The morning sun spilled over the cobblestone streets of Redstone, casting a golden light that did little to chase away the lingering chill of early autumn. Alaric pulled his hood tighter over his head as he muttered the incantation under his breath, keeping his voice low and deliberate.
"Silent winds that veil the land,
Hide my steps at thy command."
A faint shimmer of translucent energy rippled around him, like heat waves rising from a stone path. The "Veil of Silent Winds" spell wasn't one he had mastered—it required careful enunciation and intense focus to remain active. Still, it was essential for the task at hand: shadowing Lukas Veyne, the Novice Martialist. For four days, Alaric had trailed Lukas, watching, waiting, and learning.