[Day 11 Month 6 Year of Crescent Moon: 16.32]

"Alright, now with this we can start the briefing of this mission." After a few minute, four of people inside the room can have a conversation, the Head Shrine started with a cough.

"The Child of Fate can only show their power if they can bond their power into one. Now for a starter, let us know each other with a detailed introduction." The Head Shrine smiled and let the three people tell their introduction. Surprisingly, Shirley was the one to tell first.

"Let me first, as you are known my name is Shirley Camilla Burnet. Please call me by Shirley only. My middle name was given by esteemed father when I started to learn about him. As I was trained in the Holy Shrine, I specialized on light magic and barrier magic. My weapon is long mace because the head was smaller than the assault mace I can also use it as a staff. I like cooking and always helped the Shrine cook for breakfast and dinner. I really like the imported candy that being called chocolate. This year I was turned 20 years old. Because of my strict training, I-I d-don't have a B-boyfriend."

‘Too detailed!' Three man's present was shocked as they stared at the red face Shirley who looked down in embarrassment. Harold then showed a smile as he started to think something. The Head Shrine beside his daughter showed a wry smile. And Roland who having a stiff expression raised his hand and asked.

"Erm, mis- *Cough* Shirley, so you are 20 years old? I thought that you are younger as you are smaller…" This bomb makes the surrounding turned cold. Shirley who looked down due to embarrassment now having her face cramped. She slowly raises her face and smiled so brilliant that it would blind a normal person, but her aura turned cold.

Sensing something went wrong, Roland bowed his head. "A-Apologize. T-then let me introduce myself. My name is Roland Barnes of Barnes family. I was the fifth son of our family because I would not receive any from our household. I decided to train far from my family. Now I was one of the three Elemental Knights."

Roland said that as he saluted. His right hand hitting his left chest and bowed. The expression of the other people was various. The Head Shrine nodded his head, as he already knows about that. Shirley gaze turned warm as she hears that Roland was working hard alone and a sense of comrade filled her heart and Harold was impressed as the Elemental Knight was chosen to be Child of Fate.

"I now have a control over four basic elements. Fire, water, wind and earth. My specialty was weapon enchantment and I know few advanced magic attack of each element. I trained with a one-handed long sword. I like beef stew the most. This year I turned 19 years old."

Roland said this as he bowed once again. This time the expression of three people changed again. The Head Shrine was impressed as an Elemental Knight, mastering until advanced magic was amazing. Shirley now smiled as she thought about something in good mood. And Harold smirked.

After the introduction of Roland, they shifted their attention toward Harold. Which is now was drenched in sweat as he suddenly becomes the center of attention. Seeing the uncomfortable stare from Shirley that shouting her honest expression, Harold coughed.

"*Cough* Now, it's my turn. My name is Harold Blake. My last name was a name given by my master as I reach the last training of my mastery. I specialized in shadow magic and now bear the title of Shadow Master. I can do body strengthening, restraining and also attacking. My long sword also cannot be taken light off. I like to eat the grilled meat of my hunting. I was 22 this year."

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Now the expression can be seen at the three people. The Head Shrine showed complex expression as he hears the ‘Shadow Master' part. Shirley was showing a sad expression when she hears that Harold changed his family name. And Roland was troubled to hear the '22 year' part.

Sensing something went wrong, Harold smile cramped but before long the Head Shrine speaking first.

"Good, we already know some background of each person in the group. Then let us start to begin the second issue. The necessary equipment for the adventure, unfortunately, Noble's faction already told the King that the Child of Fate would finish the mission on a month. This absurd mission was actually was approved by the King!"

Head Shrine sighed as he holds his headache, Shirley beside him was comforting his as she gently stroke her father back. Roland fall too deep thought as this mission would trouble them, as forced journey is dangerous. However, Harold showed the expression as if the world already in his hand.

Sighing, Head Shrine stared at Harold who keeping his composed expression.

"So, this was your proposal, right? What will you do and what is your need on this mission? Thanks to this absurd mission of a month deadline the King will gladly give you all the preparation needed. But the King cannot move all his soldiers to help you, even when different race already cooperate with us. The national defense was their primary role, after all."

Smiling, Harold shakes his head after hearing the Head Shrine.

"We don't need any people except us on this mission. They will only a hindrance. The three of us would be the best."

"Hooh…" The Head Shrine pushed his glasses as an interest growing in his heart. Harold smiled and continued his proposal.

"All I need is, please give us the dimensional bag each. For me, fill it with throwing weapon like a knife, dagger, needle, etc. and also potions, please. For Shirley, fill it with fresh ration, much more the better and the cook utensils. For that Roly, fill it with any type of shields. Ah, prioritize the buckler. And big leathers and long rope for each of us."

"That is?" Hearing Harold, the Head Shrine was dumbfounded as he placed his finger to his ear to clean it, he thought that his ear may be betraying him.

But, broke his expectation, Harold nodded his head. "That is."

Roland was at loss, he ignores Harold that changing his name as he pleases but Roland expression turned serious as he standing up from his seat.

"Wait a second, sir Harold. What do you mean by us only taking that much of… Preparation? I know about the throwing weapon and fresh ration, but why we need so many shields?"

"Tsk, you are too young for this, Little Roly~ The shields will help me- No, it would help us reach our goals in the scheduled time. Believe me." Harold closed one of his eyes as he smiled under his scarf, hiding his expression from Roland who staring at him. But no matter what he thought, Roland cannot see through black robed man thinking and he cannot help but sit again.

"*Cough* The Dimensional Bag was actually one of the treasured items, but well, the King would still lend it anyway. But are you sure about that preparation? If you really think so, we can gather it from the various races for this in no time."

The Head Shrine nodded his head after seeing the confirmation from Harold, he turned toward the other two, Shirley and Roland opinion regarding this setup.

"I never have any experience on any expedition, but I believe on Harold decision." Shirley smiled as she agreed with Harold.

"I thought that this is bit wrong, I request two small bags and some of the gold. I would like to prepare something that I thought would be necessary."

Roland shakes his head but he didn't disagree much, but he still wants some item that he thinks is needed.

"All right! I will give the gold to you later. Now then, we should continue for the crucial issue. The road to the Dark Castle, we are currently in this place."

The Head Shrine said this as he spread a big map of Alstancia Continent, a continent that divided into two sectors, white and darker. Then he pointed toward an icon of the fort in the middle of the map. Then he slid his finger to the farthest west of the map. The black castle.

"If by your word, the three of you, of course, will be faster when moving as a team. But the road will be hard." The Head Shrine finger traced back to the previous fort icon while slid his finger in an arc from the fort in the middle of the map to the south area then to the west or from middle to north then to the west. The road on each side looked harsh, like a lake with skull or mountain that pierced the sky. There are numerous dangers that blocking their way. And they must accomplish it.

In one month.