Scene 1: Dark Forest by the Lake
The dark forest loomed around the shimmering lake, its surface reflecting the dim light of the crescent moon. A man stumbled through the dense undergrowth, his breaths ragged and shallow. Blood dripped from his wounds, staining the forest floor with each desperate step. He clutched his side, his mana reserves completely depleted, yet he pushed forward with sheer determination.
"I can't stop now," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper against the rustling leaves.
The forest seemed to close in on him, its shadows stretching like claws. Suddenly, his foot caught on an exposed tree root, and he plummeted down a steep slope. Branches tore at his skin as he tumbled, finally landing hard at the bottom.
Dazed and struggling to rise, he froze as a mysterious sound echoed from behind him—a low, guttural growl that sent shivers down his spine. He turned slowly, his wide eyes searching the darkness. Then, from the depths of the shadows, a deafening roar erupted, shaking the very ground beneath him.
Scene 2: Training Ground Aftermath
The training ground was a scene of utter devastation. The morning light had yet to break, leaving the area bathed in a pale, pre-dawn glow. Anon and his team stood in a tense silence, summoned alongside several instructors and professors. Moments later, the headmaster arrived, his assistant trailing closely behind.
The headmaster's sharp eyes scanned the destruction. The training dummies had been reduced to ash, and the ground was cracked and distorted as if it had been struck by a cataclysmic force. A deep frown furrowed his brow as he exhaled a long, weary sigh.
"Anon," he growled, his voice trembling with restrained fury. "What in the world have you done?"
Anon flinched under the weight of the headmaster's anger. His mana field expanded, an oppressive aura pressing down on everyone present. At first, Anon held his ground, but the pressure quickly overwhelmed him, forcing him to his knees.
"Sir, I don't think Anon did this," the assistant interjected, stepping forward.
The headmaster turned to him, his intense gaze softening slightly. "What are you saying?"
The assistant pointed to subtle marks scorched into the ground. "There are traces of mana usage, but Anon doesn't have any mana left. It's unlikely he could have done this."
The headmaster's expression darkened as he processed the information. "Then who?"
"It's me, sir," Aris spoke up, his voice trembling as he raised a shaky hand.
The headmaster's piercing gaze locked onto Aris. "You? Are you saying you're responsible for this?"
"Yes, sir," Aris admitted, his voice barely audible. "I lost control… when I cast the spell, it succeeded, but I collapsed afterward."
Before the headmaster could respond, Instructor Armir arrived, his disheveled appearance suggesting he'd just woken up.
"What's all this noise?" Armir asked groggily, surveying the destruction. "And why are you standing around like fools?"
Assistant Jamar's temper flared. "Show some respect! You're in the presence of the headmaster, you bastard!"
Armir shrugged off the rebuke, turning his attention back to the scene. "What happened here?"
The headmaster sighed, signaling for Jamar to calm down. "Armir, can you repair the damage?"
Armir examined the shattered training ground and let out a long sigh. "It's doable, but costly."
He then turned to Aris, his tone sharp. "It's great that you're powerful now, but do you realize the academy isn't wealthy? Most of our students are commoners or outcasts from noble families. Our funds come from hunting monsters and completing quests. This kind of damage is a huge burden."
Norman, one of the team members, hesitantly offered, "What if we take on some difficult quests to cover the costs?"
Armir scoffed. "Do you think that's easy? This isn't a game."
Ravena stepped forward. "If we use quests as training sessions, it could improve our combat skills and help the academy financially."
Armir considered her suggestion, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "You'll be fighting monsters, not people. It'll be dangerous. But… it's not a bad idea. If nothing else, you'll gain experience to protect yourselves."
The headmaster nodded. "Fine. Prepare a list of suitable quests for them. We'll turn this mess into an opportunity for growth."
Scene: A Quiet Village Field
Children were playing joyfully in the fields of a small, random village. The scene was serene until, suddenly, a loud, earth-shaking sound erupted, throwing the area into chaos. Homes began to catch fire as panic spread like wildfire. Villagers ran in all directions, screaming in fear. Parents rushed to gather their children, fleeing toward the nearby city for safety.
Amid the chaos, one child was left behind, lost and scared. The child cried out for their parents, but the thick dust in the air obscured their vision.
When the dust finally began to settle, the child froze in terror. In the distance, a group of fire rexes—large, fearsome creatures engulfed in flames—were charging toward the village. Their numbers were overwhelming, and their sheer size made them appear unstoppable.
The fire rexes closed in at an alarming speed. Just as it seemed the child would be trampled by the flaming beasts, a group of merchants suddenly appeared. One of them activated an invisible shield, blocking the deadly wave of fire rexes, while another swiftly scooped up the child to safety.
