A week had passed since the start of the training camp.
Evelyn's shift was about to end soon, switching with another instructor.
However, before the day ends, she wanted to investigate something.
She had faced several cadets on the way, only lightly bruising them, giving them a scare. While she did so, an interesting rumor reached her ears.
Apparently, Aetherwild Woods had a dense misty area. Cadets had started calling it the Mist of Deceptions, a hazardous zone within the forest.
A thick veil of mist enshrouded a peculiar area. Once someone was inside, they would be met with horrifying illusionary silhouettes.
Each of the cadet's attacks would phase through and scatter the silhouettes, along with the mist. However, once they did so, they would feel a barrage of heavy attacks.
The thought was rather terrifying.
To think a variable like this was hiding right under their noses, regardless of the thorough scanning they implemented in the forest, right before the training camp started.
Evelyn continued on her way. Monsters emerged from the bushes, the trees, and so on. But Evelyn effortlessly dealt with them.
"...."
Finally, a trail of mist entered her peripheral vision.
With that thought in mind, Evelyn submerged herself inside the mist. Her vision grew obscured, and the density of mana surrounding her thickened.
"...."
She had definitely felt it.
Despite the distortion in the atmosphere, due to her hypersensitivity to mana, Evelyn could send a dense mana signature from somewhere.
For that reason, Evelyn followed the path, leading to the mana signature. However, she was forced to halt in her steps as a silhouette stood to block her path.
"Hmm...."
Indeed, the rumors were true.
Initially, she thought it was ridiculous. However, she had talked to several cadets the past week. All of their stories seemed to match, regardless if they were in the same class or not.
However, judging from the mana signature, Evelyn assessed that whatever lingered in the vicinity—was weaker than her.
But the cadets' fears were understandable. Especially so, when Evelyn realized this was not something a regular cadet in the C to A rank could handle.
At that moment, the silhouette blurred and Evelyn looked back.
The silhouette reappeared right behind her.
Swoosh—! Swoosh—!
The fog scattered as the silhouette rapidly appeared around Evelyn, giving the illusion that there were a lot of them.
However, Evelyn could tell there was only one silhouette.
She dismissively shook her head and massaged her temple.
It was kind of ridiculous. She felt it coming from a mile away.
An attack.
Bang!
Evelyn was struck on the side, sending her skidding back slightly. But she was able to block the fist on time with her palm.
If he was under this kind of condition, then why was he attacking cadets instead of seeking help from them?
"You're in no condition to be undergoing this training camp. I understand you were wary of getting attacked. Don't worry, I'll bring you with m—"
"No."
With a hoarse voice, Brandon cut her off.
"Leave me.... alone. I'm fine."
"No, you're not. It's not worth it risking your life over this. I understand, so I won't fail you."
"No, I'm—Kh!"
Brandon's words trailed off from there and groaned in agony.
Thwack!
With a single smack of his fist on the ground, he continued.
"Give me.... a month.... I'll show you.... results."
"Results? What are you—"
Wait.
That was when Evelyn noticed.
The fluctuation of his mana signature.
It was exponentially increasing.
"You're breaking through....the S ranks?"
"Yes—Ukh...!"
Then why was he in pain?
Evelyn had never heard of such a case before. But despite that lingering question in her mind, she never asked. Brandon was clearly in no condition to respond to her questions properly.
"Trust me....."
"...."
But despite Brandon's best attempts to assure her, blood seeped from his nose.
"I understand."
Evelyn left with some assuring words and left shortly after, fading within the mist.
Brandon stared at the space where Evelyn once stood.
Finally, he could stop trying to tough it out.
At that moment, gnashing his teeth tightly, a crease forming in his temple, blood seeped from his eyes.
Thwack—! Thwack—!
His hand had now turned red from the relentless pounding. He had not been able to rest for a week.
He had initially thought pain would subside after a week. However, it had only gotten worse and worse.
Hopefully, things get better next week.