The academy grounds were already crowded.
New recruits from different villages and kingdoms stood together in large groups, waiting patiently as the existing scouts moved through the crowd, distributing uniforms.
Some scouts carried stacks of folded clothing in their arms, while others called out names and directed the new apprentices into smaller lines.
Duke stood quietly beside Janelle, watching the activity around them.
Janelle suddenly noticed that the scouts were getting closer.
"Duke, come on. Let's move closer. If we stay here, we might be waiting forever."
Duke glanced at her.
"You're really in a hurry."
"Of course I am."
She grabbed his arm and pulled him a little closer to where the uniforms were being distributed.
After a few minutes, Janelle's face lit up.
"Finally! They're distributing our uniforms!"
Duke simply sighed.
Not long after, one of the scouts noticed the two of them standing nearby.
"Duke Mighty? Janelle?"
They turned toward him.
The scout walked over with two neatly folded uniforms in his arms.
"Here you go."
He handed one to Duke and the other to Janelle.
Duke accepted his without saying anything.
Janelle looked down at hers.
Then she looked at the uniforms worn by the scouts standing around them.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait…"
She looked back at the uniform in her hands.
"Why is ours different from yours?"
The scout chuckled.
"Different?"
"Yes." Janelle pointed toward his uniform. "Your uniform looks completely different from ours."
The scout smiled.
"Ah, that."
He scratched the back of his head.
"These aren't the official Legion Academy uniforms."
Janelle blinked.
"They aren't?"
"No. What you're holding is the Apprentice Training Uniform."
He gestured toward the new recruits around them.
"Every new apprentice receives one when they arrive. You'll use it during your training period and, more importantly, during the Entrance Tournament."
Janelle looked down at the uniform again.
"So when do we get the uniform you're wearing?"
"After you officially enter the academy."
He smiled.
"You have to pass the Entrance Tournament first. Once you're accepted as full students, you'll receive the academy uniform."
Janelle nodded slowly.
"Oh…"
She smiled.
"That explains it. Thank you."
She suddenly looked back at him.
"By the way, what's your name?"
The scout paused for a moment before scratching his head again.
"I'm Marcus."
"Marcus. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
Janelle looked at her uniform again before suddenly looking up.
"So… does this mean we're officially students of the academy now?"
Marcus gave a small laugh.
"Partially."
"Partially?"
"You're officially recognized as apprentices of the academy. But you haven't become full students yet."
He pointed toward the academy buildings.
"As apprentices, you're allowed to participate in training and take on certain minor missions under academy supervision."
Janelle's eyes immediately lit up.
"Wait. Missions?"
Duke slowly turned toward her.
"I already know that look."
Janelle ignored him.
"I've always wanted to test myself outside from training."
Marcus smiled.
"Funny you mention that."
He looked toward beyond the academy buildings.
"I was actually preparing to leave with a few scouts. We've located a small bandit hideout in the forest. Nothing too serious. They're low-grade bandits, but they've been causing trouble for travelers."
Janelle immediately stepped forward.
"Can we go instead?"
Duke's eyes widened slightly.
"You didn't even ask me."
Janelle turned toward him.
"Come on, Duke. It'll be fun."
She smiled.
"Trust me."
Duke stared at her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"You're impossible."
Janelle grinned.
Marcus raised one finger.
"There is one problem."
Janelle's smile faded slightly.
"What problem?"
"One of the academy's rules."
Marcus looked between the two of them.
"Any scout leaving the academy grounds for a mission must have a minimum team of three."
He paused.
"Three or more."
Janelle nodded.
"So we need one more person."
"Exactly."
Duke folded his arms.
He looked toward Janelle.
"Seriously?"
Janelle shrugged.
"Don't look at me."
Duke sighed.
"Then who are we supposed to find?"
As if answering his question, Marcus suddenly looked past them.
"Actually…"
A young female student was walking across the academy grounds.
"Lena!"
The girl stopped and turned around.
Marcus waved.
"Over here!"
She smiled when she recognized him.
"Marcus!"
She walked over to them.
"Hi."
"Hey."
Their greeting was brief before Marcus gestured toward Duke and Janelle.
"These are two of the new apprentices. Duke and Janelle."
Janelle smiled and waved.
"Hey."
Lena returned the gesture.
Then she looked at Duke.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait… I know you."
She blushes..
Duke raised an eyebrow.
"You do?"
"You're Duke Mighty."
She smiled excitedly.
"Dakuta's son, right? I'm a huge fan of your father."
Duke immediately looked away.
"Yeah, yeah. Can we not talk about that right now?"
Lena's expression changed.
"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"You didn't offend me."
Duke sighed.
"It's fine."
Marcus smiled awkwardly before stepping in.
"Anyway, Lena uses Root Magic."
Janelle's eyes widened.
"Root Magic?"
Lena nodded.
"I can manipulate roots and plants around me. It can be pretty useful in forests."
Marcus nodded.
"Exactly. That's why she'll be a good addition to your team."
He pulled out a small piece of paper and pointed toward the forest.
"The bandits are somewhere around this area."
He showed them the general location.
"Don't go straight there. Start from this point and follow the tracks. You'll be able to find their hideout from there."
He folded the paper and handed it to Janelle.
"They're low-grade bandits, so you shouldn't have much trouble. Still, don't underestimate them."
He looked at all three of them.
"Stay together, follow academy rules, and report back when you're done."
Marcus smiled.
"Good luck."
"Thanks," Janelle replied.
Lena nodded.
"See you later."
Marcus turned and walked away.
Janelle immediately looked at Lena.
"Come on. Let's get changed."
She looked at Duke.
"We'll meet you back here in five minutes."
Duke raised an eyebrow.
"Five minutes?"
"Five minutes!"
Janelle grabbed Lena's hand.
"Come on!"
The two girls walked away together.
Duke watched them disappear into the crowd.
He looked down at the training uniform in his hands.
Then he sighed.
"This is going to be a busy day."
He turned and began walking in the opposite direction.
"And I'm sure of it."