Two nights passed quietly at Belgrave University.
Classes continued as usual, students walked between lectures, and nothing unusual seemed to happen on the surface.
But Lucas knew better.
The hidden world beneath Belgrave was slowly revealing itself.
Between Order training sessions and normal university classes, Lucas spent most of his time thinking about one thing.
The Knights of Saint Christopher.
His system quest was still active.
Ding! Active Quest — Path of the Wolf (20%).
Objective: Learn more about the Knights of Saint Christopher.
Lucas sat on a bench near the campus fountain, watching students pass by while thinking carefully.
"Joining them isn't simple," he muttered quietly.
Unlike the Hermetic Order, the Knights didn't recruit openly.
Their power came from ancient magical wolf hides that bonded with chosen hosts.
Those hides decided who became a Knight.
Which meant Lucas couldn't just walk up to them and ask to join.
Still…
Lucas remembered something from the world of The Order.
The Knights protected specific areas around Belgrave.
Especially the forest.
Lucas slowly stood up.
"Well… I know where to start."
Night fell once again.
The campus grew quiet as most students returned to their dorms.
Lucas walked toward the forest behind Belgrave University.
The same place where he had fought the werewolf before.
The moment he stepped between the trees, he activated Mana Sense.
Faint supernatural energy filled the area.
Different from magic.
Wild.
Primal.
Lucas smiled slightly.
"The wolves are nearby."
He walked deeper into the forest, careful not to make too much noise.
The deeper he went, the stronger the strange energy became.
Then suddenly—
A voice came from behind him.
"You really like this forest."
Lucas stopped.
He already recognized the voice.
He turned around.
Standing a few meters away was Randall Carpio.
Lucas chuckled.
"I was wondering when you'd show up."
Randall crossed his arms.
"You're either brave or stupid."
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"Why?"
Randall gestured around the forest.
"You're walking into Knight territory again."
Lucas shrugged.
"I noticed."
Randall stared at him for a moment.
"You did that on purpose."
Lucas smiled faintly.
"Maybe."
Randall sighed.
"You're not scared at all, are you?"
Lucas answered honestly.
"Not really."
Randall looked slightly annoyed by that answer.
"You should be."
Lucas leaned casually against a nearby tree.
"So what are you doing out here tonight?"
Randall raised an eyebrow.
"This is my territory."
Lucas nodded.
"Fair point."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Randall looked directly at Lucas.
"You're not here by accident."
Lucas shook his head.
"No."
Randall's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Then why?"
Lucas didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked up at the tall trees surrounding them.
Then he said something unexpected.
"I'm curious about the Knights of Saint Christopher."
Randall blinked.
"…What?"
Lucas shrugged.
"You heard me."
Randall stared at him as if trying to decide whether Lucas was joking.
"You're a member of the Order."
"Recently."
Randall frowned.
"And you're asking about the Knights?"
Lucas nodded calmly.
Randall shook his head slowly.
"You're insane."
Lucas laughed quietly.
"Possibly."
Randall looked around the forest carefully before speaking again.
"You shouldn't be saying things like that."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Why not?"
Randall lowered his voice.
"Because if the Order hears you're interested in us…"
He paused.
"They'll assume you're a traitor."
Lucas smiled slightly.
"I figured."
Randall studied him carefully.
"You're serious about this."
Lucas nodded once.
"Yes."
Randall ran a hand through his hair.
"This is a terrible idea."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"Why?"
Randall answered immediately.
"Because the Knights don't just let people join."
Lucas already knew that.
"The hides choose the hosts," he said.
Randall looked surprised.
"You know about that?"
Lucas shrugged.
"I've done some reading."
Randall looked even more confused now.
"You're weird."
Lucas smiled.
"I've been told that."
Randall sighed again.
"You should focus on the Order."
Lucas shook his head.
"Maybe."
Randall stared at him.
"But you won't."
Lucas grinned slightly.
"Probably not."
Randall looked toward the deeper part of the forest.
Then back at Lucas.
"You're playing with something dangerous."
Lucas nodded calmly.
"I know."
Randall studied him one last time.
Then he said something interesting.
"If you keep coming here…"
Lucas waited.
Randall sighed.
"…you might eventually meet the others."
Lucas's eyes sharpened slightly.
"That sounds promising."
Randall groaned.
"I can't believe I just said that."
Lucas laughed quietly.
Behind him, the system activated again.
Ding! Quest Progress — Path of the Wolf: 35%.
Lucas smiled faintly.
Step by step…
He was getting closer to the Knights of Saint Christopher.