Ethan and Sven hastily departed from their rooms, fully aware that their current actions violated the academy's rules. Venturing outside during this time of day was strictly prohibited, and the risk of being caught was akin to inviting a demerit on their records. Nevertheless, they found themselves with no alternative but to brave the academy's grounds in search of assistance.

Sven closely trailed behind Ethan, putting his trust in his judgment to guide them toward a solution to save their families. To his astonishment, Ethan led them out of the first-year quarters, then through the second-year area, only to exit once more, eventually entering the exclusive domain of the senior third-year students. Amidst the whirlwind of questions swirling through his mind, Sven understood that now was not the time for inquiries but for action. Thus, he maintained his silence, staying close to Ethan as they pressed forward.

"Who goes there!"

Surprised, the pair found themselves confronted by one of the guards patrolling the academy grounds. Instead of halting to explain their urgent situation, Ethan signaled to Sven to disregard the guard and continue onward.

"Ignore him. We're almost there."

Sven hesitated for a moment but complied, trusting Ethan's judgment.

"Stop! Students aren't allowed to wander outside their rooms at this hour! I said stop!" the guard commanded, growing increasingly agitated.

Ethan and Sven continued their sprint through the corridors, determined to reach their destination. The urgency of their mission fueled their steps, and they pressed on until they finally arrived at the door they had been seeking. Without a moment's hesitation, Ethan began to knock frantically on the door, his desperation evident in every pounding sound.

*Knock,Knock*

"Who is it at this hour?" a voice from behind the door questioned.

"Mister Alfred! It's me, Ethan Hartfield," Ethan called out.

"Ethan?" Alfred responded, his curiosity piqued by Ethan's unexpected visit.

"There! Finally, I've caught up to you!" the patrolman exclaimed, his voice laden with irritation. "How dare you two run away from me! Do you have any idea what kind of trouble you're causing?"

As the patrolman finally caught up to the duo, he prepared to admonish them for breaking the rules, but his reprimand was abruptly halted.

"That's enough."

"S-Sir, Alfred."

"They're here for a reason. Thank you for your diligence."

"I-I see. Then I'll head back to work. Have a good rest," the patrolman stammered before departing.

With the intruding presence of the patrolman now gone, Alfred opened the door fully, gesturing for Ethan and Sven to enter.

"Thank you, Mister Alfred," Ethan expressed his gratitude.

Alfred regarded Ethan with a mixture of curiosity and amusement. "How surprising. I did expect you to reach out to me eventually, but not quite so soon, or even so late."

Ethan's tone carried a sense of urgency and sincerity as he addressed Alfred, "I apologize for bothering you at such a late hour, but an urgent and unexpected matter has arisen, and I desperately need your assistance, if you would be willing to help us."

Alfred surveyed the two out-of-breath students before him, discerning the anxiety and worry etched into their expressions. He could sense that this was no trivial matter. "Speak. What's going on?" he inquired, ready to lend an ear.

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Ethan quickly recounted the dire situation that had compelled them to seek Alfred's help—the imminent threat to Thornfield village and the approaching horde of monsters. He explained their desperate need for transportation to reach the village before disaster struck.

As Alfred absorbed the gravity of the situation, he nodded solemnly. "I see," he said, "This is indeed a grave matter."

Alfred paused for a few seconds, contemplating the gravity of the situation and the implications of their request. "I'm willing to assist you," he began, "but I must advise against this course of action."

Ethan's eyes widened in disbelief. "What are you saying? Our home is on the verge of destruction, and you're advising against us helping our family?"

Alfred maintained his calm demeanor as he explained, "I'm not suggesting you shouldn't help your family. What I mean is that leaving the academy without proper authorization, can lead to serious consequences. You may be risking your own academic future and safety."

Ethan's frustration was evident as he responded, "What do you mean? Aren't you a high-ranking authority figure here? Can't you grant us the necessary permission?"

Alfred's expression remained sympathetic but firm. "Unfortunately, I do not have the authority to grant such permissions. My role is to uphold the laws and regulations of the academy. If you were to leave without proper authorization and return later, my hands would be tied, and I'd have to act based on the circumstances."

Sven, recognizing the delicate situation, asked, "So, what should we do, then? How can we make this work without risking our academic standing?"

Alfred's thoughtful pause led to a partial solution. "I can provide you with horses," he offered. "You can use them to reach Thornfield village swiftly. However, that's the extent of my immediate assistance. To obtain the proper authorization, you would need approval from either the principal or the council. Since the academy's inception, it has been a rule that students are not permitted to leave the academy grounds under any circumstances until designated vacation days. If you insist on leaving now, it must be done through the proper channels."

Ethan's frustration boiled over as he exclaimed, "What proper channels! We don't have time for this bureaucratic nonsense!"

Alfred maintained his calm demeanor and replied, "The decision is ultimately yours to make, young man. You can leave the academy grounds to warn your home village about the impending danger, risking your future as a mage. Alternatively, you can attempt to acquire the proper authorization to maintain your standing here, but that could jeopardize the fate of your home."

Ethan and Sven exchanged a glance, realizing the gravity of their choices. The weight of their decision hung heavy in the air, but the decision didn't need any contemplation on their side. They already knew their next move.

Without further hesitation, Ethan and Sven made their choice. "Bring us to the horses," Ethan stated firmly, his voice resolute.

Alfred nodded and led them to the stables where he had his personal horse. The urgency of their mission weighed heavily on their minds as they mounted the horses and prepared to ride towards Thornfield village, hoping to reach it in time to warn their families and fellow villagers of the impending danger.

"Sven, I'm not familiar with riding horses. Can you handle it?" Ethan asked with a hint of uncertainty.

"Leave it to me. Just hold on tight to make sure you don't fall," Sven assured him, exuding confidence.

"Thank you, Mister Alfred." Ethan and Sven expressed their gratitude one more time.

Alfred offered a final piece of advice, his voice filled with a solemn tone. "Kids, the decision you've made today—don't ever regret it, no matter what happens after."

Ethan's response was resolute. "Even if we regretted our decision, we would have taken the same decision a million times over."

With that, they rode off into the night, determined to reach Thornfield village and do whatever it took to protect their loved ones from the impending danger, consequences be damned.

***

In the heart of a dark and foreboding forest, where trees cast eerie shadows and the wind whispered secrets, a group of hooded figures gathered around a flickering campfire. The forest seemed to hold its breath, as if aware of the ominous presence within its depths.

"Sir!" one of the hooded figures spoke, "a message from Master Grandfeld has arrived."

The others leaned in, their faces hidden beneath their cowls, their eyes reflecting the dancing flames of the campfire. The forest's silence amplified the weight of the moment.

"Tell me," the leader demanded, his voice cutting through the hushed air like a sharpened blade, "what instructions have we received from this covetous old coot?"

"...! It appears they are determined not to see this mission falter."

"Hm, proceed."

"We've been directed to journey to a nearby village and employ them as a decoy to slow down the horde."

"Hahaha! That scoundrel has a heart of ice. Excellent! Which village are we targeting?"

"Thornfield Village."

"Thornfield Village, you say?" The leader chuckled, a wicked grin crossing his face. "Prepare the troops. We move at once."

In the somber depths of the forest, the sounds of preparations resonated, setting the stage for a sinister turn of events. Thornfield Village's destiny teetered on the brink, precariously balanced between impending doom and uncertain salvation.