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As monsters aged and met certain conditions, they could evolve and change shape. Some would gain a body better fitted to their environment, others would gain more strength, and others would obtain powerful magic. It was a largely unknown phenomenon that did not happen to people and most other living beings though.

And then higher variants of monsters could gain a different power by evolving. One such monster was about to gain that power one evening.

A pack of monsters were taking shelter in a rocky mountain that jutted out of a forest. The monster in question was there, panting heavily while surrounded by the rest of the pack.

All the mana the monster had gathered and absorbed was being condensed to change her body. The monster did not require a bigger body, but strength.

“Hahh…hahh…hahh…”

After some time that new power had taken shape. The monster bared her fangs, finally having obtained that power it chased for so long.

“Awooooooooooooooooooo!!”

And so she howled to the moon, filled with emotion.

“Awooooooooooooooo!!”
“Awooooooooooooooo!!”

The rest of the pack joined in. It was both in celebration, and as a demonstration to other species. Warning them that the pack was the ruler of the forest, and anyone who went against them would be punished.

“Good job.”

A sudden deep voice rang amongst the monsters.

They all instantly became quiet and lowered their body in respect to the owner of that voice. He was the leader of the pack, known as the Lord of the Forest.

“But it came at a high cost.” The Lord spoke while standing on a high rock, making the monster gulp loudly. “Did you kill those who left those scars on you?”

The monster shook her head while trembling in fear. The rest of the pack seemed nervous seeing that.

There was a marked difference between her strength and hunting ability, and that of most of the pack, giving her a high position. That she had let her prey escape was unexpected.

But at the same time…

“You said you’d split off from the pack while you went after your prey, to finish them off. Do you remember?”

They were a pack with a strong unity, so one leaving the pack to go do something on their own was only allowed for serious matters.

The leader of the pack was the Lord of the Forest. A proper ruler, not some tyrant or brute. As Lord, he was in charge of keeping order over the forest and the neighboring areas.

He had given strict conditions to allow that monster to leave, since she had begged constantly, but those conditions had not been met, so there was only one thing he could do as Lord.

“You broke your word, and so you will be penalized.”

Everyone listened silently. The silence was deafening as they waited for the next words.

“You’re exiled. Never approach this place again.”

The monster instinctively raised her head, shocked, but then hung it down again. The Lord’s decisions were absolute.

Filled with dejection, she slowly turned around and walked away, and no one stopped her.

“Was that really for the best?”

Once the monster was out of sight, one of the Lord’s close aides asked. Only that aide had the strength, intelligence, and authority to question the Lord.

“No one follows a ruler that plays favorites with his family.”

Saying that, the Lord turned around and went to his sleeping spot.

“Hmph, what a foolish daughter.”

The ruler of the Valhen Woods, the Wolf King Roa, stopped just once to say that with a huff.

The school term reached its end and the students in the dorm went back home. Olivia and I would do that too, but Ryuka said she’d stay in the dorm. Apparently the roundtrip between Seperion and Reibana would take longer than the break. But they’d be the only ones staying in the dorm, and knowing they were alone in the dorm for around a month was too much, so Olivia invited them to come with us. Ophelia always kept the mansion’s location secret, but if Olivia thinks Ryuka and Ruri are trustworthy enough, then I won’t say anything. If anything happens I can always deal with it myself anyway.

At first Ryuka seemed reserved about it, but Olivia insisted until she agreed. I feel like Olivia and Ryuka have gotten closer after the day we found out she’s a vampire, though that’s an event I’d prefer to erase from my memory. Olivia was right when she said there’s no need to reveal everything just because they’re friends, but somehow that encounter still bolstered their friendship.

And that leads to our current situation.

We’re walking through a lush forest and rough ground. That makes it a bit cumbersome, but since we’re used to the terrain, it’s actually kind of nostalgic. Though that applies to me and Olivia who grew up here, the other two are here for the first time so it might be a bit worse for them.

“Ryuka, Ruri, are you two alright?”
“Yes, please don’t worry about us.”
“This is nowhere enough to hold me down.”

I turn around to see how they’re doing, and surprisingly enough they don’t look tired at all. Especially Ruri, who seemed to be enjoying the walk quite a bit.

“At least we’re almost there.”
“Say Natalia, doesn’t this feel a bit weird?”

But then Olivia asks me with a puzzled voice.

“Usually there’s a lot of monsters trying to attack us around here, but we haven’t seen a single one yet.”
“You’re right…”