"Wait. You're telling me the military let you do that?"
"Hell no," Alex laughed. "They tried to kick us out every damn time. But we were persistent. Real pests. Dodged medics, annoyed doctors, pulled pranks... Eventually, one of the majors took pity — or gave up — and started teaching us."
Ruby tried not to smile, but it broke through. "Let me guess. You two were nightmares?"
"Absolute terrors," he grinned. "We replaced energy pills with chili paste once. That was not well received."
She laughed, harder than she intended. And then told him stories of her own — the time she faked illness to escape a noble banquet, or swapped her brother's enchanted sword with a loaf of bread before a duel.
Alex raised an eyebrow, amused. "Damn. So you're not just a calm, composed girl... You're a trickster too. Fierce enough to break out of mazes... or knock down a prince or two?"
She smirked. "Maybe. But I don't fall for nuts who call me Princess."
Alex chuckled — but behind the laughter, there was something softer, quieter. A flicker of appreciation. Of connection.
ruby look at alex and nods, " they deserve it by my hands !, but alex i have a question !".
alex look at her , " what that princess !".
" why do you have teh stars around heart instead of srings !", she asked confusion .
" when you have rings ! you can only use spell accuaratly ! and but you can't use the other forces! and each circle mana capacity it will lag you growth !", he said with smile .
Gwen folded her arms, eyes sharp as daggers.
"But… you made stars around your heart instead of rings. Stars store less mana, don't they?"
Alex grinned and stepped closer, taking her hand with surprising gentleness.
"Feel this."
He pressed her palm against his chest. A surge of energy bloomed beneath her fingers—warm, vibrant, alive.
Gwen's cheeks flamed crimson.
Why does he smell so good? Her thoughts scrambled. No, Gwen, get a grip!
She shoved him playfully, voice barely a whisper: "Idiot."
She spun on her heel, muttering under her breath as she retreated.
"He's a genius in battle… and a toddler lost in love."
Alex chuckled, utterly clueless.
"That's the Boundless Theory. You craft stars around your heart using mana temples. Bet you wish you had magic like mine."
He turned toward the endless forest, eyes distant, lost in thought.
"Two months here. Four more before we can finally go home."
The memory of Ruby's mother—and the promise he'd sworn—washed over him like a tide.
Later, inside the dim cave, Alex methodically sliced meat, the blade flickering with lightning sparks.
Ruby silently handed him a chunk once it cooled.
"How far is your home from here?" he asked, chewing thoughtfully.
Ruby glanced upward, fingers counting the days.
"Ten days at this pace. Then another three to cross the western ridge. Why?"
"I'm going hunting tomorrow—with Leo. You and Darcy stay behind. You're not ready for combat."
uby's eyes sparked with fire.
"No. We're coming with you."
Alex fixed her with a hard stare.
"No. You're not. I decide."
She laughed, defiant and bright.
"Yes, you do. Because I'm coming. End of story."
That night, they ate together in the cave, the flickering fire casting long shadows. Alex buried his nose in a dusty tome about ruin magic, Leo sprawled nearby, and Darcy curled up close to Alex, all trying to catch some rest.
Suddenly, the night cracked with the crashing sound of breaking branches and heavy footsteps—something large moving through the forest. Ruby woke instantly and slipped beside Alex, eyes sharp in the darkness.
At dawn, Alex blinked awake, scanning their makeshift camp. Rebecca stretched and yawned, her gaze drifting lazily toward him.
Alex slipped outside, greeting the crisp morning air. Sword in hand, he began his training, fluid and precise with each practiced movement.
When he finished, he noticed Darcy and Leo watching him silently. He grabbed a large chunk of meat, seared it with a flicker of flame, and passed it around.
After they ate, Alex's voice cut through the quiet.
"You both need to stay here."
Ruby glared at him, refusing to back down.
"No, Alex. We're coming."
"Don't even think about it," Alex warned, voice low and fierce. "Hunting isn't a game. You're playing with death."
She straightened, pride burning bright.
"I'm third circle magic. I'm better than you think."
He locked eyes with her, unwavering.
"No. You're staying here. Period."
Leo and Darcy took to the sky, wings slicing through the misty canopy. Below, Alex and Ruby climbed a towering tree, trying to steady their breath. The air felt heavier here—thick with mana, and something else… something wrong.
Beneath the branches, the forest groaned.
A quiet ripple in the underbrush.
Then silence.
a group of direwolf pack were crossing them , the 1 st worf was became black.
Alex narrowed his eyes. "The alpha wolf's demonized," he muttered, "but this… this isn't just them."
The leaves rustled in unnatural rhythm—no footsteps, no breathing, just pressure. Ruby clutched his arm.
"Alex…" she whispered. "I can't see it… but something's moving out there."
He scanned the trees—and then he saw it.
