I Don't Need To Log Out

On another corner of the forest, the last trio of Carole, Zack, and Sia made their way through the dense woods.

The filtered sunlight barely reached the forest floor, casting long shadows that seemed to move with the wind.

Sia led the group confidently, her fiery braid swaying as she moved. Zack and Carole trailed behind her, the uneven ground making Zack grumble under his breath.

"This is ridiculous," Zack muttered, kicking at a stray rock. "We've been walking forever. Are we sure she even knows where she's going?"

Sia turned her head slightly, her sharp ears catching his complaint. Without stopping, she smirked. "I can hear you, you know."

Zack stiffened. "I—I wasn't saying anything bad."

"Uh-huh," Sia replied, clearly amused. She slowed her pace slightly, glancing over her shoulder. "If you're tired, Zack, I can hold your hand and guide you like a lost child."

Carole, walking beside Zack, immediately frowned. "That won't be necessary," she said firmly, stepping slightly closer to him.

Zack blinked at Carole, then back at Sia. "I'm fine! I don't need anyone to hold my hand, thanks," he said, trying to sound tough.

Sia raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "I wouldn't be so sure. You didn't last three minutes against me in the arena, remember? Maybe a helping hand isn't such a bad idea."

Carole's frown deepened. "That was a while ago. He's better now," she said, her tone defensive.

Sia chuckled. "Oh, I'm sure. But it's not like I'm the one who needs convincing."

Zack scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, trying to defuse the tension. "Look, can we focus on finding a marker instead of rehashing the past?"

Carole shot Sia a quick glare before looking at Zack. "Yes, let's. We don't have time for distractions."

Sia shrugged, clearly unfazed. "Fine by me."

The group continued walking, and the atmosphere was a mix of awkwardness and unease. Zack tried to lighten the mood, his voice breaking the silence. "You know, this forest really could use some signs or something. 'Marker this way,' 'Beware of monsters'—stuff like that."

Carole sighed. "Zack, we're supposed to be practicing teamwork. Maybe we should talk to her more?"

"Hey, I'm trying my best with the jokes," Zack said, throwing up his hands.

"Jokes don't win lessons," Carole muttered.

Sia snorted. "Well, at least you're consistent, Zack. Always full of surprises—just not the good kind." She seemingly already heard their talk.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Zack grumbled, glaring at her.

Before they could argue further, the bushes ahead rustled, drawing all their attention. Sia raised a hand, signaling them to stop.

"Hold up," she said, her tone suddenly serious. "Something's up there."

The group froze, eyes fixed on the movement.

"Do you think it's a summoned beast?" Carole whispered, clutching her staff tightly.

"Only one way to find out," Sia said, unsheathing her twin swords.

A tense silence fell over the group as the rustling grew louder. Then, with an almost anticlimactic hop, a small, fluffy rabbit emerged from the bushes.

Zack burst out laughing. "Oh no, it's the big bad rabbit! Someone save us!"

Carole sighed, lowering her staff. "Seriously, Zack?"

Sia, however, didn't relax. Her sharp eyes stayed locked on the rabbit as it tilted its head, staring back at them.

"You might want to stop laughing," Sia said flatly.

Zack wiped a tear from his eye. "Why? It's just a rabbit—"

Before he could finish, the rabbit's eyes glowed bright red, and its body began to expand.

In seconds, the small creature had morphed into a hulking beast, its fur bristling with sharp quills and its claws gleaming like blades.

Zack's grin vanished. "Okay, never mind. That's... definitely not just a rabbit."

Carole stepped closer to him, her expression tense. "You were saying something about signs earlier?"

"Yeah," Zack muttered, drawing his weapon. "We could really use one right about now."

Sia smirked as she readied her swords. "Let's see if you've improved since our last match, Zack. Try not to trip over yourself this time."

Zack glanced at Carole, who gave him a reassuring nod. "Don't listen to her. Just focus, and we've got this."

"Right," Zack said, gripping his sword tighter as the beast let out an earth-shaking roar and charged toward them.

---

After hearing the roar from afar, Arlon's group continued their way.

Since Arlon already had the locations, he took the group to the closest marker.
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The faint glow of the first marker came into view, a shimmering blue orb floating above an ancient-looking pedestal surrounded by gnarled tree roots.

It pulsed softly, almost invitingly, but Arlon, June, and Mei didn't relax.

"Something feels off," June muttered, tightening her grip on her staff.

"Of course it does," Mei said, her voice low. "It's too exposed. There's no way they'd leave a marker unguarded."

Arlon scanned the area, his sharp eyes picking up faint disturbances in the ground around the pedestal. The soil was uneven, as if it had been disturbed recently.

"Traps," he said simply. "We'll need to trigger them carefully, or this could get messy fast."

Mei nodded and stepped forward, her hands glowing faintly as she cast a detection spell. Several spots on the ground lit up in faint red auras, revealing hidden trigger points.

"Pressure plates," Mei confirmed. "Step on one, and we're in trouble."

"Can you disarm them all?" June asked.

Mei shook her head. "Not without setting them off. But I can guide us through safely if you follow my lead."

Before they could move, a low growl rumbled through the air and the ground began to tremble.

From the shadows, three wolf-like creatures materialized. Their bodies were shimmering as if they were made of liquid silver.

Their eyes glowed an eerie green, and their movements were unnaturally fluid, like rippling water.

"Summoned beasts," Arlon said, drawing his sword.

"They'll push us onto the traps if we're not careful," Mei warned, her voice tense.

"Then we'll hold them here," Arlon said.

The wolves lunged at Arlon, their movements blindingly fast. He met the first with a swift slash of his sword, the blade slicing cleanly through the shimmering creature.

It dissolved into silver mist but the other two wolves flanked him immediately, snapping at his legs and forcing him to leap backward.

Arlon's eyes narrowed as he assessed the situation. These creatures weren't ordinary summons.

Their movements were sharp and calculated. If all the creatures are this strong, then the students don't stand a chance, he thought grimly. Even I have to stay on my toes.

Noticing his brief hesitation, Mei called out, "Their levels adapt to the group average they're fighting against! It's part of the exercise."

Her explanation made sense but Arlon barely had time to process it before a low growl erupted from behind Mei.

"Mei, watch out!" June shouted.