Aya Felicity didn't like the idea of sending greenhorns–university students–to war. The young woman knew talk of war was just suspension, but if it happened, then this group of young people would certainly die.

The white-haired young woman recalled standing next to her mentor, Iris Eloclipse, during their audience with King Vermillion the day they landed at Lyzaria University. Professor Mar-Gin and other high-ranking Knights were there as well. They spoke of sending these young men and women into a situation they had no experience with.

Fighting wild animals and small-time gangs was vastly different than fighting a large-scale battle. Aya knew firsthand just how terrifying it could be.

Against a Darkness Tamer and Vympiris, no less.

Of course, she tried to urge her mentor to convince the King to reconsider, but the Supreme Council also agreed that putting fledglings on the front lines would benefit the defense of the four nations. The young woman couldn't help but wonder why King Vermilion or the Supreme Council would feel this was a clever idea. They were sending lambs to the slaughter.

She glanced over at Iris. Strands of blue blended with orange made her hair resemble a flame. The older woman was watching Aya as if she were reading her mind. Her brown skin soaked up the patches of sunlight that beamed through the trees of the jungle.

"I understand your concern, Aya, but the Council has made their wishes known. We as Knights must follow the orders we are given, or else it could reflect badly on Lady Ahmeal. Besides"—her gaze lingered on the Nadire—"you know I have my own reasons for coming to Vyrmm."

Aya looked over at the group of university students huddled around a campfire. They were joking and marveling at the lemur-like creatures that scurried on the dense forest trees as they prepared for tonight's mission. Aya knew she wasn't much older than the students, but looking at them now, they looked like teenagers unprepared for the harsh life of a Knight.

"Professor Mar-Gin speaks very highly of them. He sent a report on their first battle with an evil bearer. Without Mar-Gin watching their back."

Aya' abruptly turned to look at her mentor.

The older woman kept her eyes on the group of young Knights in training and nodded. "Not just them. Apparently, all four nations have fine students this year."

Aya was impressed. It was still early in the year, and they were able to manage a feat. Still, even the most talented could get annihilated during the war. Aya prayed to Kul that the younger men and women wouldn't have to fight in one any time soon. For now, she'd trust her master like always.

An hour later, Iris decided to make her way over to the university students. A day had passed since they left the school and had reached the jungle of Glaria. After setting up camp, Professor Mar-Gin and Iris decided to take a hike into the jungle. With the moon now replacing the sun, they could finally begin the mission.

"Listen up, small fry!" Iris said as she came upon the group. Her voice demanded authority. Despite the woman's small frame, she could strike fear into the deadliest of criminals.

Aya watched with amusement as the young adults hurried to attention. Iris continued, "As you've no doubt heard, this will be an infiltration mission as well as an assassination. A notorious gang syndicate is said to be held up in a base not far from here. You are ordered to assassinate Bentil Lavs. A Lieutenant in the ranks of Rogue."

Aya had faced the criminal group plenty of times. To say they were dangerous would be an understatement.

Iris held up a Holopad and a holographic projection of Bentil wearing purple and black attire popped up. Bentil was bald with a gray beard, and his eyes held a sharp determination. "This man is very deadly and surrounds himself with killers from all over the continent. Do not hesitate to kill or you will surely die."

Aya watched the students exchange looks. The young woman with violet hair spoke in an anxious tone. Aya knew that these greenhorns had never taken a human life.

"K-kill? I've never taken the life of a human before. I-I don't think I have it in me."

"Listen and listen well." Iris glared at each one of them. "These low-lives aren't like the petty criminals in your capital. They are vicious killers with some knowledge of mana. They will do whatever it takes to achieve their goal. Do you know what that goal is?"

The potential recruits looked as if they did.

"To destroy the four great nations from the inside by getting our people hooked on Darklight. I'm sure you've seen the drug in use. Do you think they will care that you aren't full-fledged Knights? Little greenhorns, the world of a Knight will chew you up and spit out your bones if you aren't prepared to do what it takes to survive. It's best to learn that lesson early on."

