Reyon stood before his newly formed squad, surveying their expressions. Some bore skepticism, others curiosity, but none had yet pledged their trust. He needed to change that. He had already proven himself in the initiation, yet leadership required more than just strength—it required loyalty and respect.
"I won't waste words," Reyon began, his gaze locking onto each member. "You all lost your previous squad leader, but I won't ask you to forget them. Instead, I promise you this: I will find out what happened to them. If there was foul play, I will bring the truth to light."
Murmurs spread through the squad. Some, like Gareth, nodded approvingly, while Lena crossed her arms, eyes scrutinizing him. Before anyone could challenge him, he raised a hand.
"We are assigned our first mission together. Baron Vellus, a corrupt noble enslaving commoners, is to be eliminated. This comes directly from Berth."
Lena scoffed. "A noble? Berth is starting you off heavy."
Reyon smirked. "He either trusts my ability, or he wants me dead."
The squad fell silent. They knew Berth's reputation—he was not a man to be trusted blindly. Even so, they had orders.
"Two additional Classers have been assigned to accompany us," Reyon continued, his voice unwavering. "Luc and Damien. They are not my choice, so watch their movements closely."
Lena smirked. "Babysitting duty. Got it."
Gareth tightened his grip on his sword. "When do we leave?"
"At dawn." Reyon turned, his expression darkening. "And remember—our mission isn't just to kill the Baron. It's to uncover the truth."
The moon hung high in the sky as Reyon and his squad approached Baron Vellus's grand estate. The looming fortress-like mansion was heavily guarded, and defensive enchantments glowed faintly around the perimeter. They had prepared for a fight, but Reyon knew they had to be methodical in their approach.
Gathering his squad in the shadows of a nearby grove, Reyon laid out the strategy. "Lena, your shadow magic will be crucial in disabling any magical traps or alarms," he instructed. "Gareth, you take point. Your swordsmanship will be our best bet against the elite knights. As for the rest of you, follow my lead. We move swiftly and quietly. We can't afford mistakes."
The two Classers assigned by Berth—Dion and Callis—exchanged glances. They had been watching Reyon closely since the mission began, but his command presence was undeniable. They gave a short nod in acknowledgment.
Lena disappeared into the shadows, reappearing moments later with a satisfied grin. "The estate's security spells are down," she whispered. "But they'll notice soon. We should move."
Reyon gestured forward, and the team advanced. As soon as they crossed the outer courtyard, the estate's knights sprang into action. Armored figures charged toward them with raised weapons, their polished blades gleaming under the torchlight.
"Gareth, intercept!" Reyon called.
With a battle cry, Gareth met the first knight head-on, his sword clashing against the enemy's with a deafening clang. Lena weaved between the knights, using her shadow magic to disable and confuse them. Meanwhile, Reyon focused on the larger battlefield.
One knight raised his staff, summoning a wave of fire. Before the flames could spread, Reyon activated σ, weakening the spell's intensity. With a flick of his wrist, he countered with Water Surge, a spell that not only extinguished the fire but knocked the caster off his feet.
Dion and Callis watched in stunned silence as Reyon neutralized attacks effortlessly. "He's… stronger than we thought," Callis murmured.
Within minutes, the estate's defenses crumbled. The last of the knights fell, and Gareth wiped sweat from his brow. "That went smoother than expected," he admitted.
"We're not done yet," Reyon said, stepping over the unconscious bodies and pushing open the grand doors to the Baron's chamber.
Inside, Baron Vellus stood in the center of an opulent study, his face pale but defiant. "You fools! Do you even know who you serve? Berth ordered my assassination to cover his own tracks!" he spat, his voice filled with anger and desperation.
Reyon's eyes narrowed. This confirmed his worst suspicions.
Before he could react, the ground trembled, and an ominous presence filled the room. A tall figure in dark robes emerged from the shadows—a 7th-circle mage. His aura was suffocating, and his eyes gleamed with confidence.
"You'll regret underestimating Baron Vellus," the mage sneered, raising his hands.
Dion and Callis immediately took a step back. "A 7th-circle mage?! We don't stand a chance!" Dion muttered, panic creeping into his voice.
Even Gareth and Lena looked uncertain. The power difference was undeniable.
Reyon, however, remained unfazed. "Stand back. I'll handle this."
The dark mage unleashed a barrage of fire spells, aiming to engulf Reyon in flames. But Reyon activated σ, weakening the spells before they could reach him. As the weakened flames flickered out, he cast Water Surge, an amplified 5th-circle spell. The sheer force of the water drowned out the mage's flames, sending him staggering backward.
Realizing he was outmatched, the mage channeled his strongest spell—a massive infernal explosion. But before he could finish the incantation, Reyon raised his hand. Lightning Strike, amplified by vectors, shot through the room, striking the mage with pinpoint precision.
The battle ended in an instant.
The squad, stunned into silence, could only watch as the powerful mage collapsed, his body twitching from the residual energy of Reyon's attack. Gareth, Lena, and even Dion and Callis had to admit—this was beyond what they had expected.
Reyon turned back to the Baron, his expression cold. "You sealed your fate the moment you allied with Berth."
With one final attack, Baron Vellus fell.
As they left the estate, Reyon clenched his fists. The truth about Berth had been exposed, and now he knew—his next target was the leader of the Classers himself.