The forest grew quieter the deeper they walked.
Snow blanketed the northern path in an unbroken sheet of white, disturbed only by the narrow trail Ulmak had chosen. The mountains loomed ahead, distant and pale beneath the winter sky, their peaks veiled in drifting mist.
After several minutes, Ulmak slowed down.
Then stopped.
The four trainees halted with him.
He turned, his expression calm but firm.
"Before we proceed further," he said, "there are basic rules."
Cold air drifted between them, carrying the faint scent of pine.
"I will remain within a fifty-meter radius of your group at all times. You will not necessarily see me. That is intentional." His gaze swept across each of them in turn. "As stated before, I will not interfere unless absolutely necessary."
He let the words settle.
"If I step in, you should assume one of two things: either you are about to die… or you have already failed."
Silence followed.
