In the spacious training facility of the Elderglow Academy, Damon, Daveon, and Anaya sat in a loose semi-circle, their breaths still slightly uneven from their recent sparring session.
Their weapons rested nearby, and beads of sweat glistened on their skin, evidence of the rigorous training they had just completed.
Across from them stood their guardian, Miss Leana as they’d come to address her, with arms crossed and an expression of calm authority on her face.
The ex-general had been a constant force of discipline and guidance, and the trio had quickly come to respect her no-nonsense approach even though she actually tolerated it most times.
Leana surveyed the three with her sharp brown eyes, her posture exuding confidence.
The room was quiet except for the faint hum of magic resonating from the enchanted walls, which absorbed and neutralized any stray spells during their training.
“I’ve called you together for something more than just training and more training for today,” Leana began, her voice firm but not unkind.
“You’ve all advanced as Dunters, and while I’ve seen improvements in your abilities, there’s a critical gap in your experience we need to address.”
The students exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued. Damon, sitting with his silver hair slightly disheveled, leaned forward slightly. “What kind of gap?” he asked, his voice steady but carrying an edge of curiosity.
Leana’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You’ve all done well to handle the Grade Seven mana beasts and demons you’ve encountered in controlled environments or during academy missions.”
“However,” she made sure he eyes met with each of her assigned wards before she continued speaking, “the real test of a Dunter isn’t how you fare in the classroom or under the academy’s protective umbrella. It’s how you perform out there—on the battlefield, where nothing is controlled.”
Anaya tilted her head, her peach-colored eyes narrowing in thought. “Are you saying we’re going on a mission?”
Leana nodded. “Precisely. I’ve arranged what you might call a ‘field trip.’ But make no mistake—this isn’t for sightseeing or leisurely learning. This is a mission, and it’s one I’ve tailored specifically to prepare you for what’s coming. You’ll be hunting demons.”
The room fell into a brief silence, the weight of her words settling over the trio.
Daveon, always the more reserved of the three, adjusted his gloves as he asked, “Why demons specifically? I mean, we’ve fought them before, but mana beasts seem to outnumber them in most scenarios we’ve faced.”
Leana’s expression hardened slightly, and her voice carried a note of warning. “That’s precisely the problem. Mana beasts are dangerous, yes, but their attacks are straightforward, even predictable once you’ve faced enough of them. Demons, on the other hand, fight with strategy and malice.”
“Sometimes, they even fight without a clear attack pattern. They adapt quickly, exploit weaknesses, and, most importantly, they think. In the coming war, you won’t just be fighting mana beasts—you’ll be facing demons by the hordes. You need to understand them, and you need to be prepared.”
“We understood.” Damon and the other two nodded simultaneously.
Leana began pacing slowly, her boots clicking against the polished stone floor. “Now, before we proceed, I need to know exactly where each of you stands. Tell me—how many mana beasts and demons have you each slain so far?”
Damon was the first to answer, his tone matter-of-fact. “Forty mana beasts and six demons.”
Daveon followed suit. “Thirty mana beasts and twelve demons.”
Anaya was last, her voice tinged with a hint of embarrassment. “Thirty-two mana beasts and six demons.”
Leana stopped pacing and faced them. “Exactly as I thought. You’ve all faced far more mana beasts than demons, which means your instincts are honed for beasts, not for the unpredictability of demons. This mission will address that.”
The trio nodded, each understanding the importance of the mission. Damon, however, couldn’t help but ask, “What rank of demons are we talking about? We’re only Silver Ranked Dunters. Are we ready for this?”
Leana’s smile returned, though it carried a hint of challenge. “I wouldn’t send you if I thought you weren’t ready. That being said, you’ll be facing Grade Six demons, possibly some Grade Five but that’ll be all three of you against one. This will be your first real taste of what it means to be a Dunter. And don’t worry—I’ll be with you. My job is to ensure you survive while you learn.”
She took a step closer to the group, her tone softening slightly. “Listen to me carefully. Being a Dunter isn’t just about killing demons. It’s about understanding them—how they think, how they fight, and how to outsmart them. You’ve all done well as students, but now it’s time to step into the real world. When the war begins, you won’t have the luxury of learning on the fly. You’ll be expected to act and to succeed.”
The students nodded, determination etched into their faces.
Anaya, always the bold one, asked, “When do we leave?”
Leana chuckled. “Eager, are we? I’ll need to get this mission approved by the Dean first. Once I have his clearance, we’ll depart. It shouldn’t take more than a few hours.”
Leana straightened and gave them a nod of approval. “In the meantime, I want you three to continue training. Sharpen your skills, especially your teamwork. You’ll need it out there. Dismissed.”
As she turned to leave, Damon called after her. “Miss Leana, are we really ready for this?”
She paused, glancing back at him. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t. Trust in your training—and in each other.”
With that, she exited the room, leaving the trio to their thoughts.
Damon, Daveon, and Anaya exchanged glances, the weight of the mission pressing down on them.
“This is it,” Anaya said, her voice steady. “Our first real mission as Dunters.”
Daveon nodded. “It’s what we’ve been training for. We’ll face it together.”
Damon smiled faintly, his silver hair catching the light. “We’ve got this. Let’s make sure you both are ready because I ready.”
“Tch! We’re ready as well.” Anaya lightly tapped Damon from the back.
“She’ll be the judge of that.” Damien said, his words directed at Anaya but the judge being their guardian.