First Mission

The first rays of sunlight stretched across the academy as the familiar bell shattered the morning silence.

BOOOOOONNNNNGGGG!

"UP!"

"OUT OF BED!"

"THREE MINUTES!"

The instructors' voices echoed through every barracks.

Boots slammed against wooden floors.

Doors flew open.

The recruits rushed outside, quickly falling into formation despite the freezing morning air.

Months of training had changed them.

No one complained anymore.

No one stumbled out half asleep.

They moved with discipline.

With purpose.

Three hundred recruits stood shoulder to shoulder beneath the rising sun.

Instructor Owen slowly walked in front of them with his hands behind his back.

His expression was unusually serious.

The chatter quickly died.

"You have all survived six months."

He looked across the formation.

"Some of you arrived unable to swing a sword."

"Some couldn't run a mile."

"Some couldn't even work beside another person."

A few recruits laughed quietly.

"Today..."

His voice deepened.

"That changes."

He stopped walking.

"You are no longer recruits who only train."

"You will now experience what soldiers truly do."

The entire formation straightened.

"You will receive your first field mission."

Excited whispers spread through the ranks.

"Our first mission?"

"Already?"

"I thought we'd have another year."

Riven grinned.

"Finally."

Jared cracked his knuckles.

"About time."

Kaien remained silent.

Owen raised one hand.

The whispers stopped immediately.

"You will operate in squads."

"Five members."

"The squads have already been chosen."

Several instructors began walking through the lines, handing each recruit a folded piece of paper.

Kaien unfolded his.

Squad Twelve

Riven leaned over.

"We're together!"

He immediately frowned.

"...And Jared."

Jared looked at his own paper.

He sighed dramatically.

"Great."

Kaien looked at him.

"The feeling's mutual."

Leon laughed.

"I have a feeling this is going to be a long mission."

Seraphina rubbed her forehead.

"I'm already tired."

Several nearby recruits chuckled.

Even Owen allowed himself the smallest smile before continuing.

"Each squad has one assignment."

He gestured toward several covered wagons parked outside the academy gates.

"You will escort civilians."

The recruits looked confused.

"Civilians?"

Owen nodded.

"Every squad will escort two civilians across Allied territory."

"The journey should take approximately one to two weeks."

"You will travel through forests."

"Mountain passes."

"Abandoned villages."

"And trade roads."

He paused.

"Your objective is simple."

"Deliver them safely."

"Protect them from every threat you encounter."

"Bandits."

"Wild beasts."

"Mercenaries."

"Anything."

"If your civilians die..."

"You fail."

The excitement in the formation became mixed with nervousness.

One recruit raised his hand.

"What if we're attacked by soldiers?"

"Protect them."

"What if we're outnumbered?"

"Protect them."

"What if we're surrounded?"

"Protect them."

Owen's voice never changed.

"Your mission remains the same."

He looked at every recruit.

"A soldier exists to protect."

"Not to chase glory."

"Not to seek revenge."

"Protection comes first."

Kaien silently lowered his eyes.

Those words stayed with him.

John stepped forward carrying a large map.

He unfolded it across a wooden table.

"This..."

He said.

"Is the western trade route."

He pointed toward a winding road cutting through forests and valleys.

"Every squad will travel different paths."

"Some are easier."

"Some are significantly more dangerous."

He pointed toward several red markings.

"These areas have reported criminal activity."

"Avoid them whenever possible."

Then...

His expression became noticeably more serious.

"But..."

He looked directly at the recruits.

"There is one threat..."

"We cannot predict."

Silence.

John stepped back.

Owen took over again.

"The Bloodmist."

The name alone caused several instructors to exchange uneasy looks.

The recruits noticed.

Even Owen looked uncomfortable.

"Who are they?"

Someone asked.

Owen folded his arms.

"They are not soldiers."

"They are not mercenaries."

"They are murderers."

The field became silent.

"There are seven members."

"No one knows where they came from."

