After finishing the theory class, Raii looked at the students.
"Alright. The theory class is over."
"Now all of you will receive a task. Those who complete it will receive special rewards."
The entire class suddenly became excited.
"What kind of rewards?" Jimmy asked loudly.
Mare replied, "I don't know… but this is going to be fun!"
Raii frowned.
"Why are you all talking? Listen carefully."
The class immediately went silent.
"Your mission is simple," Raii continued.
"You must go to Darkwood Forest."
"In that forest you will find guardians. When you defeat one, it will drop a Red Stone."
"You must collect three Red Stones."
"The rules are simple."
"You are not allowed to interfere with other teams."
"If anyone fights another team… they will be immediately disqualified."
"Understood?"
Everyone nodded.
"Then get out of here and start the mission."
The students stared at him.
Raii suddenly shouted,
"Why are you still here?! Move!"
"Come back only after finishing the task!"
Everyone quickly rushed outside.
--------
Team Formation
Students began forming teams.
Many of them tried to join Horobi's team, since he was the top-ranked student.
Mare walked toward Horobi.
"Hey Horobi… if you don't mind… can I join your team?"
Before Horobi could reply, Mio spoke.
"No. We don't need you."
Horobi frowned.
"Mio, don't say that."
Then he turned to Mare.
"You can join us."
Mare smiled.
"But Mio, why do you always talk like that?"
Mio glared at him.
"Talk too much and I'll break your face."
Mare immediately moved behind Liora.
"Okay… I'm quiet."
Liora sighed.
"Alright, alright… stop fighting."
Horobi nodded.
"Fine. Our team is me, Mio, Liora, and Mare."
At that moment, Abyss appeared beside Horobi.
Liora looked at the dragon.
"Yes, yes… you're part of the team too."
Everyone started heading toward Darkwood Forest.
-------
Inside Darkwood Forest
For Horobi, this entire situation felt like a video game quest.
After searching the forest for two days, they finally found a Water Guardian.
Mare was eager to attack.
"Let's go!"
But Horobi stopped him.
"Wait. I have a plan."
He explained the strategy.
First Mio would attack from the front.
Mare would strike from behind.
Meanwhile Liora and Horobi would wait for the perfect moment.
The battle began.
Mio launched the first attack.
The guardian tried to dodge, but her magic struck it.
Angered, the Water Guardian rushed toward Mare.
At that moment—
Liora's Snake Spirit suddenly appeared and wrapped around the guardian.
Its poison weakened the creature.
"Now!" Horobi shouted.
Horobi rushed forward and attacked repeatedly.
Already weakened by poison, the Water Guardian couldn't resist.
With one final strike—
Horobi destroyed it.
A Red Stone dropped to the ground.
Liora quickly grabbed it.
The four of them sat down to rest.
Mare sighed.
"Man… I thought I was going to die."
"Liora saved me."
Liora smirked.
"Oh really?"
"Then as payment… stay far away from us."
Mare looked confused.
"What kind of payment is that?"
"Does that mean I have to stay with you guys forever?"
Liora glared.
"Don't even think about it."
After resting, they continued deeper into the forest.
------
The Moon Hunters
Two days later, they found another guardian.
But they didn't realize something else was waiting for them.
Hidden among the trees were a group called the Moon Hunters.
Their leader spoke quietly.
"So that is the dragon…"
"Its mana is incredible."
Another man smiled.
"And the best part… it came straight to us."
The leader nodded.
"Yes… opportunities like this don't come often."
"Let's begin."
--------
The Ambush
The moment Horobi's team arrived.
Several mages suddenly appeared.
Their target was Abyss.
Horobi immediately sensed a strange mana.
He pulled Abyss aside, avoiding the attack.
"Who are you?" Horobi asked.
One of the hunters laughed.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Horobi narrowed his eyes.
"Why are you targeting Abyss?"
Another hunter replied,
"Because that dragon is a treasure."
Before he finished speaking—
Horobi attacked and knocked him down.
"Leave now," Horobi said coldly.
The hunters burst into laughter.
Horobi stepped forward slowly.
He looked back at Mio and Liora.
"Mio, Liora — handle the rest."
"This one is mine."
Barak laughed loudly.
"You? Fight me?"
"Do you even know who I am?"
"I am Barak of the Moon Hunters, an Arch Demon Rank mage."
Horobi's eyes became cold.
"I don't care who you are."
"You're not taking Abyss."
Barak smirked.
"Then die with it."
Suddenly Barak rushed forward and launched a powerful attack.
Horobi barely had time to react.
BOOM!
The attack threw him back several meters.
But Horobi quickly stood up again.
Barak looked slightly impressed.
"Oh? You're still standing?"
Horobi wiped the blood from his mouth.
Then he raised his hand.
Flames appeared around his sword.
"Let's see how long your arrogance lasts."
Barak attacked again.
Horobi dodged and countered immediately.
"Demon Art — Demon Blade!"
A powerful slash of dark energy struck Barak.
For the first time, Barak's defense cracked.
Barak's eyes widened.
"Impossible…"
"You broke my defense?!"
His expression turned furious.
"You insolent brat!"
Barak raised his hand.
"Awaken Sin!"
A dark magic wave spread toward Horobi.
The spell was meant to make the enemy lose control.
But nothing happened.
Barak frowned.
"What…?"
He immediately tried another spell.
"Dominate Person!"
Still nothing.
Horobi simply looked at him calmly.
Barak clenched his teeth.
"Fine."
"If I can't control you… I'll crush you."
He activated another spell.
"Ray of Enfeeblement."
A dark beam struck Horobi.
Suddenly his body felt extremely heavy.
His mana started disappearing.
Horobi dropped to one knee.
Barak raised his hand for the final attack.
"Heart Crush."
"Die."
But just as the spell was about to hit---
CLANG!
A chain suddenly blocked the attack.
Barak froze.
"...What?"
A calm voice suddenly echoed through the forest.
"That's enough."
Behind them stood Raii.
His eyes were cold.and an overwhelming pressure filled the area.
Azen's body was already lying on the ground.
Dead.
Before Barak could react—
Chains wrapped around his body.
He was completely immobilized.
Raii spoke calmly.
"You people…"
"Have a lot of courage attacking my students.
At that moment, the students realized something shocking.
Raii was far stronger than they thought.
He was at least Arch Demon Rank… maybe even higher.
With a small movement of his hand, the chains tightened painfully around Barak's body.
Barak screamed, unable to break free.
Raii then paralyzed him completely and bound him with another sealing spell.
"You're coming with me," Raii said calmly.
Barak could do nothing but glare at him in hatred.
Nearby, Mio noticed something.
A Red Stone had fallen during the battle.
She picked it up.
Abyss's dark flames had also destroyed the guardian earlier.
Which meant—
They now had three Red Stones.
The test was over.
Danzo's team claimed they collected three stones first.
Mio wanted to argue… but stayed silent.
Raii spoke.
"When these four recover… I'll announce the results."
"Until then, continue your training."
After capturing Barak, Raii immediately headed toward the Grand Master's chamber.
The Moon Hunters appearing here… was not a coincidence.
Meanwhile, Horobi, Mio, and Liora returned home.