– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 214, Season of the Setting Moon, Day 46 –

“Greetings Mirabilia. Greetings Isille.”

“Morning Khaled,” returned the human woman while Isille raised her hand.

“Are these the examinees for today?” asked Khaled. He lifted his chin at Terry’s group. “A few familiar faces.”

“Here is the updated information.” Khaled handed over some documents to Mirabilia. “Just like they would have received it in the city today.”

“Thanks Khaled, we’ll take it from here.”

“I’ll join the others in the second perimeter. Call me over when we should collect the targets.”

Mirabilia nodded in acknowledgement.

“Okay then. Everything is ready and everyone is present. So let us make it official.” Mirabilia clapped once. “Welcome to your bounty hunting examination! Next to me stands Instructor Isille. My name is Mirabilia. We two will act as the main examiners for today.

“The man who just left was Instructor Khaled. He is part of the observing examiners. He was kind enough to bring you a gift.” Mirabilia handed the documents to the closest member of the group, which turned out to be Jorg. “This is the last update for the preliminary information.”

“Everything else is up to you. Whatever can’t be found in there, you have to figure out yourselves. And I’m afraid those are our parting words. You are not supposed to see us for a while.”

“Careful Isille, this may tickle a bit.” Mirabilia started mana harvesting

“If it tickles worse than the last hundred times, I will assume intent, Mira.” There was a twinkle in Isille’s eyes. “And then I will have to consider retaliation.”

“Haha.” Mirabilia finished her spell casting. A shadow fell over the two. A moment later, the shadow dissipated and no trace of the two instructors could be found.

The group huddled closer together and looked expectantly at Jorg.

“I don’t see any major updates,” said Jorg. “Sketches remain the same. The most recent incident is still the one with that construct trader. Same M.O. They avoid mana users, take no hostages, and try to leave no witnesses alive. Same suspected number of bandits. Same hideout location. Same bounty. Dead or alive.”

“Then let us get this over with,” proclaimed Alrik. “They leave this wasted group for examinations. There is no way the bandits will be much trouble.”

Jorg frowned. “I wouldn’t count on that. Maybe in order to pass the mission, we will have to realize that they are too much to handle and report back with the updated information.”

“Yeah, I believe there are tests in which you are expected to refuse a mission or call for backup,” said Miguel. “We should still gather intel first.”

Miguel turned excitedly towards Siling and gave a broad smile. “And by that I mean, please show me the soul bird.”

Several other members of the group nodded emphatically.

Siling smiled back at him and replied in mock exasperation. “All archers literally only want one thing. Tse tse tse.”

“Two things, actually. Life sense and wings. You just happen to offer both at once.”

“Won’t they notice the bird?” Gellath piped up.

“Unlikely,” replied Miguel. “First, the cave is in the middle of the forest and it’s a mixed forest. Even without the foliage of the leaf trees, there are still the conifers. While life sense isn’t blocked by the trees, eyesight is. Furthermore, the soul bird is white-ish and blends well into the cloudy sky of the season. Its purple markings aren’t that easy to make out at a distance.”

“Even if they did see it, I have my doubts that your average bandit would recognize a soul spirit,” remarked Terry.

“Grumpy can gather information with life sense from quite a distance, but Grumpy’s mana sense is much less developed,” said Siling.

“That’s fine, isn’t it?” said Terry. “First priority is to confirm the hideout and the number of enemies.”

“Mhmh.” Siling summoned her bloody frogmouth soul spirit.

“Morning, Grumpy,” greeted Calam.

“Okay, while the bird soul is out there scouting, we can come up with a tentative plan,” said Jorg.

“Three entrances, three groups. So we will simply have one group attack each entrance,” announced Alrik.

“Will we?” questioned Siling with an astonished expression. “That’s strange. I don’t remember having any such intentions.”

“What’s your problem?” barked Alrik.

“A certain someone that for the umpteenth time is trying to dictate to me what I will do,” retorted Siling.

“Someone needs to take command,” said Florine. “I’m with Alrik.”

Jorg was gobsmacked and believed he was hearing things for a moment.

“How about we first come up with a plan?” suggested Terry.

“I just did,” replied Alrik.

“I’m with Terry,” said Jorg. “That was not a plan.”

“Not even close,” agreed Miguel. “Splitting up into three groups while they can gang up and push through a single entrance? That is not a plan.”

“Ugh, come on,” jeered Alrik. ”How many bandits are there supposed to be? Thirty manaless or something? Big whoop. I could mop them up by myself.”

“They’re not all manaless,” objected Siling. “Or at least, that is very unlikely.”

