The days in Forgeholm passed like a steady river. Adrian was settling into life with Team Seahorse. Each morning, he'd grab a newspaper from the stand, searching for any crumbs of information about Vulcanheim and the Edenhart Kingdom, or, in particular, the Lacroix Family.

Surprisingly, the Lacroix Family hadn't placed a bounty on his head or attempted to capture him, leaving Adrian with more questions than answers.

'Why the silence?' he wondered.

Adrian scratched his head, deep in thought. 'Could it be that they're keeping Cedric's condition a secret? The Curse of Soul Magic might be too embarrassing for them to reveal. But if so, how in the world are they planning to heal him?'

His mind wandered. 'Did my father somehow heal Cedric? Given his incredible power, it's definitely possible.'

When he wasn't training with Team Seahorse, Adrian delved into books on different aspects of Elemental Magic. He'd set his sights on Lightning Magic and was eager to grasp its potential.

He flipped through the pages of the book and found a description of how Lightning Magic was accessed. The text vividly described how the mage had to channel their inner energy and envision themselves as a conduit for lightning.

Adrian felt a spark of excitement. 'This could be a game-changer.'

Adrian closed the book with a sense of newfound knowledge and an itch to practice. Finally, he could put those scrolls from Marcus's stash to good use and start mastering these spells. He knew they could come in handy during unexpected and intense situations, and he didn't want to be caught unprepared.

Meanwhile, his training with Team Seahorse proceeded steadily. Adrian was determined to keep his mage training under wraps, wary of how his new teammates might react if they discovered his dual role.

As Adrian entered the hall, he caught the friendly grins and waves from the two mages, Lila and Selena.

“Good morning, Adrian!" Lily's enthusiasm was infectious. "Did you know there's this fantastic bakery not far from here? The pastries they make are to die for!"

Adrian smiled, genuinely appreciating the friendly banter. "I'm looking forward to trying them out. Any other local spots you'd recommend?"

Selena joined the conversation, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "Oh, you must visit the Vulcanheim Gardens. They're absolutely breathtaking this time of year. I can't wait to go there myself."

In the meantime, the guys of Team Seahorse strolled into the hall.

Unlike the girls, their expressions were less than friendly.

Allan, their vice-leader, offered a curt nod, while Tavon seemed content with a scowl.

Without saying a word, they plopped down on the other side of the hall, making it clear that they didn't want to engage in pleasantries with Adrian.

Adrian shrugged off their coldness; he'd grown used to it by now.

Just as their small talk continued, Zelene entered the hall, her presence commanding attention. She carried herself with authority, which was no surprise considering her position as their leader.

"Good morning, Team Seahorse," Zelene greeted them, her gaze falling on Adrian. "I hope you're all ready for a new mission."

Adrian observed the energy shift as the team members gathered around Zelene, their attitudes shifting from casual to professional.

Zelene unrolled a map on the table, and her fingers traced a path. "Our mission today is an escort mission mixed with scouting. We'll be accompanying a group of traders to the town of Evercrest, known for its gemstone mines. The miners there recently found a new vein, and it's drawing quite a bit of attention."

Allan folded his arms, his skepticism apparent. "Why are we tasked with this? Sounds like a job for the rookies."

Zelene's tone remained steady. "The Guild received reports of bandit activity in the region. We need to ensure the safety of the traders as they return with gems and assess the situation. Our team's agility and combat abilities make us the best choice for this mission."

Adrian nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a plan. What's the travel distance and expected duration?"

Tavon chimed in with a scowl. "It's a few days' travel by horse, and we'll likely set up camp each night. I hope you can keep up."

Adrian smirked in response, "I'll do my best."

Zelene finished detailing the mission, and it was evident that Team Seahorse had no intention of letting their guard down. Security and scouting mixed into one mission promised an exciting and challenging adventure. With the task at hand, they began preparations for their journey to Evercrest.

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As the mission preparations got underway, Adrian watched his teammates attentively, each of them focused on their tasks.

