Training

The guild headquarters was not that massive but had enough rooms for four of them to settle in

Later that evening, as the recruits settled into the snowfall, Leo retreated to his room. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he activated the system, curious to know more about his new team.

[System Notification: Analyzing Guild Members]

In a matter of seconds, detailed profiles appeared before Leo, listing everything from their full names to their skills and capabilities.

[Mia Leighton]

[Age]: 21

[Class]: Archer

[Specialty]: Precision shooting, high agility, and trap-setting.

[Strengths]: Exceptional reflexes, sharp vision, and expertise in ranged combat.

[Weaknesses]: Reluctant to trust others, limited experience in team coordination.

[Background]: A self-taught archer from the outskirts of Zisco. Known for taking down high-level targets during independent gate raids. She joined smaller guilds in the past but left due to disagreements with leadership.

[Personality]: Fiercely independent and highly competitive.

[Hunter Rank]: C

[Caleb Harlow]

[Age]: 23

[Class]: Mage

[Specialty]: Elemental magic with a focus on fire and lightning spells.

[Strengths]: High intelligence, quick adaptability, and a natural talent for mana control.

[Weaknesses]: Physically fragile, lacks combat experience in high-pressure situations.

[Background]: A gifted mage who excelled at the Arcanum Academy but chose to leave academic life to pursue his brother's dream of joining Snowfall.

[Personality]: Shy but determined, with an eagerness to prove himself.

[Hunter Rank]: D

Leo scanned the information carefully 'both seemed very promising, Mia's independence could be a challenge, but her skills were undeniably valuable. Caleb's magical talents, though raw, had immense potential

Next morning

"Umm…Leo guessing by your surname, is your father or uncle the founder of Snowfall?" asked Caleb when all four of them were sitting in the guild hall.

"Yeah, the founder of Snowfall is my uncle. He built this guild from the ground up, and it became one of the most respected names in the hunter world. But when he got sick, everything fell apart. The guild disbanded, and its reputation faded." Leo replied

Caleb's voice softened. "That's why you're doing this, isn't it? To rebuild what he started?"

Leo nodded. "Exactly. I owe him everything. He gave me a lot growing up, and now that he's recovered, he wants me to take over the guild and restore it to what it used to be. But it's not just about that, it's about making this a place where people can grow stronger together and protect what matters."

Mia leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. "So, you've got a legacy to uphold."

"You can say that," said Leo staring at her eyes for a few seconds

Mia couldn't keep the eye contact more than a few seconds, and she looked away 'Why was he staring at me like that'

Jerry, who had been listening quietly, clapped a hand on Leo's shoulder. "You've got a solid group here, Now, what's the next step of the operation!"

Leo smiled. "we need to build synergy first then only we will be able to take on higher-level Gates"

All agreed, and Leo began explaining their roles based on the information he'd gathered. Mia would take on scouting and ranged attacks, using her precision to target enemies from a distance. Caleb would provide magical support, focusing on crowd control and offensive spells. Jerry would act as the frontline, defending the team and drawing enemy attention, while Leo would lead and adapt their strategies on the fly.

After Leo allotted the roles, they all gathered in the center of the training area, a cleared space where old equipment had been pushed aside to make room for drills. Jerry, Mia, and Caleb gathered around him, Jerry looked eager, Caleb appeared nervous, and Mia was as skeptical as ever, leaning against a pillar with her arms crossed.

Leo stood in the center of the training area, the rough dirt beneath his boots kicking up a faint dust cloud as he called out to the team. "Alright, let's test what we've got.

"Arise!"

From the shadows behind him, the Goblin King and Orc King emerged. Greenbean, the Goblin King, was smaller but quick, wielding a wicked curved blade and a mischievous grin. Beside him, Grimfat, the Orc King, towered like a mountain of muscle, his massive axe glinting ominously in the light.

"Greenbean, Grimfat," Leo addressed them with a smirk. "I want you two to work as a team. Don't hold back. I want them to feel what a real fight is like."

The two creatures exchanged glances, then nodded begrudgingly. Despite their obvious dislike for each other, they'd follow Leo's command without question.

