A week had passed since the boy had gained his Adventure Badge, he was a certified D Rank adventurer, allowing him to take on solo missions from D and below and C missions with a qualified team. Yet that would probably prove difficult as not many people liked the idea of going on jobs with a thirteen and a half year old.
In fact around their town Eric had gotten a few sideways glances for his decision to partner with the young man but he had simply brushed them off with a nonchalant shrug. He knew what Viktor was capable of. Besides, age was rarely a good barometer for skill in their line of work.
Eric and Viktor strode into the guild with a familiarity that they hadn't possessed a week ago. Their steps were more confident, their expressions more settled. The hustle and bustle of the Guild Office didn't faze them anymore. They navigated through the crowd easily, heading straight to the notice board that was filled with job postings.
Viktor scanned the board with keen eyes, looking for something that he felt they could handle. His eyes landed on a notice about a goblin infestation in a nearby village. It didn't seem too dangerous, but it would provide him with an opportunity to test his combat skills.
"Eric," he said, pointing at the goblin notice, "What do you think about this one?"
Eric read the notice and nodded approvingly. "Good choice. Goblins can be tricky little buggers but I think we can handle them."
As they accepted the mission and prepared to set out, Viktor couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement shoot through him. This was it – his first real mission as an adventurer. He looked down at the badge pinned on his chest, now carrying even more meaning.
The journey to the village took them most of the day, but Viktor hardly noticed. His mind was occupied by thoughts of goblins and magic spells and Kirchner's seemingly unpredictable interference. By late afternoon, they finally arrived at their destination.
Upon arrival, they found themselves staring at a quaint little village surrounded by rolling green hills and humble wooden huts. The echo of a distant hammer hitting metal signaled the presence of a blacksmith. Faint laughter floated in the air, emanating from the local tavern, while children ran through the narrow muddy streets weaving between passersby.
But the idyllic atmosphere was tainted by a sense of unease hanging over the villagers like a dark cloud. The people huddled together, their faces etched with worry and fear as they looked at Eric and Viktor. It became clear to them that the goblin problem was far worse than they had initially anticipated.
A middle-aged man who introduced himself as Mayor Torbin greeted them upon arrival. His face was weathered but kind, his eyes tired yet hopeful. "Thank you for coming," he said, clasping Viktor's hand firmly, "The goblins have been causing chaos for days now."
Viktor nodded understandingly, reassuring Torbin they would handle the problem with utmost care and urgency. He felt Eric's encouraging pat on his back as they followed Torbin towards a hut on the outskirts of the village where most of the goblin sightings had been reported.
They spent the rest of that evening strategizing their plan of action, poring over maps and discussing possible traps to catch the goblins. The reassurance in Eric's voice helped ease some of Viktor's anxiety, but he couldn't help but think about how Kirchner would react when the battle begins.
As night fell, they positioned themselves strategically around the hut, waiting for their unwelcome visitors. Viktor held his breath as he watched shadows dance amongst the trees in the distance – it was time.
The first sign of their arrival was the distinct guttural chittering that echoed eerily in the still night. Then, the rustling of leaves and breaking of twigs under nimble feet grew louder and more pronounced. Viktor's pulse quickened and he tightened his grip on the enigmatic pebble, his magical conduit.
There they were - a group of five goblins, grotesque and snarling, creeping towards the village from the forest edge. Their skin was a sickly green, bodies hunched over as they slithered into view. Viktor could see the malicious glint in their beady eyes reflecting in the moonlight.
He looked at Eric who nodded at him, signaling it was time to intervene. They both leapt from their hiding spots, startling the goblins who quickly arranged themselves into attack formation.
Viktor felt an exhilaration coursing through him. This was different from practicing spells on a pebble - this was real danger, and these goblins weren't going to hold back. He knew he had to remember everything Beorn had taught him about magic, but he could also feel Kirchner stirring within him, eager for a taste of real combat.
"Quick, use your levitation spell," Eric shouted above the growing cacophony.
Channeling all his concentration into the monster, Viktor cast the levitation spell on one of the goblins. To his relief, it worked. The creature yelped as it was violently lifted off its feet and tossed harmlessly aside into a thick bush.
