Episode 23
Chapter 10: Jin, the Cadets, the Beastmen, and… (Part 1)
In Garon’s office, three cadets were already seated. Their faces were tense as Garon pointed to the map hanging on the wall and began explaining the operation.
“This mission has been specially assigned in recognition of the outstanding performance shown by this year’s beginner class… Ah, my lord, you’ve arrived.”
As Jin entered, Garon smiled warmly and bowed his head.
Typically, the beginner training class didn’t receive missions, but there were exceptions. If the cadets’ performance exceeded the average, they were occasionally entrusted with tasks.
Jin’s contribution was significant in the beginner class earning the Rune Kandel mission.
When Jin had dueled Belop last year, it wasn’t only Belop Schmidt who awakened. Though unintentional, that incident had a profound impact on the other cadets as well.
“Garon, so the mission has been assigned?”
“Yes, my lord. The mission has been given to ten cadets from the beginner class, including yourself.”
Jin turned to look at the world map Garon was facing.
‘The area marked in red must be the operation zone… That looks like near the Jan Kingdom.’
The Jan Kingdom was close to the ‘Land of the Beastmen.’ Among them, the most dangerous tribe—the White Wolf clan—had their stronghold nearby. Travelers avoided the area, adventurers sought it out, and mercenaries despised it.
“We’re also contacting cadets who are currently on leave outside the Garden of Swords. Including you, my lord, the ten cadets will be split into two teams to carry out the mission.”
“Splitting ten beginner cadets into two teams?”
“That’s right. You will lead Team One, and Skut Ryman will lead Team Two.”
Skut Ryman. Though the rankings hadn’t been officially released, everyone expected the runner-up of the beginner class to be either Mesa or Skut.
‘Even so, Skut is only about a two-star knight level. Since the mission near the Jan Kingdom likely involves beastmen…’
Something felt off.
No matter how capable the Rune Kandel cadets were, they were still just kids between fourteen and sixteen years old. They weren’t really suited for a mission involving beastmen.
‘Did one of my brothers bribe Garon to assign this mission? No, Garon’s confident expression suggests Father himself gave the orders.’
Then why?
Jin thought quietly.
‘It can’t be just because I’m connected to Solderet or because of my grades. It must be that the incident between Belop and me was reported to Father. That explains a lot.’
Jin nodded to himself.
“So, five cadets per team. Who are my teammates?”
“Yes, my lord. Your Team One includes Belop, Fields, Edington, and Sierra. Skut’s Team Two consists of Mesa, Kiko, Taimant, and Jushen.”
Hearing the team lineup, Jin immediately understood Siron’s intention.
Except for Belop, the four cadets in Jin’s team were all rated as average or below in the training class. Even Belop, who had awakened, was inconsistent and barely ranked in the upper-middle tier.
On the other hand, Skut’s team was composed entirely of top-tier cadets.
This inefficient team division meant only one thing.
‘Father wants to test me. He wants to see if I can lead weaker cadets without faltering.’
If that was the case, it would certainly be a tough mission.
Jin sensed this and spoke up.
“Explain the mission and operation overview, Garon.”
“The mission is to search near the southern border of the Jan Kingdom. It seems the son of a local magnate has gone missing nearby. Each team will divide the area and conduct searches. If you find any clues or the missing person, report immediately.”
Once it was clear the mission was just search and report, the tension on the cadets’ faces eased somewhat.
“And after reporting?”
“If the subject is confirmed alive, the Paladins will be dispatched to begin a rescue operation. You and the cadets will return. However, if the subject is found dead, the mission ends unless further orders are given.”
“Simple enough.”
“Yes. But since there’s a high chance of encountering beastmen, caution is necessary.”
“Of course. Especially since the southern Jan Kingdom is also home to the White Wolf clan, we’ll need to be extra careful.”
The White Wolf clan—true to their name—resembled white wolves and were renowned among beastmen for their exceptional combat skills.
“My lord, if you encounter the White Wolf clan, all cadets must immediately abandon the mission and retreat.”
“Even if this year’s beginner class is exceptional, I know we can’t handle White Wolf warriors. Don’t worry.”
Garon smiled faintly.
“I have no doubts. I know better than anyone how capable you and this year’s cadets are. But the world always holds unexpected dangers, doesn’t it?”
Jin met Garon’s gaze and smiled.
“You speak as if danger is guaranteed, Garon.”
“You caught me. Personally, I look forward to seeing you overcome such situations brilliantly.”
“A good teacher indeed. Let me know when everyone who left the main house has gathered.”
“Understood.”
Three days later, as the rest period ended, the beginner class’s mission began immediately.
Jin and nine cadets gathered to find the portal that would take them to the Jan Kingdom.
“It’s an honor to undertake our first mission with you, my lord. Team Two will do our best not to let you down.”
While waiting for the portal to open, Skut approached Jin.
