When Aurelius removed the slip from the billboard, the seasoned trader from earlier approached him.
"I wouldn't advise taking that quest," the trader cautioned.
"Why?" Aurlies asked, intrigued.
"Typically, hunters avoid teaming up with Academy students. They tend to prioritize themselves and leave everyone else behind; they lack the crucial teamwork required for trekking the mountain range.”
Aurelius examined the slip in his hand, mulling over the trader's cautionary words. Aurelius wasn’t that concerned about the lack of teamwork. Afterall, he had been venturing through the mountain by himself for weeks now. However, he was curious about the typical behavior of academy students.
"Have you had personal experience with Academy students?" Aurelius inquired, his curiosity piqued.
The trader nodded solemnly. "Aye, I've seen it firsthand. I once joined a group on a quest, and we had a few Academy students with us. They were skilled, no doubt, but their arrogance and individualistic approach caused friction within the team. It led to unnecessary risks and compromised our chances of success."
Despite the trader's warning, Aurelius's curiosity and desire to test his own abilities prevailed. He weighed the potential risks against the opportunity to witness the skills, and perhaps the arrogance, of the academy students firsthand. Plus, the reward was nice.
Observing Aurelius's lingering hesitation, the trader doubled down in his efforts to dissuade him.
"Listen, lad," the trader implored, his voice filled with genuine concern. "I've seen adventurers like yourself, eager to prove their worth and take on any challenge. But let me tell you, joining forces with those academy students might not be the best path to tread. There are plenty of other quests and opportunities in Silverleaf that can reward you handsomely without the risk of clashing egos and reckless decision-making."
Even with the traders words, Aurelius was still unconvinced.
With a steady voice, Aurelius responded to the trader's plea, his determination shining through. "I understand your concerns, and I appreciate your advice. But I have confidence in my abilities. I believe that the benefits of this quest will outweigh the risks."
The trader sighed, realizing that his words had fallen on deaf ears and that Aurelius’ mind was set. "Well, young lad, may fortune favor you. Just remember, caution and teamwork are often the key to success on such quests. I hope you find what you're seeking."
Aurelius nodded gratefully. "I promise to tread carefully. Thank you for your concern and good wishes."
With a farewell to the trader, Aurelius walked away, his steps filled with a blend of eagerness and anticipation for the upcoming day.
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As the first rays of sunlight touched the town of Silverleaf, Aurelius awoke from a nearby alleyway. Lacking funds, he had chosen the alley as his resting place, his sword by his side. The humble surroundings didn't bother him; if anything, they evoked memories of his time in the capital city.
Stretching his limbs and ridding himself of the last remnants of sleep, Aurelius rose to his feet. He took a moment to gather his thoughts and prepare himself mentally for the day ahead.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Aurelius made his way to the marketplace, where he was to meet the four Lothern Academy students. The marketplace was already alive with activity, merchants setting up their stalls and townspeople going about their daily routines.
Arriving at the designated meeting spot, Aurelius spotted a group of young individuals huddled together, their finely crafted armor and weapons indicating their academy affiliation. They seemed engrossed in a spirited conversation, their confidence evident in their demeanor.
Approaching the group, Aurelius introduced himself with a warm smile. "Good morning! I couldn't help but notice your quest on the bulletin board. I have the slip right here if you need any proof. Mind if I join you?"
He presented the slip as proof, his eyes carefully scanning each member of the group.
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As Aurelius presented the slip to the group, all of the group members turned their attention towards them. Aurelius could feel their scrutiny, their gazes roaming up and down his attire and the sword by his side.
The first to break the silence was a young mage with a fiery cascade of red hair flowing down her back. She was clad in a robe that seemed to have small arcane symbols engraved in it.
Her voice carried a hint of arrogance as she addressed Aurelius. "Hello..." she trailed off, her tone insinuating a question.
"Aurelius," came Aurelius' succinct reply.
"Hello, Aurelius. Let me make one thing clear. We're not your average mountain-bound group," she warned. "We're on an end-of-semester assignment from the Academy. We are supposed to be hunting a Frostfang Wyvern, a creature that resides within the deeper and colder parts of the mountain range. Do you still want to join?”
