The morning sun bathed the University of Higher Magic in golden light as students made their way to training grounds, libraries, and classrooms. For most, today was just another step in their magical journey.
For Aiden, Leon, and Xaleth, however, today was different.
It was the day their real training began.
Takeda Renzou stood with his arms crossed, watching his three students from atop a large boulder. His sharp eyes scanned their movements, his mind analyzing every strength and weakness as they engaged in combat drills.
The trio stood in a triangular formation in the center of the training grounds. Around them, various mechanical training dummies equipped with adaptive magic prepared to attack. Each one was designed to counter their opponent's combat style, making the challenge brutal.
Renzou smirked. Let's see what they've got.
The dummies rushed forward at blinding speed, their weapons glowing with magical energy.
Aiden barely had time to react before one lunged at him, a training spear aimed for his chest.
"Leon!"
Before he could finish his call for help, Leon was already moving. With a burst of super speed, he appeared behind the training dummy, his blade slicing through its core before it could touch Aiden. The dummy exploded into fragments.
"You're too slow, Aiden," Leon teased, his eyes gleaming.
"Yeah, yeah, I know!" Aiden grumbled, jumping back just in time to dodge another attack.
Meanwhile, Xaleth stood calmly, his spatial magic distorting the air around him. Two dummies rushed at him simultaneously, their weapons glowing with paralysis magic.
But before they could land a hit, they vanished.
A split second later, they reappeared—high above the battlefield, suspended in midair.
"Leon," Xaleth called.
Leon understood immediately. With a powerful push off the ground, he blurred forward, leaped into the air, and sliced through both dummies in an instant before landing smoothly.
Aiden exhaled in awe. "You two are insane..."
But he had no time to admire them. Another dummy targeted him, this time faster and more aggressive than before. Aiden raised his sword, barely managing to parry the blow, but the force sent him stumbling back.
The dummy was about to press its advantage—until Xaleth flicked his fingers.
Suddenly, Aiden found himself behind the dummy instead of in front of it.
"Wha—?"
"Strike," Xaleth said calmly.
Aiden didn't hesitate. He swung his blade with everything he had, slashing through the dummy's weak point, causing it to collapse into pieces.
Silence filled the air. Then—
BOOM!
The final dummy exploded, taken out in an instant by Leon's high-speed strike.
Renzou smirked. "Not bad."
The trio panted, sweat dripping from their foreheads.
"For three brats who just met, your teamwork is impressive," Renzou admitted. "You're rough, but your instincts are good. You read each other well."
Leon flicked his hair back. "Of course we do. We're the best, after all."
Xaleth didn't say anything, but the faintest hint of a smirk crossed his lips.
Aiden, still catching his breath, sighed. "Yeah... but I still have a long way to go."
Renzou jumped down from his perch, his presence overwhelming. "That's exactly why you're here. Training is over for today. Get some rest."
The trio exchanged glances before nodding. They had survived their first real challenge together. But this was only the beginning.
The cafeteria was bustling with students, the air filled with chatter, laughter, and the occasional heated debate about magic techniques. Aiden, Leon, and Xaleth sat at a table near the window, their trays stacked with food.
Leon, as always, was complaining.
"I swear, for a school that houses the strongest mages, they sure don't know how to cook meat properly," he grumbled, poking at his steak.
Aiden raised an eyebrow. "That's your biggest concern?"
Xaleth silently ate his food, unfazed by the conversation.
Leon leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Alright, real talk—how do you two feel about today?"
Aiden thought for a moment. "Honestly? I felt... out of place. You guys are incredible, and I'm just barely keeping up."
Leon sighed. "Listen, Aiden. You might not be as strong as us right now, but you're not useless. Xaleth doesn't bother helping people unless he sees potential in them, and I don't team up with weaklings. So stop whining."
Xaleth glanced up. "Leon's right. You held your own. That's enough for now."
Aiden blinked. Coming from them, those words actually meant something.
A small smile formed on his lips. "Alright... I'll work harder."
Leon smirked. "That's more like it."
Suddenly—
DING!
A magical notification appeared on their student badges. Aiden checked his, eyes widening at the message.
"A mission?"
They all rushed towards the office. There they saw Elara among with some other students standing along with their teacher Takeda Renzou.
Aiden Varian, Leon Aaldric, Xaleth Vireos… you will be paired with Elara Noctis, Elysia Ashford, and Lyra Evern for a D-Rank mission. Your task: eliminate a group of bandits causing trouble on the northern trade route."
Aiden blinked. "Wait, what?"
Leon leaned back, arms crossed. "Bandits? That sounds way too easy."
Xaleth tapped his fingers on the table. "It's never that simple."
As if to confirm his words, Elara approached them, flanked by Elysia and Lyra.
"Looks like we're working together," Elara said, her shadowy eyes scanning the trio. "Try not to slow us down."
Aiden gave her a playful grin. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Elysia adjusted her gloves, her violet eyes sharp. "We'll see about that."
Lyra, who had been quiet, gave a small smile. "Let's just try to get along, alright?"
Aiden exhaled, feeling the weight of his first real mission settle in. This was his chance to prove himself—to his team, to his mentor, and to himself.
Little did they know, this mission was about to be far more dangerous than they had expected