The mercenary guild was bustling with life as Kaelem took a seat at one of the long wooden tables, his newly earned silver medallion now fixed to his suspender below his scarf. He still couldn't believe he had passed the test, never mind the lasting impression he had left on the instructor, Dorgan.

Across the room, Kaelem watched as Selkor spoke to some of the guild officials, his expression as unreadable as ever. Selkor had made it clear he wouldn't be coddled. Whichever group Kaelem joined would treat him as one of their own, not as Selkor's apprentice.

The guild's atmosphere was electric, filled with the hustle and bustle of daily life. Any mercenaries that weren't on a job or at the inn were likely in or around the guild. Teams of mercenaries often gathered there, discussing strategy as they prepared for their next assignment, or sharing war stories from recent jobs.

It felt surreal to be surrounded by so much talent, but a small voice in the back of Kaelem's mind kept him grounded. He was still green around the ears, after all.

"Kaelem?" a voice called out.

He turned to see a large, burly man in full plate armor standing before him. His dark beard was flecked with gray, and an enormous warhammer rested against his shoulder. The man looked Kaelem up and down, as if appraising him.

"So you're the apprentice everyone's talking about, eh? Name's Olrik. Heard you put on quite a show during your assessment. Gave Dorgan a run for his money."

Kaelem stood, offering his hand. "I guess you could say that." Olrik returned the gesture with a firm but not overpowering grip.

Olrik let out a hearty chuckle. "Don't get too cocky, kid. Being able to use magic is all well and good, but out there" - he motioned to the door of the guild hall - "it's a different story. You're fighting for your life, and the lives of the people depending on you."

Kaelem nodded. He understood the emphasis mercenaries put on teamwork just by sitting in the guild hall. "I get that, so what's up?"

Olrik smirked. "We're heading out on a dungeon raid. Nothing too fancy - just a bunch of goblins making a nuisance of themselves in the abandoned mines up north. The locals are complaining about it, so they raised it with the guild. What do you say?" He raised his chin, beckoning Kaelem to join him. "You'll get to work with a team, learn how we do things. I run a tight ship, so follow my lead and we'll all make it back in one piece."

Before Kaelem could respond, Olrik nodded toward a group sitting nearby. Three figures stood and made their way over.

The first was Rod, a lean man with short-cropped brown hair and piercing green eyes. He was dressed in a combination of dark leather and chainmail, a quiver of arrows slung across his back along with a finely crafted longbow. His movements were light and seamless, like someone accustomed to staying on the move.

Next was Annara, a tall, striking woman with fiery red hair tied back in a loose braid. She wore light armor made of hardened leather, reinforced with metal plates. A pair of short swords rested on her hips, and several daggers were hidden in various pouches and straps. Her amber eyes sparkled with mischief as she sized Kaelem up.

Finally, trailing behind them, was Vex. A slender elf wrapped in a dark, flowing robe that swirled around her as she walked. Her light blonde hair cascaded from beneath her hood, framing her pale, angular face. Her eyes were an ethereal violet, their gaze distant as if she was thinking several steps ahead. She wielded a staff adorned with intricate carvings and wrapped in decorated leaves that shimmered in the light.

"This is us," Olrik said, gesturing to each in turn. "Rod's our archer, Annara handles scouting and traps, and the quiet one back there is Vex. She's our spellcaster."

Vex's eyes glinted as she briefly met Kaelem's gaze. He was taken aback - it was like staring into a starry night sky. Her aura was one of cool detachment, as if she had seen far worse than standard mercenary work.

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"It's good to meet you all," Kaelem said, hoping his voice didn't betray his nerves.

Annara crossed her arms, having apparently finished sizing him up. "The Ice King's apprentice, huh? Let's hope he's taught you a thing or two."

Rod grinned, offering a thumbs-up before turning his attention back to Olrik.

"Alright!" Olrik clapped his hands together. "We'll leave at dawn. Get your gear ready, lad. Just because it's goblins doesn't mean we'll approach it any differently. You never know what can happen in a dungeon."

The sun was beginning to rise as they set out from Lordstone, the cool morning breeze carrying the faint scent of dew and pine. Kaelem rode alongside the group, having used some funds from Selkor to get gear for his first mission. The mines were several hours north, even on horseback.

