Rhea jumped around excitedly as she asked, for the third time, “When will we leave?”

Kai smiled, standing beside her. “Once we load up everything,” he said calmly. “We’ve got ten minutes before we roll out.”

Rhea nodded eagerly, eyes practically sparkling under the morning sun. Her energy was infectious—like a child on the edge of an adventure.

Killian, checking the saddle straps on one of the horses, glanced over with a frown. “Are you sure about bringing Rhea, Lord Arzan?” He asked in just above a whisper. “This isn’t going to be a trip. It’s the Ashari desert.”

Kai’s eyes stayed on the bustle of final preparations. “I know. But it will be a good learning opportunity for her. A mana-bane desert is honestly a great place to train efficient mana usage, and I want to give her more of my time. I’ve been neglecting that.”

Killian raised a brow. “You think she’ll be safe out there?”

“I believe she can take care of herself,” Kai said without hesitation, but he was still watching Rhea—who, unsurprisingly, had been listening to the whole exchange. She stepped up proudly, fists on her hips.

“I can!” she said, directing her words at Killian with unwavering confidence. “I even formed a second-circle [Fire Blade]! If we meet any enemies, I can use that. I promise I’ll be useful.”

Kai didn’t interrupt her, but a part of him winced inside—not at her enthusiasm, but at her naivety.

She had formed the spell. That much was true. But forming it once in a controlled environment wasn’t the same as using it in the field. According to Klan, who he had quietly asked to keep tabs on her progress, she had drained her mana dry just casting it. And the spell’s structure had collapsed less than two seconds after forming, sparking out in a weak cascade of light.

Still, Kai didn’t correct her.

That, after all, was his responsibility. The structure has had obvious flaws. But so did her mentality. She was eager to help, desperate to prove herself. But it wasn’t enough. She’d have to learn patience by going through failure, and understand her own limits so she could eventually surpass them.

Watching her beam with pride now reminded him, in a way, of why he’d decided to bring her. It hadn’t been just about mana training or teaching spell efficiency and giving her field training. It was about making sure she grew right. Seeing her compete in the mana-ball game days ago had made that painfully clear. She had fought with heart—but no technique. She had courage—but no control over her emotions.

The Ashari Desert was not kind. But maybe that was exactly why it was the right place for her. It would wear her down, force her to confront the gaps in her training—but if she could survive that, if she could adapt, it would forge her into something more than just his apprentice.

Otherwise, if she was left to her own devices, Rhea was just going to become another unreliable Mage. Even if she advanced quickly in theory, without the right grounding, that speed would only lead to fragility.

Kai had seen too many like that before. Mages with talent, but no discipline. Powerhouses in sparring matches who crumbled the moment real blood was drawn.

As their conversation drifted, servants from behind lifted the last of the supplies onto the rear of the reinforced carriage that would take them into the Ashari Desert.

Rhea’s attention flicked to the boxes. “What’s in it? Is if food?” she asked, pointing to one of the larger crates.

Kai followed her gaze. “Food, in one of them, yes. Enough to last us about two weeks,” he said. Then, pointing at another crate, he added, “But the rest are filled with mana storage stones. I made them last night from quartz.”

Rhea tilted her head. “Why the stones?”

“I told you the Ashari Desert is a mana-bane region, didn’t I? What do you think that means?”

She fell into thought for a second, brow furrowed. Then her eyes lit up. “There’s not… a lot of mana in the air?”

He gave her a nod, pleased she was catching on. “Exactly. And with little ambient mana, you won’t be able to draw in energy to recover once you run out. When we Mages exhaust the mana produced by our mana hearts, it takes time for them to recharge on their own. We usually speed that up by breathing in mana from the environment.”

“But in a mana-bane region…” Rhea murmured.

“That’s not possible,” Kai finished for her. “Hence the quartz stones. They’re durable, good at holding mana, and safer to handle than some of the alternatives. I refined and charged them myself. They’ll be our backup, in case anyone’s reserves drop too low. Still, we’ll need to modify our spell structures to be lean and efficient.”

Rhea’s lips parted slightly as she absorbed the information. Then she asked the one thing that mattered most to her. “Isn’t that dangerous to modify them?”

“Not for me.”

Rhea blinked. And then, her eyes softened. There was something in the way she looked at him that spoke of complete trust. Blind, perhaps. But sincere.

