Beside the fluorescent fields of the demihuman town, an old log cabin stood quietly.
A low fence circled the cabin. At that moment, several figures lurked sneakily in the shadows behind it, craning their necks to peer cautiously into the little yard.
In the clean yard, Yano sat cross-legged with his eyes shut, his breathing long and steady. His sturdy chest rose and fell faintly with each breath, and an indescribably tranquil air seemed to linger around him.
Behind the fence, one noticeably smaller shadow lowered her voice and asked in puzzlement, "Strange. What is he sitting there without moving for? Meditating? But I've never seen a warrior train like that."
The somewhat sturdier figure beside her hesitated before answering uncertainly, "I heard Karn mention that he seems to be entering both the Knight Trial and the Shadow Trial soon. He should be preparing for them right now."
"A Knight entering the Shadow Trial? I just hope those people skilled in hiding and trickery don't lead him around by the nose." The smaller figure snickered.
"Shh—keep it down!"
"He looks like he's waking up. Let's get out of here."
The three figures nimbly withdrew from behind the fence and swiftly vanished into the shadows at the bend in the street.
Had the light been brighter, their identities would have been clear. They were Lyon, Ella, and Mask, the three who had previously escorted Yano back to the stone fortress.
After accidentally learning from their aunt Nili that Yano would also be participating in the coming "Shadow Trial," they had been both surprised and curious.
According to Stone-Descendant tradition, the Shadow Trial was an important occasion for the younger generation to display courage, wisdom, and affinity with Shadow Creatures. It generally differed from the path of knighthood, which emphasized direct charges