Portal Expedition & Team Formation
Lecture Hall C – Portal Training Briefing
After the lecture on Gemite Crystals and Beast Evolution, the room remained tense with anticipation. Students exchanged glances, waiting for what was coming next.
Elara Voss stepped forward again, her Luminara Serpent shifting slightly around her shoulders, its bioluminescent glow reflecting off the podium.
"Before we dismiss you for the day, there's something important you all need to know," she said, scanning the room. "In one week, you will participate in your first portal expedition."
A few murmurs spread through the hall, but she didn't pause.
"Most of you have never traveled through a portal before, so I will explain how they work."
She tapped the floating mana screen, and a holographic projection of a circular portal materialized above the podium.
"Portals allow humans to travel instantly between locations they've accessed before. This technology was recovered during the First Contact War, when humanity repurposed High Orc transportation devices."
Students listened carefully. Even those familiar with portals rarely heard the full history behind them.
"Normally, advanced technology like this wouldn't be something we could reverse-engineer. But thanks to the research of the late Peter Enoxx, we were able to replicate and mass-produce portals, making planetary exploration possible."
Vivian raised an eyebrow. Peter Enoxx? That was a name everyone knew.
"Since then, portals have been used by three major factions: the military, private exploration groups, and independent hunter guilds. But not all portals are the same."
The hologram split into three color-coded sections.
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Portal Colors & Their Meanings
✔ Green Portals – Fully explored planets with established human settlements. These areas are safe and commonly used for training or resource gathering.
✔ Yellow Portals – Partially explored planets. While some safe zones exist, large sections remain unmapped or too dangerous for civilians.
✔ Blood-Red Portals – Unexplored planets filled with unknown dangers, high-tier beasts, and unstable terrain. No established shelters. Only elite squads or the military enter these portals.
Elara's voice remained firm. "For your expedition, you will be traveling through a Green Portal. This means the planet has been fully explored, and the creatures you will face are manageable."
A wave of relief spread through some of the lower-ranked students.
"However," she continued, "just because it is a Green Zone does not mean it is free of danger. You will be fighting real creatures, not simulations. Injuries are expected."
Kyle remained still, focused. A real fight. Finally.
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Beasts Found in Green Portal Zones
Dr. Wolfe took over, tapping the floating screen, and a holographic bestiary appeared, displaying various creatures.
✔ Ember-Tier Beasts – Weak, but exist in large numbers. Easy targets, but swarming behavior can be dangerous.
✔ Veil-Tier Beasts – Mid-level threats. Require coordination to defeat.
A few names appeared alongside their categories:
✔ Talon Rats (Ember-Tier, Wind Crystals) – Fast and evasive. Sharp claws enhanced by wind mana.
✔ Gorefang Wolves (Veil-Tier, Fire Crystals) – Pack hunters with molten fangs. Can melt through armor.
✔ Stormclaw Panthers (Elite veil Tier, Lightning Crystals) – Extremely fast apex predators. Can teleport short distances via lightning bursts.
Elara folded her arms. "You will need to be smart about your targets. We will be monitoring you, but direct interference will be minimal."
Dr. Wolfe stepped forward again.
"And to make this more interesting, your performance will be ranked."
A new holographic scoreboard appeared.
✔ Ember-Tier Crystal = 1 Point
✔ Veil-Tier Crystal = 2 Points
✔ Dominion-Tier Crystal = 4 Points
"The team with the most points at the end of the mission will receive exclusive training privileges and top assessment marks."
Instantly, the atmosphere changed.
The expedition wasn't just a test—it was a competition.
Some students exchanged smirks, already planning their teams. Others looked tense, realizing that falling behind would put them at a disadvantage.
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Forming Teams – The Divide Between Strength & Strategy
Elara glanced at the students. "Teams will be limited to five members. Choose wisely. This is your squad for the duration of the mission."
At once, movement erupted across the hall.
✔ Higher-ranked students instantly grouped together.
✔ Weaker students hesitated, scrambling for alliances.
✔ Soren Vale stood near the side, assembling his team with quiet calculation.
Kyle remained seated, watching.
Jace leaned against a desk, smirking. "You already know where this is going."
Kyle raised a brow.
Jace turned to Vivian. "You in?"
Vivian didn't hesitate. She simply nodded.
Three down.
Kyle approached Lena next.
She turned, raising a brow. "You think I need a team?"
Jace chuckled. "We think you want to win."
Lena smirked. "Fine."
Four down.
The final member didn't need to be invited.
Darius walked over, crossing his arms.
Kyle barely had to speak.
Darius grinned. "I assume you saved a spot for me."
Five down.
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Soren Vale's Team – The Rival Group
Across the room, Soren Vale's team formed just as quickly.
Soren Vale (Level 4.5) – Strategist, defensive specialist.
Markus Drex (Level 4) – Aggressive fighter, high mobility.
Theo Rhyne (Level 3.75) – Mid-range combat specialist.
Rael Stroud (Level 3.5) – Speed-based fighter.
Erik Fenrow (Level 3.5) – Balanced fighter, excellent coordination.
Unlike Kyle's team—built from individual strength—Soren's team was based on synergy and tactics.
Soren glanced at Kyle's group. "They have raw power, but can they function together?"
Markus cracked his knuckles. "Doesn't matter. We'll take the lead early and keep them from catching up."
Soren smiled slightly. "Let them think they have control. We'll show them otherwise."
The first rivalry of the expedition was set.
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Instructor's Final Warning
Dr. Wolfe turned to the students.
"The Green Zone is classified as safe, but reckless behavior will still get you injured. Stay together, strategize, and don't let the competition make you careless."
Elara's voice cut in.
"You leave at dawn. Prepare accordingly. Dismissed."
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Vivian – Crossed her arms. "This better be worth it."
Lena – Smirked. "Let's see how far we can push this."
Darius – Rolled his shoulders. "If we're doing this, we're doing it to win."
Jace – Grinned. "Finally, some real fun."
Kyle – Silent, but for the first time in a while… interested.
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Soren Vale's Team
Soren smirked. "We'll see who's really leading this expedition soon enough."
Markus grinned. "Kyle's strong, but he won't carry his whole team."
Rael muttered, "We slow them down early, we take the lead."
The competition had already begun.
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