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**Kaelen** contemplated the next phase of the exam. The first test had been to separate mages who could use "Enn" from those who couldn't. But what came next? What other challenges would he face?
He took a deep breath. Looking back on his life, he couldn't help but marvel at how he had survived all this time without even knowing the truth. Until now, he had unknowingly been teetering on the edge of a great abyss. The doors to an unknown world had swung open, and with no escape from the reality that he needed to arm himself with power and knowledge, he had no choice but to move forward.
His hand rose to his face, wiping the faint sweat from his brow. Alfia was probably watching him right now. That woman's sharp gaze never overlooked even the smallest mistake. He couldn't disappoint her. He *shouldn't* disappoint her.
Gathering his thoughts, he focused on the second form of mana manipulation: **"Kai."** While "Enn" allowed a mage to prevent mana from leaking out of their body, **"Kai"** completely halted the flow of mana from within.
"Kai" meant **suppression**. A mage could shut their mana pathways like closing a valve, stopping all mana circulation in their body. This made their presence nearly undetectable. Moreover, this technique not only made it harder for enemies to sense him but also heightened his ability to perceive others' auras with greater sensitivity.
If he closed the mana pathways in his eyes, he would no longer be able to see his own mana. But this granted him another advantage: freed from the interference of his own energy, he could sense the flow of magic in the outside world more acutely. Technically, he was isolating himself from mana, allowing him to better perceive the energy around him.
This technique was incredibly useful, especially when tracking someone. While the mana emissions of the target became clearer, it became nearly impossible for other magic users to detect him. However, this method had its drawbacks. There were alternative ways to sense someone hiding with "Kai": perceptively sensitive individuals might instinctively feel a gaze upon them. But pinpointing the stalker's exact location or determining their numbers wasn't so easy.
Furthermore, if the "Kai" technique was activated near a powerful mana user, it could unexpectedly give him away. The sudden absence of mana in the environment might provoke a reaction. If an extraordinary being was nearby, the void left by his suppression could be felt instantly. Thus, timing was crucial when using "Kai."
Kaelen decided to use "Kai" to observe the group ahead. If he had approached them with "Enn" active, it would have been equivalent to announcing, *"I'm here, and I'm coming for you."* But with "Kai" engaged, his mana would be completely internalized, making it nearly impossible for his enemies to sense him.
But there was a problem. While "Kai" was active, he wouldn't be protected by "Enn." If an enemy launched an effective attack, he would be defenseless. A single mistake could cost him his life.
Still, the risk was worth it. After all, Kaelen was an experienced mage. He had to trust in his own abilities. Besides, "Kai" had another advantage: it helped alleviate fatigue. By keeping all external aura layers contained within, it accelerated his recovery rate, allowing him to conserve energy and endure longer.
Kaelen took a deep breath and focused. He directed his attention to the layer of mana seeping from his body and, like shutting off a water source, drew it all back inside. He sealed his mana pathways. Every route leading to his mana core was completely blocked.
At that moment, his vision changed. The world looked different. The mana he had once seen as bright and fluid now drifted around him like faint shadows. His innate sensitivity to mana suddenly became apparent. The particles of mana floating in the air brushed against him—these were **Pheniyet's mana.** After all, this world was her creation. Everything existed by her will.
Kaelen melted into the shadows. For a moment, he felt as if his very existence had been erased. It was so quiet that even his breathing became inaudible. His footsteps were nearly weightless as he silently climbed to the top of a tree.
Observing from above was always an advantage. Peering through the branches, he studied the group. The scent of the wild, the damp texture of earth and leaves, the whispers of small creatures around him—everything flowed as usual. But here he was, hidden atop the trees.
A faint smirk curled Kaelen's lips. Deep down, he was enjoying this game. He felt like a predator closing in on its prey.
*"After all,"* he thought to himself, *"the only thing scarier than a chimp is another chimp."*
And Kaelen was well on his way to becoming just that—a chimp.
Silently, he moved from one vine to another. His footsteps blended with the rustling of the wind through the trees, his presence dissolving into nature's sounds. Every scent, color, and shift in mana around him was noted. He scanned his surroundings with the eyes of a hunter. Was he the hunter now, or the prey? Only time would tell the outcome of this test.
Ahead, five distinct mana traces guided him. These traces belonged to a group of children clustered by a riverbank. Kaelen advanced silently, pressing his back against the trunk of a large tree. About a hundred meters ahead, nestled by a thin stream and surrounded by bushes, was a small campsite. The children had turned it into a temporary shelter. A fire burned at the center, illuminating the night.
Two of them were asleep, while two others stood guard, their eyes sharp in the dim light. The fifth child was by the stream, preparing dinner. They had hunted a large boar. The child placed the boar's meat on flat stones and began carefully slicing it. Their hands moved with practiced efficiency. Kaelen's eyes fixed on the short black knife in the child's grip—about thirty centimeters long and razor-sharp, likely a reward for killing the boar.
*"They've adapted well,"* Kaelen mused. He hadn't expected these children to adjust so quickly to the world of magic. But survival at this level wasn't enough. They had to do better. Because they weren't alone in this forest. Silent hunters lurked unseen—some were mana beasts, others were humans like Kaelen.
Patiently, Kaelen waited. His chance would come. If he acted at the right moment, he could observe the children and formulate his own strategy. But the slightest mistake could turn the hunter into the hunted.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, fireflies began to glow around the campsite. The dim light filled the forest like drifting ghosts. With the deepening darkness, Kaelen's focus peaked. The first rule of being a hunter was never becoming the prey. If he moved now, he'd be breaking that rule. He had to wait for the right moment.
As hours passed, his thirst grew. His throat was parched, his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth. The river was right below, but going down for a drink was impossible. Even a single drop of water could reveal his presence. He had to endure.
And then, the moment he'd been waiting for arrived.
A faint **snap** echoed through the forest. Maybe just a tiny crack, but to Kaelen's heightened senses, it was as clear as thunder in the sky. Instantly, his eyes locked onto the darkness. Tracing the sound, he pinpointed its source. His crimson eyes, gleaming with predatory hunger, picked out a silhouette moving between the fireflies.
A wounded child.
Kaelen frowned. Had his expectations been too high? This child seemed destined to be prey. Their right leg was drenched in blood, and they limped forward with each step. They moved slowly, but their destination was clear: the campsite.
Of course, Kaelen wasn't the only one who noticed. The five children in the camp had also sensed the intruder. The two on guard immediately reached for their weapons, while the sleepers jolted awake. The campsite fell into tense silence as they tried to discern who was approaching.
Kaelen studied the wounded child—their trembling knees, their ragged breaths. A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
*"So this is how it's going to be,"* he murmured to himself. *"Things are about to get interesting."*
As the children scrutinized the injured stranger, Kaelen settled in to watch how events would unfold. For now, waiting was the best option. In the silence of the night, the hunter's eyes slowly blinked. Inside him lurked a beast—patient and hungry, like a chimp stalking its prey.
Now, all that remained was to wait.
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