First Raid [3]

Velcrest Academy had a tradition of sending first-year students on a dungeon raid as part of their combat training.

It was meant to push them beyond the limits they had set for themselves. Mainly to test physical strength but also survival skills, teamwork, and adaptability.

The dungeon chosen for the mission was one that had been cleared before, but somehow, beasts had emerged from it again.

The instructors had assured the students two days ago, before the ceremony, that the creatures were not beyond their level.

Although, they left out how many students had survived or gotten injured during past raids.

This year's mission required students to work together in guild teams to eliminate threats within the dungeon and its surroundings.

The goal was to clear the area of low- to mid-tier monsters and assess their performance under pressure.

The instructors watched from the main building, determining who had the potential to advance and who would fall behind.

For some, it was a simple challenge. For others, like Asher, it was another test of his worth, since he had to prove himself.

The students gathered on the open field, where multiple transport vehicles waited.

The instructor overseeing the briefing, a tall woman with lifeless eyes and a scar running down her cheek, stepped forward, holding a clipboard.

She wore a dark military-style coat with the academy's crest stitched on the sleeve.

"Listen up!" she called, her voice cutting through the chatter.

"Your task is simple: work with your guilds to clear out the dungeon and report back. The creatures inside are dangerous, but nothing you can't handle. Stick with your teams, don't get cocky, and if you find yourself in over your head, retreat. We're not here to collect bodies, understood?"

A chorus of "Yes, ma'am!" echoed from the students—except for the Outcast Guild.

She scanned the crowd before glancing down at the list in her hands. "Guild assignments remain the same. Once you're inside, you'll be evaluated based on performance. Don't disappoint."

Asher stood with his guild, arms crossed, listening to the instructor. He had been hoping to keep a low profile, but that was impossible now.

The events of the previous day had already made him the center of attention, and people were still whispering about him, even while the instructor was speaking.

His gaze shifted slightly to the side, noticing a group from the Saint Liora Guild staring in his direction.

As one of the elite groups at the academy, composed mostly of Holy-class fighters and spellcasters, Saint Liora was known for its strict hierarchy and disdain for dark magic users like himself.

They always picked students with titles and from wealthy families.

At the front of their group stood Alden. His silver armor gleamed under the lamp above, a massive difference, compared to Asher's dark uniform. In fact, the entire Liora Guild's uniform was the opposite of the Outcasts'.

Alden's gaze locked onto Asher's, with disgust, In response, Asher smirked slightly and tilted his head, silently mocking him.

Alden scoffed and turned away.

But not everyone from Saint Liora looked away.

Naomi still stared at him.

Her brown eyes held something, maybe curiosity, or perhaps jealousy, but she clenched her fists tightly by her side.

Asher held her gaze for a moment, wondering what was going through her mind.

He was useless, yet, she was still trying to talk to him and was also watching him like she wasn't sure she'd made the right decision.

That didn't bother him anyway. She wasn't important and never would be.

Someone beside her chuckled.

"Surprised he's still here, Naomi?" one of the Liora members said. "Thought you said he'd be gone after the first week."

Asher didn't react, but he saw Naomi's fingers twitch slightly.

"Guess he's too stubborn," she muttered, but there was no confidence in her voice. "He probably thinks he has another chance with me."

The other student laughed. "Yeah, or maybe he just doesn't know when he's already lost."

Asher exhaled softly and turned away. At least his change had an effect on her.

The students split into formations, heading toward their respective means of transport.

Some rode motorcycles, built for speed and maneuverability, since they ran on mana. Others took to the skies, either using objects or flying unaided.

Emma, using her ability, swung forward effortlessly with vines. She grabbed poles and platforms with them to pull herself ahead.

Tay, alongside a few others with metal-manipulation abilities, glided over the ground with metal boards, while others walked along the buildings like Asher.

Asher moved on foot, but his speed was anything but normal since he already had a hang of his enhanced physical abilities.

He leaped over obstacles with ease, darting between structures.

His energy pulsed through his limbs, enhancing his reflexes, and as he moved, he left what looked like a black flare, something only Arcanists like Sinnett and Elementals like Emma could see.

Sinnett, however, simply phased through the ground and disappeared.

"Tch. Show-off," Tay muttered before focusing ahead on his destination.

Apparently, the roads were empty at this time. Before every raid, the Organization would send letters and messages to every organization leader to shut the entire city down.

Schools were protected by barriers created by members of the master guilds, companies had people positioned on every floor to ensure no one left the buildings.

Martial and Combat-class individuals held positions around the city, standing guard with defenders behind the barrier to keep the beasts in place.

---

The sound of footsteps and heavy breathing filled the air as Asher ran with the others, keeping pace as the students moved.

He was ahead of those moving on foot, but he hadn't run out of breath, a result of his stats and the food he had eaten before heading out, and the cool weather.

Although it felt like he was moving slowly to himself, from another person's view, he was nothing more than a blur.

That was normal for individuals who preferred to move on foot, but even among them, he was faster.

The open terrain stretched ahead, empty land with nothing but rocks and patches of dry grass.

There were no buildings, no structures to take cover behind, just beasts moving in random motions. Some charged toward the city but were pushed back by a force.

Then, he saw Yumiko.

In a simple but long white flowing dress and a scarf, oddly casual for a raid.

Glowing blue runes floated in the air around her, and an orb of light hovered above her right hand, while the other held a can of whatever she was drinking to her lips.

And she was calm.

The barrier was meant to hold the creatures inside, but the way the runes strained and moved told him all he needed to know, something had already tried to break through.

So she had to use her energy to keep it steady until they were done.

The students slowed as they closed in, splitting off and heading toward their guild masters.

Once they stopped, some began rolling their shoulders and adjusting their weapons.

Others whispered incantations, their hands glowing faintly. There was an immense amount of mana energy in the air, flowing from every body.

No one was taking this lightly. Because if they dared treat it as a joke, they would either die or get an F.

The female instructor's voice echoed through the field from the closest building.

"Find your guild leaders and prepare for battle! The barrier won't hold for too long!"

Asher moved toward the Outcasts. He greeted Veylan, who had set up a seat and umbrella to relax, with a nod and positioned himself beside him.

"You don't seem tense?" Veylan asked as he crossed his legs and reached into his bag.

Asher simply replied with a shrug. "I don't see a reason why."

He paused and glanced at the other members on the other side. One was missing.

"Uh, sir, where's the girl that's supposed to be in chains?"

Veylan let out a soft chuckle. "Well, I released her last night. She's already inside. If my guess is correct, she's sitting at the top of the dungeon, waiting for the raid to begin."

Asher's brows arched questioningly. "And the one you sent on a mission? Isn't she coming too?"

"Guild members only volunteer to join the raid, especially if they aren't Velcrest Academy's students. She's a special-grade class and member, so she does as she pleases."

Asher scoffed. "That's unfair."

"Her duties are more complex than you think, Morgan. She's a special grade for a reason."

Asher simply rolled his eyes and mumbled an "Okay," then turned to Yumiko, wondering when they would be given a signal.

Then suddenly, Emma walked from the back, rubbing her fists.

"All right, I'm ready. I'll go first, Miss Yumiko."