Two were better than one, because their work brought a better reward. If one fell, the other could help him up. But woe to anyone who fell alone, with no one to help him up.
—Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
A thin mist hung over the dense forest, laying pale patches across its deep green canopy. A peregrine falcon circling high overhead folded its wings and dived, slipping precisely and silently through a gap in the thick canopy. It landed on a black-robed wizard's shoulder and gave a tiny nod.
Black robes and a Disguise Mask.
They were standard equipment for First University's Teaching Assistant Group Special Tactics Squad.
The black-robed wizard took a phone from his pocket and deftly tapped out a message—Target confirmed. Proceed as planned. Replies soon flashed silently across the screen, one after another.
Received!
Received!
Received!
Received!
Received!
Now that they were preparing for combat, the black-robed wizard gave the ingenious little device one last regretful look, then dropped it on the ground.
Truth be told, ordinary people's communications devices were useful. They consumed no magic power and produced almost no magical fluctuations, allowing hunters to conceal their presence as completely as possible.
Their one drawback was their poor resistance to magic power. Exposed to a battlefield thick with it, they might suffer anything from a ruined core to a full-blown explosion. So when the tactical squad went on missions, they could only use the devices as disposable equipment before entering the battlefield.
The falcon sprang lightly from his shoulder and vanished into the trees once more.
The black-robed wizard turned and slipped into the shade.
Soon, a crooked woodland cottage came into view. No fence stood around it, only a tall hedge of castor trees with tangled branches and leaves. A small patch of Shore Flowers bloomed