Chapter 19 – The Other Face of Magic

[12th Group – Eastern Danz Forest]

Night had draped over Atreus like a heavy cloak, silencing the winds and plunging the Danz Forest into near-total darkness. The timid stars barely pierced through the thick canopy of ancient trees. Only in a hidden clearing did a thread of warmth and light remain — the small campfire of the 12th group crackled softly, casting trembling shadows on the hunters' tired faces.

Melina kept her eyes closed, feeling the warm cloth glide over her dirt- and sweat-streaked skin. Each stroke seemed to cleanse not only her face but the remnants of the battle she had just endured. Beside her, Saicha cared for her with a tenderness bordering on maternal, eyes attentive and hands steady.

Saicha

— I can't believe you got into a brawl with Kai... — she stifled a laugh, trying to stay serious. — And survived!

Melina

— She didn't even fight seriously... — she replied, slowly opening her eyes. Frustration lingered in them, but also a hint of admiration. — A mage… who doesn't use magic. It was humiliating.

Saicha

— They say she's the strongest among the eight recommended ones. — she spoke while wringing out the cloth, droplets falling onto the stones.

Melina raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

Melina

— You seem to know a lot about her...

Saicha

— Rumors. — she shrugged, eyes lost in the embers. — Twenty-one years old. Born on Earth, like us. This was her first mission outside Apex.

Melina

— Hmm? Only trained in Apex and already at that level...?

Thinking:

I only awakened because of Ares. And my mana skills only emerged on the fifth floor...

She let out a muffled chuckle that quickly turned into laughter. Within seconds, she was covering her face with her hands.

Melina

— She really is amazing... evolved that much without even leaving Apex.

Saicha

— They say she refused a promotion so she wouldn't have to leave her adopted daughter. If she became a master, she'd have to spend more time in Atreus.

Melina

— I see...

Thinking:

She must be the strongest advanced-class hunter we have. And she also wields mana... Could she also be trying...?

[Flashback – Angel, Fifth Floor]

The sky held a constant greenish hue, like a frozen aurora borealis suspended in time. Bluish crystals marked the path where Haikai and Melina walked side by side. Ahead, a frozen lake reflected the distorted sky — a broken mirror between worlds.

Haikai

— In this world, there are two main forces: aura and mana. — he said with crossed arms. — Can you tell me which one is yours?

Melina

— That's easy! — she answered confidently. — Aura is our inner energy, and mana… the energy of nature.

Haikai

— Close. — he smiled. — We have both.

Melina

— What!?

Haikai

— Mana concentrates in the chest, that's why we channel it. It's vitality. Aura flows throughout the body — it's power.

Melina frowned, processing.

Haikai

— Imagine a factory. Mana is sealed boxes. Aura is the label that defines function and destination. It organizes and transforms mana into abilities.

Melina

— So aura is... formatted mana?

Haikai

— Exactly. Warrior's Aura, Mage's Aura, Evaluator's Aura… The class defines the label. The packer learns how to use them.

Melina

— And if I teach him to use other labels?

Haikai

— You gain new classes. But the contents of the box also need to change.

Melina

— That's why we train generic mana skills... They prepare the packer to take on new functions.

Haikai

— Yes. But the more labels you want to use... the more it demands of him.

[Present – Clearing in Atreus]

Thinking:

Kai also uses mana... She must be walking the path toward a second class. Maybe she hasn't even used her primary one yet.

Melina

— Evaluation. — she whispered.

System

— Primary Class: Master Wind Mage

— Combat Style Detected: Amateur Berserk

Thinking:

Berserk...? That's the complete opposite of a mage. She's merging extremes... That's monstrous.

Dawn had barely broken the horizon when the ten expedition groups returned to the provisional village. The tents fluttered in the wild wind, and a restless murmur filled the air.

In the central tent, the sergeants gathered around the ceremonial fire, eyes sharp, waiting for what was to come.

Lieutenant (shouting)

— Attention! Today we will receive Lord Július II of the Barak family!

Thinking:

Barak family... One of the 46 rich families that control Apex. This is concerning.

Július II entered with the elegance of a noble whirlwind — crimson cloak, golden details, and eyes hungry for dominion. His presence filled the tent as if it were too small for him.

Lord Július II

— Greetings, hunters. I am the new head of the Barak family. I'm interested in Atreus. I plan to build a city here. And I'm not alone. Fifteen other families will migrate as well.

Thinking:

Apex is overcrowded... This is colonization.

Lord Július II

— Atreus is up to four times larger than Apex. It's time to expand. I count on you.

Thinking:

Sixteen noble families... If Atreus falls into their hands, the world will change.

Lieutenant

— Dismissed!

Melina threw herself onto her bunk bed with a long sigh.

Melina

— Ugh... what a drag.

Knock. Knock.

Saicha (softly)

— Melina?

Soon the two were immersed in a bathtub heated by enchanted stones. The steam created a comforting mist, and Melina calmly washed Saicha's hair.

Melina

— And when all this is over...? What will you do?

Saicha

— I thought about starting a group with you. Maybe go to Ares... or live here. Maybe even Apex... hehe.

Melina (blushing)

— Hahaha... full of plans, huh? But I... I still want to climb. When this mission is over... I'm going to challenge Apex.

Saicha (shocked)

— Seriously!?

Melina

— Yup.

Saicha

— You're amazing... If you beat Apex, you'll be only the third Evaluator in history to do it.

Melina (staring at the ceiling)

— Yeah... So far, only the Guild Master and the Top 2 have managed it. Not even Aether tried...

Thinking:

Could it be... I'm already stronger than him? If he didn't become a master... and I... ah, forget it.

Suddenly, bells rang — three short chimes, one long. Alert.

They both jumped up, slipping into tactical gear almost by reflex. Outside, the groups were already lining up.

Guard

— Lesser monsters! Twenty-eight approaching!

Melina (snapping her fingers)

— Evaluation.

System

— Monsters Detected: 28, Lesser Class

— Probable Cause: Abnormal aura concentration due to mass presence of hunters.

Thinking:

After training with Haikai, my Evaluation evolved. Now it's unique... the Voice of the World. And it... speaks to me.

Melina

— Damn... If they were higher-class, this village would be doomed.

The Cobra groups positioned themselves at the gate. The tension hummed in the air.

Kai (shouting from the barricade)

— Hey, shorty! Don't die, alright!?

Melina (smirking)

— Hahaha... this is child's play.