Doggone Academy-Chapter 109 Circulatory System (11)

Wake up.

Cecil poked Bertangs shoulder insistently.

Grimacing and annoyed, Bertang was slow to rise, having gone to bed late due to his turn at night watch.

Ah eh? Why?

We need to move.

Ah yawn, but the sun isnt even up yet.

Were getting closer to the lights we saw in the distance. Storm clouds are gathering too. The entrance area is all plains; theres nowhere to take shelter from the rain.

Ugh theres no guarantee its plunderers. A barrier orb should keep out the rain. Cant I sleep a bit more?

Dont be foolish, if you set up a barrier orb, you cant move from here. Do you want to stay like this forever? Besides, I heard Teinas group was already plundered.

At that, Bertang bolted upright, as if suddenly snapped awake.

What, what did you say?

Just as I told you. Teinas group has already had all their supplies stolen. Unless our group leader can block those plunderers, we might as well stay in bed.

Rubbing his eyes, Bertang surveyed the camp. The other group members had already made their preparations to depart.

He could not argue anymore, seeing the faces of his group members, all wearing tired expressionsMarta, Cecil, and Trisha included.

Their group was vulnerable to plundering. They could put up a fight, sure, but standing their ground against determined combatants and mages would be futile. Marta was the only one with decent battle prowess. If they were looted of all their potions and magical artifacts, it would mean a treacherous journey ahead.

And Bertang was the weakest link in their group.

Having realized this, he quickly got up and gathered his blanket.

Marta grumbled.

We really should have recruited someone good at brawling.

Even during the entrance exams, they had faced the humiliation of being disbanded due to their weak combat power.

They had been fortunate to regroup then, but there was no guarantee theyd be lucky again.

Before the mood could sour further, Cecil quickly interjected.

What can we do now that its come to this? Lets move before its too late.

With that, they readied themselves and began their march, though the lack of enthusiasm was palpable, as if they were prey being chased.

In particular, Trishas face seemed downcast.

Noticing this, Cecil matched Trishas pace and cautiously spoke up.

Why so down?

Unnie

Trisha glanced at Cecil then discouragingly cast her eyes down again.

Cecils group was well-known to the others, and with Cecils rare magical artifact, they were a walking treasure trove to the plundering groups.

Cecil chuckled and reassuringly patted her back.

Dont worry too much. I promise you, we wont get plundered. Unnie has got a plan.

Marta, standing alongside, chimed in to boost morale.

Thats right. With Cecils fox-like wits, therell be plenty of guys dripping saliva, racing to help if she asks.

Trisha kept to herself, not revealing her true sentiments. To Cecil, it seemed Trisha was still preoccupied with Damian, whom she had once proposed to include in their group. She even suggested working with Damians group, Iris, but those plans had fallen through.

Did she believe their situation would have been different with Damian present?

Following from behind, group leader Bertang slipped into the conversation.

Perhaps teaming up with another group might have been better. Although Elias couldnt stay with us, his group might cooperate if we ask. Eliass group has Victor, after all. They could easily fend off any plundering group.

Victor Dmitri Barton was the prodigy churned out by the Clodinas Brotherhood, ranking third in combat upon enrollment.

While Trisha feigned a recovered spirit, she couldnt hide her disappointment at their conversation.

Sensing her mood, Bertang added.

Honestly, having one combat department member wouldve been nice. But just one wouldnt be enough if were targeted by a determined group. Wed still be in the same plight, on the run?

Even if Damian were here, it wouldnt change a thing.

Bertangs words were subtly directed at Damian, the person Trisha had suggested. She didnt respond.

After they had moved on for some time and the following lights faded, they took a brief rest atop a small hill.

Cecil pulled Marta aside, behind a tree, to discuss the next step.

They both felt uneasy; being the hunted wasnt a pleasant situation.

Well have to head towards the danger zone, it seems.

Marta replied with a heavy heart.

Is there no other way?

Most of the plundering squads consisted of top-ranking students. It was only a matter of time before Cecils group was caught as a priority target.

The remaining option was to head toward the vicinity of the danger zone, a place everyone else avoided.

Yeah.

Suddenly, Im envious of Elias.

Elias was also a long-time friend who usually stuck with them, but this time, he had no choice but to switch since Cecils group was full, and he had fortuitously teamed up with Victor.

Gazing at Marta, Cecil spoke.

Should I bring someone?

Even Victor, as formidable as he was, couldnt fend off all plunderers. If an equally strong group organized a raid, even Victor might be overwhelmed.

Cecil knew of someone who would daunt even the most audacious plunderers.

That man was probably already making his way to the danger zone, brushing aside petty threats in search of the mightiest prey.

Who?

