Far across another region of the Outer Plains—
The wind carried the scent of danger.
Cold.
Sharp.
Predatory.
Sixteen Night Walkers stood before the VIP group, their glowing blue cores pulsing faintly within their chests.
Their claws scratched the ground.
Their growls echoed like distant thunder.
But unlike most students—
The VIP group did not feel fear.
They felt anticipation.
---
At the front stood Seraphina.
Her eyes burned with calm fury.
Not reckless rage.
Not panic.
But cold determination.
The humiliation of her defeat by Rynelle Aeris had planted something deep inside her heart.
And now—
She wanted power.
More power.
Enough power to never lose again.
---
Beside her stood Lunaria.
Tall.
Elegant.
Cold as winter moonlight.
Her silver hair shimmered faintly even in the fading daylight.
Her presence alone carried pressure.
Nobility.
Power.
Lineage.
She had been added to the VIP unit after her performance during training assessments.
And now—
She stood among them.
Unshaken.
Unbothered.
Ready.
---
Behind them stood the rest of the noble descendants.
Valerian Duskryn smirked slightly.
"…Sixteen?"
His golden eyes glowed faintly.
"…Barely worth warming up."
---
Lyra Solstice stretched her arms.
Flames flickered along her fingertips.
"…Let's finish this quickly."
---
Orion Veyrith adjusted his grip on his weapon.
"…Formation ready."
---
Seraphina raised her hand slightly.
"…Begin."
---
The Night Walkers roared.
Then charged.
Sixteen predators lunged forward.
Claws raised.
Fangs bared.
Killing intent released.
---
Valerian moved first.
His blade flashed like lightning.
SLASH.
One Night Walker lost its arm instantly.
Before it could react—
He twisted.
Struck again.
CRACK.
Core shattered.
The beast collapsed instantly.
---
[Ding… You've slain a Night Walker]
[Ding… You've obtained three shattered core]
[Ding… Your stats have increased]
---
Lyra laughed softly.
"Solar Flame."
Fire erupted outward.
BOOM.
A wave of blazing heat swallowed two Night Walkers at once.
Their fur ignited instantly.
Within seconds—
Their cores cracked under extreme heat.
CRACK.
Two more fell.
---
Orion stepped forward calmly.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
One strike.
Precise.
Direct.
CRACK.
Another core shattered.
---
Then—
Lunaria moved.
Her presence shifted the battlefield.
Cold energy gathered around her fingers.
Threads of frost formed.
Elegant.
Deadly.
She extended her hand.
"Ice Dominion."
---
Sharp crystalline spikes burst from the ground.
SHRRRK.
Two Night Walkers were impaled instantly.
Frozen in place.
Their movement halted.
Their cores exposed.
---
She stepped forward calmly.
Raised her hand again—
CRACK.
Both cores shattered simultaneously.
The beasts collapsed.
Frozen.
Dead.
---
Even Seraphina glanced briefly toward Lunaria.
Acknowledging strength.
Respecting ability.
But saying nothing.
---
Then—
Seraphina herself moved.
Fast.
Blindingly fast.
Her weapon formed from condensed mana threads—
Sharp.
Elegant.
Perfectly balanced.
---
One strike—
CRACK.
Another core shattered.
Second strike—
CRACK.
Another beast fell.
---
The battlefield turned one-sided.
Not chaotic.
Not desperate.
But controlled.
Dominated.
---
Within minutes—
All sixteen Night Walkers lay dead.
Scattered across the ground.
Their glowing cores shattered.
Their bodies motionless.
---
[Ding… You've slain a Night Walker]
[Ding… Your stats have increased]
[Ding… You've obtained three shattered core]
[Ding… Skill proficiency increased]
---
Notifications echoed inside their minds.
Rapid.
Constant.
Rewarding.
---
Valerian exhaled calmly.
"…Easy."
Lyra smiled slightly.
"…Not even tiring."
Orion scanned the horizon.
"…We still need shelter."
---
Lunaria remained silent.
Her eyes sharp.
Focused.
Cold.
---
Seraphina turned slowly.
"…Move."
They began walking again.
Still searching.
Still hunting.
Still without shelter.
---
Meanwhile—
Far across the plains—
Rynelle Aeris and his team reached their destination.
The ruined house stood quietly beneath the fading sky.
