Kaelen pondered the next phase of the exam. The first test had been to separate the mages who could use "Enn" from those who couldn't. But what came after? What other challenges awaited him?
He took a deep breath. As he reassessed his life, he couldn't help but marvel at how he had survived all this time without knowing any of it. Until now, he had unknowingly stood at the edge of a great abyss. The doors to an unfamiliar world had opened, and with no escape left, he had no choice but to arm himself with power and knowledge.
His hand rose to his face, wiping the faint sweat from his brow. Alfia was probably watching him right now. That woman's sharp gaze never forgave even the smallest mistake. He couldn't disappoint her. He *shouldn't* disappoint her.
Gathering his thoughts, he focused on the second form of mana manipulation: "Kai." While "Enn" allowed a mage to prevent mana from leaking out of their body, "Kai" completely halted the flow of mana within.
"Kai" meant suppression. A mage could shut their mana pathways, stopping all mana flow within their body as if closing a valve. This made their presence nearly undetectable. Moreover, this technique not only made it harder for enemies to sense them but also heightened their ability to perceive others' auras.
When he closed his mana pathways, he would no longer be able to see his own mana. But this granted him another advantage: freed from the interference of his own mana, he became more sensitive to the flow of magic in the outside world. Technically, he was isolating himself from mana, allowing him to better sense the energy around him.
This technique was incredibly useful, especially when tracking someone. While the mana emissions of the target became clearer, it became nearly impossible for other magic users to detect him. However, this method had its drawbacks. There were alternative ways to sense someone hiding with "Kai": perceptively sensitive individuals could instinctively feel when a gaze was directed at them. But pinpointing the exact location of the observer or determining their numbers wasn't so easy.
Furthermore, the "Kai" technique could unexpectedly backfire if used near a powerful mana user. The reaction to the sudden absence of mana in the environment would shift. If an extraordinary presence was nearby, the void left behind could be noticed. Thus, timing was crucial when using "Kai."
Kaelen decided to use "Kai" to observe the group ahead. If he had approached them with "Enn" active, it would have been tantamount to announcing, *"I'm here, and I'm coming for you."* But by activating "Kai," his mana would be completely withdrawn, making it nearly impossible for his enemies to sense him.
But there was a problem. While "Kai" was active, he wouldn't be protected by "Enn." If an enemy launched an effective attack, he would be defenseless. A single mistake could cost him his life.
Still, the risk was worth it. After all, Kaelen was an experienced mage. He had to trust his own abilities. Besides, "Kai" had another advantage: it helped alleviate fatigue. By keeping all external aura layers contained within, it accelerated his recovery rate. This allowed him to conserve energy and endure longer.
Kaelen took a deep breath and focused. He directed his attention to the layer of mana seeping from his body. Like shutting off a water source, he pulled his mana inward, sealing his mana pathways. Every route leading to his mana core was completely blocked.
Instantly, his vision changed. The world looked different. The mana he had once seen as bright and fluid now drifted around him like mere shadows. His innate sensitivity to mana became apparent. The particles of mana floating around him brushed against his skin—these were Pheniyet's mana. After all, this world was her creation. Everything existed by her will.
Kaelen melted into the shadows. For a moment, he felt as if his very existence had been erased. It was so quiet that even his breathing became inaudible. His footsteps seemed to glide through the air. Silently, he climbed to the top of a tree.
Observing from above was always an advantage. Peering through the branches, he studied the group. The scent of the wild, the damp earth and leaves, the whispers of small creatures—everything moved in its usual rhythm. Yet here he was, hidden at the very top of the trees.
A faint smile curled Kaelen's lips. Deep down, he was enjoying this game. He felt like a predator closing in on its prey.
*"After all,"* he thought to himself, *"the only thing scarier than a chimp is another chimp."*
And Kaelen was well on his way to becoming exactly that—a chimp.
Silently, he moved from one vine to another. His footsteps blended with the rustling of the wind through the trees, his presence lost in the sounds of nature. Every scent, color, and shift in mana around him did not escape his notice. He scanned his surroundings with the eyes of a hunter. Was he the hunter now, or the hunted? Only time would tell the outcome of this test.
Ahead, five distinct mana trails guided him. These traces belonged to a group of children clustered by a riverside. Kaelen advanced quietly, leaning against the trunk of a large tree. About a hundred meters ahead, nestled among the bushes by a narrow stream, was a small campsite. The children had turned it into a temporary shelter. A fire burned at the center, illuminating the night.
Two of them were asleep, while two others stood guard, their eyes gleaming with vigilance in the dim light. The fifth child was by the stream, preparing dinner. They had hunted a large boar. The child placed the boar's meat on flat stones and began carefully slicing it. Their hands moved with practiced efficiency. Kaelen's eyes lingered on the short black knife in the child's grip—about thirty centimeters long and razor-sharp. It had likely been given as a reward for killing the boar.
*"They've adapted quite well,"* Kaelen mused. He hadn't expected these children to adjust so quickly to the world of magic. But survival at this level wasn't enough. They had to do better. Because they weren't the only ones in this forest. Unseen, silent hunters lurked around them—some mana beasts, others humans like Kaelen.
Patiently, Kaelen waited. His chance would come. If he acted at the right moment, he could both observe the children and refine his own strategy. But the slightest misstep could turn the hunter into the hunted.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, fireflies began to glow around the campsite. The dim light filled the forest like drifting ghosts. As the night deepened, Kaelen's focus peaked. The first rule of being a hunter was never becoming the prey. If he acted now, he'd be breaking that rule. He had to wait for the right moment.
As the hours passed, his thirst grew. His throat was parched, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. The river was right below, but going down for a drink was out of the question. Even a single drop of water could reveal his presence. He had to endure.
And then, the moment he had been waiting for arrived.
A faint snap echoed through the forest. Perhaps it was just a small twig breaking, but to Kaelen's heightened senses, it was as clear as thunder in the sky. Instantly, his eyes locked onto the darkness. Following the sound, he pinpointed its source. His crimson eyes, gleaming with predatory hunger, picked out a silhouette moving between the fireflies.
A wounded child.
Kaelen frowned. Had his expectations been too high? This child seemed destined to be prey. Their right leg was drenched in blood, and they limped forward with each step. Their movements were slow, but their goal was clear: the campsite.
Of course, Kaelen wasn't the only one who noticed. The five children in the camp had also sensed the intruder. The two on guard immediately reached for their weapons, while the sleepers jolted awake. The campsite fell into a tense silence as the children tried to discern who was approaching.
Kaelen studied the wounded child—their trembling knees, their labored breathing. A faint smile touched his lips.
*"So this is how it'll be,"* he murmured to himself. *"Things are about to get interesting."*
As the children scrutinized the injured stranger, Kaelen settled in to watch how events would unfold. For now, waiting was the best option. In the silence of the night, the hunter's eyes slowly blinked. Within him lay a beast—patient and hungry, watching its prey with the cunning of a chimp.
Now, all that remained was to wait.
---