“Right,” concurred Terry. “They managed to avoid every caravan or travelling group that included mana users. They must have someone with mana sense, which means there are mana users among them.”

“And?” retorted Alrik. “We have nine, don’t we? Or do you think so little of your own abilities that you would shrink away from facing anyone with a shred of mana? If they had any ability, why would they try so hard to avoid mana users?”

“And we don’t just need to ‘mop them up.’ We need to make sure no one escapes,” stressed Jorg.

Jorg picked out the information regarding the suspected hideout. He picked up a branch and walked towards an area where the ground was covered by dirt instead of grass and sat down. Afterwards, Jorg began to sketch in the dirt.

“North here. East here. Our location. Cave looks roughly like this. Three entrances, here, here, and here. Any thoughts?”

“Yes, I would very much like to avoid the eastern entrance,” stated Miguel. “That one goes downwards into the cave. The other entrances are level.”

“What’s the problem with downwards?” inquired Terry. “Wouldn’t that give us higher ground going in?”

“Sure, but all three tunnels are supposed to meet up in the same cavern. The downwards tunnel would meet the cavern at floor level. With the level tunnels we will arrive at higher ground. I figure most of the bandits will be in the cavern. I would rather have the high ground then.”

“Makes sense, thanks.”

“If we want to avoid the eastern entrance, what do we do with it?” asked Calam. “It’s an escape route, isn’t it?”

“We could prepare a trap for them in case they want to escape through there,” proposed SIling.

“Alrik knows Fireball, doesn’t he?” asked Gellath.

“Sure do,” replied Alrik with a smug smirk. “Want to smoke them out? I can do that.”

“So start a fire at two entrances and prepare a trap at the third?” summarized Gellath.

“But if there are mana users among them, they may be able to burst through the fire,” interjected Terry.

“And if they actually burn to ashes, we will be lacking proof for the completion of the mission,” added Jorg.

Alrik shrugged. “The examiners are watching. Why would we need proof when they bear witness?”

“I don’t believe that would fly,” judged Jorg. “It would not fly in a regular mission, so I doubt they would accept it in the examination.”

“We could simply herd them in the direction we want,” proposed Elena. “Battue.”

“Yeah, Elena and her two-handed dueling shield were practically made for it,” added Alrik.

“Calam’s Kinetic Push could also work well,” remarked Siling.

“If we really try to prepare a trap, it better be a good one,” said Terry. “Otherwise the trap will have the same problem as the fire. A mana user may simply burst through.”

“Or we could herd them into the cavern, ideally into the lower area,” said Miguel. “Then, we only need to block off the escape routes. At least the eastern tunnel should be comparatively easy to collapse. It’s downward and narrow.”

Jorg nodded. “Lori, do you think your Raise Wall spell could collapse the tunnel?”

“I—”

“That spell doesn’t have enough oomph for that,” interrupted Alrik.

Jorg’s eyes grew noticeably colder. “Oh you were called Lori, too? My bad, then.” He ignored Alrik and waited for Lori’s reply.

“N-not without strong empowerment. Alrik is right.”

“Nevertheless, it could work well to reinforce a blockage,” remarked Terry.

“Gellath, do we still have explosives from our last swamp boa hunt?” inquired Jorg.

“Yes, two or three.”

“Should suffice to create a minor collapse. Then we can use the time it buys us to further reinforce the blockage with earthen walls.”

“I could also use Summon Water in combination with the earthen walls. Maybe even finish it up with Freezing Hands.”

“Wouldn’t explosives cause quite a ruckus?” asked Calam.

“I would hope so,” replied Jorg. “If it causes them to run to the entrance and we manage to block it, that would only make our lives easier. Herding without the hassle of having to fight.”

“That only works if they run to the entrance through the cavern,” interjected Terry. “Not if they run outside first.”

“Mhmh, we would need to time it right so that the other entrances are ready at the same time. We can use the Guardian cards to send a signal.”

“Sure, but ready for what?” asked Siling. “We have one battue driving force and one collapsing tunnel. What about the third entrance?”

“Also block it off?” suggested Terry. “I could use Immovable Object for that.”

“You mean your tertium slabs? But that would prevent you from joining up with us in the cavern…”

“Not if we also push forward in that entrance. I have some slabs that have handles attached. Siling could use life sense to determine if there are enemies behind the slabs. As soon as there aren’t any, I could dispel Immovable Object and we move towards the cavern.”

“What if there are enemies?”

“If Calam is not needed at the other entrance, we could use his Kinetic Push. We prepare while being protected by the transfixed slab. I deactivate the spell and immediately move the slab to my storage bracelet.”

“I throw a Kinetic Push,” continued Calam.

