Weeks passed with a steady rhythm inside the tower.
Training had become more structured. Little by little, results began to show not only in Thiriel and Drowen but also in other apprentices.
One morning, Vexar gathered them in front of the lake once again.
"Two more have managed to form their core and stabilize it," he announced in his neutral tone. "Kael and Lorian."
Kael took a step forward with evident nervousness. His hands trembled slightly, but his expression reflected a mixture of relief and pride. It had taken him longer than the others, but he had achieved it.
"With this," Vexar continued, "four of you have officially entered Rank D and now master the absolute basics of combat magic."
He gently tapped the ground with his staff.
"It is time to apply what you have learned outside the tower."
Everyone tensed up immediately.
"Today you will go out to the nearby forest," he said. "The senior apprentices will be in charge of guiding you."
Drowen smiled with enthusiasm. Kael swallowed hard. Lorian seemed restless. Thiriel, on the other hand, remained attentive, showing no reaction.
"It is not a recreational excursion," Vexar added. "It is real practice. You will fight against low-rank magic beasts."
Kael's eyes widened a little more.
"The beasts hunted there are used to feed everyone in the tower," Vexar continued. "You will learn to kill them and to exploit the resources that can be extracted from them."
After those words, and leaving weapons and hunting tools in the apprentices' hands, Vexar concluded the meeting and withdrew, leaving the responsibility in the hands of the senior apprentices.
Shortly after, two of them presented themselves to the group. Eiran, the talkative one, and Loren, the apprentice with a serious face and sharp gaze.
"Follow us," Loren ordered. "Do not separate from the group."
The path to the forest was short, but the atmosphere changed completely as soon as they left the tower behind.
The trees rose high, with dense canopies that filtered the sunlight. The air was more humid and charged with natural energy.
"Keep your senses open," Eiran said as they advanced. "Here magic is not as concentrated as in the tower, but beasts compensate for that with instinct and strength."
It didn't take long for them to find tracks.
Footprints marked in the mud. Broken branches. A low sound among the bushes.
"First lesson," Loren said, raising her fist to halt them. "Do not attack without observing."
She pointed forward.
A beast the size of a boar emerged slowly from among the trees. Its skin was thick, covered in irregular scars, and small bony protrusions stuck out from its back.
"Low-rank magic beast: forest boar," Eiran explained. "Not too dangerous alone, but it charges with force."
Loren advanced without hesitation. A quick gesture, a simple spell, and a blade of wind slit the beast's throat. It fell to the ground without even making a sound.
Kael stood motionless, impressed.
"You won't learn anything this way," Loren said. "This is just a demonstration."
She knelt next to the body.
"Now watch closely."
With precise movements, she opened the beast's chest.
"Magic beasts are utilized almost entirely," she explained. "The meat is consumed. The skin is used for leather. The bones, for tools or simple catalysts."
She pointed to the still-warm heart.
"The heart is the organ with the highest concentration of magical energy. It must always be extracted and consumed or processed first."
Then she carefully rummaged inside the heart.
"And sometimes…" she added, "magic crystals form."
There were none on this occasion.
"Not all beasts have them," Eiran said. "It is rare in low ranks. But always check."
After the explanation, Loren packed everything important from the boar into her personal spatial bag, stood up, and looked at the four apprentices.
"Now it is your turn."
It didn't take long before they heard a nearby growl.
A smaller creature appeared among the bushes, similar to a wolf, but with glowing eyes and fangs that were too long.
"One at a time," Loren ordered. "Thiriel, watch. Drowen, go ahead."
Drowen took a deep breath and advanced. He channeled magic into his hand and launched an energy projectile that impacted against the beast's side. The attack was strong, but not enough. The creature squealed and lunged at him.
"Keep your distance!" shouted Eiran.
Drowen hastily retreated and launched another attack, this time more uncontrolled. The second impact was fatal for the beast, but Drowen ended up panting, clearly affected by the excessive expenditure.
"Too much magic," Loren commented. "You survived, but in a real situation, you would be exposed."
Kael was next. His hands were shaking, but he remembered the instructions. He channeled less magic, launched a smaller projectile, and, with Eiran's help, managed to finish off another similar beast.
"Good," Eiran said. "Control before power."
Thiriel was third.
He advanced unhurriedly. He launched a compact projectile that struck the beast directly in the head. A single attack sufficed.
Loren watched him carefully, but commented nothing.
During the rest of the day, the group moved through different areas of the forest. They defeated various small and medium beasts. Some fell quickly. Others demanded coordination from the four apprentices.
Kael gained confidence little by little. Drowen became more careful with his magic expenditure. Lorian learned fast, though he tended to get nervous when a beast got too close.
As afternoon fell, when they were already preparing to return, the atmosphere changed.
A heavy silence spread among the trees.
"Stop," whispered Loren.
From deep in the forest, a deep cracking sound resonated.
A beast emerged slowly. It was larger than the previous ones, with a muscular body and dark skin covered in glowing marks. Its eyes radiated an intense light.
"This…" Eiran muttered, somewhat worried. "It is too strong for you alone."
The creature roared, vibrating the ground.
"Maintain formation," Loren ordered. "Do not retreat in disorder."
Drowen grit his teeth and channeled magic. Kael breathed with difficulty. Lorian swallowed hard.
Thiriel took a step forward.
The beast saw an opportunity and charged toward Thiriel.