As their steps echoed through the quiet halls, Blake broke the silence with a smile directed at Cyrus.

"So, what laws are you attuned to?"

"I barely count as a photo and pyromancer," Cyrus replied. He might have hesitated to reveal his affinity if this had been weeks ago. But that was a week ago. Things were different back then. Besides, Dílis' friends should be trustworthy.

"Those are pretty rare laws." Blake's brows rose in surprise. "Your light abilities could significantly ease any expedition for the team."

"Why is light so valuable?" Cyrus had heard similar remarks on his first day. "There's no need to mention pyromancers, but what about light? I assumed I would be blinding enemies until I found a better use."

"Strange. Nobody has taught you yet?" Blake tilted his head.

Cyrus coughed. "Let's just say I've lived a sheltered life."

Blake responded with a tsk and shook his head. "Oh, that's awful. But hopefully, they didn't stop you from enjoying life." He shook his head again. " But anyway, wraiths. They're all attuned to dark elemental magic, and your light domain is very effective against them."

"Really?" Cyrus was taken aback. If Blake was telling the truth, he was carrying a golden ticket in his life origin.

"Yeah." Dílis glanced back and interjected. "Light casters are great at stunning and hurting wraiths."

"Moreover," Blake continued, "spirit beasts born in the whiles have a higher chance of using dark magic. And I think it's a one-in-four chance for a beast to be born with the darkness domain?"

Cyrus remained silent as he processed the redhead's words. From his studies and what others had told him, he learned that the domain's living creatures are born with domains in relation to their environment. But if that's true...

"...So you're saying that the darkness is one of the most common domains around?" Cyrus eventually asked.

"That's right." Blake nodded, his steps barely making a sound against the silent backdrop. "It's the third most common after life and order. Even earth is somehow rarer despite being almost everywhere. Isn't that weird?"

That was strange. Out of nine elements, darkness was the third highest? Wasn't there supposed to be a balance? Cyrus recalled the floating mists drifting outside Avalorn and shivered.

"From highest to low," Dílis began, her voice soft. "It would be life, order, darkness, earth, water, air, fire, light, and spatial."

"You know what that means, right?" Blake said with a giddy smile, abruptly snaking an arm around Cyrus' shoulder. His other hand stretched forward, waving theatrically. "'Cyrus, rarest of the rare. Wanted by all the Wayfarer groups!"

Cyrus refrained from cringing. Still, the idea of being wanted appealed to him. After all, he may be able to wring out benefits for his... eventual expertise. As for his spatial domain? Cyrus didn't bother mentioning it. Meanwhile, Dílis refrained from speaking as well. Whether he did have that purple sphere or not, it all meant nothing if he couldn't use it.

The conversation mellowed out. Still, it also stood to mention that Blake was a good conversationalist. He kept everyone engaged until the faint sounds of gunshots reached the group's ears.

A moment later, they entered the gun range. There, Wayfarers lined the firing line, practicing their aiming with ranged weapons such as bows to repeaters.

"Where's Team Leader?" Dílis wondered, scanning the area.

The two followed suit, searching among the members practicing. But it was Cyrus who spotted her first.

Wearing a Wayfarer's uniform that fitted her like a second skin, Anari almost appeared exactly the same as Cyrus remembered, but matured into a grown woman. Her straight, long black hair was tied into a bun, and her bright purple eyes starkly contrasted against her pale skin.

The Wayfarer stood far at the end of the line. Calm and stoic, she bore a serious expression as she conversed with another Wayfarer, a sort of Prince Charming-looking sort. However, it appeared that whatever the man said, flirting or not, remained unsuccessful in moving Anari's stony expression.

But she finally reacted once Cyrus' gaze fell on her. Slowly, she turned, meeting his gaze. Her stunning eyes showed no immediate reaction, but a small smile finally graced her lips upon noticing Cyrus' companions. After some brief, silent mutterings to the other Wayfarer, she abruptly left him without so much as another glance back.

"Lilie, Morgan." Her familiar address belied the professional tone in her voice. As she closed in on the group, her gaze anchored on Cyrus himself. "Clear Skies, Wade Cyrus," She offered a slight bow. "I'm Leal Anari, team leader of Team Breeze. It pleases me that we've gained a prospect in our organization." She then scanned over his form. "Anyone willing to risk their life as a Wayfarer is commendable."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow in mild surprise but mirrored her welcome. "Clear Skies, Miss Leal. I didn't anticipate my name garnering attention so quickly."

Leal offered a brief nod in acknowledgment. "As a team leader, it's my responsibility to stay abreast of the latest developments concerning Wayfarers. A new initiate joining our ranks after three years of silence is noteworthy." Her gaze then shifted to Lilie, and a hint of reproach flickered across her expression. "Regrettably, Lilie neglected to inform us of your close relationship."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"I wanted to make sure that Cyrus was okay with me mentioning him." Dílis visibly recoiled under Leal's gaze, offering a feeble excuse that tumbled out in a soft murmur. "It's his business, after all."

Leal shook her head with a hint of disappointment. "Lilie, that might suffice for any ordinary civilian and Wayfarer group, but this is us. Team Breeze has valuable insights to offer Cyrus—insights that could prove life-saving in the future." She sighed and redirected her attention to the shooting range. "But let's set that aside for now."

