Task Squad

Dago went downstairs, found Yutton, and asked him about the procedure for accepting the mission.

"The mission was posted yesterday, and not many people know about it. Wizard Dago, are you sure you want to accept such a dangerous mission?"

Dago nodded. He was mainly after the Spiritglow Potion. He had not expected the Academy to put out such a precious potion, so naturally, he had to give it a try.

"All right, then. Go register with that fierce-looking wizard over there." Yutton pointed at an Academy wizard in the distance.

"Thank you." Dago headed toward the wizard.

Before long, Dago learned about the requirements for participating in the mission. They only needed five wizards with the strength of Third-Level Apprentices or above. Once the mission was complete, everyone would receive rewards based on their contributions.

The person with the greatest contribution could become a disciple of a Formal Wizard from the Academy, while even the one with the least contribution could receive ten Mid-Grade Magic Stones.

Dago asked about the contribution required to obtain a Spiritglow Potion. He would need to rank second in the squad's contributions to receive one.

He stepped aside to ponder, weighing whether the risks and rewards met his expectations.

During this time, he also saw the young wizard who had stormed out of the tavern earlier registering and signing the agreement.

It seemed he had set his sights on the mission's greatest reward, even to the point of clashing with his family.

Before long, Dago decided to join the mission squad. Given his current strength, he could contend with a Half-Step Formal Wizard.

Besides, he had already killed Raymond, a Half-Step Formal Wizard, though that victory had been perilously close.

Dago approached the rugged-looking wizard and expressed his intention to participate. The man took out a sheet of paper and handed it to Dago.

Dago examined the mission agreement carefully. Once he confirmed there were no problems, he signed his name: Dago Heka.

The rugged wizard took the agreement, glanced at the signature, and said with a smile, "Member Dago, welcome to the mission squad. I'm Ed, your captain for this mission. I hope we work well together."

Dago nodded and replied with a smile, "Likewise, Captain Ed."

"We'll gather at Wizard Hall at noon five days from now. No problem?"

Dago nodded to indicate that there was no problem. He would not easily give up this chance to obtain a Spiritglow Potion.

The five days before the mission would be enough for him to make some small improvements.

Before returning, Dago went to Academy Square and bought a large number of Inferior Mental Potions and Healing Potions, preparing for five days of grueling cultivation.

After finishing his shopping spree, Dago returned to Wizard Inn. Next, he would begin cultivating like an ascetic monk.

Five days later, at eleven in the morning, the warm sun shone upon the snow-white, dilapidated Aina Town.

Inside the dim room at Wizard Inn, Dago used his pale right hand to draw back the curtains. Empty potion bottles lay scattered all over the floor. He patted his wizard robe, activated the Cleansing Rune, and removed the stale odor that had accumulated over the past few days.

Pushing open the door and stepping outside, Dago found the courtyard blazing with sunlight. He narrowed his eyes, taking a moment to adjust to the daylight he had rarely seen over the past five days, then headed toward Wizard Hall.

Entering Wizard Hall, he swept his gaze around and locked onto the rugged-faced Academy wizard, Ed.

"Good afternoon, Captain Ed." Dago walked over and greeted him warmly.

"You're here, Member Dago. It's still early. The other members are still on their way." Ed nodded with a smile.

Not long after, the young wizard Dago had seen five days ago arrived nearby. His parents had come with him.

The young wizard and his father embraced the female wizard in farewell, exchanging reluctant goodbyes before parting.

Afterward, the wizard father and son walked over to Ed and began speaking with him.

This greatly surprised Dago. He had not expected the wizard father to join this mission squad alongside his son.

"Hello, Dago. I'm Herid." The young wizard greeted Dago with a smile.

"Hello, I'm Wilton, Herid's father. It's a pleasure to meet such an outstanding wizard as you." The young wizard's father greeted Dago as well.

Dago shook hands with the father and son one by one. This was a newly popular etiquette in the wizarding world, using the movement of the arm to confirm whether someone had concealed a wand or another offensive weapon.

Then he stepped aside and remained silent, watching the three converse.

He was observing the members' strength and personalities. Only sufficient information and a proper understanding of it could keep him from exposing flaws in this completely unfamiliar world.

Or from losing his life for nothing by overlooking some seemingly insignificant "detail."

Dago did not believe in improvisation. Adapting on the spot was merely an excuse for failing to make proper plans.

Only by knowing himself thoroughly, understanding his limits and objectives, and having a basic grasp of the situation could he know what to do at any moment, rather than panic aimlessly and drift with the current.

Four wizards had arrived at the meeting point so far. By Dago's estimate, the mission squad should still be missing one person.

Suddenly, Dago's gaze froze on an Academy wizard who had just entered Wizard Hall.

He was an indifferent-looking young wizard, fairly handsome, but the arrogance that occasionally showed between his brows made him seem difficult to get along with.

He walked straight to Ed and nodded at him. After surveying the people behind Ed, he exuded an air unlike that of wandering wizards, the bearing of a favored child of heaven.

Herid and Dago both showed obvious reactions before turning their faces away coldly, thinking the same thing: Which Academy lord was this now?

The atmosphere within the mission squad suddenly turned awkward.

In the end, Ed stepped in to smooth things over. "This is Lai Qiong from the Academy. He's very capable. Like me, he possesses the combat strength of a Half-Step Formal Wizard."

Dago and the Wilton father and son looked at him in surprise. This Academy wizard, who appeared to be only around twenty, was actually a Half-Step Formal Wizard. No wonder he could not be bothered to look anyone in the eye.

That meant the entire squad had three combatants at the Half-Step Formal Wizard level. Of course, Dago had reported his own realm as that of a high-level apprentice, concealing a little of his strength.

"Since everyone in the mission squad has arrived, if there are no questions, let's set out."

Ed carried an unquestionable authority, and everyone in the group began moving.

The group followed Ed in silence, winding through streets and alleys filled with snow and potholes until they arrived at a two-story cottage in the eastern district of the town.

Ed lit the fire brazier prepared in the center of the cottage, driving away the chill they had brought in from the journey.

He reached to his waist and grabbed, instantly producing a small parchment map covered with the layout of the town's streets and buildings, as well as locations specially marked with red circles.

Ed exhaled a large cloud of mist, cleared his throat, and said, "All right, I need to explain the details of this mission."

The other four all listened intently.

"Our main mission is to destroy the Blood Pool base established by the Duskblood Council in the eastern district. According to information sent back by the scouts we have already lost, the base is located in the fifth house on Third Street in the eastern district."

"The base has roughly a dozen Black-Robed Wizards stationed there, but there is no need to worry. The Academy will dispatch an airship to assist us with this mission."

"At two in the afternoon, the airship will bombard the base for ten minutes before withdrawing. What we need to do is coordinate with the bombardment from the ground and eliminate the Black-Robed Wizards on the ground."

"Everyone, you must eradicate this Blood Pool base. After the mission is complete, contribution values will be determined by the number of Black-Robed Wizards each person kills, and you will receive rewards from the Academy. Do you all understand?"

"After we collect our rewards, I'll treat everyone on the team to a proper drinking session at the wizard tavern."

After quickly laying out the mission's objective, Ed ended by promising to treat them.

All the members except Dago wore confident smiles after hearing this. Herid, in particular, even looked somewhat excited.

Dago watched coldly. No matter what, he would never believe this mission would be as easy and straightforward as Ed had made it sound.