The day began under a clear, cloudless sky.
Arin stretched and reached for his sword—only to pause.
"Leiofa," he asked, glancing around, "where's my sword?"
Leiofa opened his mouth to answer, but before a word could leave him—
"Hanase took it," Askiro said casually.
The scene shifted.
Hanase was running.
A group of orcs chased behind her, snarling as they closed the distance. She swung the sword wildly—missed. Ran again. Swung again—air. She ran, swung, and ran once more, her breathing growing ragged as time dragged on.
An hour passed.
When the others finally caught up, they were met with the sight of Hanase still sprinting, still missing, still being chased by the same orcs.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then everyone burst out laughing.
Leiofa stepped forward, barely able to keep his balance as he laughed uncontrollably, and cut the orcs down with ease. The bodies hit the ground one after another.
Arin walked up, catching his sword as Hanase hurled it at him.
"Those things die if you glare at them," he said flatly.
Hanase's eyes twitched.
"Then you better do it," she snapped, "before I kill you myself."
Askiro quickly stepped in, trying to lighten the mood.
"It's okay," she said gently. "You're our mage. It's fine if you can't fight with a sword."
Hanase exhaled, the tension draining from her shoulders.
"…Thanks. I'm fine now."
The group decided it was a good time to train—fighting weaker monsters, testing coordination, burning off energy.
By the time they turned back toward camp, the sun had dipped low.
Dawn greeted them.
What remained of their camp was broken—trampled, scattered, torn apart by monsters.
They were exhausted. Starving.
Hanase stepped forward, taking control without hesitation.
"Arin. Hugurou. Gather wood."
She turned next.
"Askiro, find meat."
Then to the others.
"Neblaheim. Leiofa. Find a location we can defend while we sleep."
Everyone moved—except Arin.
"No," he said.
The air went cold.
In an instant, Hanase was in front of him, a sword pressed against his throat. This time, she wasn't asking.
"Go."
Her voice left no room for argument.