The lost pet!

Sebastian grinned. "Yep! It's time to find Mr. Hubbles!" he said, way too excited.

"Where do we start looking?" asked Sapphire, equally thrilled.

Elijah growled, "We're an S-Rank team… searching for a pet?"

Sebastian clicked his tongue. "No, no, no. It's not just any pet—it's Granny Yan Yu's cat!"

Sapphire gasped. "Granny Yan Yu's cat?! Oh no! How did the poor kitty get lost?!"

Sirius looked serious, his hand thoughtfully on his chin. "Mr. Hubbles… we will find you. No matter what."

Elijah, confused as heck, thought, What's wrong with them? But if we have to find this Mr. Hubbles to get this over with, then so be it.

"Alright then," Elijah said aloud. "Where was Mr. Hubbles last seen?"

Sebastian smirked. "Knew you were interested."

Elijah scoffed, trying to keep his cool. "Heh, you know me."

"Anyway, according to the report, Mr. Hubbles was last spotted in the nearby forest—The Forest of Gaham."

Sukiro spoke up nervously. "The Forest of Gaham? Hehe… it doesn't have any kind of magical beasts, right?"

Klaus replied, "It's a small forest, but we should stay alert. Might be some E-rank or D-rank monsters roaming around."

He added, "After two thousand years of gates, monsters are in every forest. Gaham won't be an exception."

Sukiro chuckled nervously. "Just E-rank… nothing to worry about, right?"

Sirius nodded. "Not for us—but for you, it might cause a little trouble."

Sebastian smiled. "Don't worry, Sukiro. You've got this."

He continued, "Alright, let's split into pairs. Sirius and Klaus, search near the river. Elijah and Sukiro, take the dense forest. Sapphire and I will explore the lighter forest."

Elijah growled. "Why do I get the kid?"

Sukiro snapped, "Yeah? Why do I get the old man?!"

Elijah snarled, "Who're you calling old man, pea-brain?!"

Sukiro retorted, "Didn't realize you were so dumb you don't even know yourself!"

"Enough!" Sebastian groaned. "Focus on the mission. We've got to save Mr. Hubbles!"

Sirius and Klaus nodded.

"Tch. Whatever. I'm heading out," Elijah muttered, turning away.

Sebastian gave Sukiro a look, silently urging him to follow. Sukiro sighed and trailed behind Elijah.

Klaus and Sirius headed off toward the river, while Sebastian and Sapphire disappeared into the trees.

As they walked through the lush forest, Sapphire asked, "Why did you pair Elijah and Sukiro?"

Sebastian replied, "Elijah's compatible with all four elements. So is Sukiro. He might learn something by watching Elijah."

Sapphire smiled. "There's always a reason behind what you do, isn't there?"

Sebastian grinned. "There always is."

Near the River...

Klaus spoke up, "We're close. I can hear the river."

Sirius smiled. "Always using your brain, huh?"

Klaus glanced back at him, then forward. "Not much of a choice, is it?"

Sirius's expression changed. "Klaus—"

"We're here," Klaus interrupted.

The sight was peaceful. Water flowed gently, birds chirped, and sunlight filtered through the leaves.

Klaus sighed. "Time for a nap."

Sirius blinked. "Huh? We're supposed to find Mr. Hubbles."

Klaus had already laid down on a rock, eyes closed. "Elijah's the only one with detection magic. We're just here to enjoy the view."

Sirius gasped. "Wait… that's why Sebastian sent them there?"

"Yep," Klaus said. "Three reasons."

"One: Sukiro can observe Elijah's magic."

"Two: The dense forest has a higher chance of monster encounters—Sukiro's going to have to fight."

"Three: They'll find Mr. Hubbles while we chill."

Sirius chuckled. "Sebastian really is clever."

"Yeah," Klaus muttered. "But so are you."

Klaus turned away. "No, I'm not."

Sirius whispered, "He's back to that again…"

Meanwhile, in the Dense Forest...

Rain poured. Leaves slapped against their faces. Visibility was low.

"Why is this so hard?!" Sukiro groaned.

"Quests are supposed to be hard!" Elijah snapped.

Suddenly, a snake dropped from above, landing on Sukiro. He slipped and fell. The snake lunged—!

But just before it bit him, Elijah grabbed it mid-air.

"Get up, idiot! Use your knife—take off its head!"

