The university's grand library had been a treasure trove of knowledge. Eldric spent hours poring over ancient tomes and scrolls, immersing himself in the deep and mysterious theories of dark magic. The library itself was a sanctuary of wisdom, with towering shelves filled with texts that spanned centuries of magical research. Despite the vast amount of knowledge he absorbed, Eldric felt a restless energy building within him. Theory was essential, but he craved something more—an opportunity to test his growing abilities in a real-world scenario.

Leaving the library, Eldric stepped into the cool evening air. The campus was sprawling and majestic, with stone pathways that wound through gardens, courtyards, and clusters of ancient buildings. As he wandered aimlessly, his mind still lingering on the dark magic theories he had studied, a block of buildings caught his eye. It wasn't as grand as the rest of the university, but it was bustling with activity. A constant flow of students moved in and out, and a lively buzz filled the air.

Curiosity piqued, Eldric made his way toward the building. As he approached, he saw a sign above the entrance: Mission Hall. The name alone sparked his interest. The hall seemed to be a hub of activity, a place where students and wizards gathered for some purpose beyond mere study. He pushed through the doors and found himself in a large, open hall filled with students gathered around several massive bulletin boards.

The boards were covered with parchment, each sheet detailing different tasks and challenges available to the students. Eldric quickly realized that this was where the university posted its missions—opportunities for students to apply their skills in practical and often dangerous ways. His pulse quickened as he approached the boards, eager to see what kind of tasks were available.

The missions were divided into two main categories: Internal and External.

Eldric glanced at the Internal Missions first. These missions seemed to focus on supporting the university and its inhabitants. Tasks ranged from assisting professors with their research to helping maintain the magical wards that protected the campus. There were also missions involving tutoring younger students or working on campus projects. While these missions were undoubtedly important and could help build relationships within the university, they weren't what Eldric was looking for. He wasn't here to build connections or ingratiate himself with the faculty—he was here to grow stronger, to push his limits and test the boundaries of his magic.

Turning his attention to the External Missions, Eldric felt a thrill of anticipation. These missions involved venturing outside the university's safe confines and confronting real dangers. The tasks varied widely, from gathering rare magical herbs in perilous territories to hunting down rogue magical creatures that threatened the kingdom. The descriptions were terse but clear: these missions were not for the faint of heart. The rewards, however, were substantial—rare magical artifacts, powerful spells, and sometimes even direct mentorship from experienced wizards.

Eldric's eyes scanned the listings, searching for something that would allow him to truly test his abilities. His gaze landed on a particular mission that piqued his interest—Troll Extermination. The mission details were brief: a group of trolls had been terrorizing a village on the outskirts of the kingdom, and the village had appealed to the university for help. The mission was open to any wizard who felt capable of handling the task.

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Trolls were notorious for their brute strength, resilience, and regenerative abilities. They were dangerous foes, especially for someone who was still relatively new to practical combat. But to Eldric, they represented the perfect challenge. The battle would be an ideal way to apply the dark magic he had been studying, and it would also test his overall magical prowess.

Without hesitation, Eldric decided to take on the mission. He pushed through the crowd of students, making his way toward the reception desk at the far end of the hall. The receptionist, a stern-looking woman in her middle years with sharp eyes that seemed to see right through him, looked up as he approached.

"Yes? How can I help you?" she asked, her tone businesslike.

"I'd like to take on the troll extermination mission," Eldric replied, keeping his voice steady and confident.

The receptionist's eyes narrowed slightly as she appraised him. "Trolls are not to be taken lightly," she said. "They're strong, resilient, and dangerous, especially for someone who is new to the university. Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Eldric met her gaze without flinching. "I'm confident in my abilities. I believe this mission will be a good test for me."

The receptionist studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Very well. I'll register you for the mission. This is an external mission, which means you'll need to report your progress and completion directly to the mission office here. You have three days to complete it."

She handed him a parchment with the mission details, and Eldric took it with a nod of thanks. As he glanced over the parchment, he felt a surge of excitement. The task ahead would be challenging, but it was exactly what he needed. Testing his dark magic against such formidable foes would provide him with invaluable experience and insight into his abilities.

As Eldric left the mission hall, he couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The university had already proven to be a place of great learning, but now it was also offering him a chance to prove himself. The upcoming battle with the trolls would be his first real test since arriving at the university, and he was eager to see how he would fare.

Walking away from the bustling Mission Hall, Eldric made his way back through the campus. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the stone pathways. As he walked, he passed groups of students, some engrossed in conversation, others practicing spells in the open courtyards. The university was alive with activity, a place where knowledge and power were constantly in motion.

Eventually, Eldric found himself near the outskirts of the campus, where a large, rugged-looking building caught his eye. There was a steady flow of students entering and exiting, and a large sign above the entrance read: Mission Office. This was where students officially registered for and reported on their missions.

He entered the building, his mind already focused on the task ahead. The receptionist had given him three days to complete the mission, but Eldric was determined to finish it sooner. The sooner he completed this task, the sooner he could move on to the next challenge. He walked up to the reception desk inside, where another staff member awaited.

"I'm here to officially register for the troll extermination mission," Eldric said, showing the parchment he had been given earlier.

The staff member took the parchment, made a few notes, and handed it back to Eldric. "You're all set. Remember to check in when you return from the mission. Good luck."

With that, Eldric turned and left the Mission Office, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He had chosen this path not just to learn, but to become powerful enough to control his own destiny. The upcoming mission was just the beginning, a stepping stone toward the mastery he sought. As he exited the building, the night sky was fully dark, the stars above twinkling like distant fires.

Eldric paused for a moment, breathing in the cool night air. The mission ahead was dangerous, but it was exactly what he needed. As he began to make his way back to his quarters to prepare, he couldn't help but feel that this was the start of something significant. The challenges ahead would be formidable, but so was his resolve.