Three months into Ashbourne transformed theory into mastery.
Adrian stood in the training yard, morning mist clinging to the mountain fortress. His sword bore fresh impact runes etched along the blade—explosive force enhancement that turned ordinary strikes devastating. His Ashbourne armor carried resist runes woven into the chest plate, protecting against elemental attacks, and a strength rune embedded in the gauntlets that amplified his already formidable power.
The runes had cost him. Not gold—Ashbourne's smiths worked for students who earned the privilege through monster kills and rune extraction. Adrian had hunted enough creatures in supervised expeditions to pay for quality enhancement work.
"Blackthorn!" Master Torven called from across the yard. "Mistress Elara wants you. Now."
Adrian sheathed his blade and headed to the headmistress's office, aware of students watching. Three months of top academic marks and undefeated combat record had established him as legitimate contender among Ashbourne's elite. Second-year placement had proven correct—he excelled where others struggled.
Mistress Elara looked up as he entered. "Adrian. Your performance has been exceptional. Top marks in every class, perfect combat record, fifteen monster kills on supervised hunts. You're exceeding early graduation track requirements."
"Thank you, Mistress Elara."
"Don't thank me yet. Exceptional performance attracts attention." She pulled out a mission briefing. "Nearby town requested Ashbourne assistance. Monster attack—gnoll pack leading multiple trolls. Coordinated assault pattern suggesting intelligence behind the attacks."
"Gnolls use pack tactics naturally," Adrian observed. "But coordinating with trolls? Someone's controlling them."
"Rumors suggest evil faction using enslavement runes to control monsters. Dark application of standard beast control techniques. If true, this is more than simple monster subjugation." Mistress Elara met his eyes. "You'll co-lead investigation team. Four other students, including our top squires. Eliminate monsters, investigate the faction if encountered."
"When do we leave?"
"Tomorrow dawn. But first, meet your team. Briefing room three. Fair warning—you'll be working with Ashbourne's elite squires. They've heard about you. Time to see if tournament champion lives up to reputation in real monster hunting."
Briefing room three held four students who radiated competence. Their equipment bore multiple rune enhancements, their bearing spoke of veterans who'd survived real hunts. These were Ashbourne's best.
Adrian recognized three from the Roderic duel—the elite observers who'd watched him fight. The fourth stood at the head of the table, studying mission maps with focused intensity.
He looked up as Adrian entered. Tall, lean build, dark hair, eyes that assessed without judgment. His equipment was immaculate—rune-enhanced sword, armor bearing protection and enhancement runes in perfect balance. This was someone who understood monster hunting at fundamental level.
"Adrian Blackthorn." The student extended his hand. "Van Crestfall. I'm second-year like you, ranked first among Ashbourne squires. Mistress Elara asked me to co-lead this mission."
Adrian shook his hand, immediately sensing the strength there. Not just physical—this was warrior who'd earned his position through capability. "Good to meet you. Heard your name but we haven't crossed paths yet."
"I've been on extended hunt for past month. Got back yesterday." Van's expression was respectful, professional. "But I've heard about you. Tournament champion, second-year placement, undefeated combat record, demon expertise from Northwatch. Impressive credentials."
"Your credentials are equally impressive. First-ranked squire at Ashbourne isn't easy achievement."
"We'll see how we work together on actual hunt." Van gestured to the other three students. "This is our team. Korvan Ironwood, third-year. Specializes in heavy combat and shield tactics."
A massive student nodded—armor thick with guard runes, shield that could probably stop charging troll.
"Lyra Swiftblade, third-year. Speed specialist, scout capabilities."
A smaller woman with keen eyes and equipment covered in speed runes inclined her head.
"And Kade Thornhill, second-year. Tactical support and rune specialist."
A scholarly-looking student with multiple enhancement runes visible on his gear.
"Everyone here has monster kill counts in double digits," Van continued. "This gnoll pack hunt is dangerous—gnolls are smart, use crude weapons and pack tactics. Add controlled trolls and possible evil faction involvement, this becomes serious mission. We work together, watch each other's backs, follow coordinated tactics. Questions?"
