"There were cloaked creatures coming at us, stating they sought a boy for some ''wolf.'' It was terrifying!"

    Monny mentioned further, "And I threw a grenade! Can you believe it? It actually worked!"

    Apollo immediately grew interested after hearing the word *wolf.* He turned to look at Alicia and then went back to look at Darius, both sensing the gravity behind Darius''s words. So, Apollo used the authority of the God of Mystics to urge Samantha to ask a question for him. Upon his will, the little girl obeyed.

    "A wolf? Her face betrayed interest, so she continued, ''What do you mean?''"

    "Yeah," Rose added at once, staring. "What the hell were they? Some sort of beastmen or something? They kept referring to delivering someone to a wolf. We were not sure who they were talking about until we had to fend them off."

    Apollo''s heart quickened, and a growing feeling of dread came over him. His memory of that strange woman was vivid though she had attacked him without any provocation, it was the look of hate on her face that filled his mind now. "Could there be any connection?"

    "Jeremiah," Apollo said, wanting to ask for his opinion. "What do you think?"

    [Analyzing information... Correlating data...]

    [I believe it is likely they are referring to you, you are the target, given the woman''s hostility. It aligns with the hatred she had during the previous encounter.] Jeremiah''s voice came out in Apollo, making the boy massage his head. He had too many problems and currently felt frustrated.

    "Why does she hate me?" Sadly, he felt too vague to connect anything about that woman. The only thing he could do was use the given information he had.

    [Creator, based on the appearance of that woman, she must be a wolf magical beast before gaining the ability to morph. According to the data I have, your only encounters with wolves are from your previous hunting before the banquet. You killed an Ivory Wolf Alpha, Creator. Based on the appearance of that woman, it''s possible she is his mate.]

    The realization dawned on him, and for a moment he could not speak. "I did not hear well; she blames me for the death of her mate?" Apollo said, his thoughts going in circles with all the information he had gathered up to now.

    There were many implications of this fight—not just the appearance of the vengeful wolf, but also the remnants of the Monastery joining the Revolutionary Church continued ringing in his head.

    [Creator, you murdered her mate. Mates are not just partners for the wolf kind they are their other half, a part of themselves. And you tore that part away after you killed the male alpha.]

    Apollo now didn''t know how to argue. Just then, a wave of weariness washed over him as he recalled the chaotic hunt he''d been a part of—the ivory wolf''s piercing eyes before it fell. The weight of his past decisions began to crush him as he understood the cycle of vengeance that might ensue.

    But before he could slip any deeper into the hum of his mind, the sounds of rustling leaves and twigs delivered a loud message into the clearing as Professor Adolfo and the rest of the professors walked in, their expressions radiant, indicating good news.

    "How is that even possible?" Monny asked; disbelief could be heard in his tone.

    Professor Alejo explained, "The artifact was set for times of great crisis—to preserve life when all seems lost. We were fortunate to retrieve it. So, everyone, we hope to elevate your sadness with this outcome."

    The revived personnel looked dazed but alive, blinking against the evening light. Relief and joy erupted from the crowd as they rushed to greet their friends and mentors, enveloping them in warm embraces.

    "Sir, you are safe!"

    "Students, why are you all grabbing me like this?"

    "Professor, you are breathing!"

    "Kids, I think you shouldn''t hang around my waist like that!"

    The students of all classes gathered and hugged the people they thought they had lost. However, there remained in Apollo''s mind a sense of an approaching disturbance. He stuffed his emotions down and shifted his attention towards Alicia—his face etched with concern.

    "Ali, we still need to be very careful. If this attack was made by the Revolutionary Church, another attack might transpire since this one was a failure. We might not be safe yet."

    "I think it''s you who is not safe. Perhaps this attack wasn''t meant for everyone but for you specifically. After all, we still haven''t known the true purpose of this chaos."

    "Then we should prepare," he replied, his voice firm. "That wolf, if she is coming for you, then we cannot afford to relax or lower our defenses. However, I doubt they can capture you." Alicia was confident as she said those words.

    Apollo could only nod his head thoughtfully, watching around, trying to discern something in the now fully operational camp. "We must stay vigilant. There''s too much at stake now."

    As they began to strategize, Apollo felt a renewed sense of purpose settle within him. The burden of his past was heavy and even even scarred him, but he would not let it dictate his future. Whatever came next, he would face it head-on alongside his friends. The lessons learned from each battle would only strengthen their resolve.

    "Let''s gather everyone and plan our next steps," Apollo said, determination igniting in his chest. "I won''t let this incident happen again."

    Alicia only nodded before returning to their friends'' side. As the stars began to twinkle above, Apollo felt the air shifting towards a more dangerous path. However, he had a question that urged him to find the answer whatever challenges lay ahead, he would find them. The shadows of the past were also a problem he longed to finish, but the current problems were too many for him to put his focus on.

    In the end, he must choose whether to focus on himself or the new people he holds dear now.