Sukiro fumbled, drew his knife, and slashed. The head rolled away, still twitching.

Disgusted, he kicked it aside, gasping for air.

Elijah looked disappointed. "If that's how you fight... you won't survive."

Sukiro lowered his head, ashamed.

Elijah muttered, "Mr. Hubbles is in the cave up ahead. Let's move."

Outside the Cave...

Water dripped from the roof. The air was damp and cold.

"Stay here and guard the entrance. I'll search inside," Elijah instructed.

Sukiro leaned against the wall, arms crossed, reflecting.

Why was I afraid? Why did I freeze? Am I a coward? He remembered Elijah's words: "If that's how you fight, I don't think you'll survive."

Not again, Sukiro thought. Next time... I'll stand and fight.

A rustle.

He turned—too late.

A goblin punched him across the face, slamming him into the wall.

Blood trickled from his nose. He stood, smiling.

"Come on, then."

The goblin charged. Sukiro dodged, eyes glowing with determination.

A punch to his gut—he didn't flinch.

He grabbed the goblin's arm. Its expression turned to fear.

Sukiro slammed it into the ground.

And then—he didn't stop.

Punch. Punch. Blood spattered the walls.

Again. And again.

Until the goblin stopped moving.

Elijah rushed in, holding a soaked cat.

"Sukiro! I found Mr. Hubb—" He froze.

Light poured into the cave. Sukiro stood over the corpse, blood on his fists, panting heavily.

"Sukiro?"

Sukiro turned, weakly. "Yeah… I'm fi—"

He collapsed.

Elijah caught him.

"You're such an idiot," Elijah muttered smiling..

Later...

Sukiro jolted awake. "Where am I?!"

Elijah, carrying him on his shoulder, growled, "We're heading to the meeting spot."

"Put me down, old man!"

"Old man?! Who you calling old?!"

"You, obviously!"

Suddenly, goblins burst from the trees.

Sukiro tried to get down—but Elijah's grip was iron.

Why's he so strong?!

"Rest," Elijah said calmly. "I got this."

Wind swirled. Fire gathered in his palm.

"Fireball."

A small sphere flew downward—then BOOM—a massive explosion lit up the forest.

Goblins scattered.

"They're fleeing?" Elijah smirked. "Alright then… Fire Control."

The flames twisted and danced, chasing the goblins down one by one.

Sukiro watched in awe. So this… is the power of an S-Rank Hunter…

At the Meeting Spot...

A loud explosion echoed.

Klaus muttered, "He overdid it again."

Sebastian grinned. "Yeah. He always does."

Elijah emerged from the trees, Sukiro still on his shoulder.

"Put me down!"

"Fine."

THUD Sukiro hit the ground.

Elijah reached into his cloak. "Here's the ca—"

Mr. Hubbles jumped out, scratched his hand, and sprinted to Sapphire.

"WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?!" Elijah yelled, holding his hand.

Sapphire hugged the cat. "There, there. You're safe now."

Mr. Hubbles turned and smirked at Elijah.

"You

little—!"

Sebastian laughed. "Well, quest complete!"

Sirius nodded. "Yep. I had a great time."

Sebastian stretched. "Alright, I'll go report this. Sapphire, return the cat to Granny Yan Yu."

Sapphire nodded and walked off with Mr. Hubbles in her arms.

Sebastian spoke firmly, "You guys head back to the field and set up camp. Sapphire and I will join you later."

Klaus gave a playful salute. "Aye aye, Captain."

The party began making their way back to camp…

Elijah, walking beside Sukiro, spoke nonchalantly, "That wasn't bad, kid."

He said it like he didn't care, but there was a subtle hint of approval.

Sukiro grinned. "I already know, old man!" he shouted with pride.

Elijah smirked but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Sebastian and Sapphire walked through the trees, the forest around them glowing in the fading sunlight.

Sapphire smiled. "So… your plan worked, huh?"

Sebastian smirked back. "It always does."

Then, his tone shifted—more serious. "But now, we begin his real training. The training that'll unlock his true potential."

Sapphire's smile faded. "That training? Are you sure he's ready for it?"

Sebastian's eyes narrowed. "Doesn't matter now, does it? We have to put him through it. It'll help us discover his class too."

Sapphire sighed, her expression uncertain. "I guess… it's about time."

To be continued…