The open, breezy classroom buzzed with anticipation as the wind carried the faint scent of pine from the enchanted vents lining the walls. Ellard stood at the center, his light robe swaying gently, his arms wide open as if beckoning the air to listen.

“Alright, my Wind majors,” Ellard began, his voice breezy and charismatic, “today is a special day. Not because you get to hear me speak—though I know that’s always a highlight—but because we’re discussing something that will shape your journey as mages: the quest system.”

Lance, seated cross-legged on a mat near the front, straightened his posture. He had been waiting to hear about this. The thought of taking on real missions excited him, even if William’s presence in his mind meant an ongoing stream of unsolicited commentary.

Ellard paced, his steps light and rhythmic. “Quests come in ranks, from one to five. Rank 1? That’s basic magical pest control or fixing minor arcane issues. Rank 2? Now you’re dealing with small but hostile creatures, protecting townsfolk, or securing magical artifacts. Rank 3 and above?” He paused dramatically, allowing the whispering breeze to fill the room. “Let’s just say those are for seasoned professionals. You won’t be touching those… yet.”

William’s voice hummed in Lance’s mind. “Seasoned professionals? We’re practically pre-seasoned with all the chaos you’ve managed so far.”

Lance stifled a chuckle. “Not now, William,” he whispered under his breath.

Ellard continued, “For this class, you’re required to complete two Rank 1 quests and one Rank 2 quest by the semester's end. But don’t stop there! Quests are also an excellent way to earn some gold and gain experience. And, trust me, nothing makes you learn faster than a little danger.” His grin was as wide as the horizon. “Now, any questions?”

Lance raised his hand. “What happens if we fail a quest?”

Ellard’s expression sobered just slightly. “That depends. If it’s a Rank 1, you’ll likely just embarrass yourself. But failure at higher ranks? It can mean harm to others—or to yourself. That’s why you’ll always have recommended team sizes listed on the quest board. Follow them.”

The room fell silent. After a moment, Ellard clapped his hands. “Alright, that’s it for today. Class dismissed! Go explore the board, find some friends, and get out there. Wind magic doesn’t just exist in books, folks—it lives in the world. Go where the breeze takes you!”

As the students filed out, Lance lingered, tying the laces of his boots. He could feel William’s presence stirring in his mind.

“Quests, huh?” William mused. “I wonder how many ways you can creatively screw this up.”

As the wind magic class ended, Lance walked out to find Kade leaning against a pillar near the entrance. He wore his usual cocky grin, looking impatient.

“About time!” Kade called out. “You’re slower than a snail on ice.”

“Patience, Kade,” Lance replied, smirking. “Not all of us can sprint through life like you. Heading to enhancement magic now?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

“Yep,” Kade said, stretching his arms. “Eldric’s supposed to talk about the mission system today. Finally, something real to sink my teeth into.”

Lance chuckled. “Good luck with that. I’m going to check out the mission board after lunch.”

William’s voice echoed in Lance’s mind, dripping with sarcasm. “Lunch first, of course. Heaven forbid the great Lance face the world on an empty stomach.”

Lance mentally shot back, “You’re welcome to take over if you think you can do better.”

“I would,” William quipped. “But then who’d provide the witty commentary?”

An hour later, Bella strolled out of Ellard’s fire magic class, her fiery red hair glowing under the midday sun. She spotted Lance waiting near the library.

“So, you heard about the missions too?” Bella asked, adjusting her satchel.

“Yeah, Ellard told us earlier. I’m guessing you got the same rundown?”

Bella nodded. “Two Rank 1 missions, one Rank 2 to pass. He said it’s all about teamwork, but knowing you, you’re already planning something, aren’t you?”

Before Lance could respond, William’s voice chimed in, “Oh, absolutely. Planning to trip over his own feet, most likely.”

Lance muttered under his breath, “Thanks for the confidence boost, William.”

“What was that?” Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing,” Lance said quickly. “Just thinking aloud.”

By the time Felix and Oliver joined them, the dining hall was bustling with activity. The group found a table near the window, plates piled high with food.

“So,” Lance began, “I’m guessing you two heard about the missions too?”

Felix nodded, his expression calm and composed. “Professor Maribel went over the whole system in illusions class. She made it sound like the missions are as much about strategy as they are about magic.”

Oliver, ever the quiet one, simply said, “Earth magic class was the same. Missions are mandatory, but I think we can handle it.”

Bella leaned forward, her tone serious. “Alright, then. We’re all on the same page. What do you say we pick a mission together? We can grab Kade, Lyra, and Nico on the way.”

Felix arched an eyebrow. “Team of seven? Sounds ambitious. Let’s hope the mission doesn’t call for more.”

“Seven’s fine,” William remarked. “Any more, and it’d be like herding cats. Besides, I’m worth at least two people.”

“Modest as ever,” Lance muttered under his breath.

The group made their way to the mission board after lunch, collecting Kade, Lyra, and Nico along the way. Kade was still buzzing from his enhancement magic class, practically dragging everyone toward the board.

The mission board was an imposing structure in the main hall, glowing faintly with magical energy. Tasks were displayed in neat rows, each entry accompanied by crucial details:

* Quest Name

* Rank

* Reward (gold and sometimes additional bonuses)

* Recommended Team Size

Bella scanned the list, her finger tracing over the entries. “Look at this one: ‘Pest Control: Minor Karpoi Infestation.’ Rank 1, reward: 15 gold per person. Recommended team size: 3. Sounds doable.”

Kade scoffed. “Too easy. What about this? ‘Exterminate Aggressive Forest Karpoi.’ Rank 2, 80 gold each, recommended team size: 8.”

Lance’s eyes lit up. “That one. Karpoi are tricky, but if we’re careful, we can handle it.”

“Team size is eight,” Felix pointed out. “We’re only seven.”

“Basic math,” William quipped. “Well done, Felix. But honestly, who needs eight people? I say you’ll do fine with six—and me.”

Lance rolled his eyes. “I’m not counting you, William. You’re a voice in my head, not exactly a combatant.”

Bella tapped her fingers on the board, clearly thinking. “We could take a chance. We’re a solid team, and I’m sure we’ll manage even with one less person. Besides, the reward’s tempting.”

Lyra, who had been quietly observing the conversation, nodded. “If we do this, we’ll need to be smart about it. The Karpoi are strong, and they’ve been aggressive lately. We’ll need to coordinate, cover all angles.”

Nico, always calm and analytical, added, “We can make it work. My magic can support us in ways you might not expect. I’ll keep the team covered from a distance.”

“Alright then,” Lance said, feeling the weight of the decision settle in. “We’ll do it. Seven’s good enough. Let’s sign up and get moving.”