Kapitel 19: First Mission

Ever since Eijah's encounter with Quirin, he had always prayed that he would never meet the cunning man again. But, Elijah should have known that it was impossible for him to avoid Quirin one hundred percent when they were in the same academy. Elijah had been excited when the academy called him to accept a mission outside the academy one month after he was accepted into the academy. But when he heard that it would be a group mission, Elijah already had the feeling that bad things would always follow him whenever he goes.

"Nice to meet you guys! My name is Quirin. I am a third-year mages special class student, as well as the academy's chief researcher of ancient magic artifacts."

Quirin kindly introduced himself in front of everyone, not caring even if his teammates were listening or not. Elijah could not understand what the headmaster was thinking when he formed this team of them. Bringing together people with opposing traits was not the solution to teaching the importance of teamwork.

"If I'm not mistaken, you are the son of Marquess Arnold, right? Since you are part of a noble family, I hope you at least realize that you should show respect to me, who is part of a royal family."

Elijah saw Quirin's expression darken for a moment, but it soon brightened back up so much that Elijah briefly doubted his vision. "Of course, Your Highness," he said politely to Gazel, who was the first member of their team.

"Elijah, I was so happy when I found out that I'd be teaming up with you on my first mission. Since it's been a while since you last saw my abilities, I hope you're ready to see how far I've come in the warriors' special class."

The second member was Damian, who only cared about Elijah and ignored the other members. Elijah looked at the last member of their team, who was more silent than talkative like the others. An information status appeared as usual, and Elijah tried to look as natural as possible as he read it near Quirin, who had previously suspected him.

[Name] Henrik (19 years old)

[Level 24]

[HP] 1200/1200

[MP] 200/200

[Stamina] 1000/1000

[Physical Skills] Two-handed sword level 13, Heavy armor level 9, Beast regeneration level 6, Beast transformation level 3

[Magic Skill] Earth level 2

Thanks to his information status, Elijah finally knew that the werebeast was named Henrik, someone from the same first-year warriors special class as Damian.

There were rumors that werebeasts in the human kingdom were often used as slaves by the nobles. Therefore, from the moment they got together, Henrik was mostly silent and did not want to talk to Quirin or Gazel. Elijah could see that the werebeast sometimes clenched his hands into fists when looking at Gazel or Quirin. It was obvious from his demeanor. Despite Henrik's silence, he actually had a great hatred for Gazel and Quirin.

Now, the group of troubled people were brought together in a team and were expected to bring progress in the academy's research in one of the ruins near Arlo City. Elijah quietly stole a glance at Quirin. Ever since Elijah had met that man again, he did not have a good feeling about this mission.

Even so, there was now no turning back for Elijah. The one assessment in the special class involved success in the mission to determine whether or not one would be able to stay in the special class. For Elijah, who had to stay in the special class until graduation, refusing the mission or failing the mission was simply not an option for him.

While Quirin was not paying attention, Elijah silently watched the mission status float before him.

[Side mission: The Lost Legends

1. Enter the Latham Ruins and discover the secrets within].

A mission with a number meant a long mission with several stages to complete. Elijah stared at the mission status for a while. This mission given to him would most likely not end up as simple as he thought.

"Elijah, what are you pondering so? Is there something bothering you about this mission?"

It was Quirin again who disturbed Elijah's thoughts, and the teenager already knew that ignoring Quirin was better than responding to him. Quirin only smiled a little when Elijah chose not to answer his question. Since he was the only third-year special class student on the team, he would automatically be in charge of the team.

"Alright, prepare properly because we're leaving tomorrow morning. Let's meet at the academy gate at sunrise. From that place, we will go to the Latham Ruins using my teleportation magic."

"You can use teleportation magic?"

Teleportation magic is so rare that the price of a magic book alone can feed a family for several years. Normally, only kings and heirs to the throne could possess such magic. But Quirin had it, and that aroused suspicion in Gazel's eyes.

"I have it because my father has used almost half of his fortune to buy teleportation magic books. Your Highness, you must be aware that I am the heir of my family. For my father, having that teleportation magic would keep me out of danger."

Quirin made it sound like her teleportation magic was nothing out of the ordinary. But Elijah could sense that Quirin had another secret behind her teleportation magic. Elijah looked at Quirin with a serious gaze. Then, as usual, Quirin noticed the gaze and returned it with a small smile.

"Well, our journey to the Latham Ruins will be very long. I suggest you all rest for today. Please don't forget that you should also prepare what you should bring for your first mission."

Until the end, Quirin played the role of a good senior as he directed his team members to prepare themselves. The team was soon disbanded after Quirin was sure that none of her team members had any intention of asking anything. Elijah returned with Damian to their dorm room. But along the way, Elijah's mind remained fixed on the mission he had to do tomorrow.

***

"Elijah, our first mission is to investigate the Latham Ruins that the academy just discovered, right? I heard that place should be at least thousands of years old. The ruins have always been near Arlo City. But why did the academy only discover it this time?"

"Then, for a place that was abandoned for thousands of years, there should be some traps set in that place, right? We have to be careful while we're there, Elijah. Although we are accompanied by a third-year special class student, there is no guarantee that he will help us when we encounter problems."

Elijah stopped his movements when he heard Damian mention Quirin. The teenager was debating whether he should tell Damian this or not. But in the end, he raised the issue anyway because there was no one else Elijah could talk to other than Damian.

"Damian."

"Hm?"

"What do you think of Quirin?"

Elijah asked seriously, so Damian thought about his answer seriously as well. The elf was silent for a while. In the end, Damian said what he first thought about their senior.

"He seems nice. Although I realize that senior students are not required to help their juniors while on missions, he still gave clear instructions to all of us."

Elijah continued his activities to prepare after that. Of course, talking to an NPC would not give Elijah any clues about his problem.

"Even so ... I can't help but feel wary whenever I talk to him. You could call this the elves' vigilant ability. I don't know. He's good. But at the same time, he doesn't look good to me."

Damian looked at Elijah, then added his words in an equally serious tone.

"I don't think it would hurt for us to watch his every move, Elijah. After all, most humans are untrustworthy."

Elijah was slightly surprised when Damian added his sentence. Elijah was just about to open his mouth to say something. But before a sentence could come out of Elijah's mouth, Damian had already added his words in a more relaxed tone.

"Of course, you are an exception to the humans I have met. I trust you, so don't worry about me suspecting you, Elijah."

Elijah's lips pressed tightly together again as Damian said that sentence without inserting the slightest lie in his words. In fact, compared to Quirin, Elijah probably used Damian more and only thought of him as an NPC. Yet, Damian trusted him even more, someone who could have discarded him the moment the prince was no longer useful to Elijah.

"Alright. Thank you."

Elijah said so, a little confused as to why Damian didn't realize that Elijah had only been using him all this time.