Fine Blade Work!

(There were 4,600 words in total, so it wouldn't be split into two chapters. Posting it all at once~)

The night within the academy was exceptionally quiet. Especially when Byron Ernes stepped onto that tranquil forest path, it felt as though he had entered an untouched wilderness.

The scattered students farther away had no idea that the rather burly-looking fellow from earlier was actually a mutant from the Night Fang Mercenary Group.

Creak, creak. The sensation of stepping on the neatly arranged stone slabs beneath his feet gave him a rare sense of relaxation.

"Heh, what's wrong with me? This academy really is a little strange. It actually almost made me think I was a normal person... Hahaha."

As he muttered to himself, Byron Ernes broke into laughter again.

The map showed that crossing this patch of woods would lead him into the apartment district. It was as if he could already see Blood Fang beckoning to him.

Sent out alive, brought back with a life taken.

What an interesting thing.

As he walked, Byron Ernes suddenly stopped. His nostrils twitched as his eyes turned toward the distance.

A faint scent of tobacco drifted over with the air current, and it smelled remarkably pleasant. It should have been the scent of a top-grade cigar.

But visibility on the winding forest path was poor at night, and he could not see a single shadow.

Moreover, with his sharp hearing, he could guarantee that there was no one else within a hundred meters. It seemed someone had merely passed through here while smoking, leaving behind a faint lingering fragrance.

There really were plenty of fat sheep in this academy. Such premium tobacco, tsk tsk.

"I suddenly miss the smell of tobacco."

Byron Ernes said wistfully, then continued onward.

However, after following the