"No one knows why they kill."

"But every nation knows their name."

He looked around slowly.

"If they are paid..."

"They kill."

"If they are insulted..."

"They kill."

"If someone simply stands in their path..."

"They kill."

A cold breeze passed through the formation.

Owen continued.

"They have massacred villages."

"Destroyed merchant caravans."

"Executed military patrols."

"They leave no survivors."

One recruit swallowed nervously.

"They've even killed children."

The words hit everyone.

"They do not hesitate."

"They do not negotiate."

"They enjoy fear."

Riven quietly muttered,

"...That's messed up."

Owen nodded.

"Every kingdom has hunted them."

"No kingdom has captured all seven."

Another recruit spoke.

"How strong are they?"

John answered this time.

"Strong enough that experienced captains avoid fighting them alone."

The whispers returned.

"They're sending us out there?"

"We're recruits."

"This is insane."

One girl looked terrified.

"What if we run into them?"

Owen's answer came immediately.

"You retreat."

The recruits blinked.

"You do not engage."

"You protect your civilians."

"You escape."

"You report the sighting."

His voice became firm.

"Listen carefully."

"If you encounter the Bloodmist..."

"You are not heroes."

"You are escorts."

"Your mission comes first."

He looked across every squad.

"I don't care how talented you believe you are."

"I don't care how powerful your Echo is."

"If you fight them..."

"You will most likely die."

Silence followed.

Every recruit understood.

This wasn't another training exercise.

This was real.

Kaien stood quietly.

His hands slowly clenched into fists.

Bloodmist.

Seven murderers.

People who slaughtered innocent families.

Who enjoyed causing suffering.

Without realizing it...

He remembered his burning village.

The screams.

His mother trapped beneath the collapsed roof.

The enemy soldiers laughing as they hunted civilians.

The anger he'd buried months ago began rising again.

Seven murderers...

Seven lives.

A quiet thought entered his mind.

I'll kill every one of them.

Not one.

Not two.

All seven.

He didn't notice that his expression had changed.

Riven glanced over.

"...Kaien?"

No response.

Seraphina noticed too.

His eyes had become frighteningly calm.

She stepped closer.

"What are you thinking?"

Kaien answered without hesitation.

"If they hurt innocent people..."

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"They deserve to die."

Riven frowned.

"Owen literally told us to run."

"I heard him."

"Then..."

Kaien looked toward the distant mountains beyond the academy walls.

"If they stand between me and protecting people..."

"I'll remove them."

Seraphina studied him carefully.

There was no hatred in his voice.

No rage.

Only absolute conviction.

That somehow scared her even more.

High above the training grounds...

Instructor Owen had noticed.

He quietly watched Kaien from across the field.

John stepped beside him.

"You saw it too."

Owen nodded.

"The look in his eyes."

John sighed.

"He wants to hunt them."

"I know."

"He'll ignore orders."

"I don't think so."

John looked surprised.

"You don't?"

Owen folded his arms.

"He won't abandon civilians."

"But..."

"If the Bloodmist attacks first..."

Owen looked toward Kaien again.

"...Then I pity the Bloodmist."

John blinked.

"You think he's that strong already?"

Owen didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he remembered the shadow army.

The hundred warriors kneeling before one eighteen-year-old boy.

"...No."

He finally answered.

"I think he's only beginning to understand what Umbra truly is."

Far away...

In the deepest part of Kaien's soul...

The silver-eyed shadow watched silently.

Its ancient voice echoed through the darkness.

"Seven hunters..."

"Seven lives..."

"Interesting."

Then another, deeper voice—older than kingdoms themselves—answered from somewhere beyond the endless shadows.

"Do not awaken him too soon."

"The world is not ready for its king."

Instructor Owen remained standing on the academy wall long after the recruits had begun gathering their equipment.

The morning wind carried the sounds of nervous laughter, clanking armor, and instructors shouting last-minute orders across the courtyard.

