The next morning arrived with a strange mix of excitement and dread.
Zayle stood with the rest of Class C in the academy's outer courtyard, where rows of armored wagons waited beside the gates. The sky was clear, the breeze cool, and the air smelled faintly of sharpened steel and fresh ink from the briefing papers.
This was it.Their first official assignment outside the academy walls.
Instructor Lyselle walked to the front of the group, her footsteps controlled and quiet. Every student straightened immediately.
"Listen carefully," she said. "Your destination is the outer region of the Rift Forest. This is a beginner-level patrol, supervised by two instructors. Your task is to observe, report, and follow instructions. You are not authorized to engage unless given permission."
A few students swallowed nervously.
Zayle tried to look calm, but his fingers twitched slightly on the hilt of his newly issued practice sword.
Lyselle's eyes scanned the entire group before settling briefly on him.
"Teams remain the same as yesterday. Make sure your formations are consistent. Survival begins with structure."
Kellan whispered beside Zayle, "Structure, she says. I bet she stabs someone if they step out of line."
Lyra elbowed him lightly. "Please do not encourage her."
Lin Fei adjusted his glasses nervously and looked at Zayle.
"This is your first time outside the academy, right?"
"First time since I got here, yeah," Zayle replied. "Should be fine if we don't trip over anything too deadly."
Lin Fei did not look reassured. "That is… not the comfort I hoped for."
A whistle blew, and the students climbed onto the wagons.
Zayle sat between Kellan and Lyra, while Lin Fei sat across from him, clutching his notes like someone preparing for an exam rather than a forest patrol.
The wagon door closed with a heavy thud.
As the wheels began to move, Zayle looked around.Some students were pale.Some were buzzing with excitement.Some were pretending not to be terrified.
He wondered where he belonged among those reactions.
Lyra seemed focused, controlled.Kellan looked like he wanted something to punch.Lin Fei looked like he wanted to go home.
Zayle… felt a little of everything.
The wagon crossed the academy gates and rolled into the forest path. Sunlight filtered through the tall trees, the sound of wheels rumbling steady beneath them.
Kellan leaned back and stretched. "Finally. Real fieldwork. Maybe we'll get to fight something."
Lyra gave him a flat look. "We are not fighting anything unless ordered."
"I said maybe."
Lin Fei spoke softly. "Monsters in the outer region are usually low-grade. Not too dangerous, but… unpredictable."
Zayle nodded. "Good. Let's hope they're polite unpredictable, not the man-eating kind."
Lin Fei blinked. "There is a difference?"
"Emotionally," Zayle said.
Kellan snorted.
The wagon eventually slowed down.A tall wooden outpost came into view, standing at the edge of the Rift Forest's misty border.
Instructor Lyselle stood up as the door opened.
"Form up."
The students climbed out, gathering near the outpost. Birds cried overhead, and the distant echo of something in the forest made a few students tense.
"This assignment is simple," Lyselle said. "Follow your instructor, maintain your formation, and keep your senses open. If you cannot handle the outer region, you will not survive the inner one."
Zayle felt his heartbeat pick up.
Not fear.Something sharper.
Anticipation.
Lyselle looked at the group one last time.
"Team Three," she said. "You will follow me."
Zayle's team stepped forward.
"Do not fall behind," she said. "Especially you, Cross."
Zayle blinked. "I haven't done anything yet."
"It is a preemptive warning."
He sighed. "Right. Of course."
She turned toward the forest path.
"Move."
Zayle tightened his grip on his sword and followed his team into the mist.
Their first assignment had officially begun.
And though he didn't know it yet, this mission would be the moment he first glimpsed just how wide the gap between talent and true survival really was.