Third-Year Mission Activities (1)
It was the day after the joint training for the first and second years had wrapped up.
“Ugh...!”
Stretching in bed, I welcomed the warm morning sunlight. It was full-on spring now, so the weather wasn't chilly at all. I rolled out of bed and headed to the small desk in the corner of the room. I fiddled with the magic tool on the table to brew some coffee. Mug in hand, I stepped outside and plopped down on a bench.
“Smells great.”
Worth every penny I shelled out for it. I took my time enjoying the morning after that—listening to the birds chirping, feeling the spring breeze, soaking it all in. With joint training over and no lecture from Senior Ruina today, I had plenty of time on my hands. Sure, it wasn't a total free day; there was a class at 10. Technically, ever since becoming a TA, I could've skipped it legally. But lectures like this only happened a few times a week. No real reason to bail.
I killed time leisurely until it was time to head to the classroom.
“As you all know, the time has come. Some of you probably saw it coming.”
The professor dropped those words as soon as class started. His solemn, serious tone had the students gulping nervously.
“Mission activities are now open. Choose wisely when you apply.”
He kept it short and dove right into the lecture. The students didn't press for details either—they knew exactly what “mission activities open” meant. Once class ended, I headed straight for Senior Ruina's office. Had to give her a heads-up before diving into missions.
I opened the office door slowly, as always. There she was, seated at her desk, buried in paperwork. A far cry from last year, when she'd been holed up in her workshop. Things had changed a lot.
“You're here?”
“Yeah.”
I sank into the sofa and started munching on the guest snacks laid out on the table before speaking up.
“Senior, I'll be away for a bit. Mission activities.”
Ruina tilted her head slightly.
“Already?”
“Yeah. Just heard from the professor.”
“Too soon.”
“Last year was too slow. This is right on schedule.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah.”
Mission activities usually kicked off right after joint training, so this was standard timing.
“How long?”
“Not sure yet. Haven't picked one. Won't be more than two or three weeks, tops.”
She nodded—that was her way of saying she could handle it.
“With who?”
“Probably Rana.”
“Got it.”
Senior Ruina knew exactly what mission activities entailed—she'd done them last year herself—so she didn't pry.
“I'll let you know once it's decided. Departure date's not set either, so I can help out until then.”
“No need.”
A smile tugged at my lips unbidden.
“Taking care of me?”
“Yeah. I know missions keep you busy.”
“That's sweet.”
“My disciple. Tell me if you need anything. I'll help.”
Another touching line. I thanked her, chatted a bit more, then left the office.
“Kyle, over here!”
As usual, Rana spotted me from across the student cafeteria and waved. She'd arrived early today—food was already on the table. I headed to the spot she'd saved. Up close, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
The moment I sat, she blurted out in a thrilled voice,
“Kyle! You hear the news?”
“Missions are open?”
“Yeah! Already?”
“Professor announced it right away.”
I grabbed some fries she'd ordered and kept eating as we talked.
“What're you thinking for missions, Kyle?”
“Guess we'll figure it out together now, huh?”
She blinked, clearly surprised.
“You wanna go with me?”
“What, you against it?”
“No way, I love it!”
She beamed innocently. I finished lunch while fending off her energy. Afterward,
“Straight to the Student Council Hall? Or later?”
“What do you think, Rana?”
“We should at least check 'em out, even if we haven't picked one yet.”
“Fair point. Let's go.”
Her logic checked out, so off we went to the Student Council Hall. We hit the fourth floor quick—home of the request boards, same place I'd job-hunted before. It was packed as always, but today felt special. Every student up there was a third-year.
“Good call coming early.”
Rana nodded seriously. Spot on—we'd beaten the rush.
Three mission boards. We beelined for the middle one: missions for magic and knight department students.
“Hmm...”
“Yeah...”
We scanned the list, deep in thought. Tough choice. The other students were just as cautious, picking carefully. Mission activities were basically a graduation exam. Succeed, and you're good to go. Plus, third-years were months from adulthood, about to step into the real world. The academy threw these in to give a taste of outside gigs. They were tougher than regular requests, so everyone was deliberate—no one wanted to pick a dud and fail.
