Outdoor mission (1)

The sky was too clear.

That's never a good sign.

Clear skies meant someone was about to ruin my peace.

Right on cue, a man in a pristine black coat approached me across the training field, boots clicking like he wanted everyone to know how important he was. His face wore that classic Academy External Affairs expression: polite disdain and a permanent squint, like he was allergic to commoners.

He stopped a few paces away and held out a letter, sealed with the Academy's wax insignia.

"Lucian Drelmont?" he asked, though he clearly already knew.

I took the envelope, turning it over once before cracking it open.

Official order.

Sanctioned.

Mandatory.

My left eye twitched.

___

Instructor Assignment Notification

By decree of Noctis Ardentis Academy, Class C is hereby authorized for external field training and independent mission activity.