The team leader of the merchant group, a towering swordsman named Jabra, raised his deep, commanding voice to calm the panicked villagers:
"All people , regroup here! Don't panic! Head to the safe zone!"
Jabra's presence was commanding, and his skill with the sword was unmatched. Without hesitation, he issued a command to one of his companions, a young mage.
The mage, Rowen, was a second-circle earth shield mage, and his skills were crucial in this moment of crisis. Rowen focused his mana and conjured a massive earth wall in the path of the fire rexes. To fortify it further, he infused it with shield mana, making it durable enough to withstand the creatures' fiery onslaught.
Jabra cleared his throat, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Prepare for combat! We're not letting them through!"
Scene: Quest Club
Meanwhile, at the Quest Club, the air was filled with casual chatter and anticipation for student's ..
"Hey Azmon, do you have any interesting quests lined up today?"
Azmon smirked, flipping through a stack of quest parchments. "Oh, I've got a few... but let me tell you, one of them involves fire rexes. Care to join?"
#The Quest Club was a hub for students seeking to learn, practice, and earn money. Anyone, regardless of rank or class, could take on quests tailored to their abilities. The club offered a perfect platform for students to tackle challenges and gain experience, making it popular among aspiring adventurers.
Azmon was a well-known member of the club, recognized for his knack for stirring up trouble wherever he went. His reputation preceded him, earning him both admiration and exasperation from his peers.
" Are you planning to cause more chaos again?"
Ravena smirked. At anon,
"Do you ever not cause problems wherever you go?"
The conversation shifted to quests. Noeman turned serious. "Well, can you recommend a quest for a Class 3 team?"
Noerman, placed his hand on the quest board and began searching. After a moment, he picked one out.
"Hmm... considering your team has a few troublemakers, here's a quest you should be able to handle. Just make sure to clear it within three days."
Ravena took the quest parchment and scanned it quickly. Her expression turned to disbelief.
"What the?! Fire rexes? Are you kidding me? How is this a even Class 3 quest?"
#Fire rexes are a type of hill cow. However, during a specific season, they enter a berserk state known as burshak. In this state, they destroy anything in their path. Every year, people prepare for the fire rexes going into burshak, but this year, the situation was dire. The number of fire rexes had drastically increased, and they all entered burshak simultaneously, creating a significant threat.
Ravena was furious. "For this season, fire rexes should at least be classified as Class 2 monsters! And because they're in burshak, it's even harder to capture them!"
Noerman, always ready to share his knowledge, nodded in agreement. "You're right. This season is unusually bad. It's going to be tough."
"Should we look for another quest?" Noerman suggested, concern in his tone.
"No,Let's go with this one. The reward is excellent. Half of the repairs cost will come from completing this quest."
As they prepared to leave, Azmon stopped them. "Oh, one more thing," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I heard the fire rexes destroyed some villages along their path. If you can, please try to help the villagers."
Noerman frowned. "Why haven't the adults cleared this quest yet? Isn't this too dangerous for students?"
Azmon sighed, running his fingers through his hair. "The problem is that the fire rexes all entered burshak at the same time this year. There are so many of them that the adults are overwhelmed. That's why they put the quest on the school board—hoping the younger generation can help too."
Ravena's expression softened. "I see... well, if that's the case, we should do our best to help."
"Shall we get moving, then?" Anon said with a smirk, his excitement barely contained.
"It'd be great if Aris could join us," Ravena added in a wistful tone,
Bak to yesterday Academy Grounds
Aris had stopped by the academy for his training. Meanwhile, on the ground, the team gathered as Instructor Armir addressed them with a clear and authoritative voice.
"Here's what I've decided," Armir began. "Anon, Ravena, and Noerman, you three will go and clear the quest. Aris, you'll remain here to focus on your training."
Anon frowned, clearly displeased. "Why can't he come with us?"
Armir's gaze was firm as he explained. "Even if he went with you, he'd only be a burden right now. Until Aris learns to control his flames properly, he will stay here and train."
Ravena glanced at Armir, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. It seemed she wasn't entirely convinced by his reasoning.
Aris, however, looked resolute. Though deep down he knew the truth—he had been a burden to his team before—he refused to let it discourage him.
"Don't worry, guys," Aris said, his voice filled with determination. "I'll become stronger. Next time, I'll be ready to join the raid with you again."
His words carried a spark of hope and resolve, igniting a sense of purpose within the team. While they wished he could join them, they also knew that this time apart would allow Aris to grow stronger and prove himself in the future.
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