The Defense Corps barracks woke early. Just before dawn broke, Valkus opened his eyes. Muscle soreness from yesterday's training ran through his body. Yet even that pain felt pleasant. For the first time since being expelled from the Silver Flame Knights, moving his body felt purely fulfilling. When he arrived at the training grounds, Aersura had already begun her sword drills. Her copper-red hair gleamed in the morning light. Her movements were flawless, each swing packed with power. "Morning," Valkus said. "Yo! No oversleeping today," Aersura replied. Aersura sheathed her sword. Her breathing was light, as if yesterday's intense training had been nothing. There was no mere praise in her gaze—it was the look of one skilled warrior recognizing another. "We've got a special mission today," Aersura said. "What is it?" Valkus asked. "A magical beast population survey at the outer edge of Ashfang Forest. I'm thinking of having you help out," Aersura said. Valkus's breath caught for a moment. Real combat with magical beasts. Unlike training, genuine danger awaited. Defeat meant death. Injury meant scars that would last a lifetime. He should have carried that resolve in the Silver Flame Knights. But now was different. As an apprentice, not a formal adventurer, could he really manage this? "Is it alright even if I'm not a formal adventurer?" Valkus asked. "Yeah. I talked to Helda, and she said apprentice participation is fine. She's even writing a letter of recommendation," Aersura said. Aersura laughed innocently. In that smile was pure trust in Valkus's abilities. "I know your skill, and your character's not bad either. That's enough," Aersura said. Valkus nodded. There was no reason to refuse. Besides, real combat experience was necessary for the future. After breakfast, he headed to the west gate with three Defense Corps members. Passing through the city gates, Ashfang Forest lay before them. Ancient broadleaf trees stood in rows, their trunks covered in gray bark. Ashfang oak—the tree that gave the forest its name. Even in daylight, it was dim, with fallen leaves piled thick underfoot. From deeper within came the faint sound of beasts growling. "Stay alert. Danger rank is D, but carelessness means death," Aersura said. Aersura's hand went to her sword. The motion was fluid, showing she could transition to combat in an instant. The Defense Corps members similarly gripped their weapons, watching their surroundings carefully. Valkus gripped the old iron sword he'd been issued. It wasn't particularly heavy, but compared to the Silver Flame Knights' blades, it was inferior. Still, its cutting function remained unchanged. Into the forest's depths. Footprints marked the ground—those of magical beasts. Three claw marks were carved deep. "They're close. Form a line," Aersura said. The Defense Corps members arranged themselves. Aersura at the front, Valkus next, the Corps members following behind. Then. A low growl echoed. The brush on the right rustled. The next moment, three wolf-type magical beasts with gray fur burst out. Ashfang wolves. Body length: 1.8 meters. More than 1.5 times a wild wolf's size. Gray manes stood up along their backs, fangs gleaming sharp. Danger rank: D. "Here they come!" Aersura said. Aersura drew her sword. Not silver, but well-used steel-colored, yet its brilliance was unchanged. "I'll take two! You lot handle one!" Aersura said. Aersura charged at the wolves without hesitation. Her speed was remarkable. The Defense Corps members moved too. Three against one wolf. One stepped forward to slash, another feinted from the side, a third provided support. Trained coordination. Valkus watched from behind, understanding the flow of combat. Aersura's movements, the Corps members' movements, the wolves' reactions. Aersura faced two wolves. She slashed at one, dodged its counterattack, then aimed for the other's flank. Advanced coordination—no, she controlled both wolves through sheer individual skill alone. (Can I copy this?) Valkus burned into his mind every detail: the linear footwork, the horizontal slash, the timing of evasion against counterattacks. Then. The wolf fighting the Defense Corps members lunged at Aersura. Valkus moved reflexively. He stepped forward. Gripping the issued iron sword, he slashed at the wolf's flank. It was exactly Aersura's movement copied from training. Linear footwork, hip rotation, horizontal slash. The wolf shrieked and leaped away. "Follow through," Valkus said. Valkus pursued. Timing the moment the wolf stumbled, he cut deep into its flank. The wolf's movement stopped. The battle ended in moments. Aersura took two, the Defense Corps members one, Valkus one. Three Ashfang wolves lay motionless on the ground. Silence. "Good work," Aersura said. Aersura sheathed her sword. Her breathing wasn't even labored. Her expression was almost joyful. "You're pretty good!" Aersura said. Aersura laughed. Pure delight filled that smile. "Your skill is real. You lived up to Silver Flame standards," Aersura said. The Defense Corps members nodded with impressed expressions. "You're the real deal, ex-knight," Defense Corps Member A said. They collected the magic cores. From within the Ashfang wolves' bodies, gray-glowing crystals were extracted. Three of them. This alone would fetch 0.6 Gren. Afterward, they took a short break in the forest. They drank from water skins and rested. The Defense Corps members organized the magic cores at a distance. "You're really strong, aren't you?" Aersura said. Aersura sat beside Valkus. Close distance. She'd entered his personal space, but Valkus felt no discomfort. "Who gets expelled from the Silver Flame Knights? Why were you expelled?" Aersura asked. That question carried strong curiosity mixed with faint concern. "...I'd rather not say," Valkus answered. He couldn't speak of more than that. His ability, Galberius's true intentions, the sealed power beneath Seriant—all had to remain secret. "I see," Aersura said. She accepted it. She didn't push. Instead, her gaze intensified slightly. "But tell me someday, okay? We're comrades after all," Aersura said. Valkus caught his breath. Comrades. He'd heard that word in the Silver Flame Knights before. But it was merely organizational—superior and subordinate, senior and junior. He'd never truly been thought of as a comrade. But Aersura said it. This proud, competitive woman called Valkus her comrade. "...Understood," Valkus said quietly. He nodded. The back of his right hand grew faintly warm. Ancient-script-like patterns glowed dimly. But the light faded quickly. By evening, the group returned to Seriant. At the Beacon Seriant branch, Helda waited. "Welcome back. Let me check those magic cores," Helda said. Helda took the three magic cores. She examined them. No quality issues. "Perfect. Payment goes to the Defense Corps. Valkus gets an additional 0.1 Gren daily wage," Helda said. "Helda, this guy's seriously useful," Aersura said. Aersura spoke cheerfully within the branch. "The Silver Flame rumors said this guy was a degraded copy, but that's totally wrong," Aersura said. Helda laughed. Her smile held something like parental affection. "I see. But there's no rush. Formal registration in five days. Until then, let's take it easy," Helda said. "Understood," Valkus said. That night, Valkus stared at his right hand in the inn. Ancient-script-like patterns. Their true nature remained a mystery. The source of his copy ability—what Galberius called "ancient forbidden power." (What lies beneath Seriant?) Valkus gazed at the city from his window. Beyond the city, Ashfang Forest lay dark. Deeper within should sleep the Quiet Ring—the ruins of an ancient altar. But now wasn't the time. He would advance steadily. Build trust bit by bit. And— Something was beginning to move slowly. Within the city of Seriant, something new. The power hidden within Valkus. The ancient power sleeping beneath this city. With the moon high in the night sky, Valkus closed his eyes, holding both anticipation for tomorrow and secret unease.