he with the knights?” A woman whispered.

  “I’m fine with orcs, and I’m fine with the elves, but a dragon? What’s that scaly-skinned freak doing here?... And I thought they went extinct?” Another woman added to the gossip.

  “Right? What in the world are they thinking?” Another said.

  Veyric clenched his jaw as everyone stepped out of his way. His head tilted down, gazing at the ground, and his shoulders slumped. Xena stepped and walked beside him, tilting his chin up with her palm.

  “Don’t do that to yourself. They haven’t the faintest clue what they’re talking about. Square your shoulders, and keep your head high. Don’t let them beat you down with their meaningless babbling.” Her voice softened.

  “... Yeah, you’re right.” He squared his shoulders.

  Passing the border of knights, they walked over to Zeta’s house, which was now swarmed with institute officials and knights. Professor Kai’La was marching over towards them.

  “Xena, Veyric! Thank you so much. I’m at a loss for words to express my gratitude.” Professor Kai’La said.

  “We’re just doing our job, no need to sing our praises,” Xena said.

  “Oh, but I really should! Anyway, we’re going to confiscate everything inside that lab and take it back to the institute for further examination. We found a secret storage of his things behind one of the shelves.” Kai’La added.

  “Hopefully you figure something out… We’re just going to focus on trying to catch him so he doesn’t make any more of those monsters.” Xena said.

  “Monsters?...” Kai’La said.

  “Yes, last night, Veyric and I fought some kind of aberration. It’s… Not something you would want to see up close.” Xena added.

  “What did it look like?” Kai’La asked.

  “It was pale, tall, skinny, had really dark eyes, and its limbs definitely didn’t belong on its body. I’m not sure if there are any more of them around, but I’m creating more patrol routes to ensure the safety of civilians.” Xena said.

  “You made that call, not King Alan?” Kai’La asked.

  “Yes. I told him the night it happened… He’s entrusting me with a lot, as you can see…” She nodded her head over at Veyric.

  “Oh, yes… I can see.” Kai’La chuckles.

  “He’s stressed. Very, very stressed.” Xena crosses her arms.

  Footsteps came from behind them—someone was approaching.

  “Greetings, Xena,” Echthron said.

  She turned, and her eyes widened while tilting her head up.

  “Echthron, what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be looking for—”

  “That hybrid is no longer within the lands of Augus. We nearly turned every kingdom upside down, even going as far as to check the underground. The last place we checked was Phithia, and we finally found a weakening remnant of purple mana, but the trail ended there. Unfortunately, he slipped right past our noses for a very long time.” Echthron explained, then turned down to look at Veyric.

  “So, he just came here to… Tempt Veyric and then go on his merry way? Unbelievable.” Xena sighs.

  Veyric had to tilt his head to look at Echthron. Veyric was slightly above average in height, but Echthron just seemed like a walking monument in comparison to him. He also noticed there was a bag over Echthron’s shoulder.

  “So, you’re Veyric? I must say… You look just like her.” Echthron grinned.

  Moisture coated Kai’La’s forehead, her stomach beginning to coil. Within the depths of Echthron’s channels was a never-ending storm of winds. Pale-colored mana traveled immensely through every inch of his body. Every part of him was overflowing with mana, yet somehow it never leaked out.

  “I-... I think I’ll be going now!” Kai’La stammered out,

  She turned on her heel and walked towards the crowd of institute officials.

  Echthron smirked and shrugged his shoulders.

  “My presence is sometimes too much for those who can see mana.” He said.

  “Right. You never stated why you came here, yet. I know you didn’t come here just to tell me that, did you?” Xena shifted her gaze back at him.

  “Yes and no. My presence here is also on behalf of the Eyhelunian queen, Elysera.” Echthron smirked again.

  “She asked me to give this to you, Veyric.” Echthron took the bag off his shoulder and handed it to him.

  “A bag?” Veyric took it from him, slightly furrowing his brows.

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  Echthron put a hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze.

  “What’s inside belongs to you, and you only. Keep it close—no one has the right to take it from you. Not even King Alan himself.” Echthron took his hand off Veyric’s shoulder, backing up.

  Xena narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, watching Echthron step to her and lean closer to her ear.

  “Not a word to King Alan, understand? Let him learn. And let Alan learn the hard way.” Echthron whispered.

  “Well, that is all. I hope to see you both around, and I'm curious to know what's happening here. But, I have a feeling I’ll hear about it very soon.” Echthron turned on his heel, walking away.

  Veyric’s gaze glinted down at the bag. His hand lingered near the buckle, but instead of opening it, he threw it over his shoulder, carrying it. Xena sighed, looking away.

  “Come, let’s go take a look inside the house.” She said.

  Students filled the hallways of the institute. It was as busy as usual, but students were a lot more determined to get to their classes today.

  “Today’s exam day, excited, Lonan?” Neo ruffled his hair.

  “No, not really. I haven’t studied at all.” Lonan sighs.

  “Not even a little?” Neo asked.

  “Well, I tried…” He replied.

  “Clearly not enough. You’re screwed.” Neo said.

  “Can’t be that bad, right? There’s multiple choice, yeah?” Lonan said.

