Emma didn't know what was the worst part of Uriel's plan: to be forced to remain close to the person they suspected to actually be a cryptid capable of living among humans or to be forced to exercise.

Uriel watched the physical training session from afar, he already worked out before leaving the Dungeon Raiders headquarters but being unable to train inside the college still bothered him. It meant that he would have to travel from the slums everyday and waste a lot of time commuting instead of simply staying in the dorms like he wanted.

Captain Silvermane showed up on time like usual and began shouting at the students, particularly those who performed badly in the warm up. Uriel always thought Captain Silverman had it against him, but now that he wasn't participating from the training he realized how incredibly keen Silvermane's eyes were.@@novelbin@@

He was able to follow the progress of each and every student and noticing even the intention to slack off.

'No wonder I was never able to be lazy during his class, it's like he's aware of everything at the same time.' Uriel inwardly cursed as he bit his thumb nail. If Silvermane was able to notice even the slightest attempt to slack off, it meant tailing him would be a challenge.

Uriel had always been curious about the physical training instructor, mainly because of his nickname, but also because he found it strange that the army would send a Captain to watch over kids in a safe place like campus instead of sending him to join the war against cryptids.

But now it made sense, his awareness was out of the charts and it gave him an edge to keep many people under control which made him invaluable to perform the physical training class to so many students at the same time. But the question whether it was because of his trait or because of his nature as a hybrid remained.

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Uriel limited himself to watching the class while trying not to stare too much at the Captain to avoid drawing his attention. Most of the students were evolved, but there were also some ascended.

After class they started following Captain Silvermane while pretending to be busy discussing class subjects.

This wasn't difficult to them as they were both straight A students in humanities, though Emma's approach was more focused on modern history rather than ancient cultures which lead to many heated arguments that caused them to almost forget about their mission, especially since Captain Silvermane didn't act suspicious in any way and they were getting bored.

He went to lunch by himself and grabbed a coffee to go, then he took a stroll around the campus and then he went to his office to fill up the paperwork. It was nothing out of the ordinary, but the young students were aware that most of the disappearances happened at night and they had no choice but to wait until Silvermane finished his work day.

As soon as the sun began to set, the figure of a man with a big frame exited the faculty building looking from side to side as though trying to make sure no one saw him and instead of going to his quarters, he headed up north.

"Do you think he's looking for prey?" Emma asked.

"There's no way to tell, let's keep following and snap the picture as soon as he shapeshifts." Uriel replied as he tailed the veteran soldier.

Captain Silvermane took a turn to the left, then several turns to the right.

"We've been spotted." Uriel declared.

"What, how can you tell?"

"The only reason why someone would circle around the same place is to confirm whether someone is following them or not."

"Does this mean we failed?" Emma asked.

"Not really, follow me." Uriel grabbed Emma's hand and walked directly to where Captain Silvermane was. He didn't look surprised, which meant Uriel was correct and he was aware of their presence.

"Do you need something?" Silvermane said with a raspy voice.

"Actually, yes. It's about my sister, she's on the ascended level physical training class but she's only an evolved. I wanted to ask you once more if I can join her, she's having a lot of trouble keeping up." Uriel said in a pleading tone of voice.

"Huh? I remember now! You're that ascended kid with a physical enhancement trait!" Captain Silvermane looked relieved and then continued. "I'm sorry, but as I told you before, it'd be dangerous for the rest of the class if you participated with them. But if you only want to come to encourage your little sister, I don't have any issues with you accompanying her as a spectator only.

Now, go back to your dorms before... ah, nevermind." The last part sounded like a veiled threat which only added to their suspicions and they parted from the instructor pretending to go back to their dorms, when they simply took some distance and kept following him.

At some point, Uriel realized his behavior shifted from the well liked instructor into a combat ready fighter. His steps became more firm, but also stealthier to a point that seemed unbelievable from such a chunky man. It somehow resembled the way Nika walked, though luckily he didn't sway his hips like her.

'Why am I thinking about Nika all of a sudden?' Uriel asked himself after realizing his feelings for her had became deeper without him even noticing. He felt flustered and there was a weird feeling on his stomach and when he came to himself, Captain Silvermane was nowhere to be seen.

"Where is he!?"

"I don't know! You're the ascended, I was following you!" Ema argued.

Then, a sudden wave of flux energy erupted nearby. It was familiar, but also uncanny and 'tainted'. The signature was so powerful, even Emma was able to sense it and she dropped to the ground shivering in fear but Uriel grabbed her and rushed to the direction where the energy came from which was an alley in the maze-like classroom buildings.

He lifted Emma on the air and pressed her arms and a blue flash of light illuminated the scene the bloody murder of a female student and a lumbering wolfish creature standing on the side.