After they finally reached a spot with an open-air canopy, Kage—feeling himself recover—issued two explicit warnings. He fixed them with a dark frown.

"There are two things you must not do in this place. First, never walk alone. Second, we make no fire. Understood?"

Marcus scratched his head sheepishly.

"Sorry, Brother Kage. I understand the first part, but fire? How are we supposed to eat?"

Kage studied the boy. Marcus had a large frame and a missing pinky finger.

"I'm more surprised you're thinking about food in this situation."

Talia froze mid-breath. Her head creaked toward Kage, a smile stretching across her face.

"Wh—why? Is there something wrong with thinking about food?"

Kage stared at her, disbelief cracking through his expression. He didn't need confirmation to know his words had struck more than one person.

Lian Feng, seated in lotus position with closed eyes, finally stirred. Relief smoothed his features as he opened them.

"You're right, Kage. This place does feel refreshed compared to before. Although I'm still tired, the rest is actually working."

Kage shrugged, glancing away.

"But how do you know these things? You read it on the map?" Lian Feng tapped his jaw thoughtfully. "I don't think it was on the map though... you never mentioned it."

Kage exhaled slowly.

"It's common sense. We knew the Silent Grove was dangerous, but not what shape those dangers would take. This was pure analysis..."

'You told me, you fool!'

Lian Feng nodded, understanding blooming across his face.

"I see, I see. You really do notice the details we miss."

Kage frowned and looked away. This is what paranoia fetches you—but they didn't need to know that part.

Marcus swallowed hard.

"So... what now?"

Kage's voice flattened.

"We sit until we're replenished enough to walk again. We need to leave this forest as soon as possible."

Talia yawned, covering her mouth. Her stomach grumbled audibly, and she doubled over with an embarrassed groan.

Kage regarded her with pity.

"I thought you had stocks of roasted meat."

She replied in a groaning tone: "I shared it all with everyone this morning. You wouldn't know—you refused it."

Kage shook his head.

'Will this girl ever stop ruining herself?'

Lian Feng laughed.

"Sister Talia must be very compassionate and kind—able to give her all every time."

Talia's head snapped up, her eyes radiant as they fixed on Lian Feng.

*'Finally! He speaks to me!'*

Kage shook his head in pity as Lian Feng shifted slightly away from them, just as Talia launched in.

"RIGHT?! That's exactly how human relationships should work! When you examine forgery in depth—yes, in depth—it's a result of so many metals coming together, right? Different properties, different melting points, but when you bind them properly—PROPERLY—with the right heat and pressure, they create something stronger than any single metal could be alone! That's what we're doing here—we're an alloy! Each person brings their own strength—their own carbon content, if you will—and together we form something that can withstand the tempering process of this forest! See, in the forge, you can't just throw random metals together—no, no, no—you need THREE things: compatible composition, correct temperature ratios, and TIMING! Same with people—we need to be compatible, maintain the right temperature—not too hot with panic, not too cold with apathy—and we need to know WHEN to strike, when to fold, when to—"

She gestured wildly, nearly clipping Marcus.

"—when to hold the shape steady while it cools! That's what Kage is doing—he's the master smith right now, telling us when to heat, when to rest, when to move! We're the raw materials, but he's got the vision of the final blade! Sorry, sorry—I'm talking too much again, aren't I? But it's TRUE! Forgesmith code number seven: 'Never abandon the metal mid-process, or the whole piece cracks!' And I'm not letting this team crack!"

By the time she finished, Lian Feng sat frozen in elongated shock, a small smile locked at the corner of his mouth. Then he forced a weak laugh.

"I'm not sure I understood everything you said, but I grasped the point. It was as clear as a radiant dragon... even though embedded in a dark and absolutely unnecessary cloud." He muted the latter words, speaking only to himself.

Talia looked fulfilled, practically glowing. She seemed poised to continue, but Lian Feng interjected.

"I'd like to meditate a bit more. A constant, peaceful flow of the mind can help you feel less tired. You should also try to cultivate, Sister Talia."

She looked almost disappointed but took his advice. This was no place where they could dare sleep—still, meditation would help them achieve a clearer state of mind. Though it could never replace sleep, it remained useful.

***

Above, clouds gathered thick and heavy. Though barely evening, the sky darkened—swollen with unshed tears about to pour over Mount Harmony. Across the sprawling city of Shenlornford, people scrambled for shelter, closing shops and securing trade carts as the winds picked up and prepared for the downpour.

At the summit, atop one of the jade-and-steel pillars flanking the academy gate, stood a man with silver hair. The braid ran tight down the middle of his back, wound with copper wire. His eyes glowed like molten brass. He wore traditional robes—deep crimson with bronze accents.

Behind him, another figure materialized from thin air, dropping to one knee.

"A Wretch-rank Impure has been discovered in the Silent Grove, as you suspected."

The man's amber-gold eyes remained unchanging, unblinking. He stroked his long silver beard with deliberate slowness.

"Those brats."

The messenger bowed before speaking.

"Shall I alert the other instructors and deal with this matter before it endangers the examinees?"

Silence stretched between them for several heartbeats.

"No."

The messenger's head lifted. The response caught him off guard.

"High Weaver?"

The man waved his right hand—nonchalant, dismissive.

"Act like you know nothing. An incident of this scale couldn't have occurred without those Ironstorm brats having someone on the inside. This will be an opportunity to set an example—for both instructors and students. More than that, chaos sometimes forges unexpected steel. Let's see what these flames produce. Perhaps they'll burn away the chaff—or perhaps they'll temper something new."

The messenger still looked baffled, but he bowed.

"Yes, High Weaver."

Then he vanished.

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