Lucas walked back toward Belgrave University slowly, the forest behind him growing quieter with every step. The cool night wind moved through the trees, rustling the leaves above his head.
But Lucas's mind wasn't on the scenery.
It was on the werewolf.
The creature had been strong. Much stronger than the ritual monster he fought during the Order's trial.
And more importantly…
It had intelligence.
"Definitely one of the Knights," Lucas thought.
In the world of The Order, the Knights of Saint Christopher were not just random werewolves. They were an organized group that opposed the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose.
That meant Lucas had just encountered one of the Order's enemies.
And the system had noticed it too.
Ding! Hidden Quest Active — The Wolves of Belgrave.
Objective: Investigate the Knights of Saint Christopher.
Lucas crossed his arms while walking.
"Investigate how?" he muttered.
The Knights didn't openly reveal themselves to normal students.
Just like the Order, they operated in secret.
Which meant Lucas would need information.
And information usually came from people.
Lucas suddenly stopped walking.
His Mana Sense had detected something again.
A faint energy signature.
Behind him.
Lucas slowly turned around.
The forest path behind him looked empty.
But the feeling remained.
Someone was watching.
Lucas smiled faintly.
"If you're going to spy on me, you might as well come out."
For a few seconds nothing happened.
Then a figure stepped out from behind a tree.
Lucas immediately recognized him.
It was Randall Carpio.
Lucas blinked once.
"Well," he said casually. "This night just keeps getting interesting."
Randall looked slightly surprised.
"You're calm."
Lucas shrugged.
"I've had a strange day."
Randall studied him carefully.
His eyes moved across Lucas as if analyzing him.
"You fought one of us," Randall said.
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"One of you?"
Randall sighed.
"You're not as clueless as most students."
Lucas chuckled.
"That obvious?"
Randall stepped closer.
"Why were you in the forest?"
Lucas answered honestly.
"I followed a strange energy signature."
Randall stared at him.
"You can sense that?"
Lucas didn't respond directly.
Randall frowned slightly.
"That explains a few things."
The two of them stood silently for a moment.
Then Randall spoke again.
"You shouldn't wander around here at night."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Why? Are you worried about me?"
Randall shook his head.
"No."
His voice became more serious.
"I'm worried about what happens if the Order finds you talking to me."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Too late for that."
Randall looked annoyed.
"Great."
Lucas leaned casually against a nearby tree.
"So let me guess."
Randall crossed his arms.
"You already know about the Order."
Lucas nodded slightly.
"And you're one of the Knights of Saint Christopher."
Randall didn't deny it.
"That's right."
Lucas studied him for a moment.
Randall didn't seem hostile.
In fact, he looked more curious than aggressive.
That was interesting.
Behind him, the system spoke again.
Ding! New Interaction Detected — Knight of Saint Christopher.
Lucas smiled slightly.
"So what now?" he asked.
Randall hesitated before answering.
"You're different from the Order mages."
Lucas laughed quietly.
"That's the first time someone's told me that today."
Randall ignored the joke.
"When you fought the Guardian Wolf earlier…"
Lucas interrupted.
"You were watching."
Randall nodded.
"We keep an eye on the forest."
Lucas wasn't surprised.
The Knights protected certain areas around Belgrave.
That meant they had probably noticed Lucas as soon as he entered their territory.
Randall continued.
"You fought well."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Is that a compliment?"
"Maybe."
Randall looked toward the campus lights in the distance.
"Just be careful."
Lucas tilted his head.
"About what?"
Randall's voice became quieter.
"The Order."
Lucas almost laughed.
"You're warning me about them?"
Randall looked serious.
"You don't know everything they do."
Lucas knew that was true.
The Order had plenty of secrets.
But the Knights weren't exactly innocent either.
Lucas pushed away from the tree.
"Well," he said calmly.
"I guess I'll have to figure that out myself."
Randall sighed.
"You're stubborn."
Lucas smiled.
"Curious."
The two of them began walking back toward the campus together.
After a few steps, the system spoke again.
Ding! Quest Progress Updated — The Wolves of Belgrave (25%).
Lucas hid his reaction.
Meeting Randall had already advanced the quest.
Interesting.
As they reached the edge of the forest, Randall stopped.
"I'm heading back," he said.
Lucas nodded.
"Same."
Randall looked at him one last time.
"Lucas, right?"
Lucas blinked slightly.
"You know my name?"
Randall smirked.
"We do our research."
Then he turned and disappeared back into the forest.
Lucas watched him go.
"So the Knights are already investigating me too."
He turned toward the dorm buildings.
The lights of Belgrave University glowed peacefully in the distance.
But Lucas now knew the truth.
Two powerful factions existed here.
The Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose.
And the Knights of Saint Christopher.
And somehow…
Lucas had already stepped into the middle of their conflict.
The system confirmed it.
Ding! Major Quest Progress — Enter the Hidden War (10%).
Lucas smiled faintly.
"This is getting interesting."