Raze had been busy over the past few days. After she rescued the citizens of the Turtle Sheltre, including Archmage Elandor, Sylas, and the 30 Super Soldiers, 10 monks, and 20 Knights led by Gene, she immediately went to check Merlin...

Well, they had no memories of how the Gray Fog saved them or the reason why they were rescued in the first place.

They just learned that after seeing the Demonic figure in the sky, they were exposed to a powerful magic that put them to sleep.

Only Elandor was able to barely fight back, and even then, he also forgot how they ended up in another region.

It was a mystery that she couldn’t solve anyway, so under Shane’s request, she decided to follow Merlin and Alex.

She was shocked that there were Dark Elves around in the first place... Though she knew that the Dragon Army also had elves, she thought that they’d only be with the Dragon Army commanding them.

’Those elves... Are they part of the Dragon Army or summoned by Elf Recruitment Stones?’

Raze frowned as she recalled Shane’s words. He was supposedly the only one with such recruitment stones due to his mysterious connection with their realm.

’If they’re from the Dragon Army... How are they related to Merlin?’

In the end, Raze decided not to question Merlin since he wasn’t doing anything bad to their clan and shelter anyway.

Just like that, as she left her observation spot, she suddenly felt nervous.

A powerful figure seemed to be observing her every move!

***

Raze’s instincts sharpened the moment she felt that heavy aura pressing against her.

She turned her head slightly, scanning the tavern’s shadows and the streets beyond.

At first, nothing seemed out of place... The guards patrolled, merchants closed their stalls, and travelers moved about.

But then she saw something... Cloaked figures slipping through the crowd with their movements that were too stealthy...

Her eyes focused on them.

The way they carried themselves was unmistakable. Elves.

Yet their ears were hidden beneath their hoods, concealed as if they didn’t want to be recognized.

She watched them carefully, but the moment they realized her gaze lingered, one of them turned sharply.

A faint shimmer of mana rippled in the air, and she felt the warning in her bones.

Then, they vanished.

Not in panic, but in unison... In just a few moments, their presence dissolved into the mist of the shelter. It was a coordinated retreat, but they didn’t leave until they sent their killing intent on her.

It was like a warning to Raze...

’We see you. Do not pry further.’

Raze exhaled, her hand brushing the tattoo where Roan rested.

"Hmph..." she muttered.

They were strong, yes, but she knew the truth.

The elite elves Shane had summoned were far stronger.

These cloaked ones only carried weight when gathered together, and even then, their warning was more posturing than threat.

She pulled her hood tighter and disappeared into the crowd herself, vanishing from sight.

If they wanted to play at shadows, she could do the same.

***

Meanwhile, at the gates of the Little Rock Shelter, Merlin and Alex finally arrived. The guards stood ready with their hands outstretched for payment.

Zombie Cores were the currency here, and they had to pay...

Merlin handed over a pouch filled with cores collected along their journey. The guards inspected them briefly, nodding with approval. "You may enter," one said, stepping aside.

Alex looked up at the towering walls, relief washing over him. "Finally... somewhere safe."

Merlin’s expression remained calm, though his Mana Sense continued to sweep the area. He knew safety was always relative. Still, the shelter would serve its purpose... 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Together, master and apprentice passed through the gates as they finally had a chance to sleep with a roof over their heads.

***

Inside the Little Rock Shelter, the atmosphere was lively.

Merchants shouted their wares, guards patrolled the streets, and travelers sought food and rest.

Merlin and Alex blended into the crowd, content to enjoy a rare moment of peace after days of fighting.

But peace never lasted long.

A man in his thirties, dressed in fine robes with the insignia of what seemed to be an influential clan, strode confidently through the marketplace.

Six guards flanked him, each armed with polished swords.

His name was Rain Veynar, a Survivor with a Mage Talent who had recently mastered a new spell. His mood was high, and he spoke loudly of celebrating his achievement in the brothel that evening.

As he laughed with his guards, his eyes fell on Merlin.

At first, he scoffed at the sight of the old man’s wooden staff.