Cecil toyed with something in her pocket, her lips curling with a knowing smile.

***

As Luna walked on, she suddenly looked back.

Whats wrong?

Behind them, there was nothing but rolling green hillocks.

Im not sure. It feels like something, or someone, is following us.

Is it something the spirits told you?

Luna shook her head. It was likely just intuition, but Lunas intuition often bordered on precognitionthat couldnt be ignored.

If someone were following us

Well, theres one suspect.

Sion had a high probability of searching for me.

After I defeated her and then vanished, it wouldnt be too surprising that shes on edge.

While I hope she hasnt figured out my location and started tracking me, the problem is that our trajectories might intersect.

The danger zone isnt a place to be unconditionally avoidedonly if ones abilities are insufficient.

Sion, a figurehead of competitive spirit, wouldnt veer away from such a place. Her desire to challenge the strongest would lead her right into it.

If Sion found me, there would be no running away. Using artifacts, she could run approximately three to four times faster than me. I may have easily escaped during the entrance exam, but now, running away simply wasnt an option.

If it came down to a confrontation with her, there would be no choice but to fight, though I honestly wanted to avoid it.

If I brandished my cursed sword, we would end up in too big a conflict. Since I dont know how to hold back, and Sion wouldnt either, the fight likely wouldnt end until a limb or two was severed.

Even fighting with a normal sword was unappealing, since I knew too well that I was no match for Sion. In a duel, swordsmanship and experience play a significant role, two things I lacked. With my unorthodox sword techniques, I would be at a disadvantage against a Swordmasters apprentice.

Id rather not engage in a battle Im set to lose.

But I despise losing just as much.

What am I to do? Its unlikely a few candies would smooth things over.

Luna, observing my ponderings, cautiously asked.

Whats the matter?

It seemed best to give Luna some prior warning.

There might be someone coming after me.

?

Sion might come looking for me. She probably wont harm you, but just know her intentions are not friendly.

Lunas eyes widened slightly with intrigue.

Can you tell me more?

Since Luna was in my group, there was no need to hide anything.

She wants to fight me.

Sions really fast when it comes to running, escaping from her will be difficult. Theres no other option but to fight.

Damian must have many sins.

After a moment of hesitation, Luna asked.

Would fog work?

Huh?

If its a magical fog, could we escape from Sion?

Fog?

I used to create fog to escape when I wanted to get away from familial meddling. With it perhaps

Fog, huh? That actually sounded plausible. Given my familiarity with the Labyrinth and Sions insurmountable speed, crafting a strategy around sensory deprivation might work.

Can you show me?

Yes.

Luna took a deep breath, then softly chanted an incomprehensible incantation into the air.

Soon after, a spirit shaped like a horse, gleaming blue, emerged around her, trotting about like a wild stallion. As Luna swept her hand through the air, the number of spirits multiplied one by one.

In the trail of the spirits, a dense mist trailed behind like long tails.

The spirits enveloped us in a circular embrace, and as minutes passed, our surroundings were shrouded in a dense, white fog.

It was as if clouds had descended to the earth. Even Luna, just steps away, was now a blurred silhouette through the thick mist.

Lunas shadowy figure asked from within the fog.

Is this enough? It wont last long if the suns out.

I made sweeping motions with my hand in the air. The density was so thick that my hand movements cut through it. The Magic Departments top student had her reputation for a reason. I was left momentarily speechless by the sheer excellence.

If she could create a fog that rivals the intensity of the labyrinth, even if only for an instant, it would be incredibly useful for escaping.

Fantastic. Luna, did you play a lot of hide and seek when you were young?

Only with spirits, not people

Thats sufficient.

***

Sion kicked at the extinguished ashes.

Signs of camping remained. Impressions in the ground suggested there had only been two. No recollection of a 2-member group meant they were surely acting secretly. The footprints led northwest.

Were they heading for the danger zone? Or just detouring?

There were hardly any clues to follow. Sion chewed on a piece of jerky as she tracked the footprints.

Suddenly, she noticed a soiled piece of cloth, caked in dust.

Sion picked it up for inspection.

From its texture, it seemed to have been someones clothing and, judging by the scorched edges, it appeared to have been set ablaze but was carried off by the wind before it could fully burn.

Who would have a reason to burn clothing? Hiding ones identity was the only reason that came to mind.

Could it be?

A thought flashed through her mind, and she brought the fabric to her nose.

The smell of soil and char, and within it, a faint scent of herbs.

It was the familiar scent she had detected from Candy.

It was evidence he had been conducting his practicum here. And with a new companion she hadnt known.

A slight smile curled Sions lips.

With her extensive practical experience, she was a veteran at tracking. Hence, it was only a matter of time before she caught up with him again.

Finally got you.

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