Lila was busy inspecting their equipment, ensuring it was in top condition, while Selena cast a protective enchantment on the traders' goods.

The guys, Allan and Tavon, examined the map and reviewed the safest routes.

Adrian noticed a significant task that had been overlooked. The traders had a mix of riding horses and packhorses, but none of them seemed well-versed in handling the animals or knowing their individual needs.

In his previous adventuring party, he'd often been responsible for the care and maintenance of the horses when they used to travel around and hunt the beasts in the area. If they were to embark on a journey of several days, it was essential that the animals were in good shape.

Adrian decided to take it upon himself to ensure the safety and health of their horsey companions. He calmly approached the horses, gently stroking their manes as he whispered comforting words.

Then, he began inspecting the saddles and packs, making necessary adjustments to prevent any discomfort or chafing.

Once he was satisfied that the horses were ready, Adrian joined his teammates as they prepared to depart, signaling to Zelene that the animals were in good hands.

The traders were assembled, and Team Seahorse formed a protective formation around them. Allan and Tavon took the lead, with Selena and Zelene guarding the center. Adrian and Lily were stationed at the rear, ensuring no threats could approach unnoticed.

As they began their journey, the soft murmur of conversation floated through the air. Lily seized the opportunity to engage Adrian in a hushed conversation.

"Adrian, have you ever visited the Evercrest region before?" she inquired, her voice low.

Adrian maintained a calm expression and responded in a similar tone. "No, it's my first time. But I'm looking forward to it."

Lily's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I've heard the gemstones there are absolutely stunning, and the view from the mines is breathtaking. Maybe after the mission, the two of us can explore a bit."

Adrian nodded, appreciating her enthusiasm. "Sounds like a plan, Lily. I'd like that."

The journey continued smoothly for a while, the traders and Team Seahorse maintaining a vigilant watch over their surroundings. The terrain was picturesque, with lush forests and rolling hills accompanying them on their way to Evercrest.

However, their journey took an unexpected turn as Allan, who had been at the front of the formation, suddenly raised his hand to signal a halt. His eyes darted to the ground, and he crouched down to inspect a peculiar sight.

"Looks like we've got a trap," Allan muttered, his gaze focused on a seemingly innocent patch of dirt, hiding an intricately designed mechanism.

Tavon stepped closer to examine the trap.

It was no ordinary snare; simple enchantments had been placed on it, indicating it was the handiwork of skilled bandits. The enchantments appeared to be pressure-activated, and a wrong step would trigger a blast of fire, leaving severe burns at the very least.

The trap was intricate and potentially dangerous, causing them to tread carefully. But before they could disarm it or find a safe way around, a high-pitched whistle echoed through the woods.

Almost immediately, a group of bandits emerged from their concealed positions.

They stood atop the branches of trees, wooden bows at the ready, arrows notched and aimed at the group. Each of the bandits seemed to be at the Second Order Rank, their eyes filled with menace.

At their center stood their leader, exuding an aura of power that suggested he was at the Third Order Rank. His eyes glinted with cunning as he assessed their situation.

Adrian, Lila, and the rest of Team Seahorse tensed, their formation shifting to better defend against the sudden ambush.

With precision and calmness, Zelene whispered an enchantment, her voice barely audible as she conducted the Sound Spell. It was a spell known as "Sonic Disruption." The magic she released was subtle but incredibly effective.

"Sonic Disruption," Zelene muttered, and the air around her shimmered with a faint, otherworldly glow.

As the bandits, perched on branches, released a barrage of arrows aimed at Team Seahorse and the traders, Zelene's spell took effect. An almost invisible wave of sound dispersed from her and struck the incoming arrows. They wavered in the air, their trajectory shifted just enough to miss their intended targets.

The bandits were bewildered as they witnessed their arrows missing the mark!

With a nod of approval, Zelene took charge. "Alright, Team Seahorse, let's neutralize these bandits. Lily, focus on ranged attacks. Use your Wind Magic to keep them at bay."