"Pathetic," he muttered.

But then his gaze sharpened.

The grain, the faint mana, the aura... recognition struck him like lightning.

That was no ordinary staff. It was carved from the World Tree itself!

"Shit... How did you get that?!"

Rain stopped in his tracks, his arrogance shifting into greedy fascination.

"That staff..." he whispered.

As a mage, he knew its worth immediately.

Such a relic could amplify spells beyond measure, a treasure that could elevate his status within the clan.

He approached Merlin with a forced smile. "

Old man, that staff of yours... I’ll buy it. Name your price."

Merlin’s eyes narrowed. "It is not for sale."

Well, it was just provided to him by the Eclipse Revenant Clan. He didn’t even think that it was his. He felt like he was only borrowing this item.

Then, Rain’s smile faltered.

"Do you know what you’re holding? That’s a relic of an ancient tree. You’re wasting it. I could put it to proper use."

Merlin’s grip tightened on the staff. "I said no."

The refusal stung Rain’s pride.

His face twisted with fury, and his guards shifted uneasily, sensing the tension.

"You dare refuse me? I’ll take it by force if I must!"

Merlin’s aura flared, but then he paused.

His gaze slid toward Alex, who stood beside him, fists clenched, mana sparking faintly around his hands. Merlin’s voice was calm, but firm.

"Alex. This is your chance. Show them what you’ve learned."

Alex’s eyes widened. "Master... you mean—"

"Yes. Prove yourself. My staff is not yours to defend. But my name is. Do not let it be tarnished."

The six guards drew their swords, forming a line before Rain...

The clan mage sneered, confident in his numbers.

But Alex stepped forward with mana swirling around him...

Just like that, the crowd began to gather and whispers spread the information quickly.

Someone actually dared to go against this arrogant mage and his guards.

Meanwhile, Merlin stood back, silent, and watching his apprentice...

This was Alex’s trial... not against zombies this time, but against men who underestimated him.

Rain then gestured for the Town’s Guards to mind their own business before focusing on his opponents.

"Wait... This man is also a mage! Haha! Let me have a go!" Rain said as he raised his hand, preparing a spell.

Alex mirrored the gesture with his mana, which was pouring out brighter than ever before!

***

The crowd hushed as Rain Veynar raised his hand and his mana gathered into a glowing orb...

But Alex did not flinch. He inhaled deeply, recalling Merlin’s lessons... control the flow, don’t force it, let the mana guide you.

His fingers sparked with energy, creating a spell with surprising precision.

Rain hurled his orb forward, and a blazing projectile of raw mana was released!

Whoosh~

Alex countered instantly, conjuring a barrier of flame. The orb struck, but instead of shattering the shield, it was absorbed into the fire, dissipating harmlessly.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

"Impossible...!" Rain snarled.

Alex pressed forward... This time, a weak lightning crackled around his arms.

He wasn’t used to this yet, but he thrust his palms outward!

Two guards were struck with their swords flying from their hands as they collapsed!

Now, Rain staggered back from the shocking force behind Alex’s spell.

The remaining guards charged this time!

Alex’s eyes focused as he spun his staff, summoning mana arrows that pierced their armor and forcing them to retreat.

At this time, Alex could only barely use fire and lightning thanks to his affinity...

But that didn’t matter. Even with his terrible elemental control, he could do it!

With a sweep of his arm, a wave of mana shattered Rain’s composure while knocking three more guards to the ground.

Rain’s fury boiled over. "You dare humiliate me?!"

He began chanting, summoning a complex spell far beyond his guards’ abilities.

But Alex was faster. He had trained for this moment, drilled endlessly under Merlin’s strict guidance!

He slammed his staff into the ground. A surge of mana erupted!

It was a hint of fire and lightning converging into a single devastating strike.

Boom!

The blast struck Rain squarely, sending him sprawling across the cobblestone!

Everything happened so quickly!

The arrogant mage lay defeated while Alex stood tall!

Merlin finally stepped forward...

"You see? You’re not too weak. You are lacking, but you can easily win against a bunch of untalented mages."