The march continued without pauses. The forest closed increasingly around them, trees grew closer together and their canopies formed a thick cover that barely let artificial light through. The golden tone that previously filtered through leaves gradually disappeared, replaced by a faint clarity diluting among denser shadows. The air became colder, and humidity stuck to skin with each step.

Hok Nerris didn’t reduce pace.

Students advanced in silence, more attentive now to terrain than anything else. Roots protruded more frequently, ground became irregular and at some points mud gave slightly under weight. Each step demanded concentration.

Bīng Xuě kept moving with ease, though he no longer talked as much. His breathing remained stable, but his gaze swept the environment with more interest, as if beginning to recognize the real value of what they were doing.

Gerald, on the other hand, began showing fatigue. His shoulders fell slightly, and the gesture of adjusting his glasses had become more frequent. Even so, he didn’t stop. He gripped the staff firmly, using its support when terrain demanded it.

Aku walked without visible changes. His pace remained constant, measured, without wasting energy. His attention didn’t deviate. He observed the environment as if each element could become a useful variable.

The group descended a steeper slope, circling an area where terrain became rocky. Shadows lengthened among rocks, and the sound of steps changed, passing from damp earth to a dry crunch.

Finally, Hok raised his hand.

The group stopped immediately.

The place where they had arrived was more open. An irregular clearing, surrounded by tall trees leaving a small space in the center. The ground was covered with dry leaves and some flat stones. There were no structures or signs of previous intervention. Only controlled nature.

Light was scarce. The artificial star barely illuminated the place anymore, and shadows dominated the environment.

Hok turned toward them for the first time in several minutes.

His gaze swept the group unhurriedly.

"Well."

His voice sounded graver in the forest’s stillness.

"Guide ends here."

Some students exchanged glances, confused.

Hok put his hand in one of his pockets.

"From now on, this is yours."

He took out a small metallic object. He held it between his fingers an instant.

"You’ll spend the night here."

The murmur was immediate. Low, contained, but present.

Gerald blinked several times.

"Here...? All night?"

Bīng Xuě smiled slightly, as if the idea seemed interesting.

Aku didn’t react.

Hok didn’t respond to questions. He simply dropped the object to the ground.

The moment it touched earth, a dense cloud of dark smoke expanded rapidly, covering the clearing’s central area. Visibility reduced suddenly.

Some took a step back. Others raised their hand instinctively.

When smoke began dissipating, Hok was no longer there.

Silence.

The forest seemed deeper without his presence.

For a few seconds, no one said anything. Only the sound of moving leaves and some agitated breathing was heard.

"Okay..." Gerald murmured, adjusting his glasses. "Okay... this is... normal, I suppose..."

Bīng Xuě turned around, looking around.

"I like it better this way."

Some groups began moving almost immediately. Students from other classes gathered among themselves, talking in low voices, organizing. They separated in different directions within the clearing, seeking spaces to settle.

Aku’s class remained a few more seconds in the center, until a voice took initiative.

"Don’t just stand there."

It was a girl with dark hair pulled back in a high ponytail. Her posture was firm, and her tone left no room for doubts. She had participated before in practical classes, and her presence imposed certain order.

"If we’re going to spend the night here, we need to organize now."

Some nodded. Others simply reacted from inertia.

"First, shelter," she continued. "Second, fire. Third, surveillance."

She pointed at different points in the clearing.

"Split up."

Bīng Xuě raised a hand naturally.

"I can handle fire."

The girl looked at him a second and nodded.

"Good. Take someone else."

Gerald raised his hand with some doubt.

"I... can help..."

"Perfect. You two, fire."

Bīng Xuě had already turned, looking for material without waiting more.

Gerald followed him, still somewhat tense, but with clear intention.

The girl looked at the rest.

"I need two more for shelter."

Two students came forward. They began collecting larger branches, evaluating terrain to choose a suitable area.

The girl’s gaze stopped on Aku.

"You?"

Aku held her gaze without changing expression.

"I’ll keep watch."

He didn’t ask permission. He said it as a fact.

The girl evaluated him an instant.

"Fine. Then watch the perimeter. If you see anything, warn us."

Aku didn’t respond. He simply turned and began walking toward one of the clearing’s edges.

The forest received him with denser darkness as he moved away from the center. His steps were silent. His gaze moved calmly, registering each detail: trees’ disposition, possible access routes, areas where terrain changed.

Behind, the group began taking shape.

Bīng Xuě had already gathered dry leaves and small branches. He moved rapidly, almost enthusiastically, repeating the steps they had practiced before. Gerald organized material more carefully, making sure everything was in place before trying to light anything.

"Okay... base first..." he murmured to himself.

Shelter began rising on the clearing’s other side. Main branches leaned against each other, forming an inclined structure. Leaves were placed on top to cover gaps. It wasn’t perfect, but fulfilled its function.

The rest of the group distributed among minor tasks. Some collected more material, others cleaned the ground, removing stones or obstructive branches.

The forest’s sound accompanied each movement.

The crunch of leaves under feet.

The brush of branches breaking.

The slight crackling when, finally, fire caught.

A small flame appeared between Gerald’s hands. He leaned immediately, blowing carefully.

"Come on... come on..."

The flame grew.

Bīng Xuě smiled.

"I told you it would work."

Gerald released air with relief.

Fire’s light broke the clearing’s darkness. Shadows retreated slightly, and the group gathered naturally around that heat source.

Aku returned a few minutes later. He stopped at the light circle’s edge, observing the result.

Shelter was standing.

Fire maintained itself.

The group had organized.

He said nothing.

He simply sat on one of the nearby rocks, gaze fixed on the flames.

Night had completely fallen.

And class still hadn’t ended.