The next day, Kael went through his classes as usual—magic studies, sword training, and everything else the academy had to offer.
After everything was over, he made his way to the back of the academy. Beneath a large, shady tree, someone was already waiting.
"Lancer," Kael called casually.
"Yo, Kael."
"Been waiting long?"
Lancer shook his head. "Nah. Just got here."
Kael crossed his arms. "So, we heading out now?"
"Yeah. We don't have much time."
Kael let out a quiet sigh. "You sure about this? Leaving the academy just to hunt monsters?"
"It's the fastest way to get stronger," Lancer replied without hesitation.
Kael fell silent for a moment.
This guy is weird sometimes…
Doesn't he think about the risks?
Fighting monsters wasn't something to take lightly. Even if it was usually just demonic wolves or a few orcs around this area, it was still dangerous. And if they ran into an orc king… there were rumors one had been seen nearby.
…Then again, it's been a while since I've had a real fight.
Kael exhaled softly.
Maybe this isn't such a bad idea.
"Kael," Lancer called suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"About the next exam… take it seriously this time. I don't want to see you holding back like before."
Kael shrugged. "I was just worried about Irieth."
"Tch. Figures," Lancer muttered.
As they made their way toward the forest—the area known for monster activity—they suddenly stopped.
Someone stood ahead of them.
"Lancer… I think I know that guy," Kael said quietly.
"That's Leon, right?"
"Looks like it."
Lancer frowned. "What's he doing here?"
Kael smirked faintly. "Don't tell me… he had the same dumb idea as you?"
"Tch. It's not a dumb idea."
Kael just smiled.
"Leon!" he called out.
The young man turned. "Kael… and Lancer? What are you two doing outside the academy?"
Lancer grinned. "Exactly what you think."
"You snuck out?"
"No," Kael replied calmly. "We got permission to buy supplies."
Leon sighed, then smiled. "Hah… guess we're thinking the same thing."
Kael nodded. "In that case, why don't we go in together?"
"Sounds better than going alone," Leon said.
Leon then glanced at Kael. "You didn't bring your fiancée?"
"Hm? Irieth?" Kael let out a small scoff. "Better for her to learn on her own than follow us into something this stupid."
Leon chuckled, while Lancer looked slightly annoyed.
Kael smiled faintly, clearly taking a jab at him.
"Enough talking," Kael said. "Let's just move."
"Yeah."
"Yeah."
Without hesitation, the three of them stepped into the forest—where danger was already waiting.
Their footsteps were quiet as they entered, yet somehow echoed in the strange silence.
The air felt colder.
No birds.
No wind.
Too… quiet.
Kael narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Something's off," he muttered.
Leon glanced around. "Yeah… there should be monster sounds in this area."
Lancer smirked. "Exactly. That just means something stronger is here."
Kael didn't respond.
His instincts… didn't like this.
They moved deeper into the forest. The ground was filled with strange traces—claw marks, overturned soil, and… dark stains that hadn't fully dried.
Blood.
Fresh.
Kael suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
Lancer and Leon halted as well.
Kael crouched down, touching the ground with his fingers.
"…Still warm."
Whatever happened here… wasn't long ago.
Leon frowned. "Monsters?"
Kael shook his head slightly. "Maybe… but this is too messy."
Before they could say anything else—
GRAAAARRR!!
A deafening roar shook the forest.
The ground trembled.
In the distance, trees swayed violently… as if something massive was moving toward them.
Lancer grinned wide. "Now this is more like it."
Leon immediately drew his sword. "That's not a normal demonic wolf…"
Kael didn't move.
His eyes stayed fixed ahead.
…Heavy.
The pressure was unmistakable.
Something far stronger than they expected.
From behind the trees—
A massive figure slowly emerged.
Tall.
Dark green skin.
A body covered in scars.
And red eyes locked onto them.
The silence shattered instantly.
Leon swallowed. "Don't tell me…"
Lancer was still smiling—but it looked forced now.
Kael let out a quiet breath.
"…Guess we're not that lucky."
The creature slowly lifted its massive axe.
Its killing intent pressed down on them.
An orc.
Not just any orc.
Kael stared straight at it.
"…An orc king."
BOOM!!
The ground in front of them exploded.
Kael instantly jumped back. Even the shockwave alone made his body feel heavy.
"Move!" Leon shouted.
The massive figure stood within the dust—its axe buried deep in the ground.
The orc king.
Without giving them time—
WHOOSH!!
The giant axe swung sideways.
Lancer stepped in to meet it.
"Bring it on!"
CLANG!!
His sword shook violently as he blocked. The ground beneath his feet cracked as he was pushed back several steps.
"…Heavy!" he gritted.
Leon moved in from the side.
"Don't take it head-on!"
He thrust toward the orc's flank—
TANG!!
It didn't go in.
The creature's skin was too tough.
"You've gotta be kidding—?!"
Kael had already moved.
His hand rose, magic gathering at his fingertips.
"Duck!"
Lancer immediately lowered himself.
FWOOSH!!
Flames exploded against the orc king's face.
Fire spread, burning part of its skin.
For a moment—
It stopped.
But then…
The flames slowly faded.
And the orc king… smiled.
A horrifying smile.
"GRRRR…"
Its eyes burned brighter.
The next second—
BAM!!
Its body vanished.
"Too fast—!" Leon didn't finish.
BOOM!!
Lancer was sent flying, crashing into a tree hard enough to shatter it.
"GHAK—!"
"LANCER!" Kael shouted.
Kael dashed forward, eyes sharp.
He could see it.
Barely.
That movement… wasn't just speed.
It was technique.
The orc king appeared right in front of him.
Its axe raised high.
Kael didn't step back.
Instead—
He stepped forward.
"If that's all you've got…"
Magic surged into his legs.
CRACK!!
The ground shattered as he burst to the side.
The axe came down—
BOOOOM!!
The earth exploded.
Dust filled the air.
In a split second—
Kael appeared at the orc king's side.
His blade aimed at its neck.
SLASH!!
Blood sprayed.
For the first time—
The orc king was wounded.
The creature stepped back.
Silence.
Then—
It laughed.
"GRAAAHAHA!!"
The sound echoed through the forest.
Leon, watching from a distance, stiffened.
"…It's… enjoying this?"
Kael stood still, but his eyes sharpened.
That wound…
Wasn't deep.
Not even close.
Lancer slowly got back up from the broken tree, blood trailing from the corner of his mouth.
"Kael…" his voice was rough.
"This isn't a normal opponent…"
Kael didn't respond.
His gaze remained locked on the orc king.
The creature lifted its axe again.
Its killing intent grew heavier.
The ground around it began to crack under the pressure alone.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"…We're just getting started."