Chapter 19 – Departure

Dawn had just broken over the academy’s towers when the magical bell tolled three times. Its heavy sound echoed across the entire campus, marking the start of a historic day.

This was the day when every senior student would leave the academy’s protective walls to undertake their first mission in the outside world—a journey that would determine who among them was worthy of being called a true mage.

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### The Departure Ceremony

The academy’s main courtyard was crowded. Hundreds of students stood in long rows, each carrying the gear they had prepared: staffs, enchanted swords, potions, and survival tools. The air was silent except for the measured steps of the instructors as they walked to the podium.

At the center of the podium stood the Headmaster, Master Helvar, an elderly mage with a long white beard. His body was slightly stooped with age, but his eyes were sharp and commanding.

“Children,” his voice boomed, amplified by magic, “today, you are no longer just ordinary students. Today, you step forward as young mages ready to face the world. What you have learned in class is only the beginning. Your true test lies beyond these walls—out in the forests, the mountains, and against the monsters and dark auras that seek to devour this world.”

The students bowed their heads respectfully, their faces a mix of tension and determination.

Helvar raised his silver staff, and a soft blue light swept across the courtyard. “Remember, you do not fight for yourselves alone. You fight to protect humanity, to prevent destruction. And to those of you summoned from another world…” his eyes briefly settled on Zareen, “…remember the mission that has awaited you since the day you arrived.”

Zareen straightened, his chest tightening. The words pressed on him like a weight, reminding him of the burden he still did not fully understand.

In another formation, Gino stood with his usual confident stance. When their eyes met, he gave Zareen a single, firm nod. No words were exchanged, but the message was clear: their rivalry would continue, even beyond the academy walls.

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### Team Assignments and Routes

After the ceremony, Master Ardian stepped forward carrying a large scroll. In a commanding voice, he announced the team assignments.

“Each team will consist of five to six students. You will depart along separate routes but must all regroup at the western outpost within seven days. Any team that fails to arrive on time will be considered to have failed the trial.”

Worried whispers rippled through the crowd. Some students swallowed hard, realizing just how dangerous this journey would be.

Zareen’s team consisted of himself, Riva—the chatty water mage, Daren the archer, Mei the potion specialist, and Yoran, a calm but quiet earth mage.

Gino was placed in another team with three frontline fighters and two support mages. Their group seemed more combat-heavy, and a few students muttered enviously about their strong lineup.

Still, neither team was entirely at ease.

“So we’re in the same team as Zareen?” Riva said with a skeptical look. “Huh, I thought he only made that little purple glow.”

Zareen forced a polite smile, holding back his retort.

Meanwhile, in Gino’s team, one of his new companions said gruffly, “Just because you’re top of the class doesn’t mean you get to boss us around.”

Gino only snorted. “Then keep up with me—unless you want to die first.”

Clearly, teamwork would still take time to build.

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### The First Steps

The massive gates of the academy creaked open with a deep groan. Morning light spilled onto the long road leading into the dense forest beyond. The students began marching out in their assigned groups, led by instructors who would accompany them to the starting point of their routes.

Zareen’s team was among the last to leave. Each step felt heavier than the last. The air outside was different—colder, wilder, filled with something unseen.

Mei clutched her satchel of potions to her chest. “I… can feel something strange in the air.”

Yoran nodded slightly. “It’s negative energy. The farther we go, the stronger it gets.”

Zareen recalled Gifa’s warning: **“Dark energy can turn the natives into monsters. Be cautious.”**

He glanced at Riva, Daren, and Mei—all of them were natives. He alone was from another world. If anything happened, the responsibility to protect them might fall squarely on his shoulders.

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### Rivalry Ignited

Elsewhere on the road, Gino’s team moved at a brisk pace. He looked almost exhilarated, occasionally glancing back to make sure Zareen could see him leading the charge.

“Faster!” he barked. “We’ll reach the outpost before anyone else!”

One of his teammates frowned. “Why rush? This isn’t a race.”

“Oh, it is a race,” Gino replied with a smirk. “At least between me and Zareen.”

From a distance, Zareen heard him and sighed. He didn’t want to admit it, but Gino’s unrelenting drive made his own heart beat faster.

*Fine. If you want a race… let’s see who lasts longer out here,* he thought.

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### The First Rest

After several hours of marching, Zareen’s team stopped by a small riverside to rest. Riva dropped her pack to the ground with a dramatic sigh.

“My feet are killing me. Why can’t we just ride a magic carriage?”

“Because this is an exam, not a picnic,” Daren replied bluntly.

Zareen stepped in to mediate. “Let’s use this time for a quick drill. Mei, check your potions. Yoran, put up a small earth wall to shield us while we rest. I’ll keep a barrier active.”

At first, the others looked reluctant, but eventually they followed his lead. The results weren’t perfect, but by the time they finished, they felt a little more confident.

Riva crossed her arms, though this time with a faint smile. “Hmph. Maybe you’re not so bad after all, Zareen.”

Zareen simply nodded. *Little by little, they’re starting to trust me.*

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### Nightfall

By sunset, the teams reached their first designated camp site. The supervising instructors gave their final instructions before leaving.

“From tonight onward, you will travel on your own. Guard your lives—and guard each other. Remember, monsters can appear at any time.”

With that, the instructors disappeared like shadows, leaving the students alone with their unease.

Zareen built a small campfire with his team. Its warm glow felt comforting, but the darkness beyond the flames reminded them how vulnerable they were.

“Starting tomorrow, we’re truly on our own,” Yoran said quietly.

Zareen stared into the fire, then lifted his gaze to the starry night sky. *Maybe this is where the real journey begins. I need to be ready—both as my team’s support and as Gino’s rival.*

That night, under the vast foreign sky, two different teams—Zareen’s and Gino’s—took their first steps. Ahead of them waited danger, rivalry, and destiny itself.