Kai didn’t say anything more. He simply turned back toward the carriage, and watched the final crates get secured. The team was moving smoothly now, almost ready. Just as he took a step forward, Ansel approached.

“We’re good to move, Lord Arzan,” Ansel said.

“Alright.”

His gaze drifted to the front of the caravan where the others waited—those who would be accompanying them into the heart of the desert. Aside from himself, Rhea, and Ansel, the group included Claire. Then there were Gareth and Feroy.

Trailing near the edge were two newer figures—young, eager, and still green behind the ears. Kai hadn’t bothered memorizing their names at first, but now he remembered. Kael and Neris. Claire had picked them out during her talent search, both tested and confirmed to have stable mana organs. Of the many she had screened, these two had stood out in training.

As Kai looked over the group gathered near the carriage, Killian stepped beside him, lowering his voice just enough that only Kai could hear.

“I still believe you should bring some Mages with you,” he said.

Kai inhaled through his nose. “Some firepower needs to stay here,” he replied. “And they won’t be as useful in the desert anyway. My storage stones are limited—I can’t afford to have half the group relying on mana they can’t replenish. Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

He didn’t say it out loud, but he meant it. If Ansel could win over the desert tribes, things would fall into place. That was the real plan. The rest? Contingencies.

Killian gave a reluctant nod, and Kai stepped forward, raising his voice slightly. “Alright. Everyone, get in. We're moving out.”

The group began to climb into the carriage, Rhea hopping up first with a bounce in her step, followed by the others. Kai was about to pull himself up into the carriage when a voice rang out behind him.

“Lord Arzan!”

He paused, turning back. Amyra stood a short distance away, her golden hair tousled from running, cheeks pink with the effort. She was slightly out of breath, hands clenched by her sides.

He hadn’t expected her. They had spoken the night before. He had told her about the plague lands. Unsurprisingly, she had offered to help before he could even ask.

But she had been sad. Not because of the task—she had volunteered for it—but because he wouldn’t be there when she started. She had wanted his presence beside her when she attempted to purify the tainted lands. A reasonable wish. Even now, Amyra didn’t fully trust others when it came to her powers—especially not strangers like Elias. Kai had asked Killian to assist in the first few days before heading to the capital, hoping that would ease the transition.

He walked toward her, a small smile forming on his lips. “You came just in time,” he said. “I was just leaving.”

“I know,” Amyra replied, her breath slowing. “I was watching from the window.”

There was a pause.

“I just… came to say my goodbyes,” she added, eyes steady on his. “And to tell you that when you come back… there won’t be any plague lands left. I’ll make sure of it.”

Kai stopped short.

There was a fire in her gaze, quiet but unwavering, and it caught him off guard. He had seen her confidence grow, yes—but this was something more. Not the fragile resolve of someone who wanted to prove themselves. This was a promise. A vow.

“I would be grateful,” he said softly. “You won’t have to worry while you’re there. You’ll have protection.”

Amyra gave a small nod. “I know. But… I want you to come back safe too.” She hesitated. “I read that the Ashari Desert isn’t… friendly to Mages.”

“I’m more than just a Mage, Amyra. I’ll be fine. There’s still a lot to do—both in the desert and at the assembly.” Then, he whispered. “I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry about it.”

When Kai turned, Claire was standing just beside the carriage, arms folded.

He looked back one last time. “Take care of yourself,” he said to Amyra.

And then, without another word, he climbed into the carriage.

Claire followed. The driver gave a short whistle, and the horses neighed, stamping against the ground as the wheels lurched forward. The carriage began to roll through the cobbled streets of Veralt, past curious onlookers and the sentrys lining the walls.

And just like that, they were on their way—out of the city, toward the burning dunes of the Ashari Desert.

The Ashari Desert stretched far to the east of the kingdom, a scorched land of sandstorms, dead ruins, and breathless silence. The journey to reach it was long—painfully so—even when the horses were pushed with minimal breaks.

Time blurred into the rhythmic creaking of wheels and the carriage rocking gently as the days passed.

Thankfully, Ansel had insisted on taking a less conventional route through a network of underground tunnels. According to him, this shortcut carved through the lower foothills and would shave almost a week off their travel time. Of course, there was a catch.

“Not many take it anymore,” he’d said. “Thanks to the spindleback spiders and shriek-bats. Nasty little things. Hunt humans who travel alone.”