“We move further in. I summon the tertium slab again. I cast my spell. Repeat. Use a barrier spear as a second line of defense.”

“That could also work well to draw some of them away from the battue entrance,” interjected Siling. “They probably have no idea that their strength is useless against that spell.”

Jorg furrowed his brow. “I would hope it keeps some pressure away from the battue entrance. Also, I don’t like that the first entrance will have only Lori and Gellath.”

“We could accompany them and only split up after we have gained access to the entrance,” offered Terry.

“I could have Grumpy stay back and keep an eye out with life sense,” proposed Siling. ”If more enemies are approaching, our group can hurry back. Once the entrance is properly blocked, I can switch to Furball for combat support.”

“Gaining access without immediately collapsing the tunnel may get tricky if they have a lookout placed there,” said Miguel. “I can take them out from a distance, but that would not be quiet.”

For a moment, there was silence while everyone considered the scenario and how to resolve it.

“Maybe I could,” murmured Terry.

Jorg raised an eyebrow.

“I hadn’t pegged you as the assassin type, Terry,” teased Siling. “Do you have another team you work with in secret?”

“Actually, I was thinking that I would have a good chance to approach unnoticed as long as I approach from above.”

“Ahh…”

“Ahh?” Gellath felt lost.

“Terry has a schtick in which he uses Immovable Object to climb through the air.”

“Only, I’m not sure how silent I can make it…” Terry puckered his lips and moved them from side to side. “Honestly, I would really like to first verify the face before I…“

“I mean, ideally we get a glimpse of their faces even earlier, but nevertheless,” said Miguel. “Depending on how many lookouts we are talking about, I believe I can resolve that issue.”

Miguel was wearing a bracer imprinted with the barrier spell on his right, as well as a protective archer glove and a storage bracelet on his left. Miguel summoned a small dart and a vial from the storage item.

“My Pa does a lot of mark and recapture missions – taking blood samples and the like. Since he is manaless, he runs it old school. The vial contains a fairly strong and above all quick acting anesthetic. Normally, we use it with a blowpipe, but I figure their armor would get in the way. If you manage to get close, you could ram it directly into the target instead. Then, you only need to keep them quiet for a few seconds.”

“Workable,” murmured Jorg. “That still leaves me uncomfortable with the western entrance. The current setup would only leave four people for that entrance: Alrik, Elena, Miguel, and myself.”

“Actually,” interjected Miguel. “I think I should stay with Siling’s group. From what I can tell, the battue idea would have you all pushing forward in a narrow tunnel while being engaged in close combat. No way I will be of much use there since I won’t be able to get a clean shot.

“With Siling using life sense to give me rough directions behind Terry’s slab and us coordinating on the proper timing, I would be more useful. In case they place archers or other distanced enemies outside the range of Calam’s Kinetic Push, I can take them out. I can roughly aim while their vision is blocked. I know when I will be able to shoot while they will not.”

“Can you manage against armored opponents?” asked Siling.

“My composite bow packs an extra punch thanks to metal-aspect reinforcement. Additionally, I have arrows whose arrowheads I have aspected myself. Leather armor won’t protect them from coldfire. Plate armor would be more troublesome and would require multiple hits, though.”

Jorg’s frown deepened. “That would only leave three for the actual battue.”

“At least until our two tunnels converge in the cavern,” said Terry.

Jorg looked at the drawn map. “Lori, Gellath, how long will it take you to circle around to our entrance?”

“What for?” interrupted Alrik. “Lori is weaker than Elena anyway.”

“Hah. Well, I trust Lori’s abilities and I have known her longer than you. I have never known her to go berserk and lose her sanity during combat, for example. To be frank, I would rather have Lori at my side instead of you.”

“Oh really? Will Lori be able to cast a barrier then?”

“No, but just like me, she has a barrier spear and a hand to hold it. So what’s your point?”

“It’s fine, Jorg,” mumbled Florine.

“I also figure her earth walls are a bit more efficient for blocking arrows. They have the benefit of being summonable at a medium distance. They can be stacked and positioned without having to be maintained, too.”

“So what?” scoffed Alirk. “The only people who can do proper medium-range damage here are myself and the archer.”

“Ooohh, I’m ‘the archer’ now,” mocked Miguel. “Go figure. I believe I already mentioned that I won’t be of much use in that tunnel.”

“Alright, only me that’s useful then. I can even target them with medium-range spells while staying behind a barrier. My Raise Icicles work no different from that Raise Wall spell. Only mine can actually do damage.”

For a moment, Jorg looked at him in silence.