Leo turned back to the group. "Jerry, you're on the frontline. Keep their attention and protect the others. Mia, stay hidden, your job is to scout weaknesses and hit them where it hurts. Caleb, don't panic. Stick to offensive spells and crowd control, and remember, breathe."

The three nodded, and the air grew cold as the fight began.

Greenbean darted forward first, his small frame allowing him to move unpredictably. He zigzagged across the field, his blade flashing as he lunged at Jerry. Jerry raised his shield just in time, the impact sending a dull shock through the air.

"Eyes up, Jerry!" Leo called out. "Stay steady, don't let him pull you off balance!"

Jerry grunted, pushing Greenbean back with a hard shove of his shield. The Goblin King laughed, flipping backward and preparing for another strike.

Mia took the opening, releasing an arrow with pinpoint accuracy. It grazed Greenbean's arm, drawing first blood. "Got him!" she called, already reaching for another arrow.

"Nice shot!" Leo shouted. "But don't get overconfident"

Grimfat let out a deafening roar, his axe crashing into the ground as he advanced. The sheer force of the swing caused a tremor that knocked Caleb off his feet.

"Caleb, move!" Leo yelled.

Caleb scrambled to his knees, his hands glowing as he muttered an incantation. A streak of lightning shot from his wand, aimed directly at Grimfat. The Orc King staggered slightly but shook it off, growling with renewed fury.

"Not enough!" Leo called. "Try fire next time, he's resistant to electricity!"

Jerry charged at Grimfat, slamming his shield into the Orc King's side. It was enough to momentarily distract him, giving Mia and Caleb time to focus on Greenbean.

The Goblin King, meanwhile, had grown more erratic. He dashed toward Mia, his blade flashing. She ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the strike, before planting herself and firing another arrow. This one hit him square in the leg, causing him to stumble.

"Caleb, now!" Leo shouted.

Caleb raised his wand, flames erupting from the tip. The fireball hit Greenbean head-on, engulfing him in a burst of heat. When the smoke cleared, the Goblin King was down.

"One down!" Jerry cheered, raising his shield.

"Don't celebrate too early" Leo warned, his eyes moving on Grimfat. "The real challenge is still standing."

Grimfat roared again, swinging his axe in a wide arc. Jerry barely managed to block it, the force driving him to his knees.

"Jerry, hold the line!" Leo ordered. "Mia, focus on his legs! Caleb, keep the pressure up with fire!"

Mia nodded, her arrows finding their mark as she targeted Grimfat's knees and ankles. The Orc King snarled, his movements slowing slightly as he struggled to dodge the attacks.

Caleb took a deep breath, steadying his hands. He launched a series of fireballs, each one striking Grimfat's torso and leaving scorch marks on his thick skin.

Jerry saw an opening and charged, slamming his shield into Grimfat's stomach. The Orc King staggered, but he wasn't finished. He swung his axe downward, forcing Jerry to roll out of the way.

"Leo, we're not making a dent!" Mia called frustration creeping into her voice.

Leo's focus sharpened as he tracked Grimfat's movements, piecing together his attack strategy.

His weaknesses, the gap in his defense. "Listen up!" he shouted. "Caleb, create a wall of fire behind him, cut off his retreat! Mia, aim for his head while he's distracted. Jerry, wait for my signal, then go for the legs!"

The team moved into position. Caleb's fire magic erupted behind Grimfat, boxing him in. Mia's arrow flew, striking him near the shoulder and causing him to flinch.

"now!" Leo shouted.

Jerry lunged forward, his shield slamming into Grimfat's legs. The massive Orc King lost his balance, crashing to one knee.

"Finish it!" Leo commanded.

Mia's final arrow struck true, embedding itself in Grimfat's throat. The Orc King let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground, defeated.

Greenbean and Grimfat went back to shadows

The team stood in silence, catching their breath. Jerry was the first to speak. "That was amazing"

Leo gave a knowing smile, clapping him on the shoulder. "Not bad for our first real fight."

Caleb smiled nervously, his hands still trembling. "That was… intense."

'Guess you're not all talk, Leo.' Mia let out a grin, looking at Leo from the sides