The caravan moved steadily along the worn dirt path, weaving through the dense forest as morning sunlight filtered through the canopy. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs blending with the rustling leaves swayed by a gentle breeze. The journey toward the Kingdom of Astralis continued uninterrupted—at least, to the eyes of those unaware.
Leon, nestled in Seraphina's embrace, kept his golden eyes half-lidded, feigning sleep while his mind remained sharp. The memory of those crimson eyes from the night before lingered. Whoever had been watching them had left without engaging, but that didn't mean they wouldn't return.
A predator does not reveal itself unless it has a reason.
Eon, analyze the presence from last night.
[ Running data reconstruction… ]
A few seconds passed before the response came.
[ Entity classification: Unknown. Biological traits resemble hybrid species. Estimated strength: Low-tier Mana Beast (at minimum). Exact abilities: Unconfirmed. Likelihood of intelligent behavior: 65%. ]
Leon's mind sharpened at the conclusion. A hybrid species, strong enough to avoid detection from ordinary people, yet cautious enough to observe rather than attack. That suggested a creature with intelligence.
Curious.
Had it been sent to track them? Or was it merely a wanderer of the forest, drawn to their presence?
Either way, it wasn't a matter to ignore.
Leon glanced at Seraphina, whose sharp gaze remained focused on the road ahead. Her aura, calm yet alert, gave him confidence. Even if something did happen, she would be ready.
And so would he.
For now, he would watch. Wait.
And when the time came, he would act.
Arrival at the Border Town
By late afternoon, the dense forest began to thin, revealing rolling plains in the distance. At the end of the road, a settlement loomed—a modest yet bustling town sitting at the edge of Astralis' borders. Wooden watchtowers stood tall, guards stationed at the entrance keeping a close eye on travelers.
As the caravan approached, Seraphina adjusted the hood of her cloak, ensuring her face remained partially hidden. Though she had altered her appearance slightly using illusion magic, caution was always necessary.
The merchant leading the caravan signaled for a stop.
"We've arrived," he announced. "Valefort—last stop before Astralis proper. You'll find supplies, lodging, and transport options here. But be mindful of the guards—border towns tend to be wary of newcomers."
Seraphina nodded, her grip on Leon tightening slightly.
She stepped out of the carriage, adjusting the weight of the small bag of coins hidden beneath her cloak. They had enough gold to sustain them for now, but unnecessary attention was dangerous.
Leon's sharp eyes scanned the town as they entered. Despite its modest size, Valefort bustled with activity. Merchants peddled their wares in the marketplace, travelers and mercenaries wandered the streets, and watchful eyes lurked in the alleys.
A border town meant one thing—opportunity and danger in equal measure.
Seraphina walked with purpose, heading toward a modest-looking inn. Their priority was securing a safe place to stay before making further plans.
But as they moved through the streets, Leon felt it.
A presence.
Faint, yet unmistakable.
The same feeling from the night before.
The crimson shadow had followed them.
-----
Nightfall came swiftly, casting the town in a quiet stillness. Within the small room, they had rented at the inn, Leon remained awake, his mind focused on the presence outside.
It was close.
Deliberate.
Waiting.
Seraphina was already asleep, exhaustion from the journey evident in her expression. It was rare to see her let her guard down, but even she needed rest.
Leon, however, had no such luxury.
Eon, is the presence stationary?
[ Affirmative. The subject has maintained a position within 20 meters for the past hour. ]
That confirmed it. Whoever—or whatever—it was, they weren't just passing by. They were watching.
Time to find out why.
Carefully, Leon willed his body to shift just enough to get a better view of the window. He was still bound by the limits of infancy, but that didn't mean he was powerless.
Closing his eyes, he reached out with his senses.
Light and fire. The elements he had begun to understand. They were weak now, but that would change.
With slow, controlled intent, he pulled at the faint traces of mana in the air, bending them just slightly—enough to extend his perception.
And then, he saw it.
A figure.
Cloaked in shadow, standing atop a nearby rooftop, barely visible beneath the pale moonlight.
A humanoid form.
Not beast.
Not entirely human.
Their aura flickered between concealment and exposure as if testing whether they had been noticed.
Interesting.
A watcher, yet not an assassin. A scout, but not an aggressor.
Leon made his decision.
Let's see how they respond.
With a mere flicker of will, he allowed a sliver of his mana to pulse outward—not enough to reveal his power, but enough to send a message.
I see you.
The figure tensed.
For a long moment, neither moved.
Then, in a blur of motion, the shadow disappeared into the night.
But Leon knew—this was not the last time they would meet.
And next time, he would be ready.
-------
Morning arrived without incident, but Leon could sense the shift in the air.
Something was coming.
A chain of events had been set into motion, and this town was merely the first step.
Seraphina, unaware of the previous night's encounter, prepared for their next course of action.
"We should gather information," she murmured, adjusting the hood of her cloak. "Find out what's happening in Astralis before we move forward."
Leon remained quiet, but inside, he agreed.
Knowledge was power. And right now, they needed both.
But as they stepped out into the morning light, a thought lingered in Leon's mind.
Who—or what—was their mysterious watcher?
And more importantly…
Were they friend or foes?
One way or another, he intended to find out.
For the game had begun.
And Leon never lost.