“What kind you like, Kyle?”
“Easiest is hunting... but I'm kinda over that.”
After monster season, I needed a break from killing beasts. Even back in my hunter days, burnout hit sometimes.
“No monster hunts or subjugations, then...”
Half the board vanished. Left with escorts, surveys, that sort of thing.
“Any region preference?”
Missions spanned the continent—Empire stuff, Holy Kingdom, other nations. Everywhere but nowhere specific.
I picked five and showed Rana.
“Thinking these. What do you say?”
“All different spots. And surveys.”
“Suits us best.”
Rana's summons fit any mission, but surveys were ideal. I wasn't picky, so I'd match her.
“If you say so. Where you wanna go?”
“Your call. Anywhere's fine by me.”
“Hmm...”
She deliberated like the others, then handed one over.
“North Continent?”
“Yeah! Been everywhere else, but not there.”
“Gonna be freezing.”
North Continent: eternal winter, basically the Great Desert's icy opposite.
“It's fine!”
“Alright, whatever.”
If she was cool with it, so was I. We hit the request counter, applied, and bam—the crowd swarmed in behind us.
“Hmph...”
“Yeah...”
“Gonna get annoying, Kyle.”
I nodded. Our skills put us at the top of the year—juniors eyeing the same missions for the perks. Smart strategy, really. Tianis didn't stop it; you bore the consequences.
Application done. Departure in three days, so prep time. We bailed the hall.
“Hehe, can't wait.”
“Not a vacation, so dial it back.”
“I know! But it's with you.”
That alone had her grinning ear to ear. Then, screams from afar—someone sprinting our way.
“Stop chasing me!”
“Just once! One time!”
“No way!!”
Evan. Being pursued by a female student. Spotting me, he bolted behind for cover.
“Hyungnim! Save me! This psycho's killing me!”
Like his life was on the line. She followed right up. Seeing me, her eyes widened.
“Saint? Hi, Saint!”
“Hey.”
Wild vibe in her moves and voice. Holy Kingdom's tigerkin enrollee from last term. I knew her—one of Evan's heroines, at least for now.
“What's Evan done to piss you off today?”
“Not harassing. Just making him keep his promise from last time.”
“What promise? You forced it!”
“Dad said men keep their word, always.”
“I never agreed to that crap!”
They bickered over me. I stepped in.
“Cut it out. And you, ease up. This ain't Justia. Follow Tianis rules.”
“But Saint...”
Her ears and tail drooped at my words. Tough luck—this wasn't her homeland. No pulling rank as tigerkin chief's daughter.
“Head out for today. Got stuff with Evan.”
“Fine...”
She eyed him longingly but gave up and left. Once gone, Evan whooped.
“Thanks! You'd have saved my ass again without you, hyungnim!”
“Shut it.”
“Yes, sir!”
His tone screamed exhaustion. We walked the academy grounds with him a bit. I told Evan,
“Won't see you for a while. Stay safe.”
“Where you headed?”
“Missions.”
“Oh, gotcha.”
Second-year now, he knew the drill.
“Both of you?”
“Yeah. Guard Tianis while we're gone. Shit happens.”
“Psh, what trouble without seniors?”
“Can't say.”
Missions were plot devices to split him from his leads—cue some incident.
“Better safe. And play nice with her.”
“Hyungnim, that's...”
Tsk tsk. No clue how key she was this arc. After all the grief, his reaction was fair.
“Anyway, we're prepping. You go.”
“Sure, hyungnim. Catch you before you leave?”
“Yeah.”
He peeled off, knowing we were busy.
“Hehe, Evan's popular.”
“Earned it.”
World's protagonist—not being popular would be weird.
“Alright, prep time.”
“Yup, Kyle!”
We headed to the capital.
Three days later. We sought the warp gate for the mission. Like adventurer guild quests, all prep and travel costs were on us. Only one way north: warp gate. Too cold for carriages—impractical, mostly walking anyway.
Warp gate it was. Fastest route.
“Please step onto the platform.”
Paid up, we warped north. Upon arrival, we ran into an unexpected face.
“Huh? The princess?”
Fourth Princess Ariel Tianis.