As the blurred figures drew closer, more details became clear to the two women. Mary and the blonde beauty exchanged a glance, and Mary whispered, "They seem to be wearing clothes, so they probably aren't evil spirits."
The blonde beauty squinted her eyes, her tone still somewhat cool. "They don't look like spirits, but we still can't let our guard down."
As the figures approached further, Mary finally recognized the man's face. Her eyes widened, and she began nudging her companion’s thigh repeatedly, her voice hushed but bursting with excitement. "It’s him! It’s him! We were just talking about him and he appears right in front of me. Is this destiny ordained by the gods?"
Hearing this, the blonde woman’s vigilance didn't soften; instead, her expression grew even more severe. Her grip on her sword hilt tightened, her knuckles turning white.
Mary quickly noticed her partner's abnormal reaction. "What’s wrong? Is there a problem?"
"Why would he appear here? Why did he show up right as we mentioned him? And where is the rest of his class?" The blonde beauty’s tone was exceptionally grim.
Mary immediately realized what her companion was implying: the figures ahead might not be the person she thought. They could be deceptive entities capable of shifting their appearance to mimic what was in someone's heart—creatures far more dangerous than ordinary spirits.
Taking a deep breath, Mary glanced back at the camp behind her. She slowly began backpedaling toward the safety of the tents. If things went south, she would immediately alert the others; whether they fought or fled, they needed time to prepare.
Eros, with his superior vision, naturally noticed the subtle movements of the two women. He felt a flicker of admiration—they were indeed "old hands" who had survived five assessments. Their experience and caution were top-notch.
Thinking quickly, Eros pulled out The Brilliant Sun and held it aloft, letting it bloom with a vibrant, orange-yellow glow.
Seeing this, the blonde beauty—Annie—and Mary breathed a total sigh of relief. There was no doubt now; they were human. No deceptive entity would willingly hold a Sun-domain sealed artifact at such close range; it would be like sticking one's hand directly into a furnace.
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Mary scampered back and proactively headed toward Eros and his group. As she reached them, she clasped her hands behind her back and tilted her face up curiously. "How did you guys end up here?"
Eros lifted the pink backpack. Mary’s eyes were instantly drawn to it, her voice lighting up with joy. "Ah! My backpack!"
Eros smiled gently. "I found it on the road and did a quick divination, which led me here."
Mary’s eyes sparkled. Divination was a high-risk gamble, especially in the Sin Realm. One could accidentally peer into the "unnamable" and be instantly contaminated, or receive a false response from a predator designed to lure life toward its maw. The fact that Eros had risked it just to find her status... was he worried about her?
Mary wanted to tease him, but noticing the others around, she suppressed the urge. She turned her gaze to the rest of the group and saw two familiar faces.
"Syphreya! And little Doreen, you’re here too. But why is Doreen with Syphreya?" Mary asked, her tone shifting to confusion.
Doreen whispered, "Sister Mary!" Syphreya sighed. "When we found her, she was the only one left in her class."
Mary bit her lip and let out a soft, sympathetic sigh.
Eros gestured to Undine. "My sister, Undine."
Mary wiped the sadness from her face and replaced it with a bright smile. "I’ve heard of you. Princess Undine’s reputation is quite legendary at the academy—though yours is catching up, Eros." She then curtsied to Undine. "I am Mary Shaun, Sixth-year, Class 1."
Undine offered a reserved smile and accepted the greeting. "Just call me Undine."
Eros then introduced Joanie. Joanie smiled politely. "Joanie Claude Horn. Just Joanie is fine."
Mary’s eyes crinkled into crescents. "And just Mary for me."
Finally, Eros pointed to Ayesha. "He is Thomas."
Mary smiled and nodded to "Thomas," and Ayesha stammered out a greeting in character.
"Let’s go back to the camp first," Mary suggested.
Under Mary’s lead, the group entered the temporary campsite. As they passed the sentry post, the blonde beauty—Annie—watched them with a calm, neutral gaze. Doreen let go of Eros’s shirt and ran over to the blonde woman, calling out respectfully, "Sister Annie!"
Annie’s expression softened slightly. She reached out to pat Doreen’s head. "Go get some rest."
Doreen nodded vigorously and ran back to Eros’s side.
Eros practiced his "botany" skills, expertly growing a vine hut in the camp for the girls to rest in. Mary’s eyes widened. You can do that? Elf powers are way too convenient.
Inside the hut, Eros smiled at Undine. "I’m going outside to exchange intel with Princess Annie. You girls rest first." Undine didn't think twice about it and nodded.
After Eros stepped out, Mary took a peek at the vine hut and giggled. "This hut is way too convenient for the wild."
"CPDD? I'm even stronger in the wild at night!" Eros replied with a touch of arrogant humor.