Kain Clinton's gaze swept across the bustling camp, sharp and calculating. His eyes immediately found Blake tucked away in a shadowy corner. The young man's posture screamed avoidance, his eyes refusing to meet anyone's. Unlike the rest of the students, whose expressions vacillated between awe and fear, Blake's face was pale as iron, his knuckles tightening into fists.
Interesting… Kain thought, a faint smirk playing at his lips. Direct confrontation wouldn't work here. Even if Jayce's mind-link ability could force him to reveal himself, explaining the aftermath would be tricky. This would need a little planning… and maybe, just maybe, I'll see him take the bait first.
Around him, the instructors were less subtle with their assessments. "These students are far too inexperienced," Lieutenant Lucas remarked bluntly, eyes scanning the group with an air of disappointment. "Not a single one of them possesses basic survival skills. If they encounter a demon, I doubt even one could properly channel a spell."
The surrounding teachers nodded in quiet agreement, grimacing at the evident lack of competence among their charges. Many of these students had raw potential, but raw potential without discipline was nothing more than wasted energy.
The presence of Kain—a prodigy from the prestigious Skywave Academy – Melbourne—added to the tension. Any misstep now would stand in stark contrast to his effortless mastery. If a student performed well, it could even become an entry ticket to Skywave Academy – Melbourne.
Commander Kane, the senior instructor, looked over at Kain and his companion with a curious tilt of his head. "Are you two still interested in observing their field training?" he asked. There was no judgment in his voice, only curiosity.
Kain's lips curved in a faint, almost playful smile. "Watching these novice mages reminds me why I started learning magic in the first place. To remember the essence of what it truly is." His eyes glimmered with a mixture of nostalgia and quiet pride, the light of someone who had reached the pinnacle yet still cherished his roots.
Commander Kane chuckled softly, almost to himself. "I suppose I can understand that. Looking at them reminds me of when I first began my magical studies… though their naivety is rather striking." There was a wistfulness to his tone, a distant echo of his own youthful ambitions. For the soldiers witnessing this, it seemed incongruous—this was not the stern, intimidating commander they had been told to obey.
Kain turned his attention to the instructors surrounding the camp, voice carrying a note of genuine admiration. "I have to commend all of you for your dedication. Guiding these students along the path of magic is no easy task. Your efforts are truly invaluable."
Among the instructors, George's face lit up with pride. Being praised by a talent of Kain's caliber was no small honor—it was something he could recount for years to come. Beside him, Miles's expression darkened slightly, a quiet disapproval evident in his eyes. Doesn't he have any sense of decorum? he thought, watching George bask in the praise.
Kain's sharp gaze then fell on a small group of students preparing to depart. "That ice-element mage looks promising. His unit is organized, disciplined, and focused."
From the nearby tent, Miles's voice rose in confirmation. "He's Murray, from the renowned Moore family. A rising talent in our class."
Jayce elbowed Kain lightly, muttering under his breath, "Moore family? Could it be a branch of the Moore clan?"
Kain's response carried easily enough to reach the ears of several nearby instructors and students. "Not exactly. But with the Moore clan's reputation, I'd expect them to treat such branches with a certain indifference."
The camp murmured in surprise. The Moore family controlled much of the resources in Alice Springs, an untouchable presence in local magical circles. The Moore clan, however, remained a mystery to many—only Commander Kane and Tara Young seemed to fully grasp Kain's meaning.
Tara Young's eyes widened in astonishment. He dares comment on the Moore clan? she thought. The Moore clan's influence was vast, their high-level mages countless, and some rumored to wield forbidden spells. Yet Kain spoke as though he had nothing to fear.
Commander Kane, observing Kain's boldness, could not hide a sense of envy. This is the spirit of youth—the fearless ambition of someone unafraid of consequences. When I was his age, I too had such energy… until reality struck me hard.
Jayce, equally impressed, smacked his lips. "Well, if he can confront the Moore clan's influence without hesitation, then I have no fear." His admiration was tempered by a quiet defiance—most would quake at the name of Marcus Moore, but not him.
Kain's assessment continued, precise and objective. "Murray is exceptional—an innate leader." His voice, calm yet decisive, carried the weight of experience. It was a subtle reminder: he had no familial backing, no inherited prestige; only talent, determination, and the uncanny ability to see potential where others did not.
Miles's aged face split into a wide smile, delighting in the rare praise, while George's envy deepened. Such validation was priceless.
Tara Young spoke up, her eyes briefly scanning another group. "The Matthew unit is competent as well."
Kain shook his head slightly. "Average. Their cohesion is weak. No matter how impressive their lineup, internal disagreements will slow their progress considerably."
A fleeting flash of displeasure crossed Tara Young's eyes. Her evaluation had been dismissed in an instant, leaving her momentarily irked.
As the day waned and darkness approached, the instructors and students alike noted the slow pace of the field exercise. "At this rate, it will take them nearly ten days to reach their destination," Commander Kane stated sternly. The military teams would have made the same journey in three days at most—the discrepancy was staggering.
Miles rubbed his hands, frustration evident. Even for a first excursion into the wilderness, their performance reflects poorly on us as teachers.
Kain, however, remained composed, eyes scanning the hesitant movements of the students. For their first time navigating the wilds, even recognizing the terrain and avoiding getting lost was a remarkable feat.
Commander Kane's voice cut through the murmurs. "No matter what, I rate their current performance as a B."
The words drew varied reactions. To some, B was a respectable grade, but for the top-tier students aspiring to elite magical academies, anything less than an A was disheartening.
"I'd give Murray at least an A," Kain interjected, calm but firm. "His leadership and decisiveness deserve it. Some might even merit an S rating."
He made no effort to conceal his opinion, even if Commander Kane's pride might take offense. To Kain, honesty outweighed petty hierarchy.
"Now is not the time to debate grades," Commander Kane countered, crossing his arms. "They have yet to complete the bounty task. Until then, everything is provisional."
The teachers' expressions shifted—what had been a simple performance review now had higher stakes. Kain sighed quietly. Commander Kane's stubbornness was as pronounced as ever.
This assignment carried inherent risks. Without John's dual-element talent, and without the small creature swallowing a stardust relic, casualties would have been inevitable. If John hadn't dispatched the spectral wolves, Commander Kane himself would have been humiliated.
Kain turned his eyes toward Blake, glancing with the faintest trace of amusement. The young man in the corner remained unaware that the bait had been set.
"I need to return to training," Kain announced casually, as if he were merely following routine. "My cultivation has recently hit a plateau, and I must focus on breaking through."
"Plateau?" Jayce's voice rose in disbelief. "But didn't you just make a breakthrough?"
Meanwhile, Blake's lips curled into a ghostly smile. A cold glint appeared in his eyes, and an idea—dangerous, audacious—took shape in his mind.
If I can recruit this prodigy into the Black Covenant, the Sanctum will not treat him unfairly… maybe he'll finally reach mid-tier. Hahaha…
And with that, the trap was set, the first threads of a game much larger than anyone else in the camp yet realized.