The sun was rising over the City of Hepestus, painting the cobbled streets in a soft gold hue as Rifi left the inn where he had spent his first restful night in what felt like an eternity. The sound of bustling markets had not yet filled the air, leaving only the distant hum of the city waking up, giving him a brief moment of peace. He adjusted his gear and stretched his body, feeling the usual strain that came after prolonged use of lightning mana. Today was not for relaxation, though. He had a week before meeting his new team, and he intended to be stronger by the end of it.

Rifi made his way to the training grounds just outside the city walls. He had discovered these grounds years ago when he was still a recruit—an isolated space that wasn't frequented by many, perfect for his kind of training. As he approached, he could already feel the tension in his muscles easing. The routine of training was always a welcome distraction, and now, with the looming responsibility of an elite mission, he needed all the focus he could muster.

He sure welcomed training in open space like this compared to the cave. It was much easier to train and test your strength when you didnt need to worry about hitting a wall.

He knelt on the ground, breathing deeply as he let the ambient mana flow into his core. The familiar crackle of electricity began to spread through his veins, humming beneath his skin as his lightning mana stirred. He was more in control of it now, but it still came with a cost. As the sparks danced along his fingers, Rifi began his usual routine—controlled bursts of mana to sharpen his reflexes and strengthen his body. He knew that pushing too hard could be dangerous, but that was the only way to grow.

As he summoned the lightning to enhance his speed, he sprinted across the field in blinding flashes. Each step was quicker than the last, the air around him shimmering with the electric charge. His body protested after each lap, but Rifi knew better than to stop.

"More, I need more mana pathways" he whispered to himself, pushing beyond his limits.

The days passed in a similar rhythm. Mornings were spent cultivating mana, refining his control over his abilities, and testing new techniques to reduce the strain on his body. He found that, with enough focus, he could draw the mana from the environment faster now, a welcoming effect of his "Natural Body". There were moments of pain—intense, burning pain as his lightning seeped into places in his body it shouldn't—but it was becoming easier to bear. He could feel himself growing stronger, but at the same time, the weight of his responsibilities loomed.

In the evenings, Rifi would find himself wandering back into the city, where Lucilia and Rudeus would often meet him. Some nights, they shared drinks in the taverns, reminiscing about old times. Other nights, they would spar, testing their skills against each other.

The days leading up to his meeting with the elite team had passed quickly for Rifi. He had trained relentlessly, pushing himself to his physical and magical limits, knowing that something bigger was on the horizon. But now, as he walked through the quiet, dimly lit corridors of the Hepestus headquarters, there was a different tension in the air—an eerie stillness that seemed to swallow sound and heighten his awareness.

He was being led to a private room deep within the building, away from the usual hustle and bustle of the main barracks. The faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air as Rifi passed by offices of high-ranking officers, some of whom glanced at him with a mixture of curiosity and respect. Only a select few knew about his sudden reappearance after a year of being presumed dead, and even fewer were aware of his connection to the City Lord.

The guard escorting him stopped in front of a heavy wooden door and knocked twice before stepping aside. A muffled voice responded from within, and the door creaked open.

Inside, the room was sparse but functional—a large table in the center surrounded by chairs, the walls lined with maps, reports, and tactical diagrams. The atmosphere was serious, and the people seated around the table only added to the sense of purpose in the air.

Rifi's eyes quickly scanned the group. There were two others—both red core mages like him, both with hardened expressions that spoke of years on the battlefield. Each of them wore the standard cloak of the Legionaries of Hepestus, but the way they carried themselves made it clear they were far from ordinary soldiers.

The first was a man with dark hair and a square jaw, his eyes sharp and focused. He had the build of a warrior—strong and sturdy, with an air of quiet determination. His name was Kaelin, and Rifi had heard of him before—rumors of his prowess in battle had spread among the Legionaries. Kaelin had been part of several missions along the souther and western borders, defending the city-state and its precious mana veins from invading beasts and enemy scouts.

Sitting across from Kaelin was a woman named Serra, her lean frame coiled with energy. Her pale blonde hair was tied back tightly, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to take in every detail of the room. Like Kaelin, she had made her name in the Legionaries not through small squad missions but through battlefield glory. She was known for her swift, deadly precision in combat, often overwhelming enemies before they even had the chance to react.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Both Kaelin and Serra had proven their loyalty to the City Lord time and time again, and their reputations as elite soldiers were well-earned.

"Rifi, right?" Kaelin spoke first, his voice steady but carrying the weight of someone used to command. "We've heard a lot about you."

Rifi nodded and took a seat at the table. "Same here. Heard nothing but good things about both of you."

Serra gave a brief smile, her expression softening only slightly. "We were pulled in for this mission last minute. The City Lord must have some faith in us to put a team like this together."

There was a moment of silence as the three of them sized each other up. Rifi could sense their strength, the latent power in both of them barely concealed. These were not the kind of people to show off or boast—they let their skills speak for themselves.

