CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105 - THE MISSION IN PAIR (1)

Luca entered Class A’s lecture hall, hair still slightly damp from shower after daily morning training. The sun filtering through the grand arched windows bathed the room in a golden hue, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. As usual, he made his way to his seat near the back, the one with the perfect view of both the chalkboard and the door.

Eric was already there, lounging with his arms behind his head. "Yo," he said, grinning. "Survived the morning massacre?"

Luca dropped into his seat beside him, smirking. "Barely. The training dummies hit harder than the senior knights these days."

"Hah, maybe they’ve been cursed too."

They exchanged a few more quips about breakfast, mana control, and the other unimportant shit, until the classroom’s cheerful buzz was abruptly silenced.

The doors opened with a gentle creak, and Seraphina stepped in.

Her sky-blue hair was tied in its usual tight bun, not a strand out of place. She wore her signature dark academy robes, pressed to perfection, and a stern look that could make even the Tower Master flinch. Her presence alone demanded silence—and she got it.

"I have an announcement to make."

Eric groaned beside Luca and muttered under his breath, "What’s with these announcements every day?"

Luca gave a small nod of agreement, leaning forward slightly. But when Seraphina spoke again, the air grew heavy.

"Due to the recent increase in Devil Cult activity across the continent," she began, her voice like ice over steel, "Arcadia Academy has been formally requested to assist in investigation and disruption efforts. This directive comes from the Central Council of Magic and the Grand Order itself."

Gasps and murmurs swept through the room. Even Luca sat up straighter.

"Senior students may undertake missions solo," Seraphina continued, "but for all first-years, it is mandatory to take on missions in pairs. You may accept missions only if you believe you can catch up with the missed lectures. Sufficient merits and rewards will be granted based on the mission difficulty and success rate."

A wave of murmurs and hushed conversations erupted.

Luca narrowed his eyes slightly. What the—? Wasn’t this supposed to happen in the second year? He tapped his fingers on the desk, thinking. Then again, the Devil Cult going public wasn’t supposed to happen this early either. The game timeline is already messed up... makes sense that this part got pushed forward too.

"Are you going to accept a mission?" Eric asked, his tone more casual than curious.

Luca nodded slowly. "I’ll manage." as he thought ,The first-year content isn’t that difficult anyway.

"Of course you would, Mr. Topper," Eric teased.

Luca asked back. "What about you?"

Eric smirked ,"Me? I stay a hundred feet away from anything that smells like danger."

As among the murmurs of the students, the lecture continued.

Luca’s mind wandered. Now... who should I partner up with? He glanced at Eric, but that was out. Maybe Aurelia? It doesn’t say anything about not partnering with second-years... and she wouldn’t say no.

Just as he began to make up his mind, class ended and chaos ensued. Desks screeched, chairs shuffled, and students darted from seat to seat, trying to snatch a reliable partner before they were taken.

Then—footsteps. A familiar, composed presence approached.

Luca looked up just as Selena stopped beside his desk. Her white hair swayed with each step, and her usual cold expression was as unreadable as ever.

"Want to pair up for the mission?" she asked, her tone flat and direct.

Luca blinked. Of all people... "Why me?" he asked, brow raised. "Why not partner with Aide—" He stopped himself. Right. Lilliane probably wouldn’t allow that.

He tried again. "What about Kyle?"

"He mumbled something about teaming up with Aurelia so he could take a harder mission and ’catch up.’"

Luca facepalmed. Well... there goes my plan.

Selena narrowed her eyes. "If it’s such a headache to partner with me, then forget it."

Her words were sharp, and she turned slightly, ready to walk away.

"No—wait!" Luca said quickly, grabbing her wrist before he could think. "I was just... thinking about something else. Let’s partner up."

Selena looked at his hand, then at him.

Realizing it, he let go awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"...Sorry."

She turned her eyes away and nodded coolly. "Let’s go check the mission board. We’ll choose something appropriate."

"Yeah," Luca said, falling into step beside her as they left the classroom.

The corridor outside the Mission Hall buzzed with quiet excitement and the faint hum of tension. Pinboards stretched along the walls, plastered with parchment sheets stamped with the academy’s insignia—each one listing a different task awaiting brave volunteers. Above each board, glowing glyphs denoted difficulty levels: green for basic errands, blue for standard combat or scouting, red for high-risk combat, and black—Second year onwards

Selena and Luca stood side by side, cold eyes and thoughtful expressions flickering over each sheet.

Mission #014 – Location: Ashpine Forest Outskirts

Objective: Scout suspicious movements reported near the old graveyard.

Reward: 50 Credits

Difficulty: Blue

"Too easy," Selena murmured.

Luca agreed silently, his gaze drifting to another parchment.

Mission #029 – Location: Eastern Valley

Objective: Investigate thefts at a merchant outpost. Possible cult involvement suspected.

Reward: 70 Credits

Difficulty: Blue+

"Hm," Luca tilted his head. "Could be a decoy. The Devil Cult rarely works this openly in outposts. They’re smarter than that."

Selena gave a faint nod in agreement, her cold eyes narrowing slightly. "Too indirect."

They continued down the corridor, glancing past other pairs of students debating over their choices. Many first-years hovered near the green or blue boards. Few even looked toward the red section.

Mission #041 – Location: Frostveil Village Ruins

Objective: Exorcise lingering dark miasma.

Note: Likely remnants from Devil Cult ritual.

Reward: 90 Credits

Difficulty: Red

"This one?" Selena offered coolly.

Luca read it carefully, then shook his head. "Not worth the risk. That miasma takes days to clear even with purification support. We’d be grounded in one place too long, and I don’t want to get tied down."

Selena gave a slight hum of acknowledgment. No complaint. No protest.

They walked deeper until the light dimmed, lanterns flickering gently as they reached the far end—where parchment with heavier seals and silver glyphs marked special access missions. Technically reserved for second-years or older students.

Mission #078 – Location: Thornshade Hamlet

Objective: Intercept and eliminate Devil Cult operatives rumored to be conducting live sacrifices.

Note: High threat. Confirmed devil cult activity. Unstable mana field in vicinity.

Reward: 180 Credits

Difficulty: Black

Eligibility: 2nd Years and above

Selena’s eyes narrowed slightly. "That’s not for us. Look at the eligibility mark."

"They didn’t say we can’t take it, and anyway we both are as strong as a normal second year" Luca replied, gaze fixed on the parchment.

She turned to look at him, expression unreadable. "You want to take this?"

His eyes lingered on the mission name. Thornshade Hamlet... The memory surged forth from the game. That place—when I had reached it as a player—had already been reduced to ash. The villagers were gone. The forest bled red. The Cult’s ritual had summoned something they should never have touched.

He remembered searching through the ruined corpses and scorched ground, trying to find the hidden piece buried beneath it all.

But now...

This is a chance to prevent that.

The corner of his lip twitched ever so slightly. "Yeah. This is the one."

And the hidden piece may just be the bonus.

Selena studied his expression for a moment. She must’ve sensed something—some weight behind the decision. But instead of questioning, she gave a faint nod.

"Fine."

As they approached to register for the mission there was quite a lot of disagreement there, but Luca and Selena refused to back down.

Finally they had to bring Seraphina’s letter of recommendation as they were allotted the mission.

Luca was quite happy getting the mission he wanted as he hummed a tone.

Selena asked "When are we leaving?"

Luca looked serious then as he looked at the sheet in his hand as he said "We can’t let any more lives be sacrificed, let’s leave tomorrow."

As Selena nodded.

And on the next day they left the Academy.