But just as he darted forward, Leo moved.
His massive hand shot out, not toward Fai, but towards a thick branch above, one that Fai hadn't even noticed. With an almost effortless display of raw power, he snapped it off the tree,
He then swung the heavy, jagged branch down, not at Fai directly, but at the ground just in front of him, creating a barrier.
CRACK!
The branch hit the earth with immense force, sending a shower of dirt, splintered wood, and small stones flying up, directly into Fai's path. Fai instinctively threw his arm up to shield his face, momentarily blinding him.
Before he could regain his footing, Kael was on him. His injured hand seemed to be forgotten as he delivered a sharp kick to Fai's side, sending him sprawling. Fai cried out, a grunt of pain as he hit the ground hard, his breath knocked out of him. His wooden sword clattered away, sliding several feet into the undergrowth, now completely out of reach.
He tried to push himself up, but another kick landed precisely in his ribs, followed by a punch to his shoulder. The twins joined in, their precise strikes now aimed at his unprotected body, no longer holding back.
Fai curled into a desperate ball, trying to shield his head and vital organs, enduring the relentless barrage of blows. Each impact sent shocks of pain through his exhausted frame.
"That's what you get, orphan!" Kael yelled, his voice low and full of cruel satisfaction, his foot connecting with Fai's side again. "You think you can just hit me and get away with it? You think you're special just because you train alone?"
Just as Fai felt his consciousness wavering, his vision blurring, a new voice cut through the air, sharp and clear, echoing with undeniable authority.
"What do you think you're doing?!"
The blows stopped abruptly. Fai, groaning, slowly uncurled, blinking through the pain and dirt.
Standing at the edge of the clearing, her hands on her hips, was a girl. She had bright, fiery red hair that cascaded down her back like a vibrant waterfall, and piercing green eyes that narrowed with fierce disapproval.
She was wearing simple, practical training clothes, but her stance radiated an innate authority .
It was Sarah, one of the most promising trainees in their age group, already whispered about as a prodigy. She was known not just for her own formidable abilities, but also, crucially, for her sense of justice and, more importantly, her connections.
Unlike Kael, Sarah came from a well-respected, powerful family within one of the most reputable Guilds, a family whose name alone commanded respect, and often fear.
Her reputation was spotless, and her family's influence was vast.
Kael instantly stiffened, his smug expression replaced by a look of annoyance, then genuine apprehension. His face paled a fraction. "Sarah! What's it to you? This is none of your business."
He tried to sound defiant .
Even Kael, with his ego and minor family ties, knew better than to openly provoke Sarah. Her family could make his disappear from the assessment roster before he even registered.
even from the surface of the earth .
Sarah walked forward, her gaze sweeping over the scene, taking in Fai, bruised and vulnerable on the ground, and Kael's group standing over him, looking caught. Her green eyes flashed with undisguised contempt.
"It is my business when I see four cowards ganging up on one person"
Her voice was steady, carrying an undeniable weight that compelled attention. "You think you're tough picking on someone weaker than you ? Pathetic."
Leo, usually so stoic, cleared his throat uncomfortably, shifting his gaze away from Sarah's accusing eyes. The twins exchanged nervous glances, their earlier confidence completely gone. Even Kael seemed to visibly shrink a fraction under Sarah's disapproving stare.
They knew that if Sarah reported them ,
and she absolutely would, given her reputation it could genuinely jeopardize their chances in the upcoming assessment, despite Kael's father's minor influence.
Disciplinary actions was taken very seriously, and when brought to light by someone of Sarah's standing .
"He... he attacked me first!"
Kael blurted out, trying desperately to deflect the blame, pointing to his still-throbbing hand.
Sarah raised an eyebrow, a picture of absolute skepticism. "Oh, really? and it justifies four of you beating him to a pulp? Is that what Muted Hunters do now? Attack the weak and defenseless, ?.
"Because if it is, I think the MTA needs to reconsider its selection process for all of you."
The threat was clear, And her word, unlike Kael's, carried s weight that could ruin their futures before they even began.
Kael's face flushed crimson with anger and embarrassment. He desperately wanted to retort, to lash out, to defend his bruised ego, but the risk was simply too high. He shot a venomous glare at Fai, still.
Then, with a curt, frustrated nod to his group, he turned sharply on his heel.
"Let's go. We don't need to waste our time on trash."
With final, hostile looks at Fai, Kael's group reluctantly retreated, as quickly as they had appeared.
Sarah knelt beside Fai, her expression softening slightly "Are you alright, Fai?" she asked, her voice now genuinely concerned. She reached out a hand, offering to help him up.
Fai, still dazed and aching, slowly took her hand. He pulled himself up, wincing as a sharp pain shot through his ribs and side. He dusted off his worn clothes, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Kael's group had vanished,
He was grateful, profoundly grateful, but also deeply embarrassed. He hated being seen as weak, as someone who needed to be rescued, especially by someone like Sarah, who represented everything he was not: strong, connected, and respected.
"I'm fine," Fai mumbled, though his bruised face, the trembling in his limbs, He looked around for his wooden sword, spotting it nestled near the base of a large oak tree.
Sarah watched him, , observing his discomfort and quiet pride. "You know, you shouldn't train alone so much," she said, her tone gentle but firm. "Especially with people like Kael running around.
They target anyone who's not part of a group, or who they think is an easy mark, just like they always did in school."
Fai didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the wooden sword in his hand, his grip tight. He knew she was right, logically.
"Look," Sarah continued, sensing his reluctance . "The assessment is next week. Everyone's on edge.You need to be careful. You showed some good evasion back there, though. Quick reflexes."
Fai looked up, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. It was a small compliment, almost nothing, but coming from Sarah, it meant something.
"Thanks," Fai said, his voice a little clearer now, but still strained.
"For... for stepping in." The words felt awkward on his tongue.
Sarah nodded, her expression serious .
"Just be careful, Fai. The path to becoming a Muted Hunter is tough enough without unnecessary fights, especially when you're already at a disadvantage. You're strong, I can see that strong will . But sometimes, strength isn't just about what you can do on your own. It's about knowing when the odds are stacked against you, and how to survive."
She didn't offer to walk with him, understanding his need for solitude, but her words lingered.
With that, she turned to leave, walking towards the forest exit. Before disappearing among the trees, she looked back at Fai .
"See you at the assessment, Fai. Don't let them get to you. Prove them wrong where it truly matters".