Chapter Twenty-Four: The Vanguard's Intentions
The night stretched on after Elias's departure, leaving Rin and Keon in a heavy silence. The silver emblem sat on the desk, its reflective surface catching the dim light of their shared dorm room. Keon had been pacing ever since Elias left, his worry practically radiating from him.
"Do you even know what you just got yourself into?" Keon asked, his voice low but frantic.
"Nope," Rin replied, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "But it's not like I had a lot of options, did I?"
"Rin, these kinds of organizations… they don't just help people out of the goodness of their hearts! They're going to want something from you. Something big."
"Yeah, I figured that," Rin said, his tone flippant. "But if they're offering resources and information, I'll take it. Besides, it's not like I signed a contract in blood or anything. I can walk away anytime I want."
Keon groaned, rubbing his temples. "You're impossible. I just hope you know what you're doing."
---
A New Mission
The following morning, Rin woke to find a small, sealed envelope on his desk. It was stamped with the same emblem Elias had given him.
"Well, that's ominous," Rin muttered, tearing it open. Inside was a single piece of parchment with a short, handwritten message:
"Meet at the east gate at dusk. Come alone."
"Wonderful," Rin said, tossing the note onto the desk.
"Are you actually going to go?" Keon asked, eyeing the note nervously.
"Of course," Rin replied. "If I don't, they'll probably just send someone else to drag me there. Might as well save everyone the trouble."
Keon shook his head. "You're insane."
---
The East Gate
Dusk came quickly, and Rin found himself standing at the east gate of the academy. The area was quiet, the usual bustle of students replaced by the distant hum of cicadas.
Elias was waiting, leaning casually against a stone pillar.
"You're punctual," Elias said as Rin approached.
"Let's just get this over with," Rin replied.
Elias chuckled. "Straight to the point, as always. Follow me."
They walked in silence, leaving the academy grounds and heading into the forest that bordered the campus. Rin kept his hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of an ambush.
"Relax," Elias said without looking back. "If we wanted to harm you, we wouldn't have gone through all this trouble."
"That's not as reassuring as you think it is," Rin muttered.
Eventually, they arrived at a small clearing. A group of people was waiting there, all dressed in dark clothing and wearing the silver emblem of the Vanguard.
"This is our field team," Elias explained. "They handle most of the operations that require… discretion."
One of the team members stepped forward, a tall woman with sharp eyes and a scar running down her cheek.
"This is Celia," Elias said. "She'll be overseeing your induction."
"Induction?" Rin asked, raising an eyebrow.
Celia crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "We need to see what you're capable of. Consider this your first test."
---
The Test Begins
The team led Rin deeper into the forest, eventually stopping at the entrance to a cave. Celia gestured toward the dark opening.
"There's a relic inside," she said. "Retrieve it and bring it back here. Simple enough, right?"
Rin glanced at the cave, then back at Celia. "And what's the catch?"
Celia smirked. "The cave is home to a few… obstacles. But I'm sure you'll manage."
"Of course it is," Rin muttered.
Without waiting for further explanation, he stepped into the cave. The air was damp and cold, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed around him.
---
A Battle in the Dark
It didn't take long for the first "obstacle" to appear. A low growl reverberated through the cave, and Rin turned to see a pair of glowing eyes staring at him from the shadows.
"A beast, huh?" Rin said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you've got."
The creature lunged, a blur of fur and claws. Rin sidestepped at the last second, driving his fist into its side with a loud thud. The beast yelped but recovered quickly, circling him warily.
"Not bad," Rin said. "But you're going to have to try harder than that."
The fight continued, Rin dodging and countering with calculated precision. Despite his lazy demeanor, his movements were sharp and efficient, each strike landing with brutal force.
After a few minutes, the beast collapsed, defeated. Rin dusted off his hands and continued deeper into the cave.
---
The Relic
At the heart of the cave, Rin found the relic: a small, ornate box sitting on a pedestal. He approached it cautiously, half-expecting another beast to leap out at him.
When nothing happened, he picked up the box and examined it. It was surprisingly light, the surface covered in intricate carvings.
"Well, that was easier than I thought," Rin said, tucking the box under his arm.
As he turned to leave, he felt a sudden shift in the air. The temperature dropped, and the shadows seemed to grow darker.
"Spoke too soon," Rin muttered, turning to face the source of the disturbance.
A figure emerged from the darkness, its form shifting and indistinct. It moved silently, its presence unnerving.
"Great," Rin said, clenching his fists. "Another fight. Just what I needed."
---
A Close Call
The shadowy figure attacked without warning, its movements erratic and unpredictable. Rin struggled to keep up, his usual confidence replaced by frustration.
"This thing's a pain," he grumbled, narrowly dodging a swipe of its claw-like hand.
Despite the odds, Rin refused to back down. He studied the figure's movements, looking for a pattern. When he finally spotted an opening, he struck with all his strength, his fist glowing faintly with energy.
The figure let out a haunting wail and dissolved into smoke, leaving Rin alone in the cave.
"Finally," Rin said, catching his breath. "Let's get out of here."
---
A New Ally
When Rin returned to the clearing, the team was waiting. Celia raised an eyebrow at the sight of him.
"You actually did it," she said, sounding mildly impressed.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Rin replied, tossing her the box.
Celia caught it and nodded. "Welcome to the Vanguard, Rin Park."
Elias stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've proven yourself capable. Now, let's see if you're ready for what comes next."
Rin sighed. "Why do I get the feeling this is just the beginning?"
Elias smirked. "Because it is."
End of Chapter 24