Chương 111: Field Experience

"Who says there's no way in? Aren't we sitting right next to a rising genius mage? Isn't that right, dear Lord Zelier?" Grey's voice was filled with dramatic enthusiasm as he patted Zelier's back to help him recover.

"You went from a magic apprentice to a Junior Mage in just over a month. The higher-ups in the Mage Guild must value your potential quite a bit, right? I bet they're taking excellent care of you, aren't they? Treating you like precious treasure?"

"Uh... I guess so..." Hearing Grey's words, Zelier suddenly realized what he was trying to do.

"You guys... aren't you asking me to put in a good word for you?"

"Exactly!" Grey's eyes lit up as he grinned.

"Think about it. The four of us have fought