Over the course of two days, Elijah and Novius had been helping Alexia breakthrough to the solid red core stage. This stage was obviously the easiest to break through to, and only required a medium amount of mana usage and conscious effort to pull mana into a person's core. Changing the environmental mana is something completely different than pulling the pure mana in the environment close to you, and into your core. However, nothing produced more effort than using your magic and exhausting your mana core. That was easily the best way to move up in the kingdom of magic.
Applauds were heard by Alexia as she opened her eyes to feel a small burst of wind shoot out of her body.
Novius stopped clapping and gave a wide grin towards Alexia. "Now you will be able to keep up with us. Just thinking about this first mission with you guys is giving me chills!"
"Novius, what core stages are your friends at?" Elijah has had this thought in his mind since he first met them.
"Most of them are at the bright red stage besides Emelia, Aslan, you, and Alexia."
Elijah was surprised by the son of the West Hunter Guild Leader to not be ahead. It must be his age of awakening.
The trio walked downstairs to the kitchen and began to pack supplies. Date bars, biltong, and glass bottled water. Alexia and Novius both sighed at the sight of Novius carefully setting the water bottles into his spatial storage. Currently, he could fit around six of the one one liter bottles in his spatial storage because he wanted to preserve as much mana as possible, while still retaining the utility his magic provided. Novius and Alexia bagged up the food into their light backpacks, and waited outside the tall iron fence gate for a carriage.
Elijah has since upgraded his Catacomb diving attire. With his desire to use his flight ability in secret, he bought all black and dark navy attire that was not tight fitting, but slim fitting. Straps wrapped around his traps with small padding around his shoulders. His black vest that was above a tan cotton shirt had blue curved and symmetrical patterns. His pants and shoes were quite simple being fully black with black patterns and knee guards, but matched well with his look.
Alexia was in love with the color gray and black, and chose a similar outfit from the same shop, the only difference being it was meant for a female. Novius had on the same simple outfit from when they reunited after their exam. Black and dark colored vest that didn't seem to have a pattern to it. Mostly everything was black, besides the seam lines on the sides of his arms and legs.
The carriage ride was the same as it had always been. The streets were crowded with people that seemed to not believe in traffic laws. The finely detailed bridge was something Elijah had gazed at on his first trip to the hunter guild. Only this time, he was better able to notice the floristry details made from metal. How much control over magic was needed for something like this?
The grand double door to the guild opened up into a two story tall foyer filled with people. Six seating areas with coffee tables were to the left and right, with the staircase heading to the second floor on the far right side of the building. Hanging on the wall just below the second floor balcony that overlooks the crowd of people, was the mission board. New missions had just been released on the mission board which was what everyone was staring at.
Novius quickly pulled his pendant hanging around his neck, and softly touched the flower-like imprint that signified their hunting party.
"It's Novius, we have arrived."
While the trio continued to walk forward towards the crowd of people, Elijah noticed five heads coming out of the crowd. Everyone was dressed in their appropriate gear with subtle colors that matched their affinity. Emelia, was in a loose fitting pair of pants, and after greeting the group, she told Elijah she enjoyed the freedom more than pants that hugged her legs tightly. This was understandable.
Aslan started to talk about his thoughts on the mission the party was going with. "I think the Mudmen cave is the right one to pick. They are on the stronger side of non-humanoid beasts, and can use limited amounts earth magic. but I believe we have a very strong team and can easily complete it."
Elijah was the first to speak, and with a sense of thrill as well. "Let's do it!"
"Hold on, this mission would take over two hours, and pass us through four different caverns! Are we sure this is the right choice?" Emelia was nervous.
Everyone was on board with this choice, and comforted Emelia, who was only being cautious.
"Look at this sight guys! It's Novius' petty party! Hahaha"
The party turned around in confusion only to see Emery Damaris standing alongside his own party.
Elijah could clearly tell they have a history, and based on the way Novius responded, he was sick of his dynamic with Emery. "I say this with respect Emery, what you are doing makes no sense, so please leave us be with your petty insults."
Emery moved closer to Novius, and stared at him straight in the face. "Novius, it would do you well to just accept everything that comes to you."
Both parties erupted in anger, however, only the people who felt no embarrassment. This did not include Emelia, Alexia, Elijah, and Theon.
The many parties of more powerful hunters butted in to stop the arguments, but quickly stopped as they saw a white haired man walking through the door.
Elijah's frown turned to a smile when he made eye contact by raising his height with his heels. It was clear that these no life had no idea of the situation with their backs turned towards the door, so Elijah instantly froze the situation. "THE ICE JUDGE!"
Amaris didn't say a single word to anyone as he was greeted by everyone he passed by. He calmly walked through the silence of what used to be a heated discussion, and professed his reason for his visit. "Elijah! It is so good to see you again. I assume you are about to leave for your first mission, so I will find you tomorrow night. Good luck! You seem to have some capable friends!"
Amaris's previous cold demeanor that quickly changed to a joyful banter struck everyone by surprise. However, not more than the surprise of the famous Ice Judge Amaris talking to a simple red core mage. Emery in his blind faith followers quickly walked away in silence as his friends started asking him questions, minus Novius and Alexia.
"He just thinks I have potential guys, it's not a big deal." Elijah nonchalantly tapped the dust off his shoulders.
"Not a big deal! I think not! It is my dream to be mentored by the Fire Judge!" Raylen quickly expressed his admiration towards Elijah.
The group took the torn mission post to the front desk, and was officially signed up as a party for the mission. It had to be completed within forty eight hours. However, the party did not waste time and made haste towards the western Catacombs entrance. The carriage ride did not take long, but made the friends relish the comfort of the carriage, as they would have to walk once they reached the start of the storage buildings, unpopulated houses and buildings.