"Yes, ma'am!" they all shouted in unison. Aya could still see the uncertainty on their faces. All except the Stoneheart who looked as if she was uninterested.

Iris nodded. "Good. Aya, you're up."

The white-haired young woman stepped forward and spoke. "I am Aya Felicity, and today I will not only be your squad leader but evaluator as well. Before we head out, I ask that you remember this: Teamwork is key."

"Yes, ma'am," the fledglings said again in unison.

Mar-Gin said goodbye to his students and asked Kul to grant them good fortune.

With that, Aya led the recruits deeper into the jungle. All the while wishing Kaden would've been at her side.

She'd led a few squads in the past, but each time Kaden was at her side. If he were here right now, he'd give her the confidence she needed to lead these greenhorns. He was a soothing presence for her.

Confidence was something Aya usually had in abundance but being responsible for five young lives made her feel uneasy. It was for this exact reason that Iris had assigned her this task and forced Kaden to stay behind. One day she'll have her own pupils to look after.

"Where is your squadmate?" one of the students asked. It was the younger woman Kaden student had spoken about the day they had arrived. Aya thought she was quite adorable.

Aya bit her lip, realizing who this woman was. Kariah-Belle Nadire. It was because of Aya's father that she was the last of her branch. Or so the world thought. Remorse dug in Aya's chest like a blade through the heart.

Could Kariah-Belle have had the same vision? Or was she another fangirl?

In the world of Lore, Knights were like rock stars. Almost everyone admired them. The higher your renown, the more the world watched you. Two years ago, Kaden had been handpicked only a month after taking the entrance exams by Iris Eloclipse. He had aced them with flying colors. He passed nearly single-handedly as his techniques were far more advanced than his teammates. Even before he entered the university, he could use mana quite efficiently.

"He's staying at your capital," Aya answered. "He was given a special task by our mentor." She had to resist giggling at that last part.

From upfront, Aya turned her head in time to see the curly hair girl murmur something to the other young woman bearing the Stoneheart family crest. Something was definitely up. For the time being, she would focus on the task at hand. Any distraction could prove fatal.

She studied her surroundings. The jungle was dense, with trees dispersed everywhere and outstretched towards the sky. Vines hung from the branches. The moss forming on the bark glowed a soft green and beautiful red orchids bloomed from it. This jungle was quite remarkable. She often saw puddles with large flowers and red petals scattered throughout. Back at Lavirian, the jungles weren't quite as lush, considering the nation was in a region consisting mostly of mountains.

After some time, the group was spread out and positioned on tree branches. They were watching the rebel camp.

Purple flags displaying Rogue insignia, the head of a beast with claw marks over an eye, were disseminated all over the ground.

Aya found it frightening how many people rely on darkness. However, Aya knew all too well that one dreadful day could make a criminal. Regardless, she was ordered to protect Vyrmm, which was in alliance with her home nation. This would not only strengthen the bond between the two nations, but she'd get the opportunity to take down a Rogue lieutenant.

After a few minutes of recon, Aya noted that some of their members were wearing mana suits. State-of-the-art mana-powered suits that would put someone with low life force close to Master Knight status. The resources used to make them were rare and very expensive.

Everyone gathered yards away from the camp, hidden in the trees. From the information the greenhorns had gathered, the camp was forty strong. They had Military-grade weapons no doubt bargained for at a black market. Still, it should be an easy task. These greenhorns had already shown Aya what they were capable of.

Later, the squad split into three teams. Aya paired with Kariah-Belle. Jet paired with Mae Lu, and Akio with Lax-Rim. If things became too much for the fledglings, a hasty retreat would be made.

Aya silently counted to five, hoping to untangle her nerves. She jumped from her spot in a tree branch high into the sky. She grabbed her dual submachine guns from their holsters on her back while conjuring an icy blue mana hull to amplify her physical attributes.