However, this only seemed to inflame the other goblins further. They charged towards Viktor with renewed ferocity. One of the goblins lunged at him and he barely had time to conjure a shield before its claws could reach him. The impact sent him skidding back, but the shield held firm.
"Viktor, focus!" Eric called out, fending off two goblins with his sword.
The adrenaline pumping through his veins made it hard for Viktor to think clearly. He could feel Kirchner roaring inside him, shaking him with its power. It was overwhelming. But Viktor knew he didn't have time to feel afraid. He swallowed hard, pushing back his fear and letting his instincts take over.
Summoning all of the energy he had left, Viktor directed a bolt of lightning at the nearest goblin, sending it flying back, smoke curling from its charred form. An electrifying thrill coursed through him as he watched the creature fall lifeless to the ground.
Emboldened by his success, Viktor swooped into action once more, casting spells with newfound confidence. Goblins were thrown left and right as he worked in tandem with Eric, who expertly dispatched any who got too close.
After what felt like an eternity, the final goblin fell. Panting heavily and splattered in mud and goblin blood, Viktor could hardly believe they had won their first battle against real enemies.
Mayor Torbin ran over to them from where he had been hiding, relief etched into every line on his face as the villagers began to emerge from their homes.
"You… You did it!" Torbin stuttered out, his eyes wide with disbelief and gratitude.
Viktor and Eric exchanged tired smiles. They had done it, but before the two could celebrate a skinny man ran to the mayor and quickly whispered something in his ear.
His face lit up for a moment before a look of panic covered his eyes.
"She's coming everyone! Announce to all the folks, to clean up whatever mess they see. This place needs to be spotless." He shouted.
Viktor and Eric both looked rightfully confused , but before they could ask who was coming, Torbin shot them a look of pure dread. "The Mage Queen," he grumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The Queen?" Viktor echoed, his mind racing.
Eric looked just as shocked as Viktor felt. "We need to prepare," he said finally, turning to Torbin.
"There's no time!" Torbin exclaimed, wringing his hands. "She arrives at dawn and it's nearly morning now."
Viktor felt a pang of responsibility. The village looked like a battlefield after their skirmish with the goblins. Fallen branches littered the ground and several huts had been damaged in the fight. If the Queen of the North arrived to this scene, it would spell disaster for the villagers.
Without wasting another second, Viktor and Eric began pitching in with the cleaning efforts. They worked side by side with the villagers, repairing broken huts and clearing debris from the streets until their muscles screamed in protest.
As dawn approached, a valley of horses as well as a horse drawn carriage appeared out in the distance.
The villagers held their breath as the carriage drew closer, the rhythmic clopping of the horses' hooves a stark contrast to the stifling silence. The carriage was ornate, covered in rich gold leaf and intricate patterns that gleamed under the first light of dawn. It was pulled by six robust, snow-white stallions whose breaths formed clouds in the crisp morning air.
"Stand straight!" Torbin warned sharply as he hurriedly checked over his villagers. Panic edged his words but everyone heard him, standing a little straighter, looking forward with wide eyes and forced smiles.
The carriage slowed as it entered the village square. A pair of well-dressed footmen jumped out of the carriage and opened its door. A woman, regal and intimidating, descended from it. Wrapped in a cloak of emeralds and wearing a crown of gold that glittered with precious jewels, her presence was enough to make everyone bow their heads in respect. Her eyes scanned her surroundings; sharp and analytical.
Viktor felt his heart pound in his chest as those eyes landed on him and Eric. He forced himself to remain calm as she approached them, flanked by a pair of imposing guards clad in heavy armor.
Viktor could feel Kirchner seizing up in the corner of his mind. Even if it had been years how could one forget their own sibling.
The footman corrected his posture and loudly announced the woman's arrival. "All in presence bow to the great and honorable Princess Alyssa!"
"Switch…" Viktor felt a foreign voice speak in his mind, and then it was as if he wasn't there anymore… The one who was-
"Viktor Kirchner?" The woman let out.