Olrik led the way, his warhammer strapped to the side of his horse. He talked strategy with Annara and Rod, perhaps for Kaelem's benefit, to show him how they usually approached things. Or perhaps Olrik was just that meticulous.

Vex rode silently behind them, but unlike the rest of the team, she was mounted on a stag. Kaelem knew little about elves, but he had learned that Vex was an elf of the Glade. They were protectors of the forests, living in harmony with nature and purifying the corruption of dungeons and monsters that appeared in their realm.

"You ever worked with a team before?" Rod asked, riding next to Kaelem.

Kaelem shook his head. "Not like this."

"Well, stick with Olrik and you'll be fine. We've been through worse than goblins, so this should just be good practice."

Kaelem appreciated Rod's candor and his attempt to put him at ease. Still, the responsibility weighed heavily on him. This wasn't a training session. He couldn't rely on Selkor. One mistake wouldn't just put him at risk - it would endanger the whole group.

Vex remained at the back, observing everything in silence. She didn't speak much, but her presence was hard to ignore. There was a calmness about her, an eerie confidence that piqued Kaelem's curiosity.

By midday, they had reached the entrance to the mines. The place was as grim as Kaelem had expected: jagged rocks, crumbling tunnels, and the faint stench of rot lingering in the air.

Olrik motioned for them to halt. "Alright, as we discussed. Annara will scout ahead. Rod, you provide her with cover. Vex, keep a shield ready in case things get dicey. Kaelem, stick with me. Watch and learn."

Annara crept ahead, her movements silent, perfectly timed with the ambient sounds of the mine. Rod followed, hanging back slightly with his bow ready, scanning the darkness ahead of Annara. The tension built as they ventured deeper into the mine, the faint sound of goblin chatter echoing through the narrow tunnels.

Vex raised her hand slightly, tracing a gentle pattern in the air with her fingers as a translucent barrier shimmered around them - an insurance policy to keep them protected.

It wasn't long before Annara signaled everyone to halt. She pointed to a large cavern ahead where a group of goblins had gathered around a firepit. There were at least a dozen, armed with rusted weapons and makeshift armor.

"Alright," Olrik whispered. "Rod, take the stragglers. Vex, prepare a barrier for cover. Kaelem, when I give the signal, hit them with everything you've got. Ready?"

They all nodded. Kaelem felt his heart pounding in his chest. He focused his energy as the crackle of electricity built in his fingertips.

Rod fired an arrow, felling a goblin with a perfectly timed shot. Chaos erupted as the creatures scrambled for their weapons, letting out horrifying screeches.

"Now!" Olrik shouted.

Kaelem raised his hand, summoning his spell circle. A bolt of lightning emerged, arcing through the air and striking the largest goblin in the chest. The creature convulsed as the static spread to the other goblins beside it, catching them with residual power.

Olrik charged forward, leaping and swinging his warhammer down with lethal precision. Annara darted around the edges, her swords flashing as she took down goblins swiftly and elegantly. Rod's arrows flew through the air, each shot dropping a goblin where it stood.

Kaelem struggled to keep up with the team's flow, his magic flaring as he cast spell after spell. The goblins were relentless, a swarming horde attacking with wild abandon. For a moment, panic gripped him - his inexperience caused his control to slip, and a fireball went wide, exploding against the cave wall.

Olrik glanced over his shoulder, tracing the fireball back to Kaelem before turning back to smash through another goblin.

Kaelem gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. He cast another lightning spell, this time reinforcing his control and aim before releasing it. The bolt impaled a goblin charging toward Annara's flank.

The battle was intense, but within minutes the final goblin had fallen. The cavern grew silent again, save for the crackling embers of the firepit.

Kaelem composed himself, breathing heavily, his heart racing. He looked around to see his teammates already regrouping, checking their gear and taking stock of the situation.

"Not bad!" Olrik cheered, clapping Kaelem on the shoulder as he approached. "You did great. Just remember to keep your head."

Kaelem smiled and nodded, allowing relief to wash over him. This was just the beginning, but their first battle had been a success.