Not with his eyes, but with his mana sense.
Something huge. Crawling.
The air shimmered like heatwaves. Then came the sound—click-click-click—a dry, rhythmic tapping against bark.
at once leo starting roar and throw fire in air
Not by appearance, but absence.
Flames bent around it, shadows folded inwards. And then—boom—it dropped from a branch, slamming into the earth.
A monstrous scorpion, translucent like hot glass, revealed only in flickers of fire and heat. Its stinger rose like a spear. The air hummed with killing intent.
"Leo!" Alex barked. "stay away go for the tail!"
The flaming lion roared from above and dove.
The scorpion struck first.
Its stinger lashed out with a thunderous crack—shattering bark, ripping leaves, cleaving through air like death incarnate. Alex barely dodged, lightning flashing as he slashed back.
The ground scorched where the tail missed.
"MOVE!" he yelled, grabbing Ruby and leaping to another branch just as the stinger tore through the one they were on.
lightning surged through his veins. His blade hissed with intense power. He rushed under the beast, barely avoiding a crushing leg.
He lunged and slashed deep into one joint. The monster screeched—half-metal, half-horror.
Its body phased in and out of visibility—only clear when it bled.
But it wasn't done.
The scorpion twisted, tail swinging wide and fast—faster than instinct. Ruby screamed.
Darcy tried to dive, but—
Alex was already there.
He appeared between Ruby and the tail, blade raised, push like a storm. It hit him full force, flinging him across the glade. Trees cracked. Bones screamed.
He hit the ground hard—training weights burning against his skin.
And yet...
He stood.
"No…" Alex growled, his vision swimming.
He dropped the weights. The earth shook.
a thought that run in his mind
"This isn't where I fall.
"This is my escape from the jaws of fate."
His blade sparked, humming with raw elemental wrath, an illuminating white light.
He dashed, the world blurring.
And with a furious cry, he rammed the blade into the scorpion's skull. Lightning exploded—crawling through the beast's insides like a vengeful god.
The scorpion shrieked one last time... then silence.
Alex exhaled, falling to one knee. "Damn… That thing was no ordinary monster…".
Blood dripped from Alex's mouth.
"Looks like one of my organs got wrecked," he muttered, voice dry.
Suddenly, a saber-tooth beast came charging from the shadows, sensing weakness.
Before anyone could react—SHK!
Alex thrust his sword straight through its skull, fast and cold.
The blade glowed white.
He blinked. "What… is this?"
A voice echoed in his mind—deep, familiar.
"Yes, Master. You finally awakened your Aura."
It was his sword's spirit.
He held the sensation—this raw energy surging through him.
Reaching into his infinity pocket, he pulled out an elixir and drank.
Pain stabbed under his ribs.
"Damn. That hit blistered my liver," he thought grimly.
Still, he didn't slow down.
He skinned the saber-tooth quickly, wrapped the meat in leaves and mud, and tossed it all into his pocket.
Then he turned to Ruby.
"We're going home. Now."
She stared at his bleeding side.
"Alex—your stomach—you're bleeding!"
He didn't flinch.
He ignited his blade with aura, pressed it to the wound—SIZZLE.
The smell of burning flesh filled the air.
Ruby's eyes welled with tears.
"You're hurt…"
Alex looked at her, sharp and cold.
"Stop crying. Get on."
Ruby had only a few scrapes, but her focus was locked on Alex.
She ran to him, heart racing.
Blood was pooling fast—his wound had reopened, spilling crimson across the dirt.
Her voice trembled. "Leo—get him inside. Now!"
Leo obeyed, lifting Alex gently and carrying him into the cave.
Ruby followed, casting a quick fire spell to burn away every drop of blood on the ground—leaving no trace behind.
Inside, the cave was dim, silent.
Ruby laid Alex down, stripped off his blood-soaked shirt, and splashed cold water on his face.
He stirred—eyes barely opening.
Still alive.
Without hesitation, he reached into his infinity pocket, pulled out a syringe and an elixir vial, and shoved both toward her.
"Inject it," he rasped. "Right at the wound. Do it fast… or I die slower."
Ruby's hands shook.
Alex bit down on a cloth, bracing himself.
She sobbed quietly. "I—I'm sorry…"
"Stop crying," Alex growled through clenched teeth. "Just do it."
With a deep breath, she pushed the needle into the tender flesh just below the gash. Alex arched, gritting against the pain, eyes burning with agony.
"Do it!" he shouted.
She slammed the injector's button. The elixir surged into his body.
Alex jerked, biting the cloth so hard his jaw trembled. His whole body shook as the serum spread, searing through his bloodstream.
Then he went still.
Unconscious again.
Ruby collapsed beside him, breathing heavy, tears streaking down her face.
But his pulse… it was still there.
Alive. Barely.