Chapter 39: A Mission Into Danger

Week Two, Sixthday

Sakura

The crowd milled about on the field, each group whispering to each other in harsh tones.

“Odd we’re having class here,” Victor said as he checked his gear again. He carried a handful of healing, stamina, mana, and other potions that would prove useful for the team that I had purchased for our use. Everyone of course had one of each available to them in their own gear. But Victor carried extras so we could restock during moments of calm.

“Agreed. What is this western witch planning exactly?” Modgy asked unease in his voice. “We were told classes would be held in the dungeon tower. But yet, it seems we are to violate that on our second class day?”

The sun had barely started to rise, and winter still chilled the air. “We should find out soon,” Regi opened his own backpack and checked his gear again as well. “For now, double check your gear Modgi. No use wasting energy worrying about something we can’t control.”

Smart philosophy, as far as it goes. But did he have to sound so rude about it? I asked my companions.

I, Sky, have noticed a change in this human. He has always been quiet, and imposing. But now he has grown . . . restless.

Yeah, King interjected. He needs to show his siblings more respect.

“Good idea Regi. Always good to double check our preparedness.”

I bent down and started working on my supplies, which only elicited an eyeroll as Tedgi and finally Modgi complied and followed suit.

“You know, you don’t have to be so rude about it.” Tedgi whispered to her brother, her tone was harsh but I didn’t think he was in the wrong.

“He’s just nervous.” Regi scoffed softly, but his siblings ignored him. “So am I. The second floor is supposed to be even more dangerous than the first.” Modgi said as he rechecked his supply of enchantment material. He had taken to the new artform well, despite its foreign nature. Most of what he had were simple formations though. Healing, mana regeneration, chie restoration, and the like. Things that would help with longevity and sustainability.

As I went through my pack, I found there wasn’t much to check. Even still, I had everything I needed for a dungeon dive as far as I knew. The length of cloth was wrapped around my arm, secured with a length of leather tied tight over top of it to keep it from falling off during a fight. My weapons were all carefully stored in my bracer, and I had plenty of mana stored in all of them, and both of my bound spells or ‘abilities’ seemed to be operating safely.

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My combat robes were secure, and the minor enchantments and formations built into it by my parents to give me added protection were still fully intact and ready to go.

“Ready,” I said as I put the small pouch I carried my potions and pills in, back on my leather belt.

I stood and my gaze fell on a pair of eyes hovering above the crowd that locked onto my own. They were stern, but filled with an unmistakable mischief.

Alongside Edna however, was the Arch-Duke, and my new liege lord. He hovered in the air as if it were as easy and ordinary as strolling over a cobbled stone pathway.

Quickly all the groups fell silent, and one by one all quickly gave the woman our attention. Edna, under her stern face and mischievous eyes, was bothered by something. I don’t know how I knew, but she felt different. Her aura was subtly different then it was before, even when angry.

“Unfortunately,” The duke's voice carried a tinge of his authority through his aura into the surrounding world. His word was law here, and it always would be. Or so it felt like at that moment. His will was contained, his aura controlled. But he let us all know, more clearly than if he had shouted threats against our lives if we disobey, that he would have his way. “Your dungeon run today has been canceled.”

No one so much as murmured a whisper of disappointment. To do so in that moment would be to challenge him, and no one in their right minds other than perhaps my mother and father together, would have done so.

“Instead, I must call upon you as nobles, and citizens. There is work that must be done, far from here. Our new allies need our aid. As many of you perhaps know, the second wave of refugees from the east is currently approaching the most dangerous point of their journey. Trapped between barbarian hill tribes and savage elves. I and my personal guard will personally see to their safety. But to do so effectively we need eyes and ears. We need scouts.”

Someone raised their hand and I realized it was Victor. “My lord, why can’t the knights of the realm be called on for this duty?”

The duke smiled then, and a little of the mischievous childishness my parents had first seen in him returned. “Great question Victor Strongarm!” He glanced at Edna and winked. “Glad a few of your students are brave enough to voice their thoughts still.” Edna rolled her eyes visibly and it only seemed to amuse the man more.

“Long and short of it is, they can. And will!” he pointed up towards the school's plateau above us, and we all followed the gesture. There were dozens of knights in bright armor with auras the same riot of colors. “You’ll all be supervised of course. But this morning when I heard edna was going to have you all go for the second basement floor, I thought why waste your time? Why not have you help our brave knights in the field and gain some practical, real world experience instead.”

“We’re stronger than most of them, aren’t we?” A familiar voice, who was clearly as annoyed as Edna looked, said from near the front of the crowd. The duke's smile only grew.

“Some of you are, yes, my . . . petulant grandson.” The word grandson looked like it almost pained him to say, and I was left wondering what exactly the nature of their relationship was. “You will be giving the knights, who will be acting as scouts and outriders your support. I leave it up to you and the knight squads you are assigned to, to determine the exact nature of that support.”

“Are we students, or pawns?” Landar demanded, and I found myself once again worrying for his safety.

“Students, of course!” The duke smiled even wider.

Edna cleared her throat and spoke over the two’s petty exchange. “And as students, you will thank the duke for this learning experience. If this goes well, we might do future missions and . . . activities, outside of simply dungeon diving. Dungeons are grand for learning practical skills. But they are hardly a replacement for real life service. Now, this will be dangerous. More so even then the dungeon. So I want all of you to be on top of your game. If any of you feel you are at all hindered from your peak performance, I want you to withdraw from today's activities. Understood?”

The crowd of students replied in unison, “Yes teacher.”

“Good! Now,” She snapped her fingers and several portals opened all to the same place. The courtyard where the knights were waiting for us. “In you go.”