Thanks to Theos’s intervention, the two students stopped their infighting. Yet the dark clouds hanging over them refused to clear.

"Sorry for the trouble, junior Theos," apologized a blond young man with a sheepish smile.

Theos remained calm as ever, lifting his head to meet the other’s eyes squarely.

"It’s my duty, senior Qiaoshenfei."

After the little farce ended, everyone pressed on. They didn’t know what lay ahead or if the princess was in the forest. But they had no other path.

If they couldn’t find her here, they’d have to turn back. Yet every one of them was an academy elite—giving up wasn’t an option.

"I never expected that perpetual second-place finisher to be so capable. I thought he was just some guy clinging to you," Saria said, hands behind her head, to the white-haired girl.

Moyu Manatsu’s gaze settled on Theos ahead. His shoulders were narrower than most boys his age, his frame almost too slender. From behind, it was hard to believe he ranked second in the academy.

After a pause, Moyu Manatsu quickened her steps to catch up with him, ignoring Saria’s stunned look.

Theos noticed the girl behind him. Unfazed, he glanced at her casually.

"I know what you’re going to say," he began.

"Think me boring if you want. I didn’t do this for fun."

He meant stopping the girls’ fight earlier.

"Commoners and nobles are just two classes. I know that well. But I’m not stupid enough to ignore our situation. Finding Her Highness the princess comes first. Nothing else matters."

He’s just covering up, Moyu Manatsu thought. Though he’d hurt her before, she saw his true colors this time. Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all.

At least she agreed with him stopping that duel. She was a commoner herself. Born in a new era, she held no class prejudices.

"Theos, you’re actually a good person, aren’t you?" Moyu Manatsu said.

The words were true, yet they sounded oddly off.

Theos bit back a retort and slowed his pace for her.

"Classmate Lunorette, do you know why I always challenge you to duels?" he asked abruptly, touching a sensitive nerve.

The girl froze. She wasn’t the real Lunorette. She’d heard Lunorette mention Theos’s constant challenges since first year—though he’d never won. Moyu didn’t know their history or how to answer.

"I don’t know," she finally murmured.

"Because I want to surpass you." His serious tone startled her.

"You seem surprised."

"Do I?"

"Yeah, you do."

Theos studied her. Something felt off about this girl today.

"Classmate Lunorette, you’re incredible. Same age as me, yet you’re the Empire’s youngest Dragon Knight with royal medals. I pale beside you." He continued without pause. "I’ll surpass you. I’ll reclaim my Vdisas family’s glory. I’ll grow stronger until I defeat you."

His determination awed her. Mentally, he was incredibly strong. Few pursued strength just to surpass one person. Lunorette had once said their skill gap was a watershed—nearly uncrossable. Yet he refused to quit. How many could do that?

Theos fell silent. The air between them chilled. At some point, the girl drifted away.

"Something’s off…" Saria watched them, mischief in her eyes.

"I smell trouble."

"Saria, stop fantasizing. Lunorette-chan will be furious."

"No, Caina! I’m looking out for her happiness!"

"That’s not it—Lunorette-chan’s back—"

"The academy’s top two in something unmentionable—what? Lunorette’s back? Ah! Lunorette, wait, I—"

Saria’s gossiping face turned terrified at Caina’s words. When the white-haired girl actually appeared, she choked on her words.

Moyu Manatsu sighed inwardly. Why was she always gossiped about? At school, it was her and Yuki. Now, her and Theos. Was this really harmless?

"Let’s go." She wasn’t Lunorette. She couldn’t scold friends on her behalf. Swallowing her frustration, she walked on.

"...Do you think she’s acting strange?" Saria whispered. Lunorette’s expected anger never came. She almost doubted reality.

"Mm. I noticed," Caina said, watching the girl’s back.

"She barely spoke today. Was she ever this quiet?"

"I don’t think so."

"And she didn’t get mad. Normal?"

"No. She just didn’t want to show anger at you."

"Okay. But Lunorette’s so off. She usually, she usually—" Saria faltered, words stuck in her throat.

"She used to smile so much." A breeze lifted the girl’s silver-white hair. Sunlight made her silhouette blaze, yet to them, it blurred—as if she might vanish.

"The way she looks at us now… it’s like we’re strangers."

The confident, prank-loving girl in her memory was fading.

"She’s hiding something." Saria was careless normally, but sharp about friends. She saw the difference.

Caina stayed silent. She recalled Lunorette being chased by her dragon Sifrena recently—and Sifrena’s friendly behavior just days ago.

Too strange. Lunorette’s changes were unnatural. As if… she’d become someone else.

Caina even wondered if this was the real Lunorette. She dismissed it quickly, yet she was close to the truth.

Moyu Manatsu ignored her friends. She only thought of surviving today. No games, no phones—just lurking dangers. She had to be careful.

If she made it through safely, she could leave everything to tomorrow’s Lunorette. Lunorette was probably frantic about this world right now.

"Awooo!!" A terrifying howl cut the air. The group froze. Rustling grass parted—a white Silver Wolf emerged.

Its snowy fur, golden eyes, and razor fangs marked it clearly. Silver Wolves: high-tier magical beasts, pack hunters famed for speed and ferocity. They lived in valleys. Why here?

Before anyone reacted, the wolf vanished. It reappeared behind Moyu Manatsu. Her eyes widened as claws slashed toward her.

Clang! Steel met iron as Theos’s sword swung. Sparks flew. Blood sprayed. The wolf’s corpse thudded to the ground with a dying howl.

"What are you doing!" Theos roared at the dazed Moyu Manatsu.

"You were almost torn apart! Why didn’t you fight back? With your skills, you could’ve! What were you thinking!"

She’d never seen him this furious. Speechless, she stood frozen under his scolding.

Theos shoved down his anger, yanking her behind him. His gaze locked ahead.

More Silver Wolves burst from the bushes. Soon, a pack surrounded the ten students.

Their savage stares chilled spines. Even the elites stiffened.

"Silver Wolves are aggressive and fast. Watch their movements. Everyone, spread out!" Theos barked orders. No hesitation—everyone obeyed.

The stench of blood thickened.

Moyu Manatsu trembled, daggers shaking in her grip. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She’d never seen carnage like this.

"Roar!" The wolf lunged. Instinct took over—she hurled her dagger. It pierced the throat. The beast rolled, then stilled.

Gasping, she stood frozen. Cold sweat soaked her. Was it the body’s old instincts saving her?

"Lunorette!" Saria’s shout came too late. Moyu Manatsu turned—fangs snapped open before her face.

Thud! Her sword plunged into the wolf’s chest. Blood splattered her cheeks.

She’d never killed a chicken. Now, her first wolf kill nearly stopped her heart.

"Move!" Saria yanked her back. Flames erupted in Saria’s palms, engulfing her fists. She punched forward—a firestorm roared out.

Wolves howled as their bodies charred to cooked meat.

Saria knew Lunorette needed no protection. Yet a strange dissonance made her shield the girl instinctively.