Lily nodded, her determination shining through. She held her staff aloft and began her own chant.

"Whirlwind Arrows!" she spoke as her Wind Magic gathered around her, forming arrows made of compressed air.

As Lily aimed her Wind Magic-infused arrows, she let them loose, each one spiraling through the air with incredible speed.

Her shots were accurate, and the bandits were forced to duck and dodge to avoid being struck. A few of the bandits cried out in pain as the arrows found their marks.

Selena received her orders from Zelene, her focus shifting to support. Her healing magic extended beyond its typical applications as she empowered her allies. She chanted softly, her voice resonating with magical energy.

"Strength of the Wild," Selena whispered.

Selena's magic wrapped around Allan, Adrian, and Tavon. An enhanced strength and endurance enveloped them, invigorating their bodies and bolstering their fighting abilities.

Tavon and Adrian wasted no time in charging forward, eager to confront the bandits who had revealed themselves. The forest erupted in a flurry of action as they engaged the attackers. Their weapons were drawn, ready for the impending battle. Adrian held his longsword, its gleaming blade reflecting the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves. Tavon wielded his long spear, a weapon of elegance and precision.

Tavon's fighting style was swift and precise, demonstrating his exceptional agility. He moved gracefully between the trees, using his spear with incredible dexterity. He thrust and parried with finesse, pushing back the bandits as they struggled to adapt to his rapid movements. Tavon's agility allowed him to strike from unexpected angles, keeping the bandits on their toes.

On the other hand, Adrian's combat style was overpowering, displaying raw strength and precision. He engaged his opponent in a relentless onslaught, never giving them a moment to breathe.

Each of his strikes was delivered with controlled force, which showed that he was clearly well-versed in the art of combat. His movements were a reflection of the countless battles he'd fought against formidable beasts.

Allan, the vice leader, stood guard by the mages, keeping watch over the bandits and preventing them to succeed in attacking the mages.

Meanwhile, Zelene was keeping watch over the entire situation, including the traders and their caravans. She didn’t want any harm to happen to them.

As the skirmish intensified, the bandit leader, recognizing the dire situation, quickly signaled his group to retreat.

As the bandit leader signaled for a hasty retreat, his subordinates followed suit, leaping from one treetop to another in a desperate escape. It was clear that they had not anticipated the fierce resistance offered by Team Seahorse.

Just as Tavon was about to pursue them, Zelene's commanding voice rang out, "Stop! We don't have time to waste on them. Let's continue on our journey."

Tavon reluctantly halted his chase, sighing in frustration. The bandits disappeared into the dense foliage, and the caravan moved forward.

Back near the caravans, Lily and Selena approached Adrian and Tavon. Selena's healing magic was at work, mending the minor injuries the two warriors had incurred during the skirmish. She worked with precision, and soon, the aches and pains faded away.

Once the healing was complete, Lily couldn't contain her enthusiasm. "Adrian, your fighting skills are incredible! It's nothing like what I've seen during our training drills. You're like a whirlwind in battle!"

Selena chimed in, her admiration evident. "Absolutely! You're like a completely different person when you're in combat. It's impressive."

Adrian let out a chuckle and responded, “Haha…Thanks.”

Allan and Tavon watched the interaction with a mixture of jealousy and annoyance. They exchanged irritated glances, clearly perturbed by the girls' fascination with Adrian's combat prowess.

Adrian couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment as the bandits had disappeared. Inwardly, he pondered, 'It's such a pity I couldn't finish them off. Using my Shadow Energy to absorb their corpses would have allowed me to grow even stronger.'

However, he was well aware of the necessity to maintain a facade of composure, so he concealed his darker intentions beneath a cordial smile.

'Once we reach Evercrest City,' he thought, 'I'll start investigating the local beasts there. I can set up some beast baits and lead them towards an area rigged with traps. That should make it easier to kill all of them cleanly and quickly and absorb their corpses using my Shadow Energy. Soon, I'll become even more powerful.'