"What's the town's situation?" Adrian asked, studying the map.
"Thornpeak Village, two days' ride east. Population two hundred, mostly farmers and miners. Gnoll pack attacked three days ago—eight to ten gnolls, coordinated raid pattern. Killed livestock, injured five people. Trolls appeared yesterday, working alongside the gnolls in ways that don't happen naturally. Village elder suspects outside control but has no proof."
"Enslavement runes are illegal," Lyra said. "If evil faction is controlling monsters to attack villages, this is bigger than simple monster hunt."
"Which is why Mistress Elara assigned elite team," Van confirmed. "We eliminate the monsters—gnolls and trolls. But if we encounter the faction controllers, priorities shift. If the situation is safe and we can capture them alive, we do so for interrogation. Ashbourne wants to know who's behind this, how widespread the enslavement operations are. But if capture risks team safety, we eliminate on site. Mission success and team survival come first."
"Understood," Adrian said. "Monsters eliminated, controllers captured if possible, killed if necessary."
"Exactly. Intelligence gathering is valuable, but not at the cost of lives."
Adrian studied the mission details. Gnoll pack—hyena-like humanoids, pack hunters, crude weapons, coordinated tactics. Add multiple trolls for brute force and possible human enemies with rune knowledge... this was exactly the kind of challenge Ashbourne trained for.
"I've fought demons but limited monster experience," Adrian admitted. "Gnoll tactics?"
"Pack hunters, flanking maneuvers, crude weapons like clubs and spears," Van explained, appreciating the honest assessment. "Smart enough to set ambushes. Under enslavement control, they're dangerous because someone directs their natural cunning. Korvan shields against troll charges, Lyra scouts and picks off stragglers, Kade provides tactical support. You and I handle primary threats."
"And if we encounter the controllers?"
"Assess the situation quickly. If they're isolated, outnumbered, and we can subdue them without major risk—capture. If they're protected by monsters, have unknown capabilities, or threaten the team—eliminate immediately." Van met Adrian's eyes with respect. "I've heard about your tournament performance. This mission will be different from arena combat—coordinated team tactics against multiple threats. But I think we'll work well together."
Adrian nodded. "Agreed. Let's focus on keeping the team alive and completing the mission."
The respect was genuine. No arrogance, no challenge for dominance. Just professional acknowledgment between warriors of similar caliber.
"One more thing," Van added. "I'm commoner. Orphan, actually. Merchant family adopted me when I was young—no memories before that, no idea where I came from. I've earned everything at Ashbourne through capability, not bloodline. Mentioning it because some nobles have issues working with commoners. You seem different, but better to be clear from start."
"Northwatch doesn't care about bloodlines," Adrian said. "We care about who can fight and who can't. Your rank speaks for itself."
Van smiled slightly. "Then we'll work well together. Team, prepare for departure at dawn. Standard monster hunt loadout plus investigation gear. This could be straightforward elimination or complicated faction engagement. Be ready for both."
The team dispersed to prepare. Adrian returned to his quarters, touching the violet pendant beneath his shirt—Alice's color, her promise, the reminder of what waited for him beyond Ashbourne.
Tomorrow would be his first real test with the academy's elite. Van Crestfall seemed capable, professional. A genuine equal, perhaps the first Adrian had encountered at Ashbourne. The mission itself was straightforward enough on paper—eliminate monsters, capture or kill controllers.
But Adrian knew from experience that missions rarely went according to plan.
He began checking his rune-enhanced equipment methodically. Impact runes on his sword, freshly charged. Resist runes woven into armor, tested and functional. Strength rune in the gauntlets, ready to amplify his already considerable power.
And if the situation demanded it, the crimson Spirit Sword waited. Unprecedented power that these elite squires had heard about but never witnessed.
Tomorrow, they might see it firsthand.
Outside his window, Ashbourne continued its eternal vigilance. Students trained in yards below, preparing for the hunts that would define their careers.
Adrian touched the pendant one last time, then settled in to rest.
Tomorrow, the real work began.