Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

As he contemplated the situation, Rain's thoughts took a different turn. He considered the possibility that the perpetrators might not have employed magic to capture Jori and his companions. Those who specialized in support magic or hand-to-hand combat, he reasoned, might have been responsible.

Unlike those reliant on overt magical displays, these individuals could potentially abduct others without leaving obvious traces behind. This notion added a layer of complexity to his investigation, as he realized that the absence of magical residue might not necessarily mean there hadn't been foul play.

Rain decided to use earth magic to float in the air a bit and then check things from a distance, and it didn't take long for Rain to see some lights and aura northwest of his position.

"They are forty kilometers away, and their aura is different from those guys," Rain thought. "That woman must be there… maybe she used her powers to capture them and lure me."

All that was just speculation, and Rain couldn't help but consider that. In any case, Rain was unable to find any auras along the way, so he wondered if his magic vision had a limited range or if there were truly no enemies around.

In the end, Rain confirmed that while approaching the enemy's camp. Eventually, Rain was able to see the enemies in the camp, but their numbers weren't high.

"... It is almost like they are doing the same as us," Rain thought while furrowing his eyebrows.

It seemed logical that the magic users would prioritize strengthening their defensive capabilities in the aftermath of their defeat in the war.

However, Rain found it perplexing that such a focus on defense didn't align with the information he had received regarding the woman who had influenced his father's mind. The ability to manipulate others suggested a proactive and potentially offensive stance.

As Rain surveyed the enemy's camp, he observed intriguing defenses in place. The surroundings were dotted with multiple quicksand spots, a natural deterrent to potential invaders. Alongside these features were resting golems, constructs that would typically require constant mana to sustain. Surprisingly, these golems seemed to be in a state of readiness without immediate energy consumption.

The presence of these stationary golems piqued Rain's curiosity, indicating that their masters possessed a unique proficiency in maintaining their presence without expending excess energy.

"Their defenses are solid against most people… still, they aren't acting like they have prisoners or that they are waiting for me," Rain thought.

Rain contemplated the possibility of enhancing his "Magic Eyes" ability to grant him the power to see through solid objects. The notion of such an improvement stirred his imagination, presenting the potential for a heightened level of perception.

Recognizing the magnitude of this aspiration, Rain acknowledged that his desire was a substantial one. However, he also held the conviction that as long as he was willing to invest effort and determination, the realization of his goal wasn't entirely out of reach. The prospect of expanding his magical capabilities fueled his resolve.

As he considered his options for investigation, Rain toyed with the idea of creating a tunnel to gain deeper insight into the area. Yet, the presence of numerous quicksand pits acted as a formidable obstacle to this plan.

"I should watch things here for a while before deciding anything," Rain thought.

The idea of being the spark of another war was a troublesome one; if Rain's friends were killed, he would want to avenge them, but he didn't want to risk getting the hatred of thousands of enemies. A hatred that eventually will reach his family.

Rain observed that among the magic users, there were those who exhibited various changes in their physical appearances, while others appeared completely human.

Considering this diversity, Rain mused on the possibility that the enemies could have infiltrated the capital with spies who blended in seamlessly. He contemplated the potential presence of individuals who bore the Aura of magic people yet concealed their true nature beneath human-like appearances.

This suspicion prompted him to consider the necessity of verifying the safety of his home city, ensuring that no covert threats lurked within.

As the night unfolded, Rain's vigilant observations of the enemy camp didn't yield any peculiar or alarming discoveries. The absence of anything out of the ordinary troubled him deeply. The lack of evidence or clues left him unsettled, worrying about his determination to uncover the truth.

"Shit… am I wasting time?" Rain thought while biting his nails. "I should return to the camp and see if anything different happened. The soldiers said that they came to this area to check for monsters, but there are no signs of them aside from the golems."

Rain hurried back to the camp, only to discover that everything looked pretty much the same as when he had left.

He asked the soldiers if anything strange had happened during the night. Still, they all shook their heads, indicating that nothing unusual had taken place.

Feeling somewhat stuck, Rain made up his mind to talk to the captain again. He wasn't exactly thrilled about having to deal with someone he found irritating. Still, he understood it might be necessary to get the information he needed, even if it meant being polite to someone he didn't particularly like.

"Captain, I investigated the enemy's camp, but I didn't find any signs of the so-called monsters aside from the golems," Rain said when he entered the tent. "They don't seem to be planning to do anything suspicious. They seem to be trusting a lot of the defense that the quicksand barriers and the golems provide them."

"... You reached them that far without being noticed?" The Captain asked while frowning.

The captain appeared genuinely taken aback by Rain's skills and expertise, and his reaction gave no indication of doubting Rain's words.

It became evident that the captain's knowledge about the enemies was limited, possibly due to the fact that both sides were primarily concerned with their own defenses. This realization presented an opportunity that Rain could potentially exploit.

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