They were grade one and two beasts at best—nothing that Kai’s group couldn’t handle. So they pressed on, and true to Ansel’s word, the tunnel system sped up their journey considerably.

The darkness underground was heavy, absolute. Only pierced by their lanterns. The air was damp, and the echo of distant scuttling reminded them that they were never quite alone down there.

For Kai, the journey was… quiet.

He didn’t have much to do besides sit and think. Projects filled his mind—artifacts he wanted to forge with Balen's help, experimental spell structures that he had to research into Enforcer techniques, and the refinement of his own battle styles. But most of those would have to wait.

So instead, he spent time cultivating his vaults—something he hadn’t done properly in weeks. When not cultivating, he took breaks to instruct Rhea, explaining how the desert would affect her mana circulation and the importance of preserving strength in hostile environments.

She listened with focus, her brow furrowed in thought, occasionally asking smart questions that reminded him that she could be a very capable Mage in the future.

He also found himself talking to Claire more than usual. She told him about the villages of the Sylvan Enclave, the faces she’d met. She had looked tired after coming back from them, but it had been a good experience for her.

The Enforcers, as expected, were quiet. They took turns driving the carriage or scouting ahead on foot, always alert, but offering little conversation.

Three days passed like that—uneventful.

Until they entered the tunnel. That’s when the silence cracked open.

Excitement returned with the hiss of claws and the flap of leathery wings. True to Ansel’s warning, the tunnels weren't abandoned. The deeper they went, the more frequent the attacks became.

Spindleback spiders that lunged from cracks in the stone ceiling. Shriek-bats that swooped in flocks, drawn to body heat and light. The Enforcers handled them easily, especially Gareth and Feroy who barely broke a sweat. But Kai saw an opportunity.

The beasts were weak enough that they didn’t pose a threat to the group. Which meant they were perfect targets for training.

“Rhea,” he said one morning as they fought another group of spiders. “Your turn.”

She jumped at his words, but didn’t hesitate. Her hands lit up with flame as she called the first circle spell—[Firebolt]—and sent it flying down the tunnel.

It hit a boulder instead.

A sharp crack rang out as splinters of stone flaked off the side. Rhea’s expression fell, her mouth tightening in frustration as she stood in front of him, posture rigid.

Up ahead, the two new Enforcers braced themselves behind a shield, holding off three spindlebacks that hissed and reared with eight trembling legs. The creatures were half as tall as Kai, with shiny black shells and two glowing eyes each. Compared to Vermorga and her brood, they were almost tame. Their venom, while paralytic, wasn't lethal, and even the new recruits held their ground well.

Rhea, though—her spellcasting was raw.

Her aim was off, and more than that, her control wavered. Every time she formed the Firebolt, she lost her pull on it midway, letting it drift, falter, and finally misfire.

Kai watched her shoulders sag slightly. She didn't speak, but the disappointment was clear on her face.

He stepped forward. “It’s okay to fail a few times. [Firebolt] is one of the harder first circle spells. You’re not doing as bad as you think.”

Rhea looked up at him, her brows drawn tightly together. “But I already managed a second-circle spell,” she said, voice low with frustration. “First-circle should be easy for me.”

“You haven’t practiced this one a lot before,” he reminded her. “Control doesn’t scale with power, Rhea. You’re already doing well enough.”

She didn’t seem fully convinced, but she listened.

“Try it again,” he said, gently. “This time, don’t just launch it. Focus on the connection between you and the bolt after it forms. That’s the thread you’ve been losing.”

Rhea gave a small nod and stepped forward, inhaling deeply. The tunnel felt colder now, darker, but she shut her eyes and began to construct the spell. Slowly, carefully, the structure formed in her palm—concentric circles, lines of heat, core of flame. Mana twisted together in her palm, and a [Firebolt] shimmered into existence above her hand, casting flickering orange light on the stone around her.

This time, she didn’t rush. She raised her hand and exhaled, urging the [Firebolt] forward. It shook mid-air, veering slightly—but she caught it with her will, held it firm, and redirected it just in time to strike a spindleback in one of its jointed legs.

The beast screeched, twitching violently before it lashed at the shield-bearer in front of it, slamming the Enforcer back a step with surprising force.

Kai allowed a small smile to form. “Good job.”

Rhea blinked, then grinned. “I can do it again!”