Kaelin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. "We've both been stationed near the southern borders, mostly helping with the defense of the mana veins and training the troops. Not exactly glamorous work, but it's kept the city safe." His tone was matter-of-fact, but there was an edge to it, a hint of pride in the work they had done.

Serra nodded in agreement. "The borders have been tense lately. There's been more activity than usual—beasts, mercenaries, even some city-state scouts poking around where they shouldn't be. It's why we were called in, I suppose."

Rifi was about to respond when the door creaked open again, and a figure stepped inside—Felix, the City Lord's right hand. His presence immediately commanded attention. He was dressed in formal robes, his dark hair slicked back, and his eyes were sharp, calculating. He moved with the precision of a man used to wielding power without needing to announce it.

Felix nodded to the group before turning his gaze toward Rifi, holding it for a moment longer than the others. "Good, everyone is here. Let's begin."

He strode to the head of the table, spreading out a parchment that was sealed with the official sigil of the City Lord. The room seemed to grow even quieter, the tension thick in the air. Felix looked over the group, his face unreadable.

"You've all been selected for this mission because of your skills and loyalty," Felix began, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight. "This is not an ordinary assignment, and the details I'm about to share are confidential. You are not to discuss this with anyone outside of this room."

Kaelin exchanged a quick glance with Serra, but neither spoke. Felix continued.

"There has been… unrest in the western regions. Several smaller clans have shown signs of discontent, and there are rumors of alliances forming among them. Normally, this would be of little concern, but the City Lord believes something larger is at play here."

Felix paused, allowing the gravity of his words to sink in. "Your mission is twofold: first, you are to investigate the western regions and confirm whether these alliances are more than just rumors. Second, and more importantly, you are to seek out any signs of external interference—specifically, the involvement of the enemy City States or even Great Clans."

At the mention of the Great Clans, Serra's expression tightened, though she remained silent. Rifi, too, felt a knot tighten in his chest. The Great Clans were a powerful force—far beyond what ordinary clans could contend with. If they were involved, this wasn't just a minor political issue. This could be the beginning of something far more dangerous.

Felix's eyes landed on Rifi again, as if sensing his thoughts. "The City Lord has reason to believe that the Great Clans may be moving to destabilize our region, and we need to act quickly. For now we are unsure with what exactly or whom we have to deal with. That's where you come in."

Rifi met Felix's gaze, understanding the unspoken words. While Kaelin and Serra knew about the potential threat of alliances and the influence of the Great Clans, they didn't know the full scale of what was at stake. The war was coming, but only Rifi and a select few were aware of it.

Felix continued. "You will be assigned to the western legion under the pretense of dealing with the problem of the high rank beast`s that showed up recently near our border. With this explicit order, " Felix pulled another parchment " you will be granted authority over the legion or even the clans if you deem it necessary. With all this said, keep in mind of your main mission. We need the know what is happening in order to prepare our next steps."

Felix straightened and rolled up the parchment. "You leave at dawn tomorrow. The mission will be difficult, and it will require discretion. Do not draw attention to yourselves unless absolutely necessary. If you find any essential information, report back immediately."

With that, Felix turned toward the door. "The City Lord expects success. Good luck."

The door closed behind him with a finality that echoed through the room.

For a moment, no one spoke. The weight of the mission settled over them, each processing the implications. Serra was the first to break the silence.

"So," she said, her voice low, "we're heading into western border, dealing with high rank beast`s hunting rumors of alliances, and possibly dealing with the Great Clans or neighbouring City States. Sounds simple enough."

Kaelin gave a short, humorless chuckle. "Simple's never been our style."

Rifi stayed quiet, his thoughts swirling. He could feel the undercurrent of tension in the room, but neither of them truly knew the magnitude of what they were about to face. The mission was only the beginning—the first move in a much larger conflict.

The City Lord was right to be worried.

Kaelin stood, breaking the moment of stillness. "Alright, we'll meet at the gates before dawn. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

Serra nodded, already heading toward the door. "Better get ready. I don't think this is the kind of mission that'll go as planned."

Rifi remained seated for a moment longer, his mind still focused on Felix's words. There was more at stake than just a western rebellion. He had spent the last year training, and now, the real battle was approaching—whether his new team realized it or not.

As the others left, Kaelin lingered by the door, casting a glance back at Rifi. "You've been quiet," he remarked. "Anything on your mind?"

Rifi looked up, meeting his team leader's gaze. He thought about the war that was coming, the uncertainty of what lay ahead, and the responsibility that weighed on his shoulders.

"Just thinking," Rifi said, keeping his voice steady. "Tomorrow's going to be a long day."

Kaelin nodded, his expression unreadable. "That it is."

And so, as the room emptied, Rifi felt the stillness return. The calm before the storm. Tomorrow, everything would change. His new team had no idea how deep they were about to be pulled into the tide of war.