Cracked walls.
Broken windows.
Half-collapsed roof.
But still standing.
Still usable.
Still safe.
---
Kael sighed heavily.
"…That… is the most beautiful building I've ever seen…"
---
Soren leaned forward slightly.
"…Let's scan first…"
---
Rynelle activated the scanning watch.
A faint hum followed.
Light flickered across the display.
---
Scan Complete.
Threat Detection: None.
Nearby Resource Detected: Water Source — 312 meters East.
---
Kael's eyes widened.
"…Water…"
---
Elric nodded once.
"…We go there first."
---
Moments later—
They reached the riverbank.
Clear water flowed gently across smooth stones.
Cold.
Clean.
Perfect.
---
Kael rushed forward.
"…I don't care anymore—!"
He jumped straight into the water.
SPLASH.
---
Soren followed quickly.
"…Best decision today…"
---
Elric cleaned his wounds carefully.
Professional.
Precise.
---
Rynelle stepped into the water slowly.
Cold sensation spread across his body.
Refreshing.
Healing.
Relieving.
The blood washed away.
Dust disappeared.
Pain eased slightly.
---
But their clothing—
Was ruined.
Torn.
Dirty.
Barely usable.
---
Kael groaned.
"…We can't wear this…"
---
Rynelle raised his hand quietly.
Mana gathered.
Threads formed.
Soft.
Flowing.
Precise.
---
"Elemental Weaving."
---
Threads wrapped around each of them.
Forming new clothing.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Light.
Clean
And they all went back to the ruined house.
Soon—
They returned to the ruined house.
Walking slowly.
Carefully.
---
Inside—
Dust covered everything.
Broken wood scattered across the floor.
But space—
Still usable.
Still livable.
---
Kael collapsed instantly.
"…I'm not sleeping on the floor…"
---
Rynelle looked around slowly.
Thinking.
Planning.
Calculating.
---
Then—
He raised his hand again.
Mana surged.
Threads formed.
Rapidly.
Relentlessly.
---
"Elemental Weaving."
---
Cloth threads appeared.
Layer after layer.
Fold after fold.
Stretching outward.
Long.
Wide.
Massive.
---
A very long foldable bed cloth formed across the floor.
Soft.
Flexible.
Durable.
Comfortable.
---
But he didn't stop.
He continued.
Creating.
Weaving.
Producing cloth like a storm.
Like rain.
Like endless threadfall.
---
Clothing after clothing formed.
Stacked.
Folded.
Stored.
Layered carefully inside the long bed cloth.
Turning it into both bedding—
And storage.
---
Kael stared in disbelief.
"…You're making an entire house setup…"
---
Soren laughed weakly.
"…Keep going… this is amazing…"
---
Elric watched silently.
Then nodded slightly.
"…Efficient resource creation."
---
Rynelle continued working.
Even while exhausted.
Even while tired.
He created thick bed sheets.
Soft coverings.
Warm layers.
Protective blankets.
Enough for all of them.
---
Finally—
After long effort—
He stopped.
Breathing heavily.
Sweat dripping down his face.
But the result—
Perfect.
Comfortable.
Safe.
Warm.
---
Kael dropped onto the bedding instantly.
"…This… is heaven…"
---
Soren collapsed beside him.
"…Best Weaver ever…"
---
Elric lay down slowly.
"…Good work."
---
Rynelle lowered himself carefully.
Fatigue pulling him down instantly.
His eyes slowly closing.
His breathing slowing.
His body calming.
---
And soon—
They slept.
Deeply.
Peacefully.
Safely.
Their bodies recovering.
Their minds stabilizing.
Allowing their broken muscles to heal.
Allowing exhaustion to fade.
Allowing their minds to reset.
---
Meanwhile—
Far away—
The VIP group continued walking.
Still searching.
Still without shelter.
Still exposed to the coming night.
---
Valerian sighed.
"…Still nothing."
Lyra looked frustrated.
"…We need somewhere to stay."
Orion scanned the horizon.
"…Darkness approaching."
---
Lunaria remained silent.
But her eyes narrowed slightly.
---
Seraphina continued walking forward.
Cold.
Focused.
Unbothered.
But inside—
She knew.
Night in the Dream Realm—
Was far more dangerous than day.
And they still—
Had nowhere to rest.