The academy grounds slowly faded behind them as the mission teams moved toward the outer forest.
The atmosphere changed the moment they crossed the boundary.
Heavier.
Denser.
Unnatural.
Christy's steps slowed slightly as she observed the surroundings with sharpened focus.
"…The mana density here feels significantly different from the academy training zones we have experienced so far," she said. "It's not just stronger, it feels unstable and irregular."
Luxe walked ahead, his gaze calm yet extremely focused.
"…Then we proceed under the assumption that this mission has already deviated from its original parameters," he replied. "Treat every variable as unpredictable from this point forward."
Kael placed his hands behind his head, walking casually despite the tension in the air.
"…Or maybe the academy simply enjoys throwing students into situations they can barely handle," he said. "It makes survival far more entertaining than controlled exercises."
Christy frowned slightly.
"…This is not something to treat lightly, especially if the mission difficulty has already escalated beyond expectation," she said. "Carelessness here could cost more than just evaluation points."
Kael smiled faintly.
"…Relax, I'm not careless," he replied. "I just prefer not to panic before things actually become dangerous."
Lumi's voice emerged softly from the surrounding shadows.
"…There are multiple abnormal mana signatures ahead, and one of them is significantly stronger than the others," she said. "This pattern does not match standard corrupted beast behavior."
Luxe stopped for a brief moment.
"…Then we maintain formation and move cautiously," he said. "If this is an external interference, we need to identify the source before committing fully."
Christy nodded.
"…I will monitor the mana flow and identify any irregular connections between targets," she said. "If something is controlling them, there will be a pattern."
Luxe resumed walking.
"…Good," he said quietly.
The deeper they moved—
The quieter the forest became.
No wind.
No sound.
Then—
A low, distorted growl echoed from ahead.
The ground trembled slightly.
Christy's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…Contact confirmed," she said. "But this presence feels different from anything we have encountered during previous missions."
Three figures emerged from the shadows.
Large.
Distorted.
Unstable.
"…Their mana cores are fluctuating rapidly, as if something is forcing energy into them beyond their natural limits," Christy said. "This level of instability should normally cause them to collapse."
Luxe narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Which means something is sustaining them artificially," he said. "We are not dealing with natural corrupted beasts."
Kael tilted his head.
"…So something stronger is hiding behind them and watching us," he said. "That makes this situation far more interesting than expected."
Luxe stepped forward.
"…We don't engage recklessly," he said. "We observe, identify, and eliminate efficiently."
The first beast lunged forward.
Fast.
Luxe moved instantly.
"Volt Acceleration."
CRACK—!!
He reappeared beside it—
"Thunder Lance."
The strike landed—
But only partially penetrated.
"…Durability is significantly higher than expected, and their regeneration appears abnormal," Luxe said. "Direct damage alone will not end this quickly."
Christy raised her hand slightly, focusing intensely.
"…Their mana flow is not independent," she said. "All three are connected to a single external source that is feeding them continuously."
Luxe glanced briefly at her.
"…Locate it," he said. "I'll hold them in place."
The second beast attacked from the side—
Faster than before.
Luxe blocked—
But the impact pushed him back slightly.
"…Their strength is increasing during combat," he said. "This is not just reinforcement, it is active amplification."
Lumi's voice cut through sharply.
"…There is a distortion behind them, slightly elevated and partially concealed," she said. "It is not visible clearly, but it is the likely source of their power."
Christy focused deeper.
"…I can see it now," she said. "A condensed mana core behind the third beast, shifting constantly to avoid detection."
Luxe nodded.
"…Then that is our target," he said.
Suddenly—
The beasts moved simultaneously.
Faster.
More aggressive.
Christy stepped back quickly.
"…Incoming from the left—!"
Before she could finish—
A strike landed.
CRASH—!!
She was thrown back across the ground.
"…Christy!" Luxe called.
The formation—
Broken.
Kael moved slightly—
Then stopped.
Watching.
"…Let's see how you handle this," he muttered quietly.
Luxe vanished.
"Volt Acceleration."
He reappeared—
Directly in front of Christy.
The beast attacked again—
Luxe blocked—
The ground beneath him cracked under the force.
"…Stay behind me," he said firmly.
Christy tried to stand, her breathing slightly unstable.
"…I can still fight, I'm not completely incapacitated," she said. "If we lose momentum now, they will overwhelm us quickly."
Luxe didn't turn back.
"…No," he said. "Your condition reduces reaction speed, and that increases risk beyond acceptable limits."
Christy froze slightly.
"…You're prioritizing me over the fight?"
A brief pause.
"…I'm prioritizing efficiency," Luxe replied. "And right now, protecting you ensures the highest chance of success."
Her heart tightened slightly.
"…Why does that feel like more than just strategy?" she thought.
Lightning surged around Luxe.
"Chain Lightning Burst."
BOOM—!!
The beasts staggered.
Christy steadied herself.
"…The core is exposed again, slightly above ground and shifting toward the right," she said quickly. "If we strike now, we can break the connection completely."
Luxe nodded.
"…Understood."
He moved—
"Volt Acceleration."
Slash.
The hidden core shattered.
The beasts froze.
Then collapsed.
Silence returned.
Christy exhaled slowly, placing a hand against her chest.
"…That situation escalated far beyond expectations, and we were unprepared for that level of interference," she said. "If you hadn't moved when you did, I would have taken direct damage."
Luxe turned slightly.
"…You provided the information needed to identify the core," he said. "Without that, the fight would have lasted longer and increased overall risk."
Christy looked at him.
"…That's not what I meant," she said softly.
A brief silence passed.
Then—
"…Thank you," she added quietly.
Luxe paused.
"…You are part of the team," he said. "Protecting you is part of maintaining overall effectiveness."
Christy smiled faintly.
"…You always explain things like that," she said. "But somehow, it still feels… different when you act on it."
From a distance—
Kael watched quietly.
"…The reaction speed, the decision-making, the prioritization… everything is progressing exactly as expected," he muttered softly. "But it's still not enough."
For a brief moment—
A faint dark energy flickered around his fingers.
Then vanished.
"…Soon," he whispered.
Luxe looked deeper into the forest.
"…This was not a random occurrence," he said. "Something is deliberately increasing the difficulty of these missions."
Christy nodded.
"…And next time, it may not give us time to recover," she said.
Luxe's eyes sharpened.
"…Then we adapt before that happens."
The forest remained silent.
But the danger—
Had only just begun.