The forest felt quieter than it should have.
Not peaceful—quiet.
The kind of silence that made Leo feel like something had been watching… and had only just decided to stop.
He stood at the edge of the training grounds, arms folded, eyes fixed on the distant tree line. Students moved around him—laughing, arguing, reliving the test—but the noise didn't reach him properly.
Something was off.
Still.
"Leo."
He turned , a smile slightly appearing on his face.
Sandra approached him, her black hair catching the late afternoon light. Her expression was softer than usual, but her eyes were searching.
"You've been quiet," she said.
Leo gave a small shrug. "Just thinking."
"That's new," another voice cut in.
A burst of energy followed as Seth dropped beside them, stretching his shoulders like he had just finished another fight.
"You should be celebrating," Seth grinned. "We passed again . And not just barely we crushed it ."
Leo glanced at him. "Did we?"
Seth paused.
"…Okay, maybe not chrushed it But still—"
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Sandra interrupted softly.
That made Seth frown.
"Felt what?"
Sandra hesitated, then lowered her voice.
"The forest wasn't normal."
Silence.
Leo didn't answer—but that was his answer.
Across the courtyard
Not far away, Kevin stood alone.
No one had approached him since the test ended.
Not because they were avoiding him…
But because something about him felt… distant.
He stared at his hand.
Flexed it.
Unflexed it.
For a moment—
Just a moment—
The air around his fingers shifted.
Like something tried to exist there… and failed.
A voice stirred in his mind once again , faint:
"You're beginning to see it."
Kevin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…see what ... What are you ? " he muttered under his breath.
No answer as usual . it had been like that since he ascended to a world saint a few weeks ago , only speaking when it wanted
But he didn't look surprised.
**************************
That evening the first years were gathered for a special assembly
Not just the elite class or a few students.
No
The entire first-year class had been called in.
That alone was unusual.
Students filled the hall in clusters, the energy louder than usual—but underneath it all was tension. Word had spread.
Teachers lined the front.
More than usual.
Even unfamiliar faces stood among them.
Leo stepped in with his group, scanning the room instinctively.
His eyes paused briefly on Kevin.
Something about him—
No.
Leo looked away.
At the center platform stood Master Ren.
For once, the usual calm in his expression was sharper. Focused.
"Congratulations," he began, voice echoing across the hall.
"You have all completed your first round of assesments , the Forest Evaluations . You have explored the outer perimeter of the verterant forest , your performance average considering where we are ."
A few students cheered.
It died quickly after a glance be master Ren.
He continued softly
"However… your performance has revealed something unexpected."
That got everyone's attention.
"One of the purposes of the forest," Ren said, "is not just to test strength."
A pause.
"It is to detect irregularities."
Murmurs spread instantly.
Leo's chest tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Recognition.
"Certain… anomalies," Ren continued,
"have been observed during your examinations."
His gaze moved—not randomly.
Carefully.
Watching reactions.
Most flinched at his gaze bit not Kevin their eyes locking for a moment.
"Because of this," Ren said, "the academy has authorized more serious assignments."
"A select group of students approved by the board will be sent beyond academy territoryto complete missions ".
Now the hall erupted.
"Beyond?!"
"That's second-years stuff!"
"Are they serious?!"
Ren raised a hand.
Silence snapped back.
"You will be sent on a myriad of missions ranging from rank1 to 3 missions ."
Whispers spread but died instantly
************************
In the world of espers missions were categorized simply from rank 1 to 12 ,with 12 beginning the highest affecting the entire realm and rank 1 the lowest affecting a small city .
************************
Leo's eyes sharpened, his heart racing in anticipation.
************************
In a secluded office Leo stood straight facing master Ren.
" Leo your mission will be to find the cause of strange disturbances in the elven territories.... These disturbances have the same energy signature as the primordial alpha you ran into during your first trail in the forest .
That changed everything.
The memory of that battle had never left Leo . It had given him many things.
Firstly his evolution into a world saint .
Secondly , his encounter with the strange old man, a mystery figure he still couldn't u deratand now .
Lastly , his first brush with death in his new life .
The experience had given and taken away a lot and it wasn't the only problem with this mission.
The Elven Territories were not just another region. They were:
Isolated
Proud
And extremely strict about outsiders
"…This just got interesting." Leo murmured trying to hide his excitement for a singular reason.
What otaku wouldn't want to meet elves
" Leo " master Ren' s voice broke his wondering mind . " This Mission is of utmost importance to show the elves our support, so I hope you will take it seriously".
" Of course I Will master Ren" . Leo replied calmly .
" Why am I going on this mission alone won't a team be better " Leo questioned calmy
" We were only allowed to send one person".
" Ok but why me ? " Leo probs further
Master Ren audibly sighs before answering " the crown prince choose you now go get ready I have other matters yo attend to.
" The crowned prince huh"