The sun rose over the Royal Academy of Asteria like a perfectly painted watercolor… if the watercolor had been thrown at a wall by a caffeinated toddler.
Liam Everhart groaned as he sat on his rooftop spot, stretching his arms. Clucksalot flapped its wings lazily beside him.
"Today's the day," Liam muttered. "The Headmaster said I have my first real mission outside the Academy."
Clucksalot squawked. "Meaning chaos beyond campus walls!"
"Yes," Liam said, rubbing his temples. "That's exactly what I'm afraid of."
---
The Mission That Was Supposed to Be Simple
The mission was, in theory, simple:
> "Scout the Forest of Whispering Shadows for any signs of rogue magical activity. Report back without incident."
In practice, the Academy apparently believed that anyone with black-and-gold chaotic mana could actually follow instructions.
Aria Moonfall appeared beside him, staff glowing faintly. "Liam… are you going to behave this time?"
He sighed. "Define behave."
"Not blowing up everything," she clarified.
Liam paused. "That's… a low bar."
Clucksalot flapped its wings. "Low standards are meant to be exceeded."
Aria groaned.
---
Into the Forest of Whispering Shadows
By midday, Liam, Aria, and Clucksalot were standing at the edge of the Forest of Whispering Shadows. It was… well, ominous.
The trees were impossibly tall, their leaves shimmering like green flames. Whispers echoed through the forest, though no one could tell whether it was magical energy or the trees gossiping.
"Stay close," Aria warned. "The forest… it has a will of its own."
Liam nodded. "Great. Willpower trees. Got it."
Clucksalot clucked approvingly. "Willpower trees are delicious… metaphorically."
They walked cautiously, Liam accidentally stepping on a magical mushroom. The mushroom exploded in glittery smoke, sending him flying backward into a bush.
"Really?" Aria asked, holding back laughter.
"Yes… really," Liam muttered. "This is professional hero stuff."
---
First Contact With Chaos
They had walked a few hundred meters when a rustling sound came from above.
A shadow passed over them. It landed with a thud on the path ahead. Liam squinted.
A dragon.
Not just any dragon. A small, winged dragon, about the size of a horse, with scales that shimmered purple and gold, and an expression that screamed sarcasm incarnate.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the dragon said, wings folding lazily. "Two humans, a feathery disaster, and apparently a Hero-in-training who looks like he got lost in a bakery explosion."
Liam froze. "You… talk?"
"Of course I talk," the dragon replied, yawning. "I'm Drixus the Sarcastic, at your service. And yes, I'm judging you already."
Clucksalot puffed its chest. "I approve of the sarcasm."
Aria muttered, "A talking dragon… this forest is cursed."
Liam tilted his head. "No, this is normal. Chaos is just… standard procedure."
Drixus snorted. "I see. Standard procedure for a complete disaster."
---
Unintended Battle Number One
Before Liam could respond, the trees around them groaned. A group of rogue forest spirits—small, mischievous elemental creatures—emerged, throwing fireballs, water jets, and enchanted pinecones at them.
Aria raised her staff. "I'll handle them!"
Liam, trying to "help," waved his hands and accidentally unleashed a small wave of demonic energy. The effect was… impressive.
The rogue spirits were blown backward, spun into the air, and collided with a nearby rock formation, triggering a minor landslide.
Drixus flapped his wings and sighed. "I see… the prophecy did not exaggerate. You are indeed catastrophic."
Clucksalot clucked. "Finally! Proper chaos!"
"Control it, Liam!" Aria shouted.
"I'm trying!" Liam said, as another rock rolled toward them. He waved his hands wildly. The rock split in two, landing on the forest floor in two perfectly harmless halves.
Drixus tilted his head. "I… I'm impressed. Somehow, you are simultaneously incompetent and overpowered. Truly a rare talent."
Liam blinked. "Thanks?"
Clucksalot clucked proudly. "Team chaos prevails."
---
The Kittens Strike Again
Just as they were catching their breath, a familiar set of tiny explosions echoed behind them.
"Not again…" Liam muttered.
Thirty magical kittens—some with minor fire, others sparking with lightning—pounced from the trees. They had somehow followed him from the Academy.
"Clucksalot!" Liam shouted. "Control them!"
The chicken puffed up. "Stand back, humans. I've got this."
In a flurry of feathers, clawing, and magical pecking, Clucksalot herded the kittens. They rolled around, sparking and shrieking, eventually forming a surprisingly organized—if very chaotic—line behind Liam.
Drixus stared. "I… I cannot believe this chicken has leadership skills superior to yours."
"Excuse me," Liam said indignantly. "I provide moral support!"
---
The Forest Spirits Retreat… Mostly
With the kittens and Clucksalot leading the chaos, the rogue forest spirits panicked. They fled, leaving behind small pockets of magical energy that Liam accidentally absorbed.
"Oh no," he muttered. "Why do I always absorb magical energy?"
"You're unstable," Drixus said dryly. "It's literally your job."
Liam groaned. "I did not sign up for this life."
Aria shook her head. "You did. Whether you like it or not."
Liam flopped onto the forest floor. "Why does the Hero get all the responsibility, and I get all the chaos?"
Clucksalot clucked in agreement. "Because chaos is essential to life. And fear."
Drixus rolled his eyes. "You are going to get me killed. Or worse—entertained too much."
---
A Glimpse of the Future Trouble
As the sun began to set, they finally reached the clearing that was the supposed source of the magical disturbance.
A giant crystal hovered above the ground, pulsing with energy. It was beautiful… and terrifying.
"This… is probably bad," Liam said.
"Yes," Aria agreed. "We need to seal it."
"Seal it?" Liam asked. "I don't… know how to seal things without destroying everything!"
Clucksalot puffed up. "Then we improvise."
Drixus sighed. "I'm going to sit over here and watch you fail spectacularly."
Liam muttered, "That's what makes me the perfect Hero… maybe."
With a deep breath, he raised his hands. The crystal glowed brighter in response. Magical energy crackled in the air.
Aria glared. "Just… please don't blow up the forest."
Liam glanced at Clucksalot. The chicken squawked. "No promises!"
And as Liam prepared to attempt—somehow—to control his half-demonic powers to seal the crystal, a whisper echoed through the forest:
> "So… you're the one who survived the Academy… interesting."
Liam froze. "Uh-oh. That does not sound friendly."
Drixus muttered, "I told you this forest would be trouble. I am way too calm for this."
Clucksalot flapped its wings aggressively. "Incoming chaos! Everyone prepare!"
The forest darkened, energy crackled, and the next disaster… had officially arrived.
And somehow, Liam Everhart, Hero of Light, half-Demon, and walking catastrophe, smiled faintly.
"Let's see how bad we can get," he said.