CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195 - CAREFUL APPROACH

The training ground was unnervingly silent now. The rush of other teams had already faded into the distance, leaving behind only Luca’s group standing in the wide, barren expanse. Dust still lingered faintly in the air, stirred by the hurried departure of their peers, and the quiet that followed pressed down like an invisible weight.

Eric broke it first, his brows knitted, his arms folded as his sharp eyes locked onto Luca.

"Why did you stop?" His voice carried a mixture of impatience and curiosity.

Selena’s gaze followed, cool and probing, while the Saintess tilted her head ever so slightly, the silver strands of her hair catching the sun, her expression calm but questioning.

Luca met their eyes evenly before answering. "Let’s not dash like others. We should think more before moving."

The Saintess gave a small nod, her calm acceptance carrying a quiet authority. Selena, however, frowned, her eyes narrowing as a hint of urgency tinged her voice.

"But shouldn’t we reach there first? We might lose points if we fall behind."

Her clenched fists betrayed her anxious edge, though her tone tried to remain measured.

The Saintess lifted her chin and spoke with soft conviction. "I agree with Luca. Things are not so simple."

Eric scratched the back of his head, exhaling through his nose before asking, "So what do you suggest?"

The big bull stood off to the side, silent as ever, his heavy frame looming, arms crossed over his chest like a listening statue.

Luca drew in a slow breath, his gaze firm. "We move fast, yes. But once we reach the location, we don’t land right away. We observe from nearby. Even if everything looks fine and we lose some points, we can cover it later. Better to understand the situation than rush blindly."

Their hesitation faded as his words sank in. One by one, they nodded in agreement.

Then Luca reached into his storage artifact, and with a flick of his wrist, several gleaming rings appeared in his hand. Their metallic sheen caught the sunlight, glimmering faintly with spatial energy.

Everyone’s eyes widened. Eric leaned forward with a grin, curiosity all over his face.

"Hey, what’s that?"

Selena arched a brow, her guarded demeanor momentarily broken as she studied the rings with open interest. The Saintess’s eyes softened with curiosity, while even the bull leaned his massive head slightly closer.

Luca chuckled, handing one to each of them. "Wear it. It’s a spatial storage artifact. You can store essentials inside—same capacity as a bagspace."

Gasps and exclamations rose in unison.

"Where did you even get things like this?" the Saintess asked, genuine astonishment shining in her usually composed expression.

Luca smirked. "Did you forget my elemental affinity?"

Realization dawned across their faces like sudden sunlight breaking through clouds.

Eric let out a whistle, twirling the ring between his fingers before slipping it on. "Woahhh! This can be used for so many things. How did you even make it?"

"Not now," Luca cut him off with a small smile. His tone carried a commanding edge. "We should move first."

They nodded, their excitement contained but their eyes still lingering on the rings. Just as they prepared to summon their contracted beasts, Luca raised a hand, stopping them.

"Let’s go on my Kunpeng instead. It’s big enough to carry all of us, and we can talk while we move."

The Saintess arched a delicate brow, skeptical. "Wouldn’t that be too flashy, for someone who wants to observe discreetly?"

A smirk tugged at Luca’s lips. His gaze flicked toward Eric. "Don’t worry. We have a solution."

Eric laughed loudly, shaking his head. "I knew it! You only brought me to your team for my Dream Butterfly, didn’t you?"

He extended his palm, summoning a shimmering butterfly. Its wings glowed with a faint, illusory light that shimmered like a dreamscape, the air around it bending with veiled illusions. The others leaned closer instinctively, curiosity glinting in their eyes.

At that moment, Luca summoned his Kunpeng. At first, it appeared as a little bird, its feathers dark with streaks of silver. Then, with a firm voice, Luca spoke:

"Grow, buddy. We need you at full size."

The beast let out a low, resonant cry. Its form stretched and expanded, feathers lengthening into wide wings while its body swelled into the colossal shape of a temporal beast—half fish, half bird, scales shimmering with faint azure light, wings spreading like storm clouds.

The ground shook as it finished its transformation, towering above them.

Eric leapt onto its back first, moving with easy agility. The big bull followed close behind, his movements clumsy but loyal, trailing Eric like an oversized chick after its hen. Selena vaulted up next, graceful and precise, landing smoothly with practiced ease.

Luca turned toward the Saintess, signaling her to get on. She stood frozen, her cheeks tinged with pink as she glanced at the towering beast. Her lips parted hesitantly.

"It’s... too big. For me to jump."

Luca sighed softly, then stepped forward. Without hesitation, he took her hand firmly, his grip steady.

"Hold on."

Her eyes widened, a startled sound leaving her lips.

"Kyaaaah!"

In a swift motion, he pulled her with him, leaping onto the Kunpeng’s back. They landed smoothly, though the Saintess’s cheeks were flushed, her free hand clutching tightly at his arm.

Luca gave her a sidelong glance, then shifted his gaze toward Eric.

"Already done?"

Eric flashed a grin, the Dream Butterfly hovering above them, its wings spreading illusions like a protective veil. "Already done."

"Good." Luca placed a hand on the Kunpeng’s feathered back. His voice rang firm and clear.

"Let’s go, east."

The Kunpeng let out a mighty cry, its massive wings beating once before it soared upward, the ground shrinking beneath them. The wind howled past, carrying them swiftly toward their destination.

***

In the chamber, rows of glowing screens hovered midair, each displaying the movements of different teams across the trial grounds. Instructors, senior mages, and the vice dean leaned forward in their seats, voices overlapping in a low but tense hum.

"Look at them—charging straight ahead without a plan," one instructor muttered, shaking his head.

"They’re eager, but eagerness won’t save them when the real test begins," another replied, his tone edged with sympathy.

Then, one sharp-eyed instructor furrowed his brows, his gaze narrowing on a particular screen. "Hmm... why are they not moving?"

Heads turned. The team on the screen remained where they stood, their stance measured, discussing instead of rushing. Murmurs rippled through the hall.

"Are they hesitating?"

"Afraid to lose points, perhaps?"

Recognition struck someone, their voice cutting above the noise. "Wait... isn’t that Luca Valentine? And look—Selena Weiss... and the Saintess herself!"

A stir of curiosity swept the chamber. Even the vice dean, who had been quiet until now, leaned forward to observe. The dean’s sharp gaze shifted to Seraphina, who stood nearby with arms folded.

"What do you think?" he asked her, his tone mild yet carrying weight.

Seraphina’s eyes lingered on Luca’s calm expression on the screen before she answered. "Luca is a careful person. If he’s not moving yet, then it means he has a reason. He’s thinking ahead, not behind."

Before anyone could reply, gasps spread through the room. A massive silhouette unfurled across the screen—wings that stretched like the horizon, the body of a fish merging seamlessly with the might of a bird.

"Is that... a Kunpeng?" one instructor breathed, awe and disbelief lacing his voice. "The legendary temporal beast?"

"Just look at its size... magnificent!"

But just as quickly, the enormous beast shimmered and seemed to vanish, swallowed in a seamless veil of distortion.

"What happened?!" someone exclaimed. "Did the beast disappear?"

The vice dean’s voice rang clear, firm and slightly raised. "No... that wasn’t disappearance. That was another beast’s ability—an illusion cast upon it."

Whispers and murmurs surged louder, instructors exchanging glances filled with shock and intrigue.

Only the dean remained still, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles as he watched the team vanish eastward into the sky.

"Interesting..." he muttered, his tone carrying both amusement and a hidden edge of expectation.