The two weeks of rest after the practical exam were meant to be a chance for students to recover, but Samson viewed them differently. For him, they were an opportunity. He had passed the test, but the real challenge still lay ahead. The limits of his mana were becoming painfully clear. His spells were powerful, his control had improved, but without a higher mana capacity, there was no way he could unlock his Lion Beast transformation.
The academy was an excellent place to refine techniques, but it wasn't where one learned to expand their mana core. That kind of growth required something more—experience, real battles, and pushing himself to the edge.
And so, Samson made his decision.
He was going back to the mercenary group.
---
Back to the Mercenaries
The mercenary headquarters hadn't changed. The wooden structure, built more like a grand tavern than a military outpost, was alive with noise. Warriors and mages crowded around tables, exchanging tales of their latest missions, haggling over contracts, or simply drinking away the fatigue of their work. The scent of roasted meat mixed with the metallic tang of sharpened weapons, a reminder that this place was as much a battleground as any mission.
As Samson stepped inside, he heard a familiar voice call out.
"Well, well, look who decided to crawl back!"
Sasha leaned against the counter with her usual confident smirk. She was wearing her mercenary gear—a reinforced leather coat and a small utility belt with wind-imbued throwing knives. Her short auburn hair swayed slightly as she turned to face him fully.
"Ayy, Samson's back!" another voice chimed in.
That was Avik, the team's tech expert and lightning mage. He was tinkering with a small gadget on the table, the faint glow of electricity sparking between his fingers.
"Thought you'd gone soft, kid," Bjorn, the team's fire mage and brawler, said with a chuckle. The burly man cracked his knuckles, his scarred arms flexing as he leaned back in his chair.
Samson smirked. "You wish. Academy's tough, but I'm still here."
Rahul, the team's healer, gave him a nod. "Glad you made it through the practical exam. Not everyone does." His calm demeanor hadn't changed, and his presence was as steady as ever.
As Samson greeted them, he noticed someone new—or rather, someone he hadn't met before. A man sat casually at the table, his chair tilted back at a dangerous angle, arms resting behind his head. He had sharp, dark green eyes, a playful grin, and slightly messy brown hair. A light black cloak draped over his shoulders, shifting subtly, as if the shadows clung to it.
"You're new," Samson noted.
The man grinned. "Nah, you're new. I was here before you, kid. Just took an unplanned vacation—courtesy of a mission gone wrong." He stretched his arms, wincing slightly. "Still recovering, but hey, no regrets."
Sasha rolled her eyes. "That's Kieran. Our shadow and light magic specialist. He's also the only intermediate mage in the team."
"Intermediate?" Samson raised an eyebrow.
Kieran nodded. "Yep, two magic types—Shadow and Light. Kind of opposites, but hey, life's all about balance, right?"
"How'd you get injured?"
Kieran clicked his tongue. "Ah, classic mercenary stuff. Took on a job, things got a little... stabby, and let's just say, I got a bit too close to the action." He waved his hand dismissively. "Nothing serious. Just sat out for a bit while my ribs decided to realign themselves."
Samson offered his hand. "Well, good to meet you, Kieran."
Kieran's grin widened as he took the handshake. "Likewise, academy kid."
The handshake was firm, a mutual acknowledgment of strength.
"And don't worry," Kieran added. "I don't hold grudges against people who outshine me. Yet."
Samson chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
A Conversation with the Old Man
After catching up with the others, Samson made his way to the back of the room, where the old man sat at his usual spot. Unlike most of the mercenaries, he wasn't drinking ale. Instead, he calmly sipped from a small cup of tea, his piercing gaze observing everything in the room.
"Ah, back already?" The old man set his cup down as Samson approached. "Couldn't stay away from the action?"
Samson pulled out a chair and sat. "Something like that. I need real-world experience. My magic's strong, but my mana's not enough. If I want to grow, I need to push my limits."
The old man nodded approvingly. "Good. You understand what most young mages don't. Growth doesn't come from lectures alone—it comes from battle, from struggle." He took another sip of tea before continuing. "But tell me, how's the academy treating you?"
Samson sighed. "It's... challenging. Not just in terms of magic, but also balancing everything. I've got rivals, expectations, and now I need to figure out how to increase my mana capacity before I hit a wall."
"Hitting a wall is part of the journey," the old man said. "How you break through it defines what kind of mage you become."
Samson absorbed the words before shifting the topic. "By the way, what happened with the robbery cases in Ginger Town?"
The old man's brows furrowed slightly. "Hmph. That case was pushed aside when the Eva incident happened. But we never fully closed it. The thefts stopped for a while, but recently, there have been new reports. We suspect the thieves changed their tactics."
Samson leaned in. "You think it's the same group?"
"Most likely." The old man exhaled. "Before Eva's kidnapping, we were investigating leads. Now, it seems we have to start over."
Sasha joined in, arms crossed. "We were spread too thin back then. If we get another chance, we'll take them down properly this time."
Samson nodded. "Count me in. If there's anything I can do, let me know."
The old man chuckled. "Careful, boy. You're starting to sound like a mercenary."
Samson smirked. "Maybe I am one."
Kieran suddenly appeared beside them, draping an arm over Samson's shoulder. "That's the spirit! Welcome to the life of taking risky jobs for questionable pay."
Samson laughed. "As long as it helps me grow, I'm in."
The old man raised his cup. "Then prepare yourself. If you want to train with us, we won't go easy on you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."