The Watchful Eyes

While Elian examined the strange dark aura flickering around his fingers, miles away, a different kind of tension brewed.

At Elyndria's Central Command, the Anomaly Detection Unit—a secret division tasked with monitoring unusual magical fluctuations—had just received a disturbing report.

A burst of unclassified energy had been detected in the Shadowed Glade. The readings spiked far beyond a normal Level 8 beast battle, only to suddenly vanish within moments.

This was no ordinary combat.

---

Elyndria's Central Command – Anomaly Unit Headquarters

In a dimly lit control room, a group of cloaked figures analyzed glowing holographic charts filled with fluctuating energy readings.

At the center of them all sat Commander Alistair Veyne—a seasoned warrior in his late forties. His sharp, calculating eyes studied the data intently, his hand gripping the table's edge.

Alistair was a man who trusted patterns—and this? This was anything but normal.

"A sudden surge of power, then complete silence… This isn't just a strong mage at work. This is something else."

Beside him, a younger woman in a sleek, form-fitting battle uniform frowned. Captain Renna Falken, a prodigy among the anomaly trackers, crossed her arms.

"No known magic signature," she muttered. "But the intensity rivals a Grandmaster's spell? If a rogue mage had this level of power, why vanish right after using it?"

Alistair's voice was grave. "We don't assume. We confirm." He turned to a masked operative standing in the shadows. "Deploy a scouting unit. I want eyes on that location immediately."

The operative nodded before vanishing into the darkness.

---

The Hunt Begins

As the unit moved out, their directive was clear:

1. Locate the source of the energy surge.

2. Identify if it was a rogue mage, divine interference, or a new unknown entity.

3. Ensure Elyndria's security.

What they didn't know was that Elian was already moving away from the battlefield—and that the person they were hunting was far closer than they imagined.

---

Elian's Perspective – The Quiet Walk Home

After storing the Direwolf's core and valuable resources, Elian began making his way back. The battle had drained a significant portion of his mana and stamina, but physically, he was unscathed.

The streets of Elyndria were calm at night, the towering futuristic structures intertwined with ancient ruins casting long shadows beneath the moonlight. Magic-infused street lamps flickered, illuminating the pathways.

Eve's voice cut through his thoughts.

"You should be careful. That fight didn't go unnoticed."

Elian's red eyes flickered slightly. "You mean the anomaly unit?"

"Yes. This city doesn't ignore power like yours."

He smirked slightly but said nothing. He already knew this game. The stronger he became, the more attention he would attract.

But that didn't mean they'd find him.

As he walked into the city's bustling heart, the real hunt was just beginning.