"Exploding icicles!"

The young woman fired her guns. A hail of icy bullets rained across the camp, puncturing steel tents and tearing through armor to perforate the skin. Upon impalement, the icicles expanded into large spiky glaciers that impaled anything and anyone nearby. That was the signal for the others to begin their attack. The environment was already painted with blood. Those who didn't die suffered as they cried over their lost limbs and wounds gushing blood.

She hoped the greenhorns could stomach the gore.

Kariah-Belle leaped from the trees and landed on the ground. Despite the bloodshed and corpses surrounding them, Aya was glad the young woman still kept her nerve.

Running through the chaos, Kariah-Belle used her sheath, the hilt of her sword, and other heavy blows to knock out anyone she encountered. Aya could tell right away the young woman was no killer but saw the potential watching her tackle the criminals. Her fighting style almost resembled Kaden's. She was effectively fending off a cluster of Rogue agents in mana suits. Though the high-tech bodysuit increased one's abilities, Kariah was still holding her own.

It wasn't until a Rogue agent using black mana set his sights on the Nadire did Aya decide she needed help.

The agent attacked with a large arc of wind tinted with a black hue. Kariah-Belle had no trouble dodging the wind, but the Rogue agent dispatched another assault again to take her down.

He froze before he could ambush her, a shocked expression plastered on his face as Aya lobbed off his head with the icy blades of her SMGs.

"Thanks!" Kariah called out while deflecting mana-powered weapons.

Aya simply nodded. She wouldn't dare let Kariah-Belle die on her watch.

Lax-Rim and Akio soon joined them. Their teamwork was nearly perfect; however, Aya could tell Akio was holding back.

Two black mana users tried to jump Aya, but she launched herself into the air using a block of ice. She flipped and poured a significant amount of mana into her firearms. She fired a rapid barrage of icy bullets. Thanks to the mana output, the attack was enough to pierce through them even with their black mana hull. Aya created another block of ice to propel herself towards Akio.

"Stop holding back, Stoneheart!" she shouted.

Akio glanced at her, then at Lax-Rim, who was busy sending a fiery fist into someone's face.

Aya had read the report on Akio and knew she and Jet were the only two who had taken a life on this squad. She wondered the kind of relationship she and Lax-Rim had, and if she was afraid of what he'd think of her.

The Stoneheart nodded, seconds before evading a sword strike to the head. She then punched her attacker with her glowing green fist, which exploded, blowing off the enemy's head.

The criminals had gotten past the confusion, and we're now beginning their counterattack. They fired their mana rifles and threw grenades, but the greenhorns were dodging and deflecting incredibly well for the most part.

Their skills with mana gave them the upper hand over these scumbags that relied heavily on mana-powered weapons. With Aya taking care of those using black mana—no doubt thanks to the Darklight drug—this camp would be done in a matter of minutes. Still, something bugged her.

There are at least two or three lieutenants leading every assignment, if not a general.

Not only that, but where were Jet and Mae Lu?

As if on cue, a voice boomed through the chaos, commanding, "Drop your arms!" Aya felt a chill pass through her, and she knew things were about to go south.

Everyone stopped, and even the criminals looked to where the voice had come from. Aya gasped once she saw the blood-red irises and sharp fangs as the man smiled. A scar ran long down the right side of his face.

"Vympiri," Aya whispered.

The Vympiri was a race of unknown origin. His dark brown skin meant he had reached maturity. Full maturity is achieved by draining the life force out of humans or in some cases, non-humans. Vympiris didn't need mana to be powerful as they were super strong and fast. The more life force they drained, the more their physical attributes increased over time until reaching full maturity.

They were relentless killers and one of humanity's greatest threats.

This Vympiri captured Mae Lu and Jet. Beside him stood...Bentil?

"Why!" Kariah-Belle exclaimed once she saw the bruises and cuts on her two teammates. As if they'd been tortured in this short time frame.

