[Mission Briefing Hall – Academy's East Wing]
It was rare for low-ranked students to receive solo assignments, but today… Lohan was summoned personally.
Instructor Vale handed him a sealed scroll. "Escort mission. Noble family. Should be simple."
Lohan narrowed his eyes.
Simple never was.
---
[Mission Details]
> Client: House Derinth
Objective: Escort their youngest heir to a family estate.
Distance: 40 kilometers through neutral zone.
Status: Cleared for E-rank to C-rank hunters.
Reward: 15,000 credits.
Winter watched from the balcony above, arms crossed. "That smells like bait."
Lohan smirked. "Then let's see who's fishing."
---
[Two Hours Later – Forest Path]
Lohan rode quietly alongside the carriage, his senses on high alert. The child inside—Elias Derinth—peered out nervously.
"Mister Lohan… are you strong?"
Lohan met the boy's eyes.
"Strong enough to know I can't protect everyone. But I'll protect you."
Elias nodded solemnly.
The moment felt almost peaceful.
Then—snap.
Birdsong stopped.
Leaves rustled… unnaturally.
> [Divine Energy Detected – Category: Hostile Cult Aura]
[Enemies Incoming – 7 Signatures]
[Warning: Divine-Class Trap Activated]
---
Ambush
Masked figures in black robes emerged from the trees, circling the carriage. Their leader stepped forward—tall, silver-haired, with divine runes etched into his skin.
"A mortal with a god's scent… you're the one we were told to catch."
Lohan's grip on Eidrasteel tightened.
"You picked the wrong bait."
---
Combat Initiated
Two cultists lunged first—only to be sliced down by Lohan's blade in a single motion. He vanished from their sight, appearing behind another, kicking them into a tree.
The leader smirked. "Impressive. But how will you handle this?"
He raised his staff—and summoned a celestial sigil.
> [Forbidden Invocation: Light of Judgment]
[Casting: 12 Seconds]
Lohan cursed. That spell could erase the whole forest.
But something unexpected happened.
> [System Update – Divine Skill Analyzed]
[Copy Eligible: Skill Fragment – Divine Compression Seal]
[Skill Copied.]
Lohan reached out his hand—and mimicked the same sigil.
BOOM!
The two divine energies collided in midair, creating a blinding explosion that scorched the earth.
---
Aftermath
The cultists lay defeated. Lohan's body ached, smoke rising from his clothes—but he stood.
"You alright?" he asked, glancing at Elias, who nodded with wide eyes.
Winter arrived seconds later, panting.
"Told you it was bait."
Lohan chuckled. "And I took it with a hook of my own."
---
[Back at the Academy – Later That Night]
In a hidden chamber, the headmaster reviewed a scroll.
"…He copied a divine spell?"
He looked up at the ceiling.
"Who are you really, Lohan Ardyn?"
---