#### **A Chance Encounter in the Forest**

  The dense foliage of the mystic forest swallowed the sunlight, leaving only dappled shadows dancing across the moss-covered ground. Qin Hong and Haruko had barely ventured a hundred paces when they stumbled upon Ilen’s group.

  Ilen, arms crossed, smirked as he blocked their path. "Took you long enough. Not worried about losing? Because if you do, you’ll be washing my *underwear* for a month."

  At the word *underwear*, Naya’s face burned scarlet, her fingers twitching at her sides.

  Qin Hong ignored Ilen entirely, turning instead to Naya with a zy grin. "Found anything yet, Naya?"

  "N-no… not yet~" she stammered, eyes darting away as if the ferns at her feet had suddenly become fascinating.

  Ilen’s eye twitched. "Hey! I’m talking to you—!"

  Before he could finish, Fritt bounded over, grinning. "Don’t worry, Ilen! I’ll help you wash your—"

  ***ZZZT!***

  Twin bolts of lightning seared the ground in front of Fritt’s boots, leaving smoldering lines in the earth. The acrid scent of burnt soil hung in the air as Fritt froze mid-step, sweat beading on his forehead.

  Qin Hong chuckled and sauntered over to Naya. Before she could react, he yanked her into a one-armed embrace, whispering something into her ear.

  The forest fell silent. Even the birds seemed to pause mid-chirp.

  Naya’s mortified squeak broke the stillness. "Y-you—! *Ugh!*" She shoved him away, her face now matching the crimson leaves overhead.

  Qin Hong winked. "Later, then~"

  As he and Haruko melted back into the trees, Haruko shot him a sidelong gnce. "What did you *say* to her?"

  "Just reminded her to prep the potion bases early," Qin Hong said breezily. "Now their team’s split too. Fewer people trampling through the woods means less competition."

  Haruko frowned. "And how do you know they’ll listen?"

  He kicked a pebble. "Because Ilen’s pride won’t let him lose. Fritt and that gloomy Jack are probably back at camp already, stirring cauldrons."

  ---

  #### **The Whispered Secret**

  Back with Ilen’s group, Naya knelt beside a gnarled tree root, her fingers brushing the soil absently.

  Ilen nudged her. "Seriously, what did he tell you?"

  Naya’s mind repyed Qin Hong’s whisper—*"Sck on the prep work, and you’ll be hand-washing my underwear again~"*—and she nearly choked.

  "I-It was nothing! Just… teamwork advice!" she blurted, cheeks fming.

  Ilen squinted. "*Really.*"

  "*Really!*"

  ---

  #### **Sabotage and Bloodshed**

  Back at the training grounds, Worso leaned against a tree, smoking zily as Merkel sprinted toward the trine for the fifth time.

  "Told you not to taste-test the ingredients," Worso called after him.

  Merkel’s groan echoed back. "*I regret everything…*"

  A metallic *cng* snapped Worso’s attention forward. Fritt stood over their overturned cauldrons, the half-brewed potions seeping into the dirt.

  For a heartbeat, no one moved.

  Then Jack’s eyes flooded crimson.

  Worso barely registered the motion—just a blur, a sickening *crunch*, and Fritt hurtling through the air like a ragdoll. He hit the ground ten meters away, vomiting blood.

  "*Wasn’t… me…*" Fritt wheezed.

  Hill stepped forward, her white boots clicking against the stone. She pnted a heel on Fritt’s skull and leaned down. "Next time, I’ll make you cut off your own *useless parts*."

  Worso exhaled smoke, eyeing Hill and Yanis warily. *So that’s the Puppeteer’s Heart ability. Terrifying.*

  ---

  #### **A Deal with a Devil**

  Qin Hong sprawled across a sun-warmed boulder, eyes closed, when a shadow fell over him.

  "Enjoying your nap?" Tiffany purred, tilting her head.

  "Just conserving energy," Qin Hong said, not opening his eyes.

  Tiffany hopped onto the rock beside him. "Or waiting until the st minute to snatch the herbs?"

  His fingers twitched.

  She grinned. "Each pair of *Luna’s Tear* and *Bzing Star* only makes one potion. But they grow *miles* apart. You’re worried if you find them too soon…" She traced a finger down his arm. "*Someone* might steal them. Or sabotage your work."

  Qin Hong finally looked at her. "And?"

  "Take me with you," she whispered.

  He smirked. "What’s in it for me?"

  Tiffany’s breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. "*A kiss.*"

  Her face combusted. "Y-you—!"

  "Or I’ll ask Naya instead~"

  "*Fine!*" She grabbed his colr and crushed her mouth against his.

  For a blissful second, the world dissolved—

  ***CRACK!***

  A tree the width of a wine barrel *exploded* nearby. Naya stood amidst the splinters, her aura radiating murder.

  ---