Ripples of Change

The group moved slowly through the forest, their pace halved by the weight of their prize. Ilyra , who specialized in body-enhancement magic, had cast a strengthening spell on herself. Her muscles pulsed faintly with energy as she hauled the corpses of the three Murkwalkers behind her, dragging their massive forms across the uneven terrain.

The others flanked her, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. The battle had left them shaken, but they were alive—and they had something to show for it.

"We're making good time, considering," Cedric said, glancing at Ilyra . "You holding up okay?"

Ilyra nodded, though sweat glistened on her brow. "I'm fine. This spell can last a while, but these things are heavy." She glanced back at the massive, scaled bodies dragging behind her and shivered. "Can't believe we're actually bringing them back."

"It's worth it," Lars muttered, his usual bravado replaced by exhaustion. "The camp needs to see this. They need to know what's out here."

Evan walked slightly ahead, his focus split between his surroundings and the group. His Simulate pulsed faintly, mapping the terrain to ensure no ambushes awaited them. Despite the slow pace, the journey was methodical and cautious.

What should have been a day and a half of walking stretched into two full days. The weight of the Murkwalker corpses forced the group to take frequent breaks, each pause filled with tension as they rested near makeshift campfires.

The apprentices took turns keeping watch during the nights, their nerves on edge as they listened to the forest's sounds. Even Cedric, usually quick to crack a joke, kept his remarks subdued.

On the second day, as the camp finally came into view, the group's exhaustion was replaced by a mix of relief and anticipation.

The apprentices at the edge of the camp noticed the group first. Their dirt-streaked clothes and bloodied armor drew attention immediately, whispers spreading like wildfire as more and more people turned to watch them enter.

"Look at them," someone murmured.

"What happened to them?"

"They look like they've been through hell," another voice added.

But it wasn't until Ilyra came into view, the three Murkwalker corpses dragging behind her, that the camp fell silent.

The massive bodies, their scales glinting faintly in the sunlight, were a sight no one expected. Murkwalkers were a nightmare even for intermediates, and yet here they were—three of them, defeated and brought back by novices.

Ilyra dropped the bodies with a heavy thud, her strengthening spell fading as she staggered forward to catch her breath. Lars moved to steady her while the rest of the group stepped aside, letting the camp take in the scene.

The silence broke with a flurry of whispers and exclamations.

"Murkwalkers? Three of them?"

"How is that even possible? They're just novices!"

"Didn't the intermediates fail to return from their mission?"

The commotion had grown loud enough to draw attention from the Tower itself. A door creaked open, and an advanced apprentice stepped out, her calm yet commanding presence quieting the murmurs. Evan's eyes widened slightly as he recognized her—it was the librarian who always assisted him in the library, the one who often provided him with scrolls and tomes about magical theory and advanced runic designs.

Her name was Aria. She wasn't known for combat prowess but for her sharp mind and encyclopedic knowledge of magic. Despite her role in the library, she carried herself with the authority of someone who commanded respect.

Aria approached the group slowly, her gaze shifting from the dirtied, exhausted apprentices to the massive corpses lying in the dirt. Her brow furrowed as she studied the Murkwalkers, her sharp eyes noting the burn marks and deep cuts marring their scaled bodies.

"What's going on here?" Aria asked, her voice quiet but firm.

Cedric, grinning as usual, gestured to the bodies. "We ran into a little trouble on our mission. Three Murkwalkers. But we took care of them."

Aria's eyes narrowed slightly, her analytical gaze shifting to Evan. "Murkwalkers?" she asked, her tone skeptical but not dismissive. "Three of them, and you survived?"

Evan stepped forward, his calm demeanor unwavering. "We didn't just survive. We killed them."

The crowd fell silent again, their earlier murmurs replaced by an almost palpable tension. Aria's eyes flicked to the group behind Evan—Lars, Mira, Ilyra, and Callen—all of whom looked visibly shaken but nodded in agreement.

"It's true," Ilyra said, her voice trembling. "They saved us. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be standing here."

Lars cleared his throat, his earlier bravado replaced with humility. "Evan knew they were coming. He warned us, but we didn't listen. And when they attacked... he and Cedric held them off while we tried not to get killed."

Aria's expression softened slightly, though her sharp gaze lingered on Evan. "Interesting," she said quietly, turning her attention back to the bodies. She knelt by one of the Murkwalkers, examining the burn marks on its scales. Her fingers traced the deep gouges left by Cedric's conjured weapons, and she let out a quiet hum of approval.

"These injuries aren't random," Aria said, standing and dusting off her hands. "They're precise. Deliberate." She looked back at Evan and Cedric, her expression unreadable. "You two did this?"

Cedric shrugged casually, but his grin widened. "I mean, mostly Evan. I just finished the one that didn't know when to quit."

Evan glanced at him but said nothing.

Aria turned to the crowd, her voice cutting through the whispers. "Three Murkwalkers, killed by a group of novices. That's not something you see every day." She gestured toward the bodies. "Get these to the Tower. We need to study them. If Murkwalkers are this close to the camp, something's wrong."

Several apprentices stepped forward hesitantly, their movements slow and deliberate as they began dragging the massive corpses away.

Aria faced Evan again, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Evan, stay behind. I want to hear exactly what happened out there."

Cedric stepped forward as well. "I was with him the whole time. You'll get the full story."

Aria raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. "Fine. Both of you, follow me."

The apprentices around them watched in silence as Aria led Evan and Cedric toward the Tower. Whispers followed them, the weight of their victory against the Murkwalkers cementing their newfound reputation.

Evan glanced at Cedric, who gave him a confident nod. "Guess we're not just some random novices anymore, huh?"

Evan smirked faintly. "Let's hope it stays that way."