The forest path that had seemed so promising from the clearing's edge proved to be far more challenging than Ren's initial analysis had suggested.
What had appeared to be signs of regular use were actually natural formations created by the movement of large magical creatures over time, rather than the deliberate infrastructure he had anticipated.
The undergrowth grew denser as they progressed, forcing their small group to push through vegetation that seemed almost aggressive in its attempts to impede their passage.
Thorny vines caught at their clothing while roots created treacherous footing that made rapid progress impossible.
Behind them, the sound of other students following their route had grown significantly louder.
Word had apparently spread through the student body that Ren and Mirabella—the two top performers in their entire batch of 4,500 students—had identified a promising direction.
