Page 254 of Interion

“I don't know, Kyller. I was looking for the vials, trying not to fall into traps, walking around, you know?” She laughed, tripping over a rock. “The plan was to find someone who knew where we were going.”

“What a brilliant plan!” I laughed mockingly. Little did she know how desperate I was for some points.

“What if the vials have already been taken?”

I sighed, wondering if I was just too irritated or if Adele was even more unbearable in the forest.

“If someone already took them, we'll look somewhere else.” I made my way down a steep embankment, careful not to slip.

“And if we don't find any?” She slid down the embankment on her butt.

“We'll have to bargain or steal from other students.”

“You mean you're going to steal from other students, right? I already did my part today.” She was holding a knife behind me, but she wasn't paying attention to her surroundings—the weapon was more dangerous to her than to anyone else.

“We will. I'm not doing anything alone.”

“I plan and you fight—that's how it works.” I didn't respond; I was tired of her chatter. “What if Naoki and Adrian catch up to us?”

“They won't. By the time they wake up, we'll be way ahead.”

“But what if they do catch up?” she asked again.

“Then you run,” I replied, looking around.

I was afraid of being surprised by other students. It was a good thing Adele had swallowed the vials—no one would see the glow if they came close, and at night, her body would dim the light.

“And where am I supposed to run to?”

“North!” I grunted, exasperated.

“And which way is north?”

“Figure it out yourself!” I shouted, losing my patience. “What are you even doing in this test if you don't know which direction to go?”

She shrugged, pretending not to care.

“Like I said before, I was waiting for someone wild like you.”

I glared at her for a few seconds, then turned and stomped off through the forest. Ahead of us lay a path of low grass, relatively even ground. I broke into a run, and soon she matched my pace.

I had a vial. I'd gotten water, food, and an ally—a terrible ally, I had to admit, but still someone who could help me face the obstacles ahead. I was halfway there, and only the Gods knew what still awaited us. I hoped the future would bring more vials and fewer challenges.

Adele was difficult enough as it was.

Chapter 63

We walked among the twisted trees, listening to the irritating squelch of our boots sinking into the muddy ground. Here, light couldn't penetrate the branches, and the air was freezing. Every now and then I spotted a stray mandrocina, but they were scarce, so I prayed I'd find some nearby by nightfall. I didn't see any animals along the way, though I heard birds singing.

Adele stayed quiet for most of the journey, only opening her mouth to curse and complain whenever she hurt herself. At times she couldn't keep up with me, and I had to slow my pace to make it easier for her. In those moments, I found myself staring at her broken nose, figuring it must be bothering her even though it wasn't bleeding. Strange—broken noses usually bled a lot. Since she didn't mention it, I didn't say anything either, but sooner or later we'd have to check it.

Around 3 p.m., we found a lake with clear water.

“By Anabel's virginity!” The Yonserian looked relieved as she ran toward the shore.

“Adele, wait!”

She didn't hear me and kept running, then stopped near the lake and crouched down. When she cupped her hands to drink, I yanked her back, spilling the water onto the ground.