"Being scared won't solve anything," Kain Clinton said, his voice calm but weighted with an authority that demanded attention. His eyes swept over the huddled students, still trembling in the aftermath of the dire wolf encounter. "If I hadn't arrived when I did, how many of you do you think would have even made it out alive?"
The group fell into a tense, fragile silence. Wide, terrified eyes met each other briefly, then darted away, avoiding both his gaze and that of their classmates. Fear hung thick in the air like a damp fog, clinging to the students' skin, their clothes, and even the faint smell of sweat mingled with the night's dew. Kain did not need to lecture them—he wasn't a teacher. He was a senior, a guiding force, a reality check for those inexperienced in the unforgiving world of combat magic.
"It's simple," he continued, his voice deliberate yet firm. "The weaker you are, the more you need to stick together. Even minimal coordination could have delayed the creature long enough to prevent serious injury. None of you would have lost an arm."
He let the words settle. Wolves were terrifying not because of their individual power, but because of their cohesion, their pack behavior. The same principle applied to mages facing a formidable opponent: unity was survival.
"What… how bad is he?" Emily Yu asked softly, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes.
Kain's gaze softened as he regarded the fragile, quivering figure. "His arm… was torn apart by the beast. If it isn't treated immediately, he could lose it entirely."
A sharp collective intake of breath swept through the students. Many had been Zhao Kun San's—now Connor Sanderson's—classmates. Hearing of their comrade's near-catastrophic injury struck like a physical blow. Vulnerability they had only half-acknowledged before now pressed down on them like a stone.
"Your field exercise is likely ruined," Kain added, pragmatic and unflinching. "With this incident, I doubt the instructors will continue today."
Disappointment and frustration rippled through the group. What had been intended as a proving ground had become a nightmare. Some students already retreated mentally, deciding that facing such ferocious creatures wasn't worth the risk, at least for now.
Kain's eyes lingered on Emily once more. Despite her fear—trembling knees, quivering lips—there was a spark in her eyes: a faint flicker of courage even as terror threatened to consume her. Fear and bravery, he thought, often coexist.
"Don't worry," he said, nodding toward the distant camp. "Your instructors should have already recalled the other teams. The immediate danger has passed, though the day is far from over."
Back at camp, Kain retreated into his mental space, a realm of constellations representing his magical essence. Three distinct star-fields shimmered in the void before him: the crimson glow of necromancy, the golden brilliance of light magic, and the fiery red of elemental fire arts.
Among them hovered a pale, silvery glimmer—his summoning essence, still in its nascent stage. Kain allowed himself a faint smile. With diligent practice, he could elevate it to mid-tier within six months. Summoned creatures, though useful, were temporary and expendable. Contracted beasts, bound by loyalty, were the true measure of combat strength. Even a battle-hardened summon would not significantly increase his own power; mastery, skill, and strategy remained paramount.
The calm was broken by the system's ethereal, mechanical voice:
"Newbie task complete. Choose one of the following tasks: 'Seek the Totem' or 'Defend Bo City.'"
Kain's brow furrowed as he considered the options.
[Seek the Totem]: Locate a totem and assign a guardian. Duration: 1 year. Reward: A mysterious totem vessel.
[Defend Bo City]: Identify the mastermind behind the conspiracy, thwart their plan, and protect Bo City. Duration: 1 year. Reward: A purified Earthly Spring.
He smirked faintly, muttering under his breath, "Feels like a video game quest menu… is this some tech giant's product?"
Both tasks posed formidable challenges. Seeking an unguarded totem was no simple matter—most had long been claimed by powerful guardians. Only one legendary creature near the islands remained unbound, temperamental and reclusive. Its unpredictability alone could turn a straightforward mission into a nightmare. Even Zach, the Turtle-shell Mage of legend, had struggled with it in the past.
The second task was even more perilous: confronting the hidden hand of the Black Cult. Identifying the mastermind was a gamble; exposure could be catastrophic. Yet the reward—a purified Earthly Spring—was immensely tempting. Such a relic could elevate him to super-tier within six months, a tantalizing shortcut to immense power.
Kain's pragmatism tempered his desire. Provoking the Black Cult at this early stage was reckless. Entire noble families had been annihilated by their fury. He was not yet ready to face such wrath.
"Looks like the totem search is the safer choice," he muttered, already sketching strategies in his mind. If he could locate and secure all the totems before the sea gods intervened, Bo City's defenses could be fortified—providing him with a strategic advantage for battles to come.
Meanwhile, Jayce stretched, a yawn escaping as he surveyed the camp. Exhaustion from cataloging every student's magical signature during the night was etched into his features. "I'm wiped… haven't slept a wink, and I just finished recording all their details."
"Any signs of Black Cult infiltrators?" Kain asked, turning to him.
"Yes… I caught one," Jayce replied, shaking his head. "A city like Bo City, yet infiltration runs this deep. It's unsettling."
"And the culprit?" Kain asked, calm, almost detached.
"A woman from the Trial Association took him away," Jayce said.
Kain nodded lightly. "Fine. Let her handle it. I need proper rest." One operative was a drop in the ocean; there would be more.
"I could use some sleep too," Jayce admitted, moving toward the tents. Before he could settle, a hand blocked his path.
"This tent is mine for the day," Kain said, tugging the flap closed.
"I can't find anywhere else! Let me in!" Jayce protested.
"You helped Commander Kane with a massive task. Surely he could arrange better accommodations than this?" Kain teased, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Jayce paused, realizing the point. After all, he had earned it. "I suppose… that's true," he said, conceding. "I'll take the soft bed."
"Wait—you want a soft bed?" a voice called from the shadows.
Kain shook his head, smiling faintly as he ushered Jayce inside the luxurious tent. Even amidst chaos, under looming threats, small victories were still worth savoring.
Outside, the world remained wild, dangerous, and uncertain. Inside, there was warmth, comfort, and the brief peace of earned respite. Kain allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. Tomorrow, he knew, the real trials would begin.