Aurelius was unfamiliar with the Frostfang Wyvern, yet its name alone piqued his curiosity. The idea of facing a creature he had never encountered before, one that likely surpassed any opponent he had ever faced, filled him with excitement.
Without hesitation, Aurelius replied, his voice brimming with determination, "Absolutely. I'm ready to join your group and take on this quest."
The other members of the group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of surprise and curiosity. It was clear that Aurelius's unwavering resolve had caught them off guard.
However, one member of the group, a stern-looking warrior with a rugged appearance, crossed his arms and furrowed his brow. He regarded Aurelius with a skeptical gaze, clearly unconvinced of his abilities.
"Are you sure about this?" the warrior interjected, his voice laced with doubt. "Bringing an unknown adventurer like him on such a perilous mission could be a grave mistake. We need someone reliable and experienced, not just someone eager to prove themselves."
The mage who had spoken earlier exchanged a brief glance with the doubtful warrior before turning her attention back to Aurelius. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but she maintained her composed demeanor.
She spoke up again, her gaze shifting towards Aurelius. "Well, he wields the sword, doesn't he?" She directed her question towards Aurelius.
Aurelius interjected, eager to confirm, "Yes, I do."
The mage, satisfied with the confirmation, turned her attention back to the skeptical warrior. "We need another skilled close combat individual, and he appears confident in his abilities. Besides, if push comes to shove, the four of us might be able to take down the wyvern alone."
With a resigned sigh, the warrior reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Very well. We can give him a chance, but keep an eye on him, I don't want him jeopardizing the mission for all of us."
With the skeptical warrior's reservations acknowledged, the group proceeded with introductions. The mage with fiery red hair, named Lyra, introduced herself first, followed by the doubtful warrior named Gareth. The other two members were a nimble archer named Elysia and a stealthy rogue named Theron.
Aurelius took note of their distinct personalities and skill sets, each bringing their own expertise to the mission. Lyra, with her confidence and command over arcane magic, seemed to exude a natural authority. Gareth, with his rugged demeanor and imposing stature, appeared to be a formidable force in close combat and held a hefty shield by his side. Elysia, with her keen eyes and steady hand, seemed to possess accuracy with the bow on her back. And Theron, with his agile movements and subtle presence, emanated an aura of stealth and cunning.
As the introductions concluded, the group finalized their preparations for the journey ahead. They discussed the logistics of their approach, deliberating whether to set out immediately or wait until later.
Lyra, ever eager to make progress, advocated for an early departure. "The sooner we get to the mountain, the better. We can take advantage of the daylight and establish our presence before nightfall."
Gareth, although still harboring reservations about Aurelius, recognized the validity of Lyra's point. "She's right. Delaying our departure would only increase the risks. We should make the most of the daylight hours to familiarize ourselves with the terrain."
Elysia and Theron nodded in agreement, endorsing the plan for an early start. Their collective decision was made, and they prepared their equipment, ensuring they had everything they needed for the journey ahead.
With the sun ascending higher in the sky, the group set off toward the towering peaks of the mountain range.
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The figure's gaze lingered on the departing group, their mind filled with a sense of intrigue. What a coincidence, they silently mused with a smile.
Being the nearest academy staff member with the required skills, the figure had been assigned the task of overseeing a group of four students embarking on an expedition to slay a Frostfang Wyvern in the mountains. Normally, these expeditions involved five students, but it appeared that this group was missing a member.
Such expeditions were infrequent and typically served as end-of-semester assignments. A professor from the academy would accompany the students on these journeys, sometimes covertly and sometimes openly. However, the professor's role was strictly limited—they were not allowed to assist the group unless the situation turned dire.
As the designated observer of this group, the figure was taken aback when the students requested an additional team member. Nevertheless, the figure refrained from intervening, as the request did not technically violate any rules regarding incomplete groups.
What had really surprised the figure was the identity of the person who had accepted the request.
It was the same kid the figure had observed fleeing the city a few weeks ago. Yet, now there seemed to be a subtly different aura surrounding them.
This time however, compared to their previous encounter, the figure would silently trail behind the kid and the rest of the group into the mountain range.