With Madison looking like she was ready to set fire to this new group of people, that had appeared from a side street. Stepping forward to stand in front of Madison, Alfred said, “We are participants of Eden’s trial, my name is Alfred, This is Madison and kyle. Who might you be?”

Looking affronted, one of the men in armor said, “How dare you talk to the princess that way, you peasant.”

Waving her hand, the women in the middle of the group said, “Clyde, there is no need to get hung up on titles here. I might be a princess but I will just be another student in Eden.”

Bowing, the man who spoke before said, “Forgive me, princess, I didn't think about how you would want me to respond.”

Smiling She said, “It’s okay Clyde, I know you were just being overprotective.”

Now that I was actually looking at the group of people. I couldn't tell what six of them looked like. Through the heavy-looking armor covering their whole bodies. But I could clearly see the princess, surrounded by her guards in a petal formation. Her figure cut a strong image; long-blonde hair draped over her wide-shoulders, wearing a pristine white robe, that had runes of protection flickering in its folds. I noticed that four out of seven of the group were weird. My talent showed me that they were composed of pure mana, lacking a true physical body.

Bowing slightly towards us, her gold bracelets jingling. She said, “Please forgive Clyde, he was just doing his duty as my guard. My name is Lukteia, First princess of the Winding tribe.”

Waving her arm at the other man by her side, She said, “You already know Clyde’s name, but this is Samson my other guard. These other four might look like people but they're just my summons. It’s very nice to meet other potential students of Eden.”

Relaxing her body, and heading towards Alfred. Smiling, Madison said, “It’s fine, everyone's a little high strung right now anyway. It’s nice to meet you too Lukteia. I've always wanted to visit the Wayland, and see how their shamanistic magic in person.”

Joining Alfred, and Madison where they stood, awkwardly, I said. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

Waving at her summons, causing them to part. Stepping forward, Lukteia said, “I know we got off on the wrong foot, from Clyde’s rash behavior. But that doesn’t mean we can't still work together to pass this trial, what are your thoughts?”

Turning to look at Alfred and me, Madison said, “What do you guys think?”

Looking over Lukteia’s group, Alfred said, “It’s not against the rules for more people to work together. Having more people to help would increase our chances of getting a better score.”

I didn’t get any bad vibes from Lukteia, not that I have an opinion on the matter. I said, “I’m fine with whatever you guys decide.”

Smiling at Lukteia Madison said, “Sure, let's team-up. How do you feel about heading deeper into the South slum?”

After spending the last thirty-five minutes, slowing going through street after street. I’m surprised that we didn’t run into any groups of people. Even though we didn’t come across any long-tailed scrapers, the slow pace gave us time to smooth out how we worked together.

Just as we were about to move on to the next street, pausing Madison said, “We are getting close to the south crux. If what I heard is correct is where the nest of vermin is located. So we should be prepared to face them.”

Lukteia sent two of her summons in front of us, as we entered a wide-circular area. Drawing up short; as we spotted four long-tailed scrapers, with grey-patches of fur covering their body. They looked way different from the vermin before, with thinner bodies. Screeching loudly as they spotted us, at least twenty scaled covered long-tailed scrapers poured out from dirt mounds around the area, chattering at the two grey vermin. Looking at us with their beady yellow eyes, they rushed at us.

Some time while I was taking in the rest of the swarm of vermin. A third grey scraper had snuck up beside us. As it jumped heading right towards Lukteia, screeching claws outstretched towards her. Lukteia swung her arm at the grey scraper, causing it to smash back into the ground. Broken body bleeding out, twitching as the last bit of life left its corpse.

Looking disgusted, spitting, Lukteia said, “What a weak little rat.”

Watching on, as Lukteia’s summons hit the oncoming swarm first, blades flashing cutting into the scaly hides of the long-tailed scrapers. Dispatching body after body, Clyde and Samson dove headfirst into the turbulent battle in front of us. With the swarm of scaled-scrapers dwindling to a sparse few. The four grey-furred scrapers in the back released another round of screeches. After finishing off the last of the scaled scraper, Clyde and Samson retreated back to Lukteia’s side. The only signs they had been in battle, their heavy breathing and slight shaking of their hands.

Grumbles and dust rising in the air, coming from the mounds strewn across the south crux.

Stepping forward, pulling out two silver objects from his spatial focus. Alfred said, “We’ll take the next wave.”

As I felt Madison start to release small waves of red mana. Walking to Alfred’s side, smiling, Lukteia said, “It’s fine we’ll join you; I haven’t even gotten warmed up yet, while my summons can take a beating. I’m sure Clyde and Samson will be fine after a little rest to clear their minds and refocus themselves. But thank you for the offer.”