As Adrian left the bustling Metal Market, he knew that the next step in his journey was to make his way to the Veridian Federation.

The Draeger Family resided there, and they held the key to helping him exact his revenge on the Lacroix Family.

However, he also understood that casually approaching them would be a grave mistake.

For now, Adrian's top priority was self-improvement.

He needed to further hone his swordsmanship, strengthen his control over magic, and enhance the power of his Shadow Energy.

The challenges that lay ahead were formidable, and he needed to be prepared to face them head-on.

Adrian was well aware that his current skills and reputation weren't enough to catch the attention of prestigious mercenary groups or renowned beast hunting organizations. For now, he'd need to start from the bottom and work his way up.

Adrian spent a few days in the capital of the Vulcanheim Kingdom, inquiring about various mercenary groups in the area. He quickly realized that his initial assessment was correct—low-ranking mercenary groups seemed to be his best option given his current skill level.

Two names kept cropping up during his investigations: the "Iron Wolves" and the "Fanged Hunters." Both were relatively small, low-ranking groups, but they had their own distinct specialties.

The Iron Wolves were a diverse bunch of warriors who prioritized mastering various combat skills.

They were known for their rigorous training programs, which covered a wide range of weaponry and tactics.

This was appealing to Adrian as he was primarily looking to improve his swordsmanship.

On the other hand, the Fanged Hunters were a beast hunting group, renowned for their bravery and their rather profitable excursions.

Although the prospect of accumulating wealth in their company was enticing, Adrian knew that the path he wanted to follow right now was focused on the blade.

The Mercenary path was better aligned with his current objectives.

He decided to pay a visit to the Iron Wolves’ Guild Hall, tucked away in a corner of the bustling city.

As he pushed open the creaking wooden door, he was met with a room full of warriors of varying skill levels, each engaged in training exercises or sharing war stories over mugs of ale. It was clear that this group was serious about their craft.

Approaching a seasoned-looking warrior who was busy honing a longsword, Adrian cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, sir. I'm interested in joining the Iron Wolves. Is there someone I should speak to about that?"

The warrior stopped his training and sized Adrian up.

"You got any experience with a blade, lad?" he asked, a hint of skepticism in his voice.

Adrian nodded and pulled out the new sword he had recently purchased.

"A bit. I'm looking to improve, though. I believe I can contribute."

The warrior studied the sword, nodding thoughtfully.

"We'll see about that. You should talk to Captain Darian. He's in charge of recruitment. He's in his office, upstairs."

He pointed to a staircase at the corner of the room.

"Thank you," Adrian replied, offering a polite nod before heading toward the office to meet Captain Darian.

Adrian climbed the wooden stairs, each step creaking underfoot, leading him to the upper floor of the Iron Wolves Guild House.

At the top, a heavy oak door stood before him. He rapped his knuckles against it firmly, waiting for a response.

"Enter," came a gruff voice from inside. Adrian pushed the door open and walked into a dimly lit room.

It was sparsely decorated, with a large, worn map of the kingdom adorning one wall, and various weapons displayed on the others.

Behind a cluttered desk sat Captain Darian. He was a burly man, his weathered face marked with the scars of countless battles. He looked up at Adrian, his gaze appraising.

"You want to join the Iron Wolves?" Captain Darian's tone was gruff, and his piercing eyes bore into Adrian's.

Adrian nodded.

"Yes, Captain. I'm looking to improve my swordsmanship and contribute to the group."

Captain Darian grunted and suddenly lunged forward, his battle-worn sword flashing in the dim light.

Without a word, he attacked Adrian with a ferocious strike. It was a test, a way to assess Adrian's reflexes and skills.

Adrian's body was still recovering from the injuries he'd sustained at the hands of Cedric.

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His movements were not as fluid as they once were, and his muscles ached. However, his training under Roland had instilled in him a keen sense of awareness and an unwavering will.

With a swift parry, Adrian deflected Captain Darian's attack.

He moved with calculated precision, countering the Captain's strikes while conserving his own strength. Although he was on the defensive, he maintained his ground and didn't show a hint of pain or struggle.

After a few minutes of this intense exchange, Captain Darian stepped back, satisfied.

"You've got some skill, lad. But you're not there yet. If you want to join the Iron Wolves you'll have to prove yourself."

Adrian's eyes flickered with determination. "What do I need to do?"

Captain Darian leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.

