Marie approached and placed a concerned hand on Reinhard's shoulder as she asked. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Reinhard replied, brushing dust from his jacket. "I'm assuming you got attacked as well?"
Joseph nodded grimly. "It was after the surroundings changed... into this." He gestured at the burnt landscape around them.
Reinhard nodded, sharing their confusion about the dramatic transformation. The questions showed clearly on all their faces, how had some of the restored buildings become complete ruins in an instant?
Mimir flew over and landed back on Reinhard's shoulder. "All of the Phantasm Beasts were Tier E. But the last two seemed to have gotten help from a Beast Master."
The revelation made all three students blink in surprise before turning their attention to the wise crow.
"Do you mean their ability to create needles of shadow and barriers?" Reinhard asked.
Marie's eyes widened. "Werefangs can't do that... At least the weaker ones shouldn't have skills like that."
Mimir nodded his head. "It's either a Beast Master is helping, or those Werefangs somehow mutated and gained those skills."
Reinhard's eyes narrowed slightly. "Assuming it's the first option… Is that possible?"
Joseph shook his head. "A Beast Master can't give abilities to Phantasm Beasts... Unless they're sharing it like how the Herald can with the marker."
Reinhard looked down at his necklace. "Is there another ability or item besides the Herald Mark that can share skills?"
"Only the Herald Mark should have that ability. I don't recall any other Mythic Keys that would have such an ability." Joseph replied as he lightly bit his lip.
"What if it was a Mythic Key instead? Those shadow wrapping might be the Mythic Key." Reinhard says as he knew Mythic Keys are artifacts that can grant a Beast Master with additional abilities.
He knew they came in the shape of a weapon, armor or accessory. While he found it very unlikely two random Werefangs had Mythic Keys, it didn't hurt to be thinking of all possibilities.
"It wasn't a Mythic Key, as I didn't sense any additional magic volume in the shadow wrapping." Mimir says, leading Reinhard to nod his head.
"In addition, it wouldn't make sense to attach a Mythic Key with a Phantasm Beast." Joseph says with a sigh.
Marie crossed her arms. "And even if there was, why would they give it to Werefangs? It doesn't make sense."
"Then what about the second option of it being a mutation?" Reinhard asked.
Marie held her chin thoughtfully. "It's highly possible. I've read that even Autumn Deer can gain control over light elements through mutation."
Before anyone could respond, Mimir spoke again. "This area seems to have been under an illusion. It's your first expedition and you've landed on an intriguing place, Master."
Reinhard glanced around at the burnt ruins. "So the previous appearance was fake?"
Mimir nodded. "There must have been a trigger to reveal this place. Do you know what it was?"
All three shook their heads but then Reinhard paused and he thought back through his actions before discovering the cellar entrance.
"Would it break if I discovered an area I shouldn't have?" Reinhard asked.
"It depends on the type of illusion, but that's a possibility. Did you discover such an area?"
"In one of the burned buildings, there was a cellar. I think that might be it."
Marie's eyes lit up with interest while Joseph looked intrigued.
"But this begs the question," Joseph said, "why would someone cast an illusion here and for what purpose?"
"Maybe it's the town guards?" Reinhard suggested.
Marie furrowed her brows. "But why would they do that? The illusion masked some of the buildings and streets."
"It might be the mayor or one of the guards trying to give off the illusion they're working on rebuilding this area." Reinhard says lightly.
"Then wouldn't the workers be in on it as well?" Marie asked with a light frown.
"Are we sure they were workers and not town guards?" Joseph said quietly.
The suggestion made them fall silent as the implications sank in.
"Let's stop for now." Marie said finally. "Or else we might convince ourselves it's the guards and mayor without full proof."
A gust of wind swept through the area, carrying the scent of old smoke and ash. Joseph's expression changed as he tilted his head.
"I hear footsteps. It seems the town guards are coming over here."
Reinhard sighed. "Let's leave for now. We shouldn't risk them seeing us breaking their rules."
Mimir faded away as they began moving quickly toward the edge of the restricted area. The sound of steps on cobblestones grew closer, echoing off the burnt building walls.
They ducked into a narrow alley between two ruined structures, pressing themselves against blackened stone walls while the footsteps passed nearby. Reinhard could hear footsteps and movement through the area.
Once the immediate danger passed, they began their careful retreat. Moving from shadow to shadow, they worked their way through the maze of burnt buildings toward the newer sections of town. Each step required caution as loose debris threatened to create noise that might alert the searching guards.
They reached the boundary between old and new districts, where the architecture abruptly shifted from fire-damaged ruins to elegant Belle Époque buildings. Here they had to be especially careful, as gas lamps provided more illumination that could expose their movement.
Joseph used his elemental communication abilities to listen to footsteps. Marie's enhanced physical abilities allowed her to move with silent grace across the varied terrain, while Reinhard's combat instincts kept him alert to potential threats.
They navigated through back alleys and side streets, staying away from main thoroughfares where regular patrols might spot them. The journey took nearly an hour as they made wide detours around guard positions and waited for patrol routes to clear.
Finally, the Misty Life Inn came into view.
The building's ornate facade looked welcoming after their tense retreat through the burnt district. They approached from the rear, using service alleys to avoid the main entrance where a night clerk might notice their return.
The inn's rear wall featured decorative stonework that provided handholds for climbing. Joseph went first, finding the walls and window ledges as he made his way to the second floor. Marie followed with grace, and Reinhard quickly ran on the wall before grabbing onto his window ledge.
Reinhard pulled himself to see the window had slightly opened, which he did before their departure. He then carefully lifted up the window enough for entry and then one by one they slipped inside of the room before closing it.
"Let's go to bed for now. Then we can talk about everything tomorrow." Marie says with a yawn.
"That's a good idea, good night." Reinhard says as Marie waved at him and Joseph nodded before the both of them left his room.
Reinhard then sighed before laying on his bed, lost in thought about the odd sound he heard and the appearance of the Werefangs.
…
The next morning brought golden sunlight streaming through the inn's tall windows. Reinhard woke to the sound of early risers beginning their daily routines. He sighed before getting out of bed and quickly doing his morning routines. Then he headed downstairs to see the others were already there.
The desk clerk offered polite morning greetings before returning to his ledgers. While Marie waved at him and he noted she was carrying a knapsack and Joseph as well. All of them nodded at each other before they left the inn and walked through the streets.
There were a few people out, which were mostly merchants preparing their shops and a handful of early customers seeking fresh bread or morning coffee. The gas lamps had been extinguished while the light of the sun shone upon Mensis Town.
The Autumn Cafe appeared ahead, its windows already glowing with warm light as Leafa prepared for the morning's customers. Smoke rose from the chimney while the scent of baking bread drifted onto the street.
As they approached the entrance, Leafa looked up from arranging pastries in the display case and smiled warmly at their arrival.