  “No, it’s all written explanation,” Neo replied.

  “Fuck.” Lonan ran his fingers through his hair.

  “This is the highest standard of education in all of Augus. Why would there be multiple-choice questions?” Neo said.

  “I don’t know, I thought I could keep reading my comfort book,” Lonan said.

  “Mhm, Professor Heather’s going to give you a real stink-eye when your paper’s empty,” Neo smirked.

  “I’ll just scribble random stuff on it and hope for the best,” Lonan said.

  “Sounds about right,” Neo said.

  “Don’t worry, be proud of being a dumbass.” He patted Lonan’s shoulder.

  “Yeah, uh-huh… Nothing ever seems to bother you.” Lonan said.

  “Well, it’s because in this case I studied. Good luck, and see you after exams.” Neo entered the grand hall to one of the classrooms.

  Lonan lets out a long exhale, his eyebrows arching up as he enters one of the classrooms down the hall. The classroom was organized into rows, and the space was quiet, like the silent expanse. He took a seat, and Professor Heather weaved through the rows. She stood beside his desk and put four papers on it, also handing him a pen.

  “Good luck, Lonan. I pray you do well. Or else you’ll have to take remedial classes.” She said.

  Her brown eyes held his gaze for a bit too long, and it definitely wasn’t out of fondness. She stepped away from his desk, her brown haired ponytail swaying side-to-side.

  Lonan picked up the pen, looking at the first question and reading it. Afterwards, he tilted his head up to the giant ceiling and shut his eyes for a few seconds. He then looked down at the paper, rereading the question.

  “Oh, my goodness… Please, great star, help me.” He muttered to himself.

  Once exams were over, Lonan sat in the courtyard near the entrance doors of the institute. A sea of students exited, and chatter about the exams erupted all at once like a volcano.

  Yadani and Vera were walking side by side.

  “I’m telling you, Vera, I had to have aced it! I remembered most of the questions.” Yadani clenched her fists, constantly shaking them and grinning.

  “Hey, I believe you, no need to reassure me. So, about that snack I promised you… What do you want?” Vera smiled.

  “Ha! I’d almost thought you were going to go back on your word there!” Yadani said.

  Lonan sighed, leaning further back into the bench. Neo came out of the institute doors, walking over to him.

  “How’d it go?” He asked with a grin.

  “Do you see me smiling?” Lonan replied.

  “Fair point, but you look more down in the dumps than usual. What happened?” Neo said.

  “... That’s because she crumpled the paper up in front of everyone, tossed it, and said to me I failed,” Lonan said.

  “That’s harsh. Did you at least try to write something?” Neo asked.

  “Well, I mean… I tried.” Lonan said.

  “Yeah, you tried? And what’s your definition of trying?” Neo asked.

  “You don’t want to know,” Lonan replied.

  “If you tried to turn in a half-empty paper, I don’t blame that reaction at all. You wouldn’t have given her anything to grade. Just study next time.” Neo shrugged.

  “All right, yeah… That’s fair. Are you going to the Amber Festival?” Lonan stands from the bench.

  “No, I wasn’t planning on going.” Neo ruffled his hair.

  “Well, how about you go with me?” Lonan grins.

  “Didn’t know you had a crush on me, you definitely don’t seem like the type.” Neo crosses his arms.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Lonan furrowed his brows.

  “Relax, I’m joking. The Amber Festival is popular among couples, not saying that ordinary people can’t go either.” Neo explained.

  “You see, if you’re going to tell a joke, at least make your voice less… Convincing sounding.” Lonan started walking.

  “I’m not changing my voice for a joke.” Neo walked beside him.

  “Then don’t try to be funny.” Lonan nudged his shoulder.

  “Noted, I’ll always try to be funny from now on.” Neo gently nudged him back.

  Just as they were passing through the gardens, Zeta stood before them, drenched in blood. His chest was bare, his pants were shredded around the ankles, and his boots had holes in them.

  “What’s this?... Two helpless little lambs all alone. Perfect.” Zeta’s eyes gleamed.

  “You’re the one Professor warned me about. Zeta, wasn’t it?” Neo grabbed Lonan’s shoulder.

  “You know me? Quite surprising, because I don’t know you.” Zeta said.

  “Neo, this guy’s covered in blood. What are you doing?” Lonan took a step back.

  “What’s that in your chest? Don’t mind if I rip it out, do you?” Neo’s chrome-colored eyes began to shine.

  “Color me surprised. If you can see it, then you’ll be a great candidate for my evolution.” Zeta grins.

  “Go get the knights, Lonan.” Neo held out his right hand.

  A smoky, silver-colored mana twisted around his hand and began to outline the shape of a sword.

  “You can do that!?” Lonan shouted.

  “Would you go already?” Neo said.

  “I’m going, I’m going!” Lonan ran back towards the institute.

  Zeta stared at Neo with disgust that he could barely contain. His nose scrunched, and his eyes narrowed.

  “Look at you, so prideful in yourself because you were born with that blasted power. Not to worry, you’ll see how powerful my intellect is.” Zeta clenches his fists.

  “Well? I’m waiting.” The mana in Neo’s hand materialized into a proper sword, silver lightning crackling along the blade.