The Unwanted Volunteer

The announcement acted like a bomb detonating in the mess hall. The initial shockwave of panic was quickly replaced by buzzing excitement, particularly among the upperclassmen. The Sunken City of Aeridor was a legendary Tier-3 danger zone, a place where fame and fortune could be won by those brave or foolish enough to venture into its depths. A high-level distress call meant a major event was unfolding—a chance for glory.

Amidst the chaos, Kael remained an island of calm. He continued to eat his lumpy stew with methodical precision, his mind already spinning scenarios.

"A crisis at a remote, dangerous location," he mused internally. "The academy's attention will be focused there. The faculty will be mobilized. If I can get myself involved, I'll be far away from the prying eyes of these increasingly troublesome girls. And in the chaos of a real battle, it's much easier to remain unnoticed than in the sterile environment of the academy."

The logic was sound. The best place for a wolf to hide is in a forest fire. Everyone is too busy looking at the flames to notice the predator slipping through the undergrowth.

Lyra, however, was vibrating with a different kind of energy. "Wow, the Sunken City! I heard it's full of scary water monsters and sparkly treasure! Are you gonna go, boss? You could probably beat up all the monsters with one hand tied behind your back!"

"No," Kael said flatly, shattering her heroic daydream. "I'm a first-year with no mana. They wouldn't let me within a hundred miles of the place."

His statement was, of course, a deliberate misdirection. He had no intention of asking for permission.

As senior students began mobilizing and professors started barking orders, a new figure of authority entered the hall. It was the Headmaster, his long white beard trailing behind him, his expression grim. He was accompanied by Professor Elspeth and Master Borin, the combat instructor.

"We need a support team!" Master Borin's voice boomed over the din. "Mages with analytical or sensory skills to operate the long-range communication and monitoring equipment at the forward base camp. This is a non-combat role, but it is vital!"

Several students from the alchemy and research departments began to volunteer. This was Kael's opening. But before he could even think of a way to insinuate himself, a clear, authoritative voice cut through the air.

"I will go."

Elara von Valerius stepped forward, her earlier frustration replaced by a determined fire. "My family's duchy has a vested interest in the security of the Aeridor region. My skills with mana-flow analysis are top of my class. I can be of use."

The instructors exchanged a look. It was unorthodox to send a first-year, even a prodigy like her, but her skills were undeniable, and her political clout was significant.

"Very well, Duchess," the Headmaster agreed with a nod.

Before anyone else could react, another voice, cool and logical, joined in. "Her analysis is incomplete without a theoretical framework to process anomalous data. My aptitude for magical theory is the highest in the academy's recorded history. I will also go."

Seraphina Lunaris stood, her expression unreadable. Her reasoning was flawless. She was the perfect partner for Elara's raw talent.

The Headmaster hesitated for a moment longer before nodding again. "Miss Lunaris, your assistance would also be invaluable. Prepare yourselves. You leave in one hour."

Kael watched this unfold with growing annoyance. His escape plan was being hijacked. If they were at the base camp, they would be watching the monitoring equipment. Watching him, if he managed to get to the main site. This was a complication.

He needed to be on that team. He needed to be close enough to manipulate the information they were receiving.

He stood up.

His movement was small, but after the events of the last few days, it drew an immediate and disproportionate amount of attention. All the key players—Elara, Seraphina, the Headmaster, Professor Elspeth—turned to look at him.

Professor Elspeth's face soured instantly. "Mr. Valerius, if you are about to say something foolish, I advise you to reconsider. This is a serious matter."

Kael ignored her and addressed the Headmaster directly, his voice calm and steady. "You need someone to carry the heavy equipment, don't you? And to set up the camp? And to handle the menial labor that your high-ranking mages will be too busy to perform?"

A few nobles snickered. The idea was laughable.

The Headmaster stroked his beard, his ancient eyes twinkling with a strange light. "We have magically-powered servants and golems for such tasks, my boy."

"Golems are expensive," Kael countered smoothly. "They require mana to operate and maintain, a resource that may be precious at a remote base. Servants are civilians who would be a liability in a danger zone. I, on the other hand, am an enrolled student with zero mana signature. I won't attract unwanted attention from mana-sensitive beasts, and I require no energy to maintain. I am, logically speaking, the most efficient and low-risk manual laborer you could possibly ask for."

He delivered the speech with a perfect, deadpan expression. He was presenting himself as nothing more than a piece of useful, non-magical equipment. A beast of burden.

The argument was so bizarre, so utterly devoid of pride, that it left everyone speechless. Who in their right mind would volunteer for a dangerous mission by advertising their own weakness and worthlessness?

Elara stared at him, aghast. Was this another one of his tricks? Was he trying to get close to her for some nefarious purpose? Her mind raced, unable to find a logical reason for his behavior.

Seraphina, however, saw it differently. Her violet eyes narrowed in intense concentration. "Low-risk. Zero mana signature. He is actively using his cover as a weakness. He's creating a reason to be at the epicenter of the next anomaly. He wants to be there. Why?" Her desire to study him intensified tenfold.

Lyra, from her seat, was practically bursting with pride. "Wow! The boss is so humble and hardworking! He's the best!"

It was the Headmaster who broke the silence. A slow smile spread across his face, hidden within his thick beard. He looked at Kael, and for a moment, Kael felt a flicker of genuine perception from the old man, as if he could see the faintest shadow of the ancient wolf hiding in the sheep's clothing.

"A remarkably pragmatic and humble line of reasoning, Mr. Valerius," the Headmaster said, his eyes twinkling. "Very well. Your logic is sound. You will accompany Duchess Valerius and Miss Lunaris as an attendant for the support team."

Professor Elspeth looked as though she had swallowed a lemon. Master Borin just shook his head in disbelief.

Kael gave a slight, respectful bow. "Thank you, Headmaster."

He had done it. He had secured his ticket out of the academy and into the heart of the crisis. It had cost him the last shred of his public dignity, cementing his role as the academy's resident joke.

But as he walked away to prepare, he passed Elara and Seraphina. He didn't look at them, but he felt their intense, conflicting stares. He knew he hadn't escaped them at all. He had just invited them to a front-row seat for his next performance.

"This is becoming entirely too complicated," Kaelus, the Demon Lord of Ruin, sighed from the depths of Kael's mind. "Perhaps I should have just reincarnated as a rock."