“Ha ha. Trying to put pressure on me, Skut Ryman?”
“Not at all! I’m just grateful to you, my lord, for giving us this first mission during the beginner class.”
“Just joking.”
Skut was fiercely loyal to Rune Kandel and held immense respect for Jin.
But Skut wasn’t the only one who respected Jin.
“Hey, Team One, stay sharp and support my lord well. Don’t cause any trouble.”
Mesa’s sharp words made the Team One members nod.
“Especially you guys with average or below-average grades. If we succeed in this mission, you might get a chance to advance to the intermediate class. Got it?”
“Understood, Mesa. We’ll do our best.”
Jin smiled quietly watching them.
Mesa might seem harsh, but she genuinely wanted her teammates to advance to the intermediate class alongside her.
She was the disciplinary leader of the beginner training class (which suited her well), and cared deeply for her fellow cadets.
The beginner cadets working with Jin were definitely special. They all shared a strong bond centered around him.
Such camaraderie was rare in Rune Kandel’s competitive environment. Even when close-knit cadets appeared, their bonds usually excluded the ‘lord’ or ‘miss.’
Over the past few years, Jin had effectively made them his own people.
“Everyone, attention. The portal will open soon. I will now give the orders.”
“Yes, sir!”
The cadets gathered around Jin in a circle.
“Upon arrival, we will set up camp at the center of the southern border region. Once the camp is established, Teams One and Two will split up and begin the search in earnest.”
Jin pointed to the map and continued.
“The camp will serve as a hub for sharing information and treating the injured. Each team will send a representative to the camp once a day at a set time to exchange information.”
“Understood, my lord.”
“During the mission, address me as ‘team leader,’ not ‘my lord.’ Also, except for the injured, no one is to rest at the camp. Rest during the search is at each team’s discretion. Any questions?”
“No questions!”
“That’s all. Let’s hope the missing person is still alive.”
Moments later, the portal opened, and Jin and the cadets were enveloped in a glow of magical energy.
When the teleportation completed, they arrived at the southern-central portal of the Jan Kingdom.
Normally, they would have to go through immigration procedures, but the portal staff waived all formalities upon seeing the robes the cadets wore—the black sword emblem of Rune Kandel emblazoned on them.
Four days after arriving in the southern-central Jan Kingdom.
The cadets had set up camp and continued their search but had yet to find any significant clues.
The southern border region of the Jan Kingdom was a mix of grasslands and forests. They had thoroughly searched the open grasslands but found no trace of the missing person.
“It seems we should focus our search on the forest areas. There’s not a single trace in the grasslands.”
“Team leader, Edington just reported seeing a Watertail beastman.”
“Watertail? If they’re around, the chances of encountering the White Wolf clan are slim.”
The Watertail tribe was a gentle, kind species that used their spear-like tails to catch fish in rivers and seas.
They never appeared where the White Wolf or Red Fox tribes were present, as they always formed villages to avoid predators.
“Belop will be the one to meet Team Two at the camp today, right?”
“Yes.”
“Belop, because of the sleet today, your movement will be delayed. Depart two hours earlier than usual. Return to Zone 13 instead of here. We’ll be searching that area.”
“Understood, team leader.”
Teams One and Two sent representatives to the camp every night by nine o’clock to exchange information.
After Belop left, the remaining team members began moving. Zone 13 was a forested area that had yet to be searched.
“I can’t shake this uneasy feeling. The mission was clearly assigned by my father himself, yet nothing significant has happened so far. Was I mistaken in thinking this was a test of my abilities?”
There had been no trouble in District 13, and no clues about the missing people.
The only unusual thing was receiving grilled fish as a gift from a water-tail tribe settlement they stumbled upon by chance.
“Human missing? We don’t know. Water-tail tribe good. You all look like beggars. Fish. Eat. Gift.”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. Thanks. It’s well cooked. I’ll return the favor next time.”
The first squad continued their search past midnight, wiping down their rain-soaked swords as they waited for Bellop to return. The sleet showed no sign of letting up, making further searching pointless.
‘If there’s nothing even after scouring District 13, that means we’ll have to check near the beastmen’s territory…’
But searching the beastmen lands wasn’t a task for the beginners.
‘No need to push myself just to produce results. That would be foolish. It’s better to finish the mission by reviewing the areas we’ve already searched over the next three days.’
At two in the morning, Bellop returned to camp.
“My lord! Jin, my lord!”
He was so flustered he forgot to address him as squad leader. The cadets on standby snapped to attention and stared at Bellop.
“What’s going on, Bellop?”
“The second squad was attacked! Kiko, who came out to camp, suffered minor injuries too!”
“Everyone, prepare to move out. Beastmen?”
The cadets quickly formed ranks.
“No, they said it was humans. They’re hiding and can’t use signal flares, so we have to get there as fast as possible!”