Aya's heart sank. The violet-haired young woman was sobbing and shivering. Jet stood tall, although Aya could see through the bravado. The young man was scared, but he put on a brave face for his teammates. He was their leader after all. Still, even from across the way, Aya could see a hint of terror and defeat in his one opened eye as the other was swollen shut.

What have we walked into?

"Run!" Mae Lu cried through busted lips. "We're ho—"

The Vympiri struck her in the head. "Livestock don't talk!" He spat as the girl fell to her knees groaning.

Aya's stomach twisted in disgust. Rage started to fill her belly, but she quelled it before she could act on it.

The leech stared at the four of them and said with a menacing smirk, "If any of you move, these two will die a slow death."

"Let them go, or I'll tear your head off!" yelled the Nadire, enraged from witnessing her friends near death. She moved to attack, but a green-scaled arm reached out to grab her.

Akio shook her head, warning her not to be foolish.

Kariah-Belle was teary-eyed while rage twisted her features. It was documented that most Nadires were known to lose their composure if the life of someone they held dear was threatened. Aya had experienced firsthand that explosiveness.

She found comfort in knowing they understood the danger of their situation. They must have paid attention in class.

Suddenly, the Vympiri's hand moved, severing Jet's arm from his shoulder. Blood splattered down on Mae Lu, who whimpered and covered her head as Jet howled in pain. He fell to his knees beside her, a faint green hue emitted from him, slowing the bleeding.

"You'll do what, little livestock?" The Vympiri chuckled. He licked the blood that covered his fingers. "Move again and the girl loses an arm as well."

Aya could hear Kariah-Belle shriek in horror while the redhead doubled over to vomit whatever he had eaten for lunch.

She clenched her fist as Lax-Rim let out a string of swear words.

Aya knew all too well what it was like watching a friend be tortured. These greenhorns are getting a first-hand experience of how brutal the life of a Knight can be.

With those hostages, getting out of this horrific situation would prove difficult. This left her with only one option.

Aya's brain worked fast as her heart thumped faster in her chest. She thought of how to extract information and distract the enemy while forming mana underground, but she could feel a chunk of her life force fade away. Exhaling, she dropped her guns.

"So, Bentil," she said, glaring at the man clad in armor. He sported a short red cape with three stripes that marked all high-ranking members of rebels. "You're working with humanity's enemies to do what exactly?"

The middle-aged man smirked and said, "I'm sure you can figure it out, Ms. Felicity."

"You know who I am?" Aya asked, surprised. She was almost done with shaping the mana at this point. To gather such amounts of life force undetected was a difficult skill to learn. Her master was an excellent teacher.

The Vympiri chuckled as he looked her up and down. "Of course. Pupil to the famed Star Titannia. Daughter of Memphis. Your father warns us not to kill you."

"My-my father?" Aya choked out, confused. Her mind tried recollecting to that day. The day his sword pierced his wife's heart. Then another thought invaded her mind.

Kaden! She almost gave in to panic. Her father had actively hunted her best friend a few times in the past. If the Darkness Tamer wasn't here for her or Iris, then there was no doubt in Aya's mind he was here for Kaden.

Before the panic set in completely, she recalled her master's voice in her head.

Focus, my dear, Iris would urge whenever Aya panicked at the memory of her father.

"Let's just say you're all guaranteed to see another day," Bentil said. "The survival of the children depends on all of you."

"We're hostages," Akio murmured under her breath. Dammit.

She knew the younger woman was right. If that wasn't the case, that Vympiri would've killed Mae Lu and Jet already. Which left Aya with questions. How had they known Bentil was being targeted? Why would the Vympiri care?

Then it dawned on her. Vyrmm had a spy. Someone was leaking information.

Or rather someone was feeding Vyrmm's intelligence bureau false information, and Aya had a few guesses why.