“I do not care about how great you believe you are. I will not enter that tunnel with just you and a berserker. You can demonstrate your prowess by holding the entrance long enough so that we can all join up before pushing forward.”

“At that entrance, we need as much power as we can get,” emphasized Terry.

“And Gellath also comes with water-aspected healing spells,” said Miguel. “I always feel very appreciative of those.” He grinned at Gellath.

“Yes, there is that as well.” Jorg grinned. “I am happier if there is someone else to take over that part.”

“You mean if you don’t have to do spellwork?” corrected Gellath.

“Why, yes.” Jorg chuckled. “Why, what did I say?”

“I could send Grumpy to keep an eye on the western entrance after Lori and Gellath have collapsed the eastern tunnel,” suggested Siling. “Then our group could assist if necessary. Terry’s spell alone would be sufficient to block for a while.”

Terry nodded.

“We could approach the area between those two entrances through the forest, and then move along the hill,” said Miguel. “Maybe fan out a bit during our approach so that our movement becomes more difficult to spot from a distance. Even with the soul bird in the sky, we should put the best senses in the first line.”

“Mhmh.” Jorg considered their group. “Eyesight would be you, Miguel. Life sense obviously Siling. Mana sense… Terry, I figure.”

“Oh really?” interjected Alrik in mocking disbelief.

“Yeah really,” retorted Siling. “And it’s probably not even close.”

“T-Terry even got accepted into the Academy,” said Lori.

Alrik looked Terry up and down. His eyes stopped on the bag bearing the Academy’s insignia.

“When did the Academy start accepting half-mages?”

The temperature immediately seemed to drop a few degrees. Many eyes were growing cold at once. Even cheerful Gellath was no exception.

By contrast, Jorg’s eyes were ignited with the embers of fury. If this would continue, then Jorg might really deck Alrik and forsake the examination.

Siling felt regretful that Grumpy was not there to unleash a bowel movement on Alrik’s head. “You little—”

“They don’t really,” said Terry unperturbed. He smiled. His aspect impairment did not bother him anymore. In fact, Terry had even started to think of it as a blessing in disguise. Without it, he might have never met his family.

Terry chuckled. “However, sometimes they fail to notice for a while.” Terry stared into Alrik’s eyes. “No mage is infallible. Not even the Academy mages.” He shrugged. “Anyway, I did indeed pass all their entrance examinations on the pillars of mana foundation. Spellwork classes only started the second season. I flunked the examination at the end of the cycle.”

“Unless anyone else believes they would be able to pass the Academy’s entrance examination, I would say the position for mana sense frontliner has been settled.” Jorg eyed Alrik.

After a few seconds went by without any response, he continued. “So first, approach unseen. Then, take control of the eastern entrance without alerting the enemy. Maintain control of the eastern entrance. Simultaneously, block the eastern entrance and take control of the other two. Join up again and herd them into the cavern. Any other thoughts?”

“Would it be better if our group immediately pushes into the tunnel or should we wait until your side is ready?” asked Terry. “Until Lori and Gellath have joined you at the western entrance, I mean.”

“Depends, doesn’t it?” said Miguel. “Whatever works better to attract their attention. We want to keep them separated and away from the western entrance for as long as possible.”

“Agreed,” said Jorg. “Aside from that, the only requirement is that you should not push out of the tunnel and into the cavern before our group is close enough to join up with you.”

Jorg again prompted the others for feedback and questions.

“Okay, then let us go through the specifics…”

They went over the planned steps as well as everyone’s responsibilities until they had it down.

“Intel seems to match,” announced Siling. “Thirty life signals at the supposed hideout.”

Jorg nodded. “I will check my equipment one more time and suggest everyone does the same.”

Eventually, Jorg moved closer to Terry and whispered to him. “Say Terry, who is that dwarf and why does she look like our sister? The Lori I remember would have made that pus weasel eat mud several times over.” He shook his head.

Terry could only shrug in helplessness. “Don’t know, but I sure hope she fights as well as Lori.”

The group departed for the bandit hideout.

“Hey Miguel!” exclaimed Gellath.

“I know that look,” muttered Miguel. “Calam, Gellath wants to talk to you.”

“Huh?” Calam looked at Gellath.

“Hmmm…” Gellath squinted his eyes at Miguel and then turned to Calam. He grinned expectantly. “Why did they bury the bandit on the hill?”

“What bandit?” whispered Terry to Miguel.

“Don’t,” replied Miguel. “You are only setting yourself up for disappointment.”

“I don’t know,” admitted Calam. “Why?”

Gellath’s grin vanished and was replaced with a grave expression. “Because he was dead.”

“See?” whispered Miguel before smiling and shaking his head.

***