Echo Swert

The cave seemed to breathe with us, inhaling and exhaling mana like a living thing. The crystal's glow pulsed steadily, slow and hypnotic, but I knew it was a trap. It wasn't just sitting there, waiting for us to claim it—it was watching.

Wallace crouched by the rocky floor, pulling out his carving tools. He worked fast, but the process wasn't instant. He needed time.

That was the one thing we probably didn't have.

"Alright," I said, keeping my voice low. "Julien, Mira—you're on disruption duty. Keep its attention off Wallace. Felix, Leo, stay back and watch for anything weird."

Felix gave me a look. "Weird? Professor, the whole cave is weird."

"Then watch harder."

Julien cracked his knuckles, stepping forward. "So, what's our signal?"

"You'll know."

Before they could complain, I raised my feet and stomp on the ground. A sharp pulse of mana radiated outward—deliberate, controlled. A direct challenge.