Finn returns to the inn for dinner and notices Risa entering with Audrey and a new girl.

  “Hi, Finn! This is Clementine, one of our magicians,” Risa introduces the freckled girl.

  “Hi, Clementine. Nice to meet you. Just call me Finn, like Risa does,” Finn says, standing up to shake her hand.

  Clementine seems a little shy but nods politely.

  “Mind if we join you for dinner?” Audrey asks before taking a seat.

  “Of course. You should try the steak here. John's cooking is extraordinary,” Finn recommends.

  After checking with the others, Audrey nods. “Then let’s have three.”

  “Mira, three more steaks for the ladies, please,” Finn calls out.

  “Got it!” Mira replies.

  As they wait, Risa turns to Finn. “How’s your friend?”

  “He’s recovering well. I’m helping him move back home from the Sanctuary tomorrow.”

  “I see. We just got back from visiting some of my friends at the Sanctuary as well. They were injured in the labyrinth and had to be transported back a week ago,” Risa shares.

  “Good thing they made it back in time. When will the clerics let them go?” Finn asks.

  “Most likely another week,” Audrey answers. “In the meantime, we plan to trade the predator remains and magic cores.”

  “Speaking of which, Risa, you can have the ones we collected from the labyrinth,” Finn says casually.

  “Can—can I?” she hesitates.

  Finn chuckles. “You don’t need my permission. They were yours the moment you put them in your vault.”

  “Thank you, Finn!” Risa smiles brightly.

  Finn grins. “What’s your plan after selling them?”

  “I’ll follow Audrey to the capital to take the knight test.”

  “Why not enrol in The Academy first?” Finn questions.

  “Without connections or a recommendation, it’s difficult to get in. Audrey suggested starting as a trainee knight instead, like she did. Plus, the Queen pays trainees a salary!”

  Finn considers this. “Hmm… but wouldn’t you want to experience academy life? You’re the right age for enrolment, and after graduating, you’d start as a proper knight instead of a trainee.”

  Risa hesitates.

  “I know someone from The Academy,” Finn continues. “Since I’m heading to the capital after selling my spoils, I can ask them to recommend you.”

  “Really?” Risa’s eyes light up before dimming. “Even with a recommendation, I can’t afford the tuition…”

  “That’s not a problem. I can ask them to apply for a scholarship on your behalf. No harm in trying. If it doesn’t work out, you can always join the next trainee knight intake.”

  Compared to The Academy, the knights are more lenient in accepting trainees of various ages into their program.

  Audrey, who has been listening quietly, interjects. “You know someone prominent in The Academy? But will Risa even make it in time? The enrolment ceremony isn’t far off.”

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Finn senses Audrey’s wary gaze. According to Risa, Audrey once served as a knight and now roams as a hunter, which is how their paths crossed. The elderly couple welcomed Audrey into their home, and in gratitude, she offered to take Risa hunting. Now, Finn must find a convincing excuse for Audrey, since he is determined to keep Risa close.

  “There’s still time. No need to worry.” He gives her a harmless smile.

  “I see,” Audrey replies, her suspicion easing slightly. “It’s good that Risa has options. Mind telling us more about this friend of yours?”

  “She’s a professor at The Academy. I’ve known her for a while,” Finn says smoothly before continuing, “But she’ll need to test Risa’s magic dexterity before writing a recommendation and applying for the scholarship.”

  “That’s fair,” Audrey concedes. She turns to Risa. “It’s up to you.”

  Risa hesitates, then nods. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to try. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Finn… no, Mr Finn.” She stands and bows deeply. “You’ve helped me so much—saving me in the labyrinth, sharing the predator spoils, and now offering this opportunity. I cannot thank you enough.”

  Finn grins. “Then you’d better sharpen your magic before I introduce you to the professor. I can’t afford to lose face in front of her.”

  “I will do my best!” Risa declares, eyes burning with steel-like resolve.

  Mira arrives with their food. “Steaks are here.”

  “Let’s eat before the steak gets cold,” Finn urges.

  They all savour John’s culinary skills, marvelling at the rich flavours. Once dinner is finished, the girls bid Finn farewell and head back to Audrey’s house in Mistwood.

  Just as they reach the door, Risa stops. “Can you wait for me? I need to have a word with Finn first.”

  Audrey and Clementine exchange glances but don’t question her. “Sure,” Audrey nods. “We’ll wait outside.”

  Risa turns to Finn. “I know you’ve already helped me a lot, and I shouldn’t question your way, but…” She hesitates before continuing, “I asked Audrey and Emily from the Hunters' Guild. Neither of them knows anything about Inky or Plushie.”

  Before Finn can respond, she continues. “Even if we can’t gather any useful information from others, I think you made the right call. We shouldn’t bring them out of the maze recklessly.”

  Finn folds his arms, studying her. “Wouldn’t that make us the bad guys to Inky and Plushie?”

  Risa exhales, nodding. “Yes… but it would be worse if we let our kindness to them endanger others,” she replies firmly.

  Finn can tell she’s serious. In just a few days, she’s grown—maturing into someone more reliable, someone who weighs responsibility over blind kindness.

  He smiles warmly. “No problem. I’ll keep asking around and see if I can dig up more information. Let’s meet at noon tomorrow. I want to give you some magic training at the Hunters' Guild training ground.”

  Risa’s face lights up. “Yes, sir! Goodnight, Finn!” She waves before dashing off to rejoin her friends.

  Finn watches her disappear into the night before heading upstairs to take a bath. Since he has the rare chance to sleep early, he pulls out the brown notebook, flipping it open.

  “When will Veles come looking for me? Let’s ask around tomorrow when I have the chance.”

  The mystery of the second seal remains unsolved, but with the money from his latest hunt, he can afford more magic vaults. Should he break the third seal now?

  He exhales. “Let’s see what I should do next while waiting for Veles.”

  A faint glow flickers as he channels magic from the vault into the notebook. The third page flips on its own, revealing words scrawled before him:

  I don’t think I need to remind myself, but just in case—YOU CANNOT have any romantic relationship with anyone in your team!!!

  Finn stares, dumbfounded. What does that mean?

  “Of course I won’t! Because Risa is my… she’s my…”

  The familiar headache creeps in again, sharp and unwelcome, every time he tries to unravel the truth about his relationship with Risa.

  —

  A group of drunken hunters stagger down the dimly lit street, their steps unsteady after downing several pints to celebrate a successful expedition. Their laughter echoes through the quiet town, carefree and slurred.

  “(Blurp) I—I need to… get home… before… my wife… scolds me…” one of them mumbles, swaying as he tries to focus on the road ahead.

  “No biggie!” his relatively sober companion bellows, slapping him on the back. “We made it back safe! Let’s go for another round!”

  “You two!” their mage companion snaps, crossing her arms. “I am not carrying you home if you drink yourselves into the ground!”

  A sudden rustling cuts through their bickering.

  The hunter with the sharpest senses stiffens. “Wait… do you smell that?” His tone turns cautious.

  The drunk hunter groans. “Come oooon! We’re finally back! Just relax for once—”

  But the arcanist isn’t listening. Her face pales, and she slowly raises a trembling hand, pointing towards the town’s archway.

  “Guys… you need to see this.”

  The hunters turn—and freeze.

  Ten… no, at least thirty predator carcasses lie scattered across the ground in gruesome disarray. Their bodies are mangled beyond recognition, limbs torn off, organs exposed. The air is thick with the stench of blood.