"We've received word of a rogue mage causing havoc in the nearby village of Witheridge. Your task is to apprehend or eliminate this mage and bring peace to the village. It won't be an easy task, but if you succeed, we'll consider you for the Iron Wolves."

Adrian accepted the mission with a nod, his resolve unshaken.

"I'll do it. You won't be disappointed, Captain."

With a satisfied grunt, Captain Darian leaned forward, extending a scroll toward Adrian.

"Take this mission scroll with you. It contains the details you'll need. And don't forget to report back to me once you've dealt with the rogue mage. If you're successful, you'll earn your place in the Iron Wolves."

Adrian took the scroll, tucked it away, and turned to leave the room, his journey as an Iron Wolves’ member officially underway.

Adrian retreated to a quiet corner of the Iron Wolves' guildhouse to read the mission scroll in detail. He unfurled the mission scroll and began to read the detailed account of the rogue mage named Marcus.

As he perused the contents, his brow furrowed in contemplation.

"Marcus, a Third Order Mage with lightning attributes," he muttered to himself, absorbing the information.

"Terrorizing Witheridge Village, demanding an exorbitant sum of gold from the villagers, and using his lightning spells to attack them."

The scroll painted a grim picture of the havoc Marcus had wrought.

He had given the villagers a mere few days to meet his outrageous demands, and in the interim, he subjected them to the destructive power of his lightning spells.

Adrian felt a surge of anger on behalf of the innocent villagers. Marcus's actions were not only unjust but cruel.

The people of Witheridge were defenseless against such a powerful mage. He knew it was his duty to intervene and protect them from the rogue mage's tyranny.

With a determined expression, he rolled up the mission scroll and tucked it into a pouch at his side.

It was time to embark on his quest, to confront this rogue mage, and to prove his worth to the Iron Wolves Mercenary Group.

Adrian reached the small village of Witheridge after a half-day's journey on horseback. As he dismounted near the village entrance, he noticed a distinct change in the climate.

The air felt a bit warmer, and he surmised that the presence of a dormant volcanic mountain nearby might be responsible for the slightly higher temperatures.

With a determined stride, he entered the village, taking in the rustic charm of the place.

It was far removed from the bustling capital of the Vulcanheim Kingdom, with quaint cottages lining the cobblestone streets.

People went about their business, but there was an air of tension in the village.

They seemed wary and anxious, and many of their homes showed signs of recent damage.

He approached a group of villagers who were huddled together, discussing their predicament.

"I'm here to help," Adrian announced. "I've taken on a mission to deal with this Marcus. Can you tell me more about him?"

An elderly woman stepped forward, her voice trembling with fear.

"You're a brave one, lad, but be careful. Marcus is a wicked mage, demanding gold that we can't afford, and using lightning spells to threaten us. He gave us a few days to gather the sum, but it's impossible. We've already given him what little we had."

Adrian nodded solemnly.

"I'll find Marcus and put an end to his tyranny. Where can I find him? "

A middle-aged man chimed in, "He's holed up in the abandoned tower to the east of the village. Be cautious, young man. He's powerful."

Adrian gave a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll make sure he doesn't trouble you anymore."

With that, he headed in the direction of the abandoned tower, ready to confront the rogue mage and bring an end to the reign of terror in Witheridge Village.

Adrian approached the abandoned tower to the east of the village, the looming structure casting a long shadow in the late afternoon sun. As he ventured closer, he could feel the static charge in the air, a telltale sign of lightning magic.

The tower itself was in a state of disrepair, ivy clinging to its ancient stones. The entrance was blocked by fallen debris, but Marcus had created a small opening for himself.

Taking a deep breath, Adrian cautiously entered the tower. The interior was dim, with streaks of sunlight breaking through the cracks in the walls. The scent of dampness and decay filled the air.

"Marcus," Adrian called out, his voice echoing through the desolate tower. "I know you're in here. Show yourself."

A low, menacing chuckle filled the room, and a figure emerged from the shadows. Marcus was a tall man with a wild mane of dark hair, his eyes crackling with the telltale blue sparks of a lightning mage.

"You must be the fool who's come to challenge me," Marcus sneered. "I hope you're prepared to feel the wrath of my lightning."

Adrian raised his sword, the newly acquired blade gleaming in the dim light.

"I'm not here for idle chit-chat. The people of Witheridge Village have suffered enough because of you. It's time to put an end to this."

The rogue mage's laughter filled the room, sending shivers down Adrian's spine. "Bold words from a mere adventurer. You have no idea what you're dealing with, boy."

