The academy changed after that.

Seris was given her own workshop inside the academy grounds. It wasn't large, but it had better tools, rare materials, and permission to use the academy's core forge. She spent most of her time there, improving the golem armor and creating simpler versions that could be used by ordinary students.

Orders kept coming.

Defense-type armor for knights.

Lightweight versions for scouts.

Reinforced frames for mages who needed protection while casting.

The academy prioritized students who would be sent to border missions. Survival rates improved almost immediately.

Mike returned to his usual training routine.

He trained alone most of the time, focusing on mana control and close-combat efficiency. Even though his raw power was high, he was careful not to rely on it too much.

I still don't have a mana-boosting talent, he thought. I'll have to manage what I have.

Elina often trained nearby, watching his movements and copying what she could. She had learned that Mike's strength didn't come from brute force alone, but from timing and control.

The instructors began adjusting training schedules.

Advanced combat classes were added. Team battles became more common. Golem units were introduced as sparring partners.

Everyone could see it.

The academy was preparing for something bigger.

One evening, Mike was called to the headmaster's office.

Elina waited outside while he stepped in.

Elenaora Grambell looked at him calmly.

"Your growth rate is abnormal," she said. "And your presence draws strong people toward you."

Mike didn't deny it.

"You will be sent on an external mission soon," the headmaster continued. "Normally we sent students from fourth year only but you are eligible for it."

She slid a simple mission file across the desk.

"Prepare yourself," she said. "You will leave in 3 days from now on."

Mike picked up the file and nodded.

"I understand."

Elenaora watched him for a moment, then spoke again.

"For this mission, you may take two students with you," she said. "Choose carefully. This will not be a training exercise."

Mike looked up. "Understood."

He looked back down at the mission file and opened it.

Mission Type: Emergency Rescue

Location: Border region, western sector

Situation: A hidden village has gone underground to avoid undead detection.

Threat: Undead patrols are increasing. Discovery is likely.

Supplies: Food for seven days remaining.

Objective: Locate the village, secure an escape route, and evacuate survivors.

Mike's eyes narrowed slightly.

Undead near the border… so it's already spreading this far.

"This mission is usually handled by academy squads or knights," Mike said.

"Yes," Elenaora replied calmly. "But the undeads patrols are only at rank 2 and lower so you are eligible."

She leaned back slightly.

"You leave in three days. Prepare equipment, supplies, and your team."

Mike closed the file. "I won't fail."

"I know," she said. "That's why I chose you."

Outside the office, Elina stood up when she saw him.

"What did she say?" Elina asked.

Mike showed her the file.

She became worried as she read it. "Undead… and civilians?"

"I'm allowed to take two people," Mike said. "I already know one of them."

Elina looked at him. "You don't even need to say it."

She met his eyes. "I'm coming."

Mike nodded. "I figured."

She was reliable, adaptable, and didn't panic under pressure. More importantly, she trusted him completely.

"One more spot," Elina said. "Seris?"

Mike thought for a moment.

"She's strong," Elina continued. "And her gear could save lives."

Mike nodded slowly. "Yeah. She's the right choice."

Seris didn't hesitate when they told her.

"A rescue mission?" she said, already grabbing her notebook. "Give me one night. I'll prep emergency gear."

She smiled sharply. "Undead are great test subjects anyway."

Elina sighed. "Yeah that is your main goal."

Over the next three days, the three of them prepared.

Seris packed portable mana batteries, reinforced armor pieces, and several modified golem cores.

Elina stocked healing supplies, food packs, and signal flares.

Mike checked weapons, mana reserves, and studied the terrain map again and again.

On the morning of departure, they stood at the academy gate.

As a professor was there " Have this if you break it you can instantly teleported back here" he said giving each of them a black bead.

Mike and the others nodded and pocketed the black beads.

"Only use it if your life is in danger," the professor added. "Once broken, the mission is over for you."

"We understand," Mike said.

The academy gates opened slowly.

Waiting outside were three horned horses. Their bodies were lean and muscular, dark mana faintly rippling around their horns. These mounts were bred for speed and endurance, far faster than normal horses and able to run for long hours without rest.

Seris whistled softly. "Nice. Academy's serious about this one."

Elina checked the saddles and straps, making sure everything was secure. "No falling off. These things don't slow down."

Mike mounted first, gripping the reins firmly. The horned horse beneath him snorted and stamped the ground, eager to move.

"Route?" Seris asked as she climbed onto hers.

"Straight to the border road," Mike replied. "Then we cut through the forest. It's faster, but riskier."

Elina nodded. "Undead prefer open ground. Forest gives us cover."

With a short signal from Mike, the three horned horses took off.

They shot forward like arrows, hooves barely touching the ground. The academy walls quickly shrank behind them, replaced by open plains and distant hills.

The wind rushed past their ears.

After an hour, the roads grew rougher. Patrol markers became more frequent. Broken signposts and abandoned carts appeared along the path.

Seris leaned closer to Mike while riding. "Mana density's changing."

"I feel it too," Mike said. "We're close."

By midday, they reached the edge of the forest. Tall, dark trees blocked out much of the light, and the air felt colder.

Mike raised a hand, signaling a stop.

The horned horses slowed and stood still, ears twitching.

He dismounted and crouched, pressing his hand to the ground.

"…Footprints," he said. "And drag marks."

Elina's grip tightened on her staff. "Undead?"

"Recent," Mike replied. "Less than a day."

Seris smiled thinly. "Then we're on time."

Mike stood up and looked deeper into the forest.

"From here on, we move carefully," he said. "No noise we don't need."

They led the horned horses into the trees, disappearing into the shadows—only a few hours away from the hidden village.

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