Chapter 14: [Mission: First Hunt]
The carriage creaked as it rolled along the uneven path, the wheels groaning like they resented every inch of progress.
It moved slowly—not out of necessity, but as if even the horses doubted the wisdom of heading toward Mount Veispire.
The mountain loomed far to the west, draped in the last shades of dusk like a tired ghost refusing to leave. Kael sat inside the carriage, arms folded, eyes occasionally flicking to the girl beside him.
Selene was there again, seated opposite him, back straight, expression unreadable. The silence stretched between them like a third passenger.
This time, Kael had brought no knights from the House.
He told himself it was for training. A personal test. Besides, Selene was with him.
Rank 2 magician. Reliable enough.
He glanced at her.
"They say only low-ranked beasts roam near Veispire," he said.
"Rank 1s. Maybe a few 2s ?"
Selene gave a soft nod, eyes still on the shadowy horizon.