With a flick of his fingers, Marcus unleashed a bolt of lightning, but Adrian was quick to react.

He drew his sword and deftly deflected the attack, the blade crackling with energy as the lightning dispersed harmlessly.

Adrian's swift parries and dodges were impressive, and Marcus couldn't deny that his opponent had skill.

As he summoned more lightning spells, he noticed how Adrian's determination never wavered.

"You're a Third Order Warrior, I see," Marcus remarked, admiration creeping into his tone. "That explains your confidence. But let me remind you, a Third Order Mage is in an entirely different league. I'll show you the true power of magic!"

With a wave of his hand, Marcus activated the array he had prepared.

Arcane symbols etched into the floor began to glow with an eerie blue light, and the room crackled with electric energy.

In an instant, he unleashed a barrage of spells, bolts of lightning and arcs of electricity dancing in the air.

Adrian's battle aura and nimble footwork allowed him to avoid the worst of the attacks, but the relentless barrage was taking its toll.

The lightning bolts scorched his clothing and singed his skin. Pain coursed through his body, and he knew he couldn't withstand this for long.

Faced with an onslaught of magical attacks, Adrian realized he needed something more to turn the tide.

‘I need to find an opening. But Marcus is well-prepared. His magical arrays allow him to launch spells without incantations, making it hard for me to predict and deal with his attacks. His lightning spells are fast, and my injuries are also slowing me down.’

He deftly deflected another bolt of lightning, the energy crackling around his sword.

‘My Shadow Energy might be the key. I can use it to enhance my speed, but it won't be enough to outmatch Marcus's spells. I need to close the distance, but that means getting past his magical defenses. If I strike while he's casting, I might disrupt his concentration.’

The thought of using his Shadow Energy more aggressively had crossed his mind, but he was hesitant. The power was unpredictable, and he didn’t know if it would be useful against the spells of mages.

He focused, allowing the dark tendrils of his Shadow Energy to surge through him. This power could enhance the power of his Battle Aura, which boosted his strength and speed drastically.

Adrian lunged forward with newfound speed, dodging the arcs of electricity and deflecting the bolts with swift parries. He closed the distance rapidly, and the look of surprise on Marcus's face was his moment of opportunity.

Marcus quickly jumped back, wanting to dodge Adrian’s strike. He shouted aloud, “Wait!”

Unfortunately, Adrian was already in motion, and he quickly utilized the Thunder Strike.

Adrian's well-placed Thunder Strike landed squarely in Marcus's gut, sending a shockwave through the rogue mage's body. Marcus grunted and staggered backward, the electrical aura around him momentarily disrupted.

Gasping for breath, Marcus clutched his stomach and glared at Adrian. "You…you're more skilled than I thought," he managed to say between breaths. "But you won't defeat me that easily."

Before Adrian could capitalize on his advantage, Marcus gathered his wits and refocused. He raised his staff, and the lightning within the room intensified, swirling around him like a storm.

"You're certainly an intriguing adversary," Marcus hissed, his eyes narrowed. "Let's see how you handle this."

He summoned a torrent of lightning that crackled menacingly, the room awash in blinding flashes and resounding thunderclaps.

But instead of launching them directly at Adrian, he created a maelstrom of electrical energy, a storm of raw power swirling in the center of the room.

Adrian's instincts kicked in, recognizing that he couldn't afford to be let Marcus build up the power of this electrical storm.

With a swift, fluid motion, he launched himself towards Marcus, weaving between the storm's electrifying tendrils.

"Too slow," Adrian taunted as he approached Marcus.

He aimed for Marcus's staff, his blade striking the rogue mage's weapon with a resounding clash. The force behind his attack knocked the staff from Marcus's grip, sending it clattering to the ground.

Without his staff, Marcus was vulnerable. Adrian grabbed him by the collar and lifted him off his feet, pinning him against the stone wall.

The electric storm he'd summoned died out, and the room fell silent.

"Your little storm couldn't match my skills," Adrian said casually.

Marcus's eyes bulged with a mix of fear and surprise as he gasped for breath. He could hardly believe the turn of events.

Adrian lowered him to the ground and released his grip. He took a step back and regarded Marcus coolly.

"So, do you yield?"

Marcus stumbled, regaining his composure. He glared at Adrian but, reluctantly, nodded.

"Fine, you win. I yield."

Adrian offered a small, knowing smile.

"Smart choice."

With Marcus's admission of defeat, the battle was over.