Chapter 754: The Day Before the Royal Hunt
"Sure," Nox said, dismissing the water blade he’d been practicing with. Dorran gave a low whistle, and his shark ceased circling, hovering nearby.
Lyra gestured for them to follow her to a more secluded part of the courtyard, away from the occasional guard patrol. Coralia followed, her expression typically unreadable.
"We’ve spoken with the king," Lyra began in a low voice. "The situation with the Devotees is deteriorating. Kaelen’s attack on that patrol was a declaration. They’re becoming bolder, stronger. The king believes they may attempt to disrupt the Royal Hunt itself."
"Great," Dorran muttered. "So it’s not just about hunting monsters anymore—it’s about watching our backs for fanatics with tridents."
"You’re not wrong," Coralia nodded. "Which is why we’re proposing an alliance. For the hunt."
Nox studied them with slightly narrowed eyes. "You want to form a team with us?"
"Yes," Lyra confirmed. "The hunt allows for teams of up to four. It would be the two of you and the two of us. Our knowledge of the forest and its dangers, combined with your... unique abilities, would make us a formidable team."
Nox didn’t miss a beat. "And what do you get out of this? You’re royalty, aren’t you? You don’t need the boon."
Lyra and Coralia exchanged a glance. It was Coralia who answered this time. "We need to win. The prestige of the Royal Hunt is immense. A victory, especially in these troubled times, would solidify our family’s position and give us greater influence to push for a more aggressive stance against the Devotees. The king—our father—is cautious. We believe the threat is more imminent than he does."
From Coralia’s words, Nox learned something new. Apparently, the two were princesses. He did wonder why they chose to hide it at first, but that was none of his business.
"So you’re using us to help your political game," Dorran stated bluntly.
"We are helping each other," Lyra corrected. "You are skilled, Nox, but you do not know the Abyssal Kelp Forest like we do. You don’t know the tactics of the other competitors or the true nature of the monsters that live in its depths. With us, your chances of victory—and survival—increase dramatically."
Nox was silent for a moment, weighing the offer. It made sense. They were out of their element. Two guides who were also powerful warriors in their own right were an invaluable asset. And their goal—to weaken the Devotees—aligned with his own need for the statue.
"Alright," Nox agreed. "We have a team. What’s the first step?"
"Training," Lyra said immediately. "Real training. Not this... splashing around."
For the next couple of hours, their training intensified dramatically. Lyra and Coralia put them through grueling drills. They practiced moving silently through dense kelp forests, using the natural currents for propulsion to conserve energy. They learned to identify the faint bioluminescent warnings of poisonous flora and the subtle pressure changes that signaled an approaching predator.
Nox focused on refining his magic. He found that large, area-of-effect spells were often wasteful and could attract unwanted attention. He worked on compressing his [Chain Lightning] into a single, spear-like bolt that could pierce through thick hide with minimal energy discharge. He practiced creating small, rapid-fire ice darts instead of large blades—perfect for taking down swarming smaller creatures or targeting weak points.
Dorran and his shark learned to move as one. They practiced ambush tactics, using the shark’s natural camouflage and burst speed to strike from the darkness and retreat before a counterattack could form. Lyra even taught Dorran how to use the shark’s lateral line sense to detect vibrations in the water, giving him an early warning system.
To make their training more realistic, they eventually moved to the outer areas of the Abyssal Kelp Forest.
One afternoon, Lyra turned to Nox and asked, "Your wing skill—how long can you use it underwater?"
"It’s difficult," Nox admitted. "The water resistance is immense. I can use it for a sudden, powerful burst of speed, but it drains my stamina quickly."
"Show me," she commanded.
Nox activated [Demonic Wing]. The black wings erupted from his back, and with a powerful thrust, he shot forward about twenty yards before the water pressure forced him to stop. His mana noticeably dipped.
"Good," Lyra said, surprising him. "Use it only for emergencies—a sudden dodge or a decisive closing of distance. Do not use it for travel."
During a break, Coralia approached Dorran.
"Your bond is strong," she noted, a small smile on her face. "But you think like a land-dweller. The shark is not a horse. It is a partner. Let it lead sometimes. Its instincts in the water are superior to yours."
It was harsh, but Dorran knew she was right. He began relying more on the sensations his pet sent him—the taste of a distant creature in the water, the feel of a hidden current—and less on his own sight.
Three days before the hunt was to begin, Lyra gathered the team in their chamber. She unrolled a detailed map on the floor, weighing down the corners with smooth stones.
"The hunt begins here," she said, pointing to a marked location on the forest’s edge. "The goal is to kill the most valuable monsters—usually the most powerful and dangerous creatures. The deeper you go, the greater the danger... and the higher the point value."
She traced a path deeper into the forest. "The other teams will be our competition, but they are not the only threat. The Devotees will be there—Kaelen’s faction. They may hunt the game, or they may simply hunt the hunters."
"Our strategy is to move quickly and quietly," she continued. "We avoid conflict with other teams if possible. Our goal is high-value targets, not brawls." Her gaze shifted to Nox and Dorran. "You two will be our primary offense. Coralia and I will handle navigation, defense, and spotting ambushes."
Just before the night of the hunt, Nox went alone into the Kelp Forest. There was something very important he needed to take care of there.