Yet Owen barely heard any of it.

His eyes remained fixed on one person.

Kaien Voss.

The young man stood quietly beside his pack, checking the straps on his sword for what was probably the tenth time.

Calm.

Focused.

Almost emotionless.

But Owen had learned something over the past six months.

The calmer Kaien looked...

The more dangerous his thoughts usually were.

John stepped beside him.

"You're watching him again."

Owen didn't deny it.

"I am."

John folded his arms.

"Still worried?"

Owen let out a slow breath.

"...More than yesterday."

John glanced toward Kaien.

"What do you think happened to him?"

Owen remained silent.

Finally, he spoke.

"I've trained soldiers for almost thirty years."

"I've met recruits who wanted glory."

"I've met recruits who wanted revenge."

"I've met recruits who simply wanted food."

"But Kaien..."

His eyes narrowed.

"...He's different."

John waited.

Owen continued.

"I've watched him for six months."

"He never complains."

"He never asks for recognition."

"He trains until everyone else quits."

"He helps weaker recruits after hours."

"He never talks about himself."

John nodded.

"That's true."

"But..."

Owen looked toward the distant mountains.

"...Hatred like his..."

"It doesn't appear overnight."

Silence.

"What could have happened..."

He whispered mostly to himself.

"...To make an eighteen-year-old carry that much anger?"

John already knew part of the answer.

The destroyed village.

His mother.

His uncle.

But even that...

Didn't explain everything.

Owen shook his head.

"Whatever happened..."

"It broke something inside him."

John quietly asked,

"Do you think he'll recover?"

Owen didn't answer immediately.

Instead...

He watched Kaien laughing quietly after Riven accidentally dropped his backpack into a water barrel.

For just a second...

Kaien looked like an ordinary eighteen-year-old.

Then the smile disappeared.

His expression became serious once more.

"...I hope so."

Owen finally answered.

"Because right now..."

"He's walking forward with his eyes closed."

John looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"He has purpose."

"He has strength."

"He has conviction."

Owen sighed.

"But hatred..."

"It blinds even the smartest people."

He looked directly at John.

"And one day..."

"If he keeps walking that path..."

"It'll get him killed."

Meanwhile...

The academy courtyard had transformed into organized chaos.

Thirty different squads loaded supplies into wagons.

Maps were handed out.

Medical kits were checked.

Food rations counted.

Everyone knew this wasn't training anymore.

This was the real world.

For many recruits...

It was their first time leaving the safety of the academy.

An instructor approached Squad Twelve.

"You five."

They immediately stood.

"Your civilians have arrived."

Two people stepped forward.

The first was a woman in her early thirties with chestnut-brown hair tied behind her head.

She wore simple traveling clothes and carried a worn leather satchel.

Beside her stood a small boy who looked no older than eight.

He peeked nervously from behind her leg.

The instructor smiled.

"This is Mia."

The woman gave a polite bow.

"It's nice to meet all of you."

"And this..."

He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"...is Tyler."

Tyler gave a tiny wave.

"H-hi."

Riven immediately smiled.

"Hey there."

Tyler looked at him cautiously.

Riven crouched to his level.

"I'm Riven."

"I tell terrible jokes."

Tyler blinked.

"...Why?"

Riven looked offended.

"Because great jokes are too powerful."

Tyler stared.

"...I don't get it."

Leon laughed.

"Neither do we."

Even Mia smiled.

The tension eased almost instantly.

Seraphina knelt beside Tyler.

"You like traveling?"

He nodded shyly.

"A little."

"What do you like?"

He thought for a second.

"...Stories."

Riven immediately raised his hand.

"I know thousands."

Kaien looked at him.

"You've told the same five for months."

"They're classics."

"No."

"They're bad."

"They're legendary."

Mia laughed softly.

"You all seem close."

Leon nodded.

"We've spent six months suffering together."

"That builds friendships."

"It also builds trauma."

Riven added.

