Chapter 124: Mission Hall (2)

Kyle muttered the names of missions as he looked through the glowing text on the mission boards, searching for something that matched his criteria.He wanted a mission that will enable him to be out there, among people, not hidden away in a remote corner of the world on some solitary quest.

Missions that would keep him isolated didn't appeal; Kyle preferred one that required group effort and human interaction, something where he could engage and learn on multiple levels.

"Find the Ancient Rune in the Windspire Ruins… pass.

Document rare flora in the Silent Forest… no thanks.

Retrieve the Aegis Gem from deep within the Abyssal Caverns…definitely not."

The Exploration and Research missions all felt painfully repetitive and mundane. Their purposes boiled down to tracking down an object or gathering information, and the objectives left little room for excitement.

None of them had the thrill of combat or the adrenaline rush he craved. The board displayed Exploration missions like

[Map Out the Forgotten Canyon's Labyrinths], [Document Magical Life in the Iridescent Swamps], [Retrieve the Twilight Crystal in the Shadowed Vale] and many more.

Each one, while technically challenging, would have him wandering alone in secluded, eerie environments, likely spending days just collecting data or tracing obscure paths.

'Too boring,' Kyle thought, already moving on. He wasn't interested in wandering around taking notes or collecting specimens.

He had more pressing goals, like improving his combat skills, testing himself against real threats and most importantly seeing more of the world. That left him with only one option: Combat missions.

The Combat section promised more excitement, but they weren't all created equal. Kyle leaned in, muttering the mission names as he read their descriptions, carefully considering his options.

[Wanted: Firefang Alpha. Track down the leader of a rogue Firefang pack terrorizing outlying farms]

"Eh, sounds interesting," Kyle muttered. "But I don't feel like chasing wild beasts solo in the woods."

His eyes roved over another, [Secure the Valley of Glimmer Stones from hostile elementals.]

This one was open to pairs or groups and required students to secure the valley from attacks, yet it was labeled red—advanced difficulty.

He wasn't in the mood to bite off more than he could chew, especially not solo against elementals whom Kyle had learned of to be very strong. Searᴄh the novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Must be a mission for other years," Kyle concluded.

Another mission quickly caught his eye:

[Purge the Wraith Nest in the Ashen Keep.]

The Ashen Keep, an old castle ruin, was rumored to be overrun by shadow wraiths. Kyle could imagine the haunting silence, punctuated only by the whisper of wraiths in the dark.

But something about the solitary nature of facing down hordes of spirits in a desolate place made him pause. As much as he enjoyed a good thrill, the isolation didn't appeal.

Finally, his gaze settled on a yellow-colored mission that had seemed like it just appeared on the screen.

It was titled, [Defense Against the Beast Tide]. Kyle's eyes lit up instantly. This was exactly what he was looking for: a mission with the right mix of challenge and exploration.

The mission description read:

> [A small village, Windrest, is facing an imminent beast tide—an overwhelming surge of feral creatures pouring in from the wildlands. Join forces with other students to assist the local forces in defending the village.

Objective: Hold back the tide and protect the villagers. Maximum participants: 5 students.]

Beast tides were notorious in the academy for their intensity. Creatures that typically lurked in the wilderness were suddenly stirred up, swarming in a chaotic frenzy and moving in a single direction.

They were unpredictable and brutally relentless, usually drawn by mysterious forces or disturbances in the mana flow.

The academy offered beast tide missions sparingly due to their chaotic nature, and students who undertook them were sure to face an onslaught of fast-paced action and brutal challenges.

"Oh, this is perfect," Kyle muttered, reading over the details again. "A real chance to test my limits, plus I'll be with others. It's not just about fighting one or two beasts—I'll be facing a horde. Exactly the kind of pressure I need."

His pulse quickened with excitement. The mission required defensive tactics, something he wanted to practice in real-time combat. Experience tales at M V L

His mind was already racing with ideas for different spell combinations, ways to keep the village safe, and how he could use the [Frozen Claw] to both attack and shield others.

More importantly, the beast tide provided the type of chaotic battleground where he could prove himself, where each decision and every move could turn the tide.

Not to mention, it would provide him with a solid chance to demonstrate his growth and strength alongside others rather than in isolation.

There was a kind of satisfaction that came from fighting in sync with a team and knowing that he'd contributed to a greater cause.

At that moment, a soft chime indicated a change in the mission's availability. Four out of the five spots had already been taken, leaving only one spot open.

Kyle's reaction was instantaneous—his finger shot out and tapped on the mission prompt without hesitation, confirming his selection.

In a quick flash, his choice was registered, and a small enchanted slip of paper printed out from the dispenser below the mission board.

A satisfied grin spread across his face as he held the slip in his hand. The other students around the board groaned in frustration, having missed the opportunity.

Kyle could hear a few mutters of, "Ugh, too late," and "Damn, that would have been the perfect one." But he couldn't help feeling a little triumphant.

As he looked over the details on the slip, Kyle felt more certain than ever that this mission was right for him. Defending against a beast tide was challenging for even seasoned students, but he was ready.

The constant onslaught of creatures would give him the exact type of fight he was looking for—a test of endurance, strength, and strategy all wrapped in one chaotic package.

And there was something deeper, too. In defending a village, Kyle would have a taste of the real world too. He would get to interact with all others and would also feel the pressure of the Mission's importance. If they failed, the village and its inhabitants would be in danger.

That weight of responsibility gave him an added sense of purpose. He wasn't just fighting for himself this time; he'd be fighting to protect others.

"Beast tides are brutal," he murmured to himself, recalling the stories he had read from the library.

"They just keep coming. No pauses, no time to rest. Perfect time to use my Infinite mana."

His mind began running through possible strategies. The main advantage of his lightning element was speed and control over distance.

He could hold off large numbers of beasts by striking quickly and retreating, using the range of his attacks to prevent getting overwhelmed.

Void's voice rang through their mental link, [A beast tide, huh? Sounds like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Just tell me where to jump in.]

Kyle smirked. 'Oh, I'll make sure you're front and you're in every part of it. Do you think you're up to handling a wave of hungry beasts?'

[Absolutely,] There was a pause as Void's excitement radiated through the bond. [This is going to be wild. Just let me loose on them. I'll shock and devour whatever they throw our way.]

The thought of Void by his side gave Kyle an added boost of confidence. With Void's abilities and his own, they'd be a formidable force on the battlefield.

The beast tide wasn't just a test of survival; it was a chance for them to evolve together as a team. Of course there was a problem of how Kyle would expose Void in the mission, but he had formulated plans on how that would play out prior to choosing a mission.

With a final glance at the mission board, Kyle started to make his way toward the counters at the back of the hall to finalize his mission selection.

The enchanted slip in his hand practically burned with excitement. He couldn't wait to officially secure his place and prepare for the upcoming battle.

As he approached, he noticed a few of the other students who had successfully registered for the same mission.

They glanced back at him with a interest and happiness, sizing him up as he joined them in line.

They were all his classmates. Kyle might not individually recognize them, but they definetely recognized him and their expressions showed how please they were for being in his team and Kyle wasn't going to dissapoint them.