Today was the day, and a thrilling blend of anticipation and unease coursed through me. The passage of time seemed like a runaway train, hurtling forward at a pace that begged for restraint. I had expected that it would feel like time was moving slowly, that each minute would seem endless as I eagerly awaited this crucial mission. Yet, strangely enough, it felt like the hours had disappeared.

Just the day before, Mr. Drails had pulled me aside and shared that this mission had the potential to change my future participation in missions. A gentle exhale slipped from my mouth as I pondered the importance of this chance. It was the ideal opportunity for me to unleash my Perk, my unique power.

However, a major challenge presented itself—I had no control over it.

I had a solid understanding of how to utilize my Perk, but unfortunately, I struggled with the skill of summoning it whenever I desired. It had a rather inconvenient tendency to appear unexpectedly or during moments of great fright.

As the last school bell chimed, I found myself standing in front of my locker, trying to suppress the overwhelming excitement bubbling up inside me. It seemed like I had just arrived at school, and now the day had flown by and come to an end.

I carefully arranged my books, all the while attempting to contain my growing excitement. Then, in a rather cinematic fashion, Greg, my acquaintance, casually approached me and stood nearby, seemingly anticipating my lead in the conversation.

"I can tell you're really committed to this mission," I observed, and he burst into laughter. I laughed along, sensing the strong bond between us. "I'll definitely miss you," I confessed.

"Did you happen to notice my absence?" Why?" Greg asked, his brow furrowing. I struggled to find the right words as I pondered how to expose the real purpose of the mission. "Sometimes, I can't help but feel a sense of emptiness," I admitted, as a wave of embarrassment washed over me. The situation seemed rather uncomfortable, to put it mildly.

Greg seemed momentarily surprised, as if he wasn't used to receiving sincere compliments. "Well, I appreciate that," he responded, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I suppose," I muttered.

"Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow," Greg declared, his voice tinged with a touch of doubt. "My mom will be picking me up today as we have plans to go somewhere."

"Where are you going?" I asked. Greg nonchalantly shrugged. "I haven't been informed by my mother yet."

"Well, see you tomorrow," I said, my voice trailing off as Greg walked away. Uncertainty plagued me, causing me to second-guess my choice of pursuing a career as a spy mage. I was determined to hold on to my friends and loved ones, as they were the ones who genuinely cared about me. Maybe I had made an error in selecting this direction.

The clock struck past 5:00 PM, and it dawned on me that the moment had finally come. I was supposed to meet up with everyone in the school parking lot, but somehow I ended up in Mr. Drails' office instead.

Nikki, September, Malachi, and Tisiah were already there, which made me feel like I was fashionably late. Mr. Drails cleared his throat and began to speak, his tone serious and professional. "The mission is about to begin, and despite my previous mention of 6 o'clock, I think we can actually start earlier." What are your thoughts?"

We all nonchalantly shrugged, ready to jump into action. "Anyway," Mr. Drails continued, "we have received some fresh information regarding the situation. I journeyed to Washington D.C. to delve into the mystery surrounding the scientist who was taken against their will, only to discover that the individual in question is none other than a close acquaintance of mine, Dr. Michael Jones."

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"Wow," Nikki remarked.

"Anyway," Mr. Drails continued, "we're not aware of the abductor's identity, but I can confirm that he has connections to the TSA. Just to provide some details, he has sleek black hair and a clean-shaven face. If you happen to come across someone who fits that description, please detain them so that we can proceed with questioning, alright?

"Yes, sir," we replied in perfect unison.

"Okay, make sure to say goodbye to your friends here, because you might not see them again," Mr. Drails said, looking at me for a moment. I could feel my emotions building up, and tears were on the verge of escaping.

I couldn't help but notice my fellow teammates, and it was clear that they were also struggling to comprehend the significance of the moment. Many of them inhaled deeply, trying to calm their jitters.

Overwhelmed by the overwhelming emotions, I squeezed my eyes shut, attempting to block out the rapid succession of vivid images flooding my mind. These images were filled with peril, suffering, and a sense of uncertainty. The future seemed overwhelming. I felt a sudden jolt, my heart pounding as I woke up, covered in perspiration.

"Okay, is everyone prepared?" Mr. Drails interjected, bringing our attention back to the present. "Yeah, I believe we are," September replied, her voice filled with unwavering resolve. "Okay, simply step through this portal, and your mission will begin."

The portal opened before us in a mesmerizing display, and we prepared ourselves for the obstacles that awaited us. "Let's get moving!" Malachi exclaimed, straightening his vest. We were all dressed in vests and suits that were surprisingly comfortable. However, I couldn't vouch for the girls in our group.

"Just make sure to keep me updated on the radio, alright?" Mr. Drails brought it to our attention. "There is still service even in this winter wonderland."

"Winter wonderland?" It's already November! Nikki objected. Mr. Drails offered a mysterious smile. "Certain locations have a tendency to experience lower temperatures compared to others, I suppose." Best of luck.

We entered the portal, and it closed behind us with a loud thud. Malachi couldn't help but grumble, "Ugh, why does this door have to be so loud?"

However, the moment we stepped into the portal, Malachi's complaint was quickly forgotten as everyone let out a gasp of amazement. The structure in front of us had the appearance of a grand, age-old stronghold. The structure boasted three impressive levels, each with its own unique sections, and a massive tower that cast a shadow over everything. When I say massive, I mean it in the most literal sense—the tower was so tall that even I could stand beneath its roof. The base had stunning architecture, and the gently falling snowflakes enhanced the beauty of the scene.

"Alright, let's get going," Malachi said, bringing us back to reality. We proceeded with caution, keeping our heads down as we tried to seamlessly merge with the trees that enveloped us. Guards diligently patrolled the walls, their watchful gaze sweeping the area.

"Somehow, I have a feeling that we should approach this with a bit of... caution," Tisiah suggested.

"Stealth?" Malachi rolled his eyes. "We are spy mages, not particularly sneaky creatures. We need to find a way into this facility, and I highly doubt that crawling will be effective."

We cautiously crouched and stealthily maneuvered through the dense foliage, making sure to stay out of sight. Luckily, the thick bark of the trees offered us plenty of concealment, enabling us to avoid being spotted.

I glanced to the side and observed that one of the guards was shifting away from our location.

"Okay, we can go now!" I spoke in a hushed tone to everyone. We started moving towards the wall, only to find that it was much taller than we had expected.

The towering wall reached a staggering height of at least twenty feet, leaving no trace of any doors in sight.

"Um, does anyone have a strategy?" Nikki asked, her voice filled with doubt. "I'm not sure we'll be able to overcome this obstacle."

"We can," September declared with unwavering confidence. "Malachi, come on, I'll give you a lift." Malachi appeared unenthusiastic. "Excuse me, could you please clarify?" Do you expect me to climb on top of you?"

September positioned herself in a manner that allowed Malachi to step onto her back. However, as soon as he did, he couldn't help but express his discomfort with an audible groan. "Wow, do you weigh around 250 pounds or something?"

"Stop being such a coward," September scolded, and the rest of us quickly followed her lead, using Malachi as a makeshift step to climb over the wall.