Kage settled before a fire crackling between the West Tower and the East Tower. He would have pressed forward, but he couldn't.

The first reason, of course, was that rules were rules. He had to help someone score, even though he played by his own rules and ensured they deserved the help.

The Emberforge girl was a solid choice. He had to overlook her undeniable flaw and acknowledge that she was indeed useful.

Studying the blade confirmed it. More than that, Talia was going to carve her place in history—a significant one, in fact. But Kage knew the world stopped talking about her at some point. He wasn't sure when or why, but he suspected it had something to do with the rise of their clan's new patriarch at the time.

And Kaito Hirose?

He only knew of Clan Hirose from history texts covering the Era of Impure Resurgence. Plenty of minor clans emerged from that era, but the great clans had existed far longer—from the Era of Foundations or even before. That's why they were the great clans and held such weight in the world.

But the Hirose Clan? During his past life, he'd never heard of them. Not even once. They weren't significant enough to reach his ears, or they were dead.

Kage sighed and rotated the meat roasting over the fire, watching carefully to ensure the flames seared the right spots. He didn't need to worry about temperature—he'd strategically gathered his wood to control that.

He hadn't eaten anything since setting foot on this island. Now his stomach suffered for it. That was the first reason for deciding to wait. The second was Kaito and the Emberforge girl.

'That Voluble.'

As he monitored his meat while his stomach rumbled at the scent, Kage suddenly heard rustling, then a soft footfall. His eyes narrowed, and immediately his right hand found the hilt of his blade.

Then he simply continued eating, pretending not to care.

The rustling came again, but he ignored it. He sat motionless, eyes fixed on the fire.

Then he moved. He blurred forward, and the sword in his hand came down over whatever it was—

[The Wolf of the North yells and demands you stop!]

Kage's hand froze mid-strike. He frowned at what lay on the ground.

A cub.

White-furred, four-legged, oversized head with black stripes covering its body and a long tail.

"What?"

[The Wolf of the North identifies this as a North Star and asks what a North Star cub is doing in the Eastern Continent]

'How am I supposed to know?'

Kage stared at the cub in confusion. He'd never seen anything like it, he had to admit. And the Wolf of the North's concern was valid—there had never been any record of contact or communication between the Northern reaches and any other continent. The West—Valdris—and the East—Tianlong—had managed to establish contact. They'd also reached the south, but those lands were too hostile and refused any communication.

The Wolf of the North was most likely from the Northern reaches, which explained why he could recognize this at a glance. But what was it, and why was it so important?

Kage sighed.

'I don't want to know…'

He lowered his sword and turned away from it.

[The Wolf of the North begs you to pick up the cub]

Kage frowned.

'What?'

[The Wolf of the North insists]

'Do you realize I'm in a test right now? Besides, whatever conspiracy is tied to this thing, I don't want any part of it. If I take this with me and someone sees me, won't it draw attention? Especially if there's something unsettling about why it's here.'

Kage glanced at the cub.

'Besides... are you sure you really need my help? You don't sound like it.'

A small smirk tugged at his lips.

[The Wolf of the North is silent]

[The Wolf of the North pleads with you and asks what you want]

Kage looked up and inhaled the sweet scent of the night forest.

'The cold, verdant fragrance of the wind gently caresses my porcelain cheeks, drifting to my ears and whispering the grace of debts. To be owed is to be powerful; to owe is to be powerless. How I detest owing people. But being owed?'

A wide grin split his face.

'It is my delight.'

Kage looked at the cub and picked it up. He walked back to the fire, placed it beside the flames, removed his meat, and grimaced in mild disgust at the slight charring. While it was still steaming, he tore off a piece and offered it to the North Star cub, then took a portion himself.

[The Wolf of the North thanks you greatly and asks if you'll be willing to bond with the North Star cub]

'Sure. Is he willing to owe me again? That'll be two debts, won't it?'

[The Wolf of the North is slightly irritated and calls you greedy. He says bonding with the North Star will earn you a blood brother—one who will protect you even if it costs their life. He explains that the North Star is one of the four ancient beginnings of the Noctara continent and has existed since before the age of Impures. He says they are probably the only race that knows the secret the Heavens hide about the source of the Impures.]

'The equivalent for Tianlong would be the Dragons, but they're all extinct.'

[The Wolf of the North begs you to consider bonding, as it will benefit you more than you realize]

[The Wolf of the North also says that bonding with it will prevent the cub from being taken away from you. As it becomes bonded to your blood, you can detect its location as it can detect yours]

'Sounds like a liability, then. What if it betrays me?'

[The Wolf of the North slaps his face in disappointment and explains that—]

'I hope I don't have to explain to an adult that betrayal doesn't require consent. People can be used, people can be deceived—not to mention beasts. I'm fairly confident I'll be making some extremely competent enemies in the future. So you need to make the risk I'm taking now worth it. Twenty debts.'

[The Wolf of the North is flabbergasted]

[The Heretic Inquisitor of Eternal Truth laughs]

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