It was lmost sunset.
The sky dimmed slowly as shadows stretched through the forest. The air grew cooler. Imperial and Ari continued walking, their boots crunching softly over fallen leaves.
Imperial glanced around and said, "We can stop here. This looks like a good spot to set up your tent."
Ari blinked. "Wait… we're really staying here? In the forest?"
He nodded. "Yeah. It's our only option for now. Don't worry. You can sleep peacefully—I'll keep watch."
Ari hesitated but reached into her bag. Imperial raised an eyebrow when he saw what she pulled out.
"Is that… a portable food cooker?"
"Yup!" Ari smiled. " aunt lyra gave it to me, along with some emergency food. She said we might end up in a situation like this."
As Ari started preparing a meal, Imperial focused on pitching the tent. A short while later, she called out.
"Dinner's ready!"
It was the first time Imperial had ever eaten something Ari had cooked. She handed him a steaming bowl.
"What is this? Noodles?" he asked.
"You got it right!" Ari laughed. "Sorry, it's emergency food. My aunt packed it because it's easy to make and doesn't need many ingredients."
"Thanks, Ari," Imperial said as he took the bowl. "You should eat too."
"I want to see your reaction first."
He squinted at her. "Did you poison it?"
"Why would I do that, you moron?"
"I'm kidding," he chuckled.
He took a bite, then another. "This is… actually really good. Better than I expected."
Ari finally sat down beside him with her own bowl. As they ate, Imperial turned serious.
"Hey… can I ask something?" he said quietly. "Why do you think the people who killed your grandfather and captured your parents are after you?"
Ari paused. "I've been wondering the same. Maybe it's because I can read ancient texts? I'm not sure if I inherited that from my parents, but it's the only special thing about me."
Imperial nodded thoughtfully. "Then we're definitely on the right path. If they're after your ability, maybe it's connected to something bigger—like ancient knowledge, a hidden pillar, or some forbidden history that only you can decode."
"Maybe…" she murmured.
Once they finished eating, they cleaned up, and Imperial helped her get into her tent. But Ari noticed he wasn't setting up his own.
"Where's your tent?" she asked.
"I'm not putting it up," Imperial replied. "It's risky to sleep in the forest. I'll stay awake and keep watch."
Ari frowned. "That's not fair. You need rest too."
"I'll be fine. I'm used to this."
She sighed, then remembered something. "You only sleep two or three hours a day anyway, right? Morning to evening with Uncle Kaien… then nighttime training underground?"
Imperial nodded. "Yeah. That's how it's been."
"Then wake me at midnight. I'll take the second half of the night shift so you can sleep properly."
Imperial gave her a small smile. "Alright. Deal."
After she went to sleep, Imperial climbed a tree and looked up at the dark sky.
"This time of night… might be perfect for training," he whispered.
He began warming up with basic exercises, gradually building intensity. Hours passed, and it was near midnight when Ari stirred, sensing a strange magical wave. Curious, she peeked out of the tent.
In the faint moonlight, she saw Imperial training alone. His movements were fast and sharp, but she couldn't quite make out what technique he was practicing. Whatever it was, it didn't feel like his usual magic.
Ari didn't want to interrupt him. She knew how determined he was to grow stronger, especially to find his father. So, she quietly returned to sleep—though that unfamiliar magical presence still lingered in the air.
By morning, Imperial was sitting cross-legged, meditating. Ari emerged from the tent and stretched.
"Hey, Imperial… did you even sleep?"
Imperial paused. He knew if he said no, she might complain to his mother and get him in trouble. So, he lied.
"Yeah, I slept."
"Oh really?" Ari raised a brow. "Where? There's no sign of a tent or even ground marks."
"I slept in your tent," he said with a straight face.
Her face turned bright red. "W-What?! You slept in my tent? Are you crazy?! Have you no manners?! Sleeping with a girl and saying it so proudly… I knew you were a pervert from the beginning!"
Imperial remained silent, calmly sipping water. He knew better than to argue with Ari—he wouldn't win.
But suddenly, he froze. He sensed something.
Without warning, he placed a hand gently over Ari's mouth.
"Quiet," he whispered. "Someone's nearby."
Ari stopped mid-sentence, realizing he was serious. Her eyes narrowed. She nodded slowly.
"Stay behind me," Imperial said quietly, scanning the trees.
He moved silently toward the sound. Then—footsteps. Voices.
he crunch of footsteps followed—two, maybe three people closing in fast, their movement breaking through branches and underbrush.
Imperial's eyes sharpened. Without a word, he stepped in front of Ari and gripped the hilt of his sword, slowly drawing it with a soft metallic hiss.
"Stay behind me," he whispered.
Ari nodded, her breath caught in her throat as she pressed closer to his back.
The faint glow of a torch flickered through the trees. Shadows twisted, and three armed figures emerged from the darkness.