Sophie noticed the issue immediately. "Some of our small predators might make snacks out of the other animals."
Cane nodded. "We'll release them on opposite sides of the island. If we leave food out for the predators at first, they won't hunt—at least not until the wildlife has a chance to repopulate."
Clara wrinkled her nose at the mere-cats. "How much bigger is this place now?"
"The land mass has doubled," Cane replied. "But if you include the ocean? Many, many times larger."
Dhalia closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "The ocean smells perfect. You should ask Professor Morva to help bring in aquatic life."
Cane nodded thoughtfully. Selene Morva was Neri's half-sister—and a mermaid hybrid. The perfect person to ask. "As long as she's not too busy."
Pudding landed on Cane's shoulder, eyes locked on the rabbits being released.
"Don't even think about it." Cane stroked the creature's beak. "No hunting in the Ringworld. Got it?"
HOOAACH.
The morning passed in a blink. Cane synced the Ringworld's time with the outside world—for now. He left briefly, returning moments later with Telamon and Brammel. Both men froze at the sight.
"...Impressive," Telamon murmured.
"Still think I'm crazy?" Gadira asked, strolling past.
As she passed, she asked Cane, "What about poultry? Chickens? Geese? Ducks?"
Cane raised an eyebrow. "Who's going to feed them?"
Gadira pointed to herself with a thumb. "A small farm would be perfect. Maybe even a barn with a cow or two."
"You know how to care for livestock?"
"Willing and able," she said. "This place is peaceful—but I admit it gets a bit boring sometimes."
Telamon's senses extended across the space. Cane's aura had grown again. Creation magic, starmetal resonance, Cold Iron infusion—it was all layered into him now, a convergence of impossible disciplines.
"This place is incredible, nephew," Telamon finally said. "I wouldn't mind taking the occasional retreat here."
Cane grinned. "You got it, Uncle."
"Oy, lad…" Brammel stepped beside Jonas, surveying the treeline. "Are we gonna get a smithy or not? Can't be calling this paradise without one."
Cane laughed. "Of course. I'll have a few more structures added soon."
By midday, the group finally stepped back through the portal. A rift shimmered open under Telamon's hand, returning them to the Academy.
**
It had been a while since Cane wore the fish-suit gifted by Neri. He had forgotten how enjoyable it could be to move effortlessly beneath the waves. Following in Selene's wake, the mermaid hybrid led him deeper, weaving through open water in search of a specific kind of sea algae.
They entered what would've been a jungle on dry land—tall stalks rising from the seabed, each with broad, leafy branches that made the undersea forest too dense to swim straight through.
Selene squeezed his hand and pointed toward a vast swath of the crop. After visiting Cane's Ringworld, she had begun designing a proper ecosystem for its ocean biome. Step one, she insisted, was food. This strain of sea algae would spread quickly and form the foundation of a thriving aquatic network. Dozens of reef species would depend on it.
This marked their third trip together. The first involved transplanting living coral; the second was harvesting fish and turtle eggs for stasis storage. Cane had only returned a day earlier, but already he'd spent most of that time improving the spatial construct—expanding terrain, balancing climate, integrating water layers.
With the front opening in less than two days, all classes at the Academy had been suspended. Cane hired a local crew to construct a barn, stable, and smithy—clearing out nearly all the lumber stock in town.
He swept a hand across the swaying jungle of algae, gently phasing it into his ringworld ocean. They worked for hours, carefully thinning the field without stripping it. According to Selene, proper harvesting was vital for long-term health.
By the time they made shore, dusk had fallen. Selene shifted into her human form, stretching as she stood beside him, saltwater glistening on her skin.
"We've made a strong start," she said, smiling. "But ecosystems need balance. If we rush it, we'll destroy something else."
Cane nodded as his psi-rune lit up.
Fergis: We on for tonight?
Cane: Yes.
Clara: What's happening tonight?
Fergis: Just hanging out.
