The following morning at dawn.
Ivan, carrying items he might need—a longsword, a round shield, a hand crossbow, and various potions—arrived at the mission hall full of doubts.
“Ivan, come over here.” At the entrance of the hall, Cody called out to him from a distance, “You’re quite early.”
“Cody, haven’t seen you in a few days.”
Seeing a familiar face, Ivan felt a slight relief—he figured the situation wasn’t as bad as he had imagined.
As he approached, Cody began to explain the mission: “This area within the academy has the highest concentration of energy particles. A small amount of energy always leaks out of the academy, contributing to the formation of the enchanted forest outside, which attracts many magicalized wild beasts to its vicinity.
The enchanted forest is under the care of the Guardian clan, and our task is to patrol an outer perimeter area, to clear out the recent attractants and ensure peace within that sector.”
Ivan nodded, taking comfort in the fact that he wouldn’t have to travel far.
Cody continued, “This is normally the Patrol Team’s job, but we’ve been preoccupied with other matters recently and are short-handed, which is why we thought of you, an advanced Knight. The patrol will last half a month, with a reward of one hundred and fifty magic stones. How do you feel about it?”
“I have absolutely no problem with it.”
What else could Ivan say? It was clear the enlistment order was mandatory.
He had some questions on his mind, but it wasn’t convenient to ask in public, so he agreed to the task for now.
Considering the mission itself, a reward of ten magic stones a day was definitely not low. For instance, when a new apprentice helps a sorcerer clean and organize their laboratory or does other errands, they typically only receive one magic stone.
Cody brought along four people, one of whom was the new apprentice Mellie—the senior sister of Cassia Swordsmanship Hall. Together with Ivan, there were six of them in total.
It was only then that Ivan learned Mellie had joined the Patrol Team. The two were merely nodding acquaintances, so they just exchanged simple greetings.
“Remember the passphrase firmly, or don’t blame me, Harlund, for not showing mercy.”
The massive barriers of the academy, the Eight-legged Black Spider warned the apprentices.
Leaving the academy required recording identity information, including a crystal identity token, one’s own aura, meditation aura, and one would also receive a passphrase. Only after completing this series of steps would the Eight-legged Black Spider Guardian allow passage. Stay updated through empire
Upon leaving the enchanted forest, Ivan turned to glance back, observing how the uniquely shaped branches and vines closed again, submerging the path within.
Cody reminded them, “Everyone, stay alert. It’s not as safe outside the academy as it is inside. Danger may arise at any time, especially for you, Mellie.”
As of now, Mellie was only a 1st Class apprentice, not having learned even a single spell, and yet she was already earning magic stones, which was considered special treatment for her.
“Don’t worry, senior brother. I can protect myself,” Mellie said, lifting her broad sword as a flash of black Combat Energy appeared and vanished in her palm.
Apprentices were rarely commoners; most hailed from noble or sorcerer families and began practicing the Knight Breathing Method early on. Their strengths were usually that of squires and Knights, and the swords they carried were never just for show.
After a few instructions, Cody led the five on their patrol. They needed to cover the designated area within half a month, eliminating any potential risks nearby.
Ivan initially thought the patrol would simply circle the academy, but he found that Cody led them farther and farther away. The so-called vicinity of the academy encompassed a radius of thirty to forty miles, and their mission area extended almost to the vicinity of Windy Bay City.
For the safety of the new apprentice, Cody chose comparatively safer routes and continually briefed Ivan and Mellie on what to be aware of on their journey to avoid panic in the face of danger.
Having been through the ordeal on Lahr Island, Ivan was considered experienced and had a more resilient heart.
As a complete newcomer, Mellie was clearly a bit nervous, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly.
Due to the high concentration of energy particles here, the vegetation grows particularly lush, and the team cautiously weaves through the complex forest, stopping whenever they encounter a puddle.
The entire large area where the academy is located is known as ‘Tidal Swamp,’ which, many years ago, was entirely a vast marshland. Today some regions have become land, but deep underground, there are still bottomless swamp areas.
Puddles are often mud pits, which may hide magicalized wild beasts, or newly bred special element monsters, requiring regular scouting to clarify the situation and clean up as soon as possible.
Actually, magicalized wild beasts are easier to deal with. The troublesome ones are element monsters born from the influence of high-energy particles, especially those that can easily change the terrain.
While others stand guard around the puddle, an apprentice pours some ‘Mania Potion’ from a glass bottle. The potion turns into a thin layer of mist that evenly blends into the water, and after waiting for a while, no movement is seen.
“Continue on,”
Cody waves his hand and the team continues on, stepping on the damp ground.
From morning until afternoon, the team patrols within the mission area, filling their stomachs with nutrition potions when hungry, which can keep them from being hungry for two or three days.
“Be careful.”
There was sudden movement in the silhouette on a tree trunk in front of the team.
A large amount of grey dust flies up, rapidly engulfing them. The figures behind the dust make their presence known — several grey-winged ‘itching butterflies.’ Startled, the itching butterflies spread their powder, which causes unbearable itching upon contact.
“Wind!”
Following Cody’s command, all six members mobilize Wind element particles, turning them into a gust of wind. The wind blows forward, forcing the spreading dust back in the opposite direction, causing the grey butterflies to lose stability and turn to flee.
‘Fiery Bee Sting’
Another apprentice, Hayden, a 3rd Class apprentice, casts a spell. The flames transform into multiple dart-shaped projectiles, accurately hitting the wings of each grey butterfly.
The flames burn, and the itching butterflies fall to the ground, charred.
Cody says, “This is the most common thing around here; we’re bound to run into them every patrol. Getting touched by their itching powder can be quite troublesome; though it’s not poison, detoxification potions aren’t very effective.”
Ivan asks, “Is there a way to eliminate it?”
The information about ‘itching butterflies’ had been seen in the Science of Everything, but there was no recorded method for removing the itching powder, which was said to go away on its own after two days.
Hearing his question, someone couldn’t help but let out a light laugh. He explained, “Dig up some deep swamp mud, mix it with a pee, and apply it to the reddened areas. After about half an hour, it should be mostly better.”
Cody agrees, “That’s right, it’s said that someone tried it and it was very effective.”
Ivan raises an eyebrow, thinking this must be a folk remedy, wondering which clever apprentice came up with it.
The patrol continues, lasting until evening when the team returns to the academy and disbands.
Three minor incidents occurred throughout the day, which the team handled with ease, bringing the first day of their mission to an end.
Early the next morning, the six-member team assembles, patrols the mission area during the day, and returns to the academy to rest in the evening. Back in the dormitory, Ivan continues to refine Magic Crystal Water, wasting over two hundred magic stones in the process.
On the third day, the mission proceeds as usual, until the team finally encounters something troublesome.
“Fall back, it’s a swamp mud monster!”
In the puddle, the originally calm water surface suddenly erupts with a huge creature. Its body, made of sludge and rotting leaves and branches, continues to grow, and the putrid smell spreads to the surroundings.
The ground around the puddle rumbles, and the six members quickly take large strides back, moving away from the trembling surface.