Chapter 180 - 180: Joint raid mission!

Words : 1122 Updated : Sep 21st, 2025

The training hall's vaulted ceiling rang with the crackle of spellcraft as the team drilled basic practical techniques under Instructor Von's exacting gaze. Then, breathless urgency cut through the routine. A messenger burst in, bearing Captain Amir's seal. "You're summoned," he announced, voice taut. "Details at the captain's office." The squad exchanged startled glances. Wounds from previous missions still tingled, robes bore scorch marks and dust—but duty beckoned. They formed up and followed the messenger down lantern‑lit corridors whose walls were lined with storied weapons and glowing arcane sigils. seaʀᴄh thё nôᴠel Fire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "What do you guys think this mission will involve?" Vince asked, elbowing Arthur as they strode side by side. Arthur shrugged, rolling a leather satchel in his palm. "Probably a high‑level portal break. They're cropping up everywhere lately." "You doofus," Greg snorted, weaving through the group. "If it were a high‑level beast portal break, the second or third years would handle it." "Well, whatever it is," Raze mused, "Amir calling us directly means it's important—and that he trusts us to nail it." 'They really don't know what they're getting into,' thought the messenger as they paused before a pair of ornate double doors. Gold inlays shimmered around Lunaria's winged crest. Amir's voice boomed from inside: "Come in!" They pushed open the doors, revealing a spacious office bathed in morning light. Stacks of mission parchments lined one wall; a large oak desk stood at the far end, behind which Captain Amir sat, his expression both warm and grave. "Welcome, all ten of you," Amir greeted, rising to meet them. The chair creaked softly as he swept his gaze over each face. Grey stepped forward. "You have a mission for us, Captain?" His tone was calm, precise. Amir nodded, motioning them in. "First, allow me to commend your efforts. In just two months, you ascended from Iron to Bronze rank—a feat many cannot claim. Bronze may not glimmer like Gold, but your dedication shone through. I've observed your drive—particularly one grumpy student among you," he added, eyebrows arching toward Grey. A ripple of guilty—and proud—glances passed among the group. 'Of course it's Grey's doing,' they each thought, whether through admiration or envy. "But enough praise," Amir said, leaning forward. "An urgent mission has appeared, and it will be your greatest challenge yet." Greg's jaw snapped shut. "What is it?" "A dungeon has manifested," Amir announced, voice dropping. "A dungeon?!" All ten voices rose in startled unison. Grey's mind raced back to Instructor Clark's warnings: dungeons materialize at ley‑line intersections, labyrinthine by design, riddled with traps, and rumored to house artifacts of immeasurable power. Few who entered ever returned unchanged. "What… what level is this dungeon?" Vince asked, swallowing audibly. "Level Nine," Amir replied, gaze steady. A hush fell. 'Clark said Level Eleven is the baseline for fierce beasts of Level Two to Three… Level Nine could harbor monsters of legendary might,' Grey realized, pulse quickening. "You will encounter beasts primarily of Level Five and Six—and perhaps even Level Seven," Amir continued, his tone matter‑of‑fact. "And you want us to go?" Jay's shout cracked the silence. "We barely escaped a Level Seven beast two months ago!" Amir's eyes flashed steel. "This academy is a crucible, not a sanctuary. Here, you forge yourselves against every threat. If you shrink from this trial, the doors stand open—and you will lose stars for refusal." A collective gulp echoed around the chamber as the weight of those words sank in. Grey clenched his fists beneath his cloak, resolve flaring. 'I can't let my stars be docked,' he thought. 'I have to face this.' Amir's expression softened. "You will not go completely alone. A squad of second‑year mages will accompany you." Gordon craned his neck. "A joint mission? But I can't see the second years anywhere here. Isn't this supposed to be an urgent mission? Then where are they?" "Captain!" They all heard a voice calling from the hallway. "Come in," Amir called, and the door swung open. Five second‑years strode in: two burly young men and three confident young women, each distinct in appearance. The first man was broad‑shouldered, his robe half‑slung off one shoulder, a blue bandana wound around his brow. The second was shorter, round glasses glinting on his face, forearms wrapped in white bandages. The trio of women included a statuesque figure whose figure strained the buttons of her robe, a mysterious beauty in sleek black attire that hinted at deadly precision, and a graceful girl in flowing violet robes that matched her hair. Their confident strides spoke of hard‑earned skill. Grey barely blinked—he had neither time nor interest in weak allies. But his teammates studied their new partners with keen eyes. Raze and Arthur's gazes lingered on the buxom second‑year, drool nearly gathering until she shot them a scornful glance. 'Perverts,' she thought as she passed. The first years were currently eyeing their upperclassmen while the second years were examining their lowerclassmen. 'Perverts, handsome, beautiful, weak looking, arrogant.' that was how they were tagging them as they kept surveying them as their eyes landed on Grey who didn't even turn to look at them as his face was rested on Amir but he was deep in thought. "You will raid this dungeon together," Amir instructed. "You have ten minutes to introduce yourselves and coordinate. Then depart immediately." He turned and departed, leaving twenty mages in an uneasy assembly. Grey inhaled deeply, stepping away from the desk. The anxious chatter of introductions began at once. The second years couldn't care less by introductions as they looked away while Grey slowly turned around to finally acknowledge those in the room when his eyes laid on one person among the first years immediately. The purple haired female was seen introducing herself to Scarlet as the others had recognized her seeing her family's trademark red hair as they kept talking. "So who's in charge of your little group?" The bulky second year asked and naturally, everybody's eyes rested on Grey who had already zoned out looking at the purple haired female in shock. The purple haired female was also staring at Grey weirdly trying to recall where she had seen someone like him before; after the first years had acknowledged that he was the one in charge and after a few seconds, it finally clicked. "Grey?!" She called and hearing the voice, it finally clicked in Grey's mind where he had seen the female before. "Charlotte?!" Grey called out too.

Chapter 180 - 180: Joint raid mission!

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