The rest of the morning passed without hurry, but it wasn't empty. After the training, my body felt light and adjusted, my mind clear. Even so, there was a feeling that wouldn't go away. It wasn't anxiety, nor doubt. It was the need to move. Standing still didn't make sense, not at that point.
When I stood up, I already knew what I was going to do.
"I'm going out," I said simply.
Liriel was the first to react.
"Going out... now?"
"Yes."
Scarlett narrowed her eyes slightly.
"For what?"
"A mission."
Silence came for a second, then Lyannis crossed her arms.
"You want to test your current condition."
"Yes."
Vespera nodded.
"Final validation."
Elara stepped forward.
"We're coming too."
"Of course."
Rai'kanna was already ready before she even answered.
"Then let's go."
It didn't take long for us to leave the castle. The activity outside was already greater than it had been earlier, but nothing that attracted excessive attention. Kaelira wasn't there this time, and that wasn't strange. This part didn't involve her.
We headed to the demi-dragon adventurers' headquarters. The place wasn't as busy as a normal guild, but there was enough activity. A few gazes turned toward us, especially toward me, but no one approached.
I went straight to the mission board.
There were several options, but none were truly relevant. It wasn't about extreme difficulty. It was about execution.
"This one," I said, taking one of the papers.
Liriel stepped closer to read it.
"A goblin swarm... in a nearby dungeon."
"Yes."
Scarlett let out a small sigh.
"Simple."
"The goal isn't challenge," I replied.
Lyannis nodded.
"It's control."
Vespera added,
"Total efficiency."
Elara smiled slightly.
"Then let's do it properly."
Rai'kanna had already turned toward the exit.
"No wasting time."
I accepted the mission, and we left shortly afterward.
The path to the dungeon wasn't long. It was located in a more remote area of the city, surrounded by uneven terrain and sparse vegetation. Nothing remarkable, but the kind of place where problems grow without being immediately noticed.
We stopped at the entrance.
The structure was simple, a natural opening leading underground, with clear signs of recent activity.
"Strong smell," Liriel commented.
"Goblins," Scarlett said. "Normal."
Lyannis analyzed the surroundings.
"No external traps."
"But internal movement," Vespera added.
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"How are we doing this?"
"Fast."
Elara nodded.
"Direct."
We entered.
The interior was dark, but not enough to make vision difficult. The sounds of movement came from deeper inside. Small noises, footsteps, disorganized voices.
I held my sword but didn't raise it yet.
"No spreading out," I said. "Move in formation."
"Understood," Scarlett replied.
We advanced.
The first goblins appeared at the very first turn. There were many of them, but disorganized, as expected. When they saw us, they reacted chaotically, some charging forward, others retreating.
I didn't wait.
One step forward, a single movement.
The blade swept through cleanly.
The first ones fell before they could even complete their reaction.
"Too fast," Liriel said.
"Keep moving," I replied.
We continued advancing.
This time, Scarlett entered the fight, eliminating a side group with direct strikes, without wasting a single movement. Vespera used precise magic, striking specific targets without excess. Lyannis manipulated the battlefield, altering small mana flows to ease our advance.
Elara provided light support, ensuring stability. Rai'kanna dealt with those who tried to flee, making sure none escaped.
Everything flowed.
Without effort.
Without delay.
We reached the deepest section within minutes.
The heart of the swarm was there. More goblins, greater numbers, but the same lack of organization.
"Finish it?" Scarlett asked.
"Yes."
This time, I didn't hold back.
I concentrated mana into the blade, only as much as necessary.
A single advance.
The impact was direct.
The air around us reacted, and the space itself seemed to split open for an instant.
The goblins in front disappeared beneath the strike.
The remaining ones tried to react, but they had no time.
Within seconds, it was over.
Silence returned.
"That's it?" Liriel asked.
"Yes."
Vespera looked around.
"No survivors."
Lyannis nodded.
"Clean execution."
Scarlett relaxed her shoulders slightly.
"No effort."
Rai'kanna looked at me.
"You weren't even close to your limit."
"That wasn't the objective."
Elara smiled slightly.
"But it shows enough."
I sheathed my sword.
"Let's head back."
We left the dungeon without hurry.
The outside environment seemed brighter now, even though it was the same as before. The air felt lighter, my body more stable.
"So..." Liriel began.
"That was it?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Confirmed."
Lyannis crossed her arms.
"Total control."
Vespera added,
"No loss of efficiency."
Scarlett nodded.
"Ready."
Rai'kanna gave a slight smile.
"I already knew."
Elara looked at me.
"But you needed to see it."
"Yes."
We returned to the city and turned in the mission without difficulty. The reward was irrelevant at that moment.
What mattered had already been done.
We walked back to the castle.
The atmosphere was different now. More activity, more organization.
"Tomorrow," Liriel said.
"Yes."
We went up to the room.
The atmosphere was quiet again.
I sat down for a moment without saying anything.
Everything was aligned.
No flaws.
No doubts.
The final verification had been completed.
And the result was simple.
I didn't need anything else.
When I stood up, I already knew.
The next time I fought...
It wouldn't be against monsters.
It would be against a king.
And this time...
It would be until the very end.