When Conus and Ishira returned to the great hall, his team members were already waiting near the benches by the counter. The moment they entered, the atmosphere seemed to shift. Conus could feel it, their collective aura rippled like heat waves, each level clear above their heads.
Before he could take them all in, a tall woman broke away from the group and strode toward them with an energy that lit up the space.
"Captain!" she called, her tone playful and bright. "And… stars above, this must be your son."
She stopped in front of Conus, her eyes immediately drawn to the tattoo beneath his right eye. A slow, appreciative smile curved her lips. "Well, that is something. Beautiful and dangerous. I like it." She winked.
Heat crept up Conus's neck. He managed a small, awkward smile. "Thanks."
Alice grinned wider. She was striking, her short dark hair brushing her jawline, pale skin contrasting against her gothic-styled gear. Belts, black fabric, and a lean frame made her look agile and ready for anything. .
The rest of the team approached as Ishira greeted them warmly.
Konnor came first. He was a short man with a smirk that made him look mischievous. He clapped Ishira on the shoulder. "Hello Captain. Took your time upstairs, eh?. And this must be the reason? Not bad. Horand already mentioned you'd be coming with us on a raid." He said to Conus.
"So, it seems." Conus replied calmly.
Another member of the team, Christian stood a little behind, arms folded, gaze keen. Just barely older than Alice, perhaps in his early twenties, he carried himself with quiet respect. His nod to Ishira was simple. "Captain."
Alan came next, same age gap as Christian, his restless eyes darting everywhere but to people's faces. His greeting was no more than a silent nod, lips pressed into a thin line.
And finally Lily. She was the smallest of the group, delicate almost to the point of being fragile, yet she carried a weapon that seemed absurd against her frame: a massive black scythe nearly twice her size.
She murmured a shy 'hello', her fingers tightening around the staff. Conus stared, not out of mockery but in disbelief. She looked like she could snap under its weight, yet she held it steady.
Ishira's smile broadened, his voice filling the hall. "Good to see you all here and ready."
The team then approached Horand's counter. He pushed aside a stack of papers and leaned closer, his tone shifting to business.
"Portal is E-rank, Kroll County. Twenty minutes out. Authorization papers are prepared." He handed Ishira a sealed envelope stamped with the government crest.
"Only four Orders were cleared. Feridale already entered," Horand said.
Ishira accepted the envelope with a nod. "We will handle it."
"Then may the goddess watch your path," Horand replied.
The team turned as one. Conus adjusted the sword at his hip, his heart drumming faster with each step. His first raid was no longer a dream.
They filed into a black van parked by the curb. Christian took the wheel, while Ishira claimed the passenger seat. Conus slid into the back, the leather of his new combat gear still stiff.
As the van rolled out, Conus let his eyes wander, not to faces but to the glowing numbers above them.
Alice was Level 44 (E). Konnor was Level 41(E). Alan, Christian, Lily were in all in the thirties. All comfortable E-rankers.
Then there was him. Level 7. F-rank.
Alice leaned in slightly, her elbow brushing his. "So, Conus. Thinking of joining us? Aurefila is not such a bad place, you know."
He blinked at her and smiled. "Still deciding."
Across the row, Konnor scoffed. "Deciding? Kid, there is no decision. Aurefila is the best Order in Bernap."
Conus tilted his head, the corner of his mouth curling. "Only Bernap? Not the whole continent?"
Alice bit back a laugh. Even Lily's shy lips curved into a small smile.
Konnor groaned. "Do you know how big the continent is? Ninety-eight countries in just our continent. Ten thousand Orders at least. Being the best here is more than enough."
Conus leaned back, satisfied. "If you say so."
The van slowed down, and Ishira's voice sounded from the front. "We are here."
They climbed out together, boots crunching on gravel.
Conus stopped cold. Ahead swirled a portal. This was his first time seeing one up close. He had seen them on TV or the internet, but it was different seeing one in person.
It was a massive vortex of blue energy, its surface rippling like liquid lightning, its tone low and deep, a sound that seemed to settle in his bones. It was beautiful and terrifying, a wound in reality itself.
Chaos surrounded it. Normies crowded behind barricades, phones raised, voices lifted in awe. Most of the shouts were for Alice, whose grin widened as she lifted a hand casually waving at them.
"You are popular," Conus muttered.
Alice shrugged. "Comes with the face." She winked at him.
They moved forward. A man in a sharp black suit stepped into their path. His hair was slicked back, his eyes cold and precise.
"Authorization?" His voice was clipped.
Ishira handed him the envelope. The agent broke the seal, scanned the papers, and gave a short nod. A heavy stamp marked the approval.
"Approved. Did you bring porters?"
"No," Ishira said.
The agent turned. "Mason."
A man stepped forward, rough around the edges, his coveralls stained with grease. "Sir."
"Ready your squad," the agent ordered.
Porters? Conus blinked, confused. The man had no aura. He was no pugnator.
Konnor caught his look and smirked. "Don't stare, rookie. Porters are just trained Normies. They go in with us to harvest white crystals, sometimes carve up dead Otherworlders. Dangerous work, but the pay is good."
Ishira's voice sounded from the side, adding to what Konnor had said. "And it is our job to make sure they leave alive."
Moments later, Mason returned with four more, each in stained overalls as well.
"Reporting in," Mason said. "Three hundred an hour."
Conus's eyes widened. Three hundred an hour. No wonder they were willing to risk their lives. The pay was very generous.
Ishira nodded. "Agreed. Stay close to my team, and you will live to spend it."
They moved toward the swirling gate. The air grew colder, charged, heavy with power. Conus tightened his grip on the sheath at his side, his pulse quickening. The blue light reflected across his eyes as he drew closer.
And then, together, they all stepped through.