Jared nodded.

"Mostly trauma."

Everyone chuckled.

Even Kaien.

For the first time since arriving...

Mia relaxed.

Maybe...

These young soldiers really could protect them.

Instructor Owen walked over carrying a clipboard.

"One final matter."

The squad turned toward him.

"Every team requires a leader."

He looked around.

"You'll choose among yourselves."

Then he stepped back.

"Decide."

The moment Owen walked away...

Silence.

Then...

Jared spoke.

"I'll do it."

Kaien looked at him.

"No."

Jared crossed his arms.

"You've got a better idea?"

"You shouldn't lead."

"And why not?"

"You rush into everything."

Jared scoffed.

"And you don't?"

"I think first."

"You brood first."

"I plan."

"You overthink."

Kaien folded his arms.

"You'd get everyone killed."

Jared stepped closer.

"And you'd ignore everyone while chasing revenge."

Kaien's eyes narrowed.

"I wouldn't."

"You absolutely would."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough."

Riven sighed loudly.

"...Here we go again."

Leon rubbed his forehead.

"We haven't even left yet."

Tyler looked up at his mother.

"...Are they brothers?"

Mia smiled awkwardly.

"I don't think so."

"They argue like brothers."

"They really do."

The two continued.

"I'm more qualified."

"No."

"I've got better combat scores."

"I've got better tactical scores."

"So?"

"So you're reckless."

"You're boring."

"I'm disciplined."

"You're dramatic."

"I am not."

"You absolutely are."

Riven leaned toward Leon.

"How long do you think this lasts?"

Leon shrugged.

"Ten minutes?"

"I'll say fifteen."

Mia whispered,

"They've been like this the whole time?"

Seraphina nodded.

"For six months."

Mia blinked.

"...How are they still alive?"

"Good question."

Finally...

Seraphina snapped.

"ENOUGH!"

Her voice echoed across the courtyard.

Everyone nearby stopped talking.

Even several other squads looked over.

Kaien and Jared immediately fell silent.

She glared at both of them.

"You two argue over everything."

Neither answered.

"You've argued over breakfast."

Silence.

"You argued over sword practice."

Still silence.

"You argued because one of you walked too slowly."

Riven quietly added,

"And because Jared said soup should be chewed."

Jared defended himself immediately.

"You can if it's chunky."

Seraphina shot him a look.

He immediately stopped talking.

She took a deep breath.

"You know what?"

"Fine."

"I'll be the leader."

Silence.

Kaien blinked.

"...What?"

Jared looked equally confused.

"You?"

"Yes."

"But—"

"No."

She pointed at Jared.

"You don't listen."

Then pointed at Kaien.

"And you listen too much to yourself."

Riven tried not to laugh.

Leon completely failed.

Tyler giggled.

Mia covered her mouth.

Jared scratched his head.

"...Actually..."

"I don't really have an argument."

Kaien looked at Seraphina.

Then slowly nodded.

"...Neither do I."

Riven's jaw dropped dramatically.

"Wait..."

"That's all it took?"

Leon laughed.

"She solved a six-month argument in ten seconds."

Riven pointed at Seraphina.

"You've been holding that power this entire time?"

She shrugged.

"I was hoping they'd mature."

Jared laughed awkwardly.

"...Guess that didn't happen."

Kaien actually smiled.

"...Probably not."

The entire squad laughed together.

Even Owen, watching from across the courtyard, allowed himself a small smile.

John noticed.

"I think that's the first time I've seen those two agree on something."

Owen nodded.

"Because neither wanted to argue with her."

John chuckled.

"Smart."

Owen looked toward Squad Twelve.

Despite all their differences...

They balanced each other.

Kaien brought calm.

Jared brought confidence.

Riven brought optimism.

Leon brought reason.

Seraphina held them together.

Perhaps...

That was exactly the team Kaien needed.

Because Owen had a feeling...

The road ahead was going to test far more than their strength