Like the leader Leal was, she led the group to the closest open lane. It seemed she was already preparing for their arrival, for three revolvers awaited them.

"I'll fetch another one," Leal stated before heading toward a supplier stationed at the room's rear.

As the others watched her leave, Cyrus' gaze fell upon the weapons before him. He frowned at the sight.

Why haven't I thought about it before? Cyrus picked up a revolver and checked its cylinder, feeling the cold, gleaming metal. I shouldn't be wielding one of these.

He could see it now: Cyrus, his revolver in one hand and spear in the other, was in the middle of a fight he was forced to participate in. The battle was hard fought. But what luck! The wraith or monster, or whatever, exposed its weakness! And Cyrus, the genius he was, went for the kill. His arm lit up in flames, the air suddenly steaming from the intense heat... only for his ammo to explode in his hand, shredding it into pieces.

The thought brought a shiver up his spine. He then gently placed the gun down and voiced his thoughts to the others, who exchanged surprised glances at each other.

"T-that's never happened to us," Dílis admitted.

"But I think you should still train," Blake suggested. "It's better to have a skill and not need it than the opposite, no?"

Dílis shared a knowing glance with Cyrus before chiming in. "Plus, I'm sure we can find a way to secure your revolver in your pack. Maybe we can enchant a cold box or something."

Cyrus quickly caught her meaning. Ah, yes, the spatial pouch.

So then was Cyrus' first-ever attempt at using a gun. And it was horrible. For every shot Cyrus made, there was only one that hit the edge of a round target. Moreover, it took at least seven shots per hit.

And he found no reason to compare himself with the others. Blake landed every shot he made, even if plenty were hitting the outer ring. But Dílis?

Dílis was a gunslinger. She consistently landed her shots near or dead center on the target without aiming. But as he watched her, Cyrus wondered if Dìlis' remarkable accuracy stemmed solely from skill or if she was enhanced by life runes. Would it be rude to ask?

Then came Leal. Once she began target practice, Cyrus decided never to compare himself to these three again lest he wanted to embarrass himself.

However, Cyrus remained undeterred. Time would iron out his deficiencies regardless. Besides, firearms weren't meant to be his forte anyway.

Fireballs are much more impressive, he mused, momentarily ignoring the fact that he couldn't conjure them yet.

But he wasn't left alone with his thoughts and training. Dílis, Blake, and Leal offered valuable advice on stance and training. Soon, an hour passed. Despite Cyrus' attempts to improve, he still missed more shots than he could land. Small steps, after all.

Soon, training came to a close. After packing up, Leal led the group outside.

"Where would you three like to eat?" She asked, her demeanor calm and composed.

Cyrus remained silent. The only options he could remember were Finn's or the restaurant... she had taken him, and it was obvious why he wasn't going to suggest heading there. Thankfully, Blake stepped in with a suggestion.

"I know a spot that serves fresh fish. The owner is an aquamancer who raises them."

Leal and Cyrus remained quiet, leaving Dílis to nod in agreement.

"I haven't had fish since our patrol a few months back," she said, her voice wistful. "Do they serve sushi?"

With that, they ventured deeper into the city's center. As they moved, Cyrus watched the pedestrians live out their lives. They all showed different aspects, from young to old. But occasionally, Cyrus would flinch or stop. He swore he could see it—a subtle glance or a twisting, serpentine smile. That old and loud woman or shy and quiet guy had to be one of them—an Actor.

The thought made his spine shudder.

There's really no way to tell if someone, anyone, is really genuine, Cyrus wearily thought.

How would someone react if their lover were an actor? What if their mother was one? What if their entire life were bas—stop thinking.

Cyrus squashed these thoughts and silently followed Team Breeze. Yet his mood had already waned as they reached the restaurant, not that he would showcase it to the others.

But there was one who did sense his emotions. Dílis. She occasionally cast a few glances in Cyrus' direction but remained silent, maintaining a facade of normalcy with her friends as they placed their orders.

Of course, Cyrus expected her to bother him about it once they were alone. But until then, all he could think about was discovering a way to find hidden Actors. Well, that was until the steaming plates of fish steaks were set before him. How long has it been since he's had anything other than vegetarian? Three weeks?

Soon, they began to eat. The delicious meals kept everyone occupied, and the conversations flowed freely until Leal cleared her throat to gather their attention. With a map in hand, she laid it out on the table. It revealed a large landmass that Avalorn was marked with a simple red dot at the bottom right. Beyond it were various landmarks scattered across the page, some printed, others meticulously drawn or written in ink.

Leal pointed to a city several hundred kilometers away from Avalorn.

"This is where Mellor is located," she announced, tracing the route with her finger.

Stretched between the two cities was 'The Shifting Trees,' an expansive forest that dominated the landscape with a river flowing through it. And Cyrus furrowed his brow at the name. Was it a living forest? That was both incredibly interesting and horrific in an enclosed thought.

"Interesting name, but what's the story behind it?"

Leal nodded. "There is a unique, non-magical tree over there that gives its name." She then pointed at the forest landmark on the map. "There are also reptilian creatures called Canopy Stalkers known to camouflage within the canopy. And whenever they spring their attack, the branches shift and sway, creating the illusion of a living forest."

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