"My lord… here it is."

Ravik's wife, Irene, bowed deeply as she stepped forward, holding a covered tray of food with both trembling hands.

The silver lid rattled slightly; even she could hear her heartbeat in her ears.

Azel sat on the throne with his elbows resting lazily on the armrests, his expression looked… like he was incredibly annoyed.

She swallowed.

'Did he not like the smell? Did Marty make a mistake?'

Azel's eyes narrowed but his irritation had nothing to do with her.

'They finished my fish,' he thought, sighing.

All his precious skewers were gone… completely wiped out.

Ravik's son had come for a few more, and then Selene had eaten the rest like a happy wolf pup.

His last link to the Academy's street food… gone.

He shook his head, letting the frustration go, and managed a small smile as he looked back at Irene.

"Thank you," he said, taking the tray from her. "Marty made sure everyone got their portion, right?"

Irene straightened, nodding. "Yes, my lord. He said it was enough to make a rich soup for the entire town. He even sent yours first."

"Good man," Azel said, glancing at the tray again. "You've eaten, haven't you?"

"I-I… not yet, my lord," she stammered. "I wanted to feed you before—"

"Then get to eating," Azel interrupted gently. "That's an order."

Her ears perked up in surprise before she bowed again and hurried away, grateful to him.

When she left, Azel leaned back and removed the tray's lid.

A wave of savory scent hit his face.

"Nice…" he muttered, closing his eyes as the aroma filled his nostrils.

It was roasted bear meat… he could tell immediately. The meat had been glazed in some thick, glossy sauce, and the texture looked perfect.

He didn't even bother with a fork; he lifted one of the thick sticks straight to his mouth and took a bite.

The taste was amazing.

Definitely from the Marrowcruncher bear.

He smiled. "That's some good cooking, Marty."

He'd only gotten through the second stick when the throne room doors opened.

Selene entered first… wearing a white kimono patterned with silver leaves. Behind her came Vargan and six other hunters.

She bowed slightly. "My lord, I have brought them as requested."

Then she rose to stand next to him.

Her eyes flickered toward the tray in his hands.

Azel chewed another piece, swallowing with a satisfied sigh.

He didn't miss her gaze.

"Have you tried this yet?" he asked, raising a bear skewer toward her. "Skewer thief."

Selene's eyes widened, her mouth opening in shock.

"I'm not a thief, my lord!" she said quickly, cheeks flushing pink. "You gave them to me yourself!"

Azel grimaced. "And you ate a hundred of them."

She pouted and snatched the stick from his hand.

"Then I'll eat this one too!" she said defiantly and bit straight into it.

Before Azel could reply, a cough interrupted them.

"Ahem."

Vargan stood stiffly, bowing his head low enough for his long hair to drape forward. "My lord, if I may—"

Azel cleared his throat, setting the tray aside. "Right. The reason I called you all here."

He stood from the throne.

"I want all of you ready," he said firmly. "We're going hunting tonight."

The hunters stiffened and fear flashed across their faces.

"H-hunting?" one of them stammered.

Azel nodded. "Think of it as training. That forest out there is dangerous. Everything inside it can kill you if you're careless. You're all strong, but not strong enough. Tonight, you're going to learn how to survive inside it."

He looked around the room, meeting each of their eyes.

"I'll be there watching," he added. "If something goes wrong, I'll step in. So stop looking like I'm sending you to your deaths."

Their postures relaxed slightly though none of them looked entirely convinced.

"And before we start," Azel continued, turning toward Selene, "you're not going in unprotected."

Selene, still chewing her skewer, blinked.

"Yes, my lord," she said, clapping her hands.

A maid stumbled in through the doorway a moment later, arms trembling as she tried to balance several folded armors at once.

"Careful," Selene said, taking the stack from her before the poor girl dropped it. "Thank you."

The maid bowed.

Selene handed one armor piece to each of the hunters.

"Put these on," she said.

The werewolves exchanged uncertain glances but obeyed, pulling the strange metal garments over their torsos.

As expected, they were too small barely fitting over their shoulders.

"Uh… my lord?" one began.

Then, the armor shimmered.

Before their eyes, the plates expanded stretching smoothly, growing in size and shape until each piece covered their entire bodies from neck to ankle.

Gleaming white plates formed along their chests, shoulders, and legs, shaped perfectly to fit them.

The hunters gasped, running their claws across the armor.

It didn't even scratch.

"What is this sorcery?" Vargan muttered, staring down at his own body. In full armor, he looked like a dashing human knight.

"It's called Protective Gear." Azel said dryly, wiping his hands on a towel that the maid brought for him. "It'll protect you from most physical attacks. Magic… well, that's your problem."

Vargan crossed his arms. "Will it hold up if I transform?"

Azel grinned. "Only one way to find out."

The ex-lord grunted.

Azel clapped his hands once. "Alright then. Gear up and get ready. We're heading out now."

…

The group stood before the treeline of the Evil Forest not long after.

The moon hung high overhead, casting a sickly red glow over the landscape.

Every shadow in the forest seemed to move; even the air felt wrong… At least that was what Selene could feel.

The Lady Of Lycas stood near the front, gripping her fan tightly.

She could feel it… the forest hated them.

Behind her, the six hunters shifted nervously, their armor clinking softly.

Vargan stood silent, towering beside them.

And at the very front, Azel crouched low, brushing his fingers against the dirt.

He wasn't moving randomly.

It looked like he was making sure of something.

Selene watched him quietly, trying to read his expression.

"My lord?"

He didn't respond immediately.

Then a voice came from the back.

"My lord," one of the hunters said suddenly. He was tall, lean, and carried a long scar across his face. "I can see something ahead."

Selene turned to him. "What is it?"

The man's eyes glowed green as he activated his magic… enhancing his sight to pierce through darkness.

"It's a monster… holding a bow," he said slowly. "It's watching us."

Azel's body stiffened.

His hair rose.

"Tear your gaze away from that monstrosity!" he ordered sharply.

The hunter flinched. "My lord, it takes a moment to deactivate my sight—"

"Do it now!" Azel barked.

But the man didn't have time.

His eyes widened suddenly.

"The monster has raised the bow," he whispered.

Azel let out an annoyed sigh as he grabbed Selene by the wrist and pulled her backward, shouting to the others, "Run!"

The hunters scattered immediately, armor clattering as they dashed in different directions.

A sound came next… it sounded like a shrill whistle, slicing through the night air.

Selene barely saw it but it was a streak of black fire screaming across the clearing.

The arrow hit the hunter's head dead center.

For a brief second, he just stood there.

Then his body ignited.

Black flames burst outward, devouring everything nearby.

The explosion was deafening… a wave of heat and pressure throwing dirt and embers into the air.

'I really hate this insecure elf.' He thought.

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