“Go ahead,” he said, nodding. “Three more. Make them count.”

She didn’t need to be told twice.

The next bolt fizzled mid-air, caught in a web mid-flight as the second spider flung a sticky line to intercept it. But her next two? Clean hits. One to the torso, another to a mandible—both weak spots. The damage was small, not nearly enough to kill or cripple the monsters, but her control had noticeably improved.

That alone was enough for Kai.

Before she could ready a fourth, Ansel called out from near the edge of the tunnel, tone clipped and alert. “Lord Arzan, we should move. We’ve already been inside the tunnels too long.”

Kai gave a small nod and turned toward the spiders, raising his arm. Wind began to spiral from his wrist, a focused mana current forming into blades. In an instant, [Wind Blades] lanced forward—sharp, clean, and fast.

The first spider lost its head.

The second was cut into three neat pieces, its legs twitching as they hit the stone. The third was handled by Feroy who struck it when it was trying to escape.

Rhea’s eyes widened, lips parting in awe. Even the two new Enforcers stiffened, their hands tightening around their weapons.

Kai, however, had already turned his back to the remains. “Let’s move on.”

Half an hour later, Ansel raised a gloved hand. “We should stop here,” he said, pointing toward a natural hollow cut into the side wall. “We’ll hide the carriage. It won’t survive in the sand—wheels will sink within minutes.”

Kai nodded. Together, they moved the carriage into the alcove, using a few pulleys and muscle to wedge it tightly into place. A large, rounded boulder was rolled across the opening, obscuring it from view.

Then, Kai stepped up to the wall, raising both hands as his fingers wove. Threads of mana sank into the stone, forming pale symbols that pulsed briefly with light before dimming into invisibility.

Seals.

He made four—one on each side—and pushed enough mana into them to last at least two weeks. To the untrained eye, they would blend perfectly into the rock. But if any beast—or man—wandered close, their minds would simply… overlook it. A simple, but an effective misdirection ward.

With that done, the group turned toward the light ahead—pale, filtered through fine sand.

The tunnel’s exit was near.

As they began walking, Ansel moved closer to Kai and spoke.

“When I crossed this route years ago with a band of travelers,” he said, “a large spider ambushed us near the exit. Took five of our number before we brought it down.”

“What worked?” Kai asked, without breaking stride.

“Poisoned arrows,” Ansel replied grimly. “Strong ones. The kind that eats through exoskeletons. Normal blades barely scratched it.”

Kai gave a quiet nod, his eyes narrowing as they stepped into the final stretch.

As they walked, Rhea’s voice broke the silence, quieter now, almost hesitant. “Do you think that spider will still be there?”

Ansel didn’t miss a beat. “I don’t think so,” he said, then glanced at her with a faint smile. “And if it is—Lord Arzan will take care of it.”

Rhea nodded, reassured, though her hands still hovered near the small pouch of potions at her belt. She wasn’t scared. Not exactly. But there was something about being underground for so long—the weight of the stone, the narrowness of the path—that made every sound seem louder than it should be.

Kai was about to respond, to offer some comfort or perhaps just a tactical reminder, when he caught it—a thin, silvery shaft of light breaking through the dark ahead. It shimmered faintly, cutting through the dusty air like a knife.

“Light,” someone whispered from behind.

The group instinctively picked up their pace. Boots hit the stone with more urgency, hands reached for weapons just in case. Even the horses behind them stirred, sensing something had shifted.

The tunnel began to widen. The rocky walls thinned, cracked in places, and the ceiling arched higher until the air grew lighter, the darkness peeling away in layers. And then—finally—they reached it.

The tunnel mouth.

One by one, they stepped out.

The Ashari Desert.

The sand was rich in burning bronze, glinting and shining under a sun that hung low. It was a beauty. Dunes rolled in the distance like ocean waves frozen in place. Heat shimmered above ground, and the transition immediately felt sharp.

From stone and darkness to openness and raw sunlight. The scalding wind hit their faces and Kai soon stepped forward, shielding his eyes for a moment.

His boots sank to the edge of the sand, and he could already feel it—mana here was thin, barely present.

Behind him, the others adjusted their packs and gear, taking it in with silent awe or wary caution. Then Ansel stepped beside him, lifting a hand toward the horizon where jagged red hills broke the flow of the dunes in the far distance.

“We’re here,” he said, wiping his nose. “In my home.”

***

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