Chapter 18 – Mission Preparations

Life at the academy changed overnight. Usually, students spent their days studying magical theory in classrooms or joking around in the cafeteria, but now tension filled every corner. After the announcement of the joint mission, all senior students were required to undergo an intensive training program. No one was allowed to refuse.

The teachers’ words were clear and sharp:

**“You will leave the safety of these academy walls. The outside world is not as forgiving as the training grounds. Prepare yourselves—or you will die.”**

The word *die* echoed in Zareen’s mind. He tried to appear calm, but deep inside, he knew this would be the first time his life was truly on the line.

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### Survival Training

In the academy’s back courtyard, hundreds of students gathered. Master Ardian stood at the front, holding a long wooden whip that he cracked against the ground every so often to punctuate his commands.

“Today is not about magic practice,” he declared. “Today, you will learn how to survive. Anyone who fails at this won’t last a day out there.”

The students were herded into the training forest just beyond the academy walls. There, they were tested on finding water sources, starting fires, and cooking with only the barest supplies.

Zareen walked with his team when one of his teammates, Riva, complained loudly.

“Why do we have to make fire by rubbing sticks? We can just use fire magic!”

Zareen gave a small, wry smile. “What if your magic fails? What if you run out of energy? This fire might be the only thing keeping you alive.”

Riva huffed but tried anyway. It took her a long while, but eventually a thin thread of smoke appeared, then a small flame. Her face lit up in awe. “Okay… that’s actually kind of cool.”

On the other side of the forest, Gino and his team were working fast. Gino barked orders, organizing them to pitch tents and start a fire. His loud, confident voice was annoying to some of his teammates, but no one could deny that he was efficient.

Now and then, Gino’s eyes met Zareen’s through the trees. He raised an eyebrow with a challenging smirk, as if to say: *“See? I’m faster than you.”*

Zareen could only sigh. Even something as simple as fire-making was another round of their endless rivalry.

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### Offensive and Support Magic Drills

The next day, the students were divided into two large groups: offensive and support mages. But the instructors reminded them that no matter their specialization after graduation, everyone must master the basics of both.

Zareen joined the support line, learning stamina-boosting enchantments, barrier creation, and basic potion-making. His spells weren’t always perfect, but he concentrated on getting every detail right.

Meanwhile, Gino was in the offensive line. His staff glowed bright red as he hurled fireballs and streaks of lightning, drawing cheers from the other students and feeding his confidence.

But the joint drills were where things got serious.

“Zareen, Gino—step forward!” Master Ardian called.

Both of them glanced at each other, and the training field grew quiet. Everyone wanted to see this match-up.

“Zareen, you’ll focus on support magic. Gino, attack. Let’s see how far the two of you can push each other.”

Zareen took a deep breath and raised his staff. A violet shield shimmered into place. Without hesitation, Gino launched a massive fireball. The explosion rocked the arena, firelight clashing against violet light.

When the smoke cleared, Zareen’s barrier still stood—cracked, but unbroken.

The students erupted in cheers.

Zareen gave a small, calm smile. “Not bad for a supporter, right?”

Gino’s eyes gleamed with fire. “You think that’s enough? I’ll surpass you, Zareen.”

Master Ardian clapped once. “Good. That’s the rivalry I want to see. But remember, out there you won’t be fighting rivals—you’ll be fighting death. Push each other to grow, not to destroy.”

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### Equipment Preparations

After the physical and magical training, students were given three days to prepare their gear. The academy opened its internal marketplace, where blacksmiths, alchemists, and merchants set up stalls.

Zareen wandered from stall to stall, wondering what weapon suited him best. He wasn’t a frontline fighter. After much thought, he chose a simple black wooden staff to focus his support spells, along with several healing potions and a small water flask.

“Not much, but light enough to carry,” he murmured.

Meanwhile, Gino seemed to treat the market as a stage. He bought a crimson-etched magic sword, a set of light armor, and a pouch of energy potions. Some students admired him, others whispered that he was overdoing it.

When they crossed paths, Gino raised his sword with a grin. “What do you think? Cool, right? This blade can cut through monsters—and magic.”

Zareen simply smiled. “Impressive. But I’d rather have something that keeps my friends alive.”

Gino stared for a moment, then chuckled softly. “Hmph, typical supporter. Maybe that’s what makes you valuable to the team.”

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### The Night Before Departure

That night, tension filled the dormitory. Some students prayed, others wrote letters to their families, while a few lay in bed pretending to sleep but with eyes wide open.

Zareen sat on his bunk, checking his equipment one last time—staff, potions, journal—everything was ready. But his hands trembled slightly. He stared at the ceiling, thinking about what awaited him outside the walls.

“Nervous?” Gino’s voice broke the silence.

Zareen glanced at him. Gino was polishing his sword, his expression unreadable. “A little,” Zareen admitted.

“Me too,” Gino said unexpectedly. “But don’t tell anyone. They all think I never get scared.”

Zareen was caught off guard. He had always seen Gino as an arrogant, overconfident rival. But tonight, he saw something different—a boy just as restless as he was.

“I’ll protect my team,” Zareen said quietly. “If you fall, maybe I’ll even save you—rival or not.”

Gino paused, then smirked faintly. “Then I guess I’d better be a rival worth saving. Don’t die too soon, Zareen.”

Zareen laughed softly. “You too, Gino.”

That night, though anxiety remained, both of them felt just a little more ready for what was coming.

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### Closing

Three days of intense training had changed everyone. Students who had only studied theory could now start fires with stones, brew basic potions, and survive in the wild. They were also forced to confront their fears.

Zareen might not have been as flashy as Gino in combat, but his team was slowly beginning to see him as an irreplaceable pillar.

When dawn broke the next morning, all the students gathered at the academy gate. Fully equipped, faces tense but determined, they stood ready to march into the unknown.

Their real adventure was about to begin.