Clara: What time?
Fergis: Guys only.
Clara: Huh? I'm one of the guys!
Cane chuckled and shut the rune off. Arguing with Clara would only end with her getting her way.
"Archmage!" Selene said in surprise, spotting Telamon standing on shore beside their gear.
"Uncle," Cane greeted him, changing out of the fish-suit and back into his robes.
"I trust you and Fergis will be careful," Telamon said, handing over a rolled parchment. "Take care of each other. No unnecessary risks."
Cane blinked. "What's this?"
"Your commission," Telamon replied. "Captain of Fury Company. You trained them—it's only fitting you lead them."
"They kept the name?" Cane asked. "Isn't the entire legion called Fury?"
Telamon nodded. "You're 1st Company, Fury Legion. Commander Terok will be overseeing Legion operations."
Cane hesitated. He couldn't tell if Telamon was proud, worried, or disappointed. "You're not going to talk me out of it?"
"No," Telamon said, eyes steady. "I was young once. You've fought for this cause from the start. Be safe. And bring Fergis back in one piece, nephew."
Cane grinned. "I will."
An hour later, Cane sat on the front steps of the cottage in his ringworld.
Sophie stood beside him, arms folded, silent but visibly displeased. He had planned to join the opening front with Fergis in secret. But with Telamon already knowing, it seemed foolish to keep Sophie in the dark.
"You're determined to go," she said, gripping his arm with both hands.
"We are," Cane replied.
"Then take me with you."
He raised an eyebrow. "And what would you do on the front lines?"
"Nothing," she said flatly. "I'll stay here."
She pursed her lips. "It's only a request. It's okay to say no."
"I can live with that," he said. "Tor and the gryphons will be here finishing their last training phase. You can join them."
Sophie blushed, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "That was my plan. Thank you, Cane."
"Just so you know, time will be set to flow normally for now. Expect to be gone a few weeks. Maybe longer."
"I've already made arrangements with the Academy and my parents."
Cane stood suddenly, pulling her up with him. "Shit... When did you find out?"
She traced an X over her lips. "I'm sworn to secrecy."
A short while later, Fergis knocked lightly on Cane's dorm door, pausing when he saw Sophie inside.
"Hey Sophie."
"She knows," Cane said with a shrug. "No idea how. I agreed to let her stay in the ringworld during the mission."
"So much for secrecy." Fergis leaned against the doorframe. "Anyone else?"
"Telamon. He gave us our commissions." Cane handed him the scroll. "Captain of 1st Company, Fury Battalion."
Fergis grinned. "Back with the original Furies? They'll love that."
"You're leading 2nd Platoon," Cane added.
Fergis blinked. "That's Teek's platoon."
"I'm aware."
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Fergis peeked out and raised an eyebrow.
"What the hell…"
The hall was packed. Clara marched through the door like she owned it.
"We're coming too. Don't worry, we'll stay in the ringworld."
Dhalia crossed her arms beside her. "Better to have us and not need us than the other way around."
Cane looked at the growing crowd. "Shit…"
A group of third-years clustered behind them—Yuta, Siya, and their full teams included.
"Does anyone not know?"
"No, lad." Brammel appeared in the hall, followed by Jonas and Selene Morva. "We're coming too. No classes anyway."
Near the back, Chanzi and her top psi students lingered. Her twin brother, notably, was absent.
Cane sighed. "What about supplies?"
"We've got several wagons in town," Brammel clapped his hands. "If you two don't mind picking them up on your way out. Everything we could think of. Don't worry—we're ready."
An hour later, Cane rode Prince through the outskirts of town, Fergis keeping pace beside him. The two had been quiet for miles, letting the absurdity settle.
Then they broke into laughter.
"My old man would call this a shit show," Fergis chuckled. "So much for our clandestine escape to the front."
Cane grinned. "Is it weird we're bringing an army with us?"
Fergis nodded. "Without a doubt."