"You're after Iris, aren't you?" Aya's icy blue eyes locked onto Bentil's. She went for the safer guess.

A sinister smile spread across the man's face. "You're pretty sharp just as rumors say, but it's far too late."

As a big player in the defense of the four great nations, it was no surprise that Iris would be the target.

They're gonna use us as a bargaining chip. The Vympiri would create clots in her flow of life force so she can't use mana. I won't let that happen.

Iris had treated her like a daughter. She'd taught Aya many things. Including how to make her signature Stardust. She just needed a little more time.

"You can have me," she said. "Just let them go."

The Vympiri spoke, "It appears this is where I make my intentions known. There will be a slight change in plans, Lavs."

"What do you mean, Vympiri?" the criminal questioned.

"There is one with an exceptionally strong life force. I will take her for myself."

"Sir!" called one of Bentil's men. "I'm not sure we should be feeding that monster!"

The Vympiri laughed and gave a devilish grin. "Do you think you have a choice, livestock? If I call back my men, your plan will fall apart, and I'm sure my lady Remi would hold it against you for denying me such potential. I could probably coax my master into starting a campaign against you."

Bentil thought for a moment. "Damn, leech. Have your pick."

The Vympiri grinned at Kariah-Belle. "Come here, girl. Come and you can have the filth at my feet."

The Nadire was brave. She portrayed confidence, but Aya's keen eyes noticed her right hand slightly trembling. A wobbly Mae Lu was allowed to carry Jet. They crossed paths with Kariah-Belle.

Once close enough, Kariah-Belle lunged with a snarl as blue mana flared to life around her. She swung her fist toward Vympiri's face. However, the creature was too fast for the greenhorn.

He punched her in the face, causing her mana hull to flicker, indicating that she was dazed. Twisting her arm behind her, he yanked her hair backward and plunged his fangs into the side of her neck.

Kariah-Belle screamed as her mana hull shattered out of existence, but everyone stayed still. If they moved, then the thing would snap her neck before they could do anything. They could only look on as the girl kept screaming until finally, the Vympiri released her. Her knees buckled beneath her, but the Vympiri grabbed her throat while he inhaled her scent.

The Vympiri had a blissful smile on his face. Almost as if he had been drugged. "Oh, little livestock," he said. "You have the best-tasting life force I've ever consumed. I could smell you from a mile away." Tapping his fingers on his chin in thought, he added, "Lord Dracula would be most pleased and generous for providing him with such a rich life force. Lady Remi is sure to praise me!"

Aya's stomach churned. She'd heard of Dracula, the lord of Vympiri. An old and powerful Vympiri that hated humanity more than any of his brothers and sisters. She feared what would become of Kariah-Belle if he were to get his hands on her.

Aya refused to let that happen.

The ground started to rumble and large ice spikes erupted from underneath them. Spiked cones made of a sparkling blue substance sprouted from below as well. The spikes came fast, skewering anyone not quick enough to dodge.

Within seconds, the remaining rebels were either dead or significantly injured. Blood, shards of ice, and Stardust dominated the camp. Entrails littered the ground and blue dust surrounded the air.

This element was known as Stardust and originated from none other than Star Titannia. Too bad she was far from mastering it.

She doubled over in pain and coughed up blood. Her head was pounding, her body ached, and her cells felt as if they were on fire. She wiped the blood from her mouth as blue rings formed around her wrist, ankles, and forehead. Four blue firearms of different varieties formed behind her and floated in mid-air.

Akio moved, activating her mana hull as she leaped for the Vympiri. He avoided the attack by jumping high into the sky, cradling Kariah-Belle under his arm. She struggled, but it would be some time before she could create mana.

The Vympiri effortlessly batted Akio away as if she were a mere fly, causing her to crash into a tree.

"Lax-Rim!" Aya shouted over to the greenhorn guarding his two injured friends from any rebels that may be lurking. He was fighting not to take off after Kariah-Belle, knowing he'll only be killed. "I'll retrieve your friend."

The young man nodded. With that, Aya focused.

Then space warped as Aya disappeared and reappeared in front of the fleeing Vympiri. The longest of the blue guns that resembled a sniper rifle fired, sending a Stardust bullet at the leech's forehead. Just before the bullet struck, she felt a chill down her spine. The same chill she felt the day her father betrayed her.

Black mana.

It hit him right between the eyes. The force was strong but not enough to pierce the skin due to his black mana hull. It sent him shooting towards the earth, making him lose his grip on Kariah-Belle.

Damn. This is bad.

Aya warped under Kariah-Belle, catching her before landing lightly on the ground. She then hurried to check the greenhorns' condition. Jet and Mae Lu were in horrible shape.

Jet desperately needed medical attention. Mae Lu had managed to completely stop the bleeding from his severed shoulder, but too much life force had been drained from him. His self-healing would be slow.

Suddenly, Aya turned, willing a blue coned spike to protrude from the ground and blocking a kick from the Vympiri. Aya was surprised he had managed to not only avoid being turned into dust, but his kick cracked the unique element.

Aya kicked him, propelling him backward. Her floating guns fired as blood trickled from her nose. She resisted the intense pain.

The Vympiri flung up its hand and three barriers made of black mana appeared. The Stardust bullets broke through, and the Vympiri evaded, but Aya warped space again as she suddenly appeared behind him, aiming a kick to the back of his head.

The Vympiri ducked and uppercut Aya so hard she was sent into the air.

She quickly shook herself out of her daze before the Vympiri could land another attack. She dodged and slammed the icy blades covering her submachine guns against the creature's back. Yelling with effort, she swung with all her might and forced more mana into the ice. Still, the ice shattered against its skin. He hit the ground so hard he made a crater.

The Vympiri quickly recovered and flipped on a branch.

"Dammit!" the Vympiri hissed. He looked at Kariah-Belle and said, "A meal like you might not present itself for quite some time. I should've completely drained one of you little cattles when I had the chance. Still, it's good to match a face to the name and I've seen your trump card. This will pay well on the black market, Frozen Gun."

Aya wiped the blood from her nose. "It's good to have seen your fighting style too, Marclus," she said with a smirk. "The Order of Knights has placed a handsome bounty on your head on behalf of Vyrmm."

The Vympiri cursed. "So my deeds haven't gone unnoticed. Very well. I'll take my leave. I cannot kill you at this moment, but we will meet again. That is if your father doesn't do away with you first."

With that, the Vympiri disappeared into the trees, leaving Aya to breathe a little easier. If that thing had been well fed, Aya would have trouble trying to defeat him while protecting the greenhorns. Without the Stardust element, she'd be dead.

The rings around her arms, legs, and forehead vanished as well as her four Stardust firearms. She had to fight the urge to scream and clench her teeth to keep from crying. The pain was so intense it brought her to her knees.

Oh, I hate when this happens. She got to her feet after the pain began to die down.

That was the price she paid for using Stardust, which could reach beyond scorching temperature. Even in the premature state, it was powerful, and the backlash for it was pricey when one didn't have the proper amount of life force to use it. Still, Aya had protected these fledglings and destroyed the whole rebel camp. The only thing left was to scout the carnage for Bentil.

She'd found him still alive. He clutched a wound to his side as he looked at her with anger.

"It's over, Bentil," Aya said, stopping in front. "Turn yourself in and The Order will let you live."

The man glared. "Fuck your Order!" He reached into his trench coat but a shard of ice pierced his skull.

Fool.

That was when she noticed a Holopad sticking from his coat. Aya gave it a look-through.

"Oh no," she whispered softly. She turned on her heels and made her way back to the group. "We have to go. Now."

"What, no lunch break?" Lax-Rim asked as Kariah-Belle helped him put Jet on his back.

"I'm sure once you hear this, you'll lose your appetite," she said deadpanned.