Xeno, John, and Alicia stood before the Strider.
"Leave," Xeno said, his voice calm, but every word carried weight.
John's eyes shot wide. "Are you insane? There's a Strider right in front of us and you want to face it alone?!"
Alicia pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose, her tone icy. "I hate to agree with the muscle head… but this opponent is far above our level even with your strength."
Xeno didn't flinch, his gaze fixed on the creature. "If we all engage it, another group could swoop in and steal the crystals while we're distracted." His eyes shifted toward Jack. "Have you forgotten who I am?"
They fell silent.
John clicked his tongue but stepped back. Alicia followed.
"You better come back alive," John muttered. "Or I'm breaking your favorite figurine."
A faint smirk curved Xeno's lips as he stepped forward.
His eyes shifted crimson, and a katana materialized in his hand.
Two Revnas erupted from the Strider's back, writhing like living appendages.
"Full throttle right from the start, huh?" Xeno muttered, rolling his shoulder slightly, blade poised.
The Strider lunged with explosive speed, its Revnas striking. Sparks scattered as Xeno twisted, narrowly dodging a barrage aimed at vital spots.
One arm stretched unnaturally toward him—but Xeno pivoted, slicing it clean off.
The limb regenerated instantly. He had anticipated it. Grabbing the reforming arm, he flung the Strider into the rocks, rubble exploding outward. Without hesitation, he dashed forward and thrust toward its core.
A Revna intercepted, knocking his blade aside and forcing him back.
Xeno's eyes narrowed. 'Dammit… it's keeping up with my speed. No—I'm the one barely keeping up with it.'
The Strider rose to its full height.
"Not bad for a cadet… but you're fighting a losing battle."
Xeno smirked faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
They lunged simultaneously. Revna and steel collided, sending shockwaves through the earth beneath them. Xeno twisted mid-swing and sliced the Strider's horn clean off. Its eyes widened just slightly.
A Revna slammed into Xeno's torso, hurling him into the rocks and embedding him deep in stone. The Strider approached deliberately, its horn regenerating as it loomed over him.
"I've changed my mind… I'll devour you once you've fully bloomed."
Then it turned and walked away.
*****
Night had fully settled over the clearing. The faint glow of their dwindling fire cast unsteady shadows across the surrounding trees, stretching and twisting along the uneven ground. The nearby river murmured softly, blending with the cool whisper of wind through the leaves.
Reol lay sprawled on his back near the fire, one arm lazily draped over his eyes. Selene slept curled on her side, closer to the warmth, her expression finally at peace.
A short distance away, Geno stood with his arms folded, the cold night air brushing against his torn coat. The embers reflected faintly in his eyes as he scanned the tree line, muttering quietly—clearly irritated by his security duty.
The forest was silent except for the rustling of leaves.
Then footsteps.
Geno's eyes snapped toward the sound, every sense alert. He moved into the trees and dragged a broken branch across his forearm. Blood trickled down.
The scent did not go unnoticed.
Five Newborns burst from the shadows at once.
They lunged. Geno sidestepped the first strike as his twin daggers materialized. He moved with precise efficiency, twisting, slicing, and pivoting. Steel flashed.
All five collapsed and dissipated into nothing.
Geno exhaled slowly. "Looks like it's going to be a long night."
*****
Jack and Alicia walked down the forest path, crystals in hand.
"I'm still pissed he didn't let us fight with him," Alicia muttered, puffing her cheeks slightly.
"Come on, cut him some slack. You have to admit it was the best course of action."
Alicia's expression flickered, worry shadowing her eyes. "But still… he's facing a B-rank Voletile."
Jack grinned. "This is Xeno we're talking about. If anyone can take that thing head-on, it's him."
Footsteps echoed ahead.
Three cadets stepped into view: one with striking, carefully styled hair; beside him, a girl with dark green hair and a quiet boy with black hair, both watching silently.
The green-haired one stepped forward, bowing slightly.
"Allow me to introduce myself… Eren Berlin."
His smile was warm. Too warm.
"I couldn't help but notice you're carrying two crystals. That must have taken quite the effort." His eyes lingered on them, sharp and calculating. "We've had rather unfortunate luck ourselves. It would be… admirable if you chose to share, wouldn't it?"
A small pause.
"After all, cooperation is what this academy values."
The smirk appeared only after the words left his mouth.
Jack chuckled dryly. "Unfortunately, I'm not much of a Samaritan. So if you want one…" His eyes sharpened. "You'll have to take it from us."
Eren sighed softly, almost disappointed. "I truly dislike conflict," he said gently. "But sometimes, people mistake kindness for weakness."
His eyes glowed a sharp yellow as twin yoyos materialized in his hands, humming with concentrated energy along invisible threads.
Behind him, the quiet boy stepped forward.
"Let's keep it simple," he said. "One-on-one. Just you and me."
His eyes shifted silver as metallic gauntlets formed around his fists, solid and heavy.
"I might as well introduce myself. Jack Gordon."
He slammed his fists together, sending a shockwave outward. Leaves spiraled into the air around them.
"Well… I suppose it can't be helped. Throughout history, most solutions have been settled through conflict."
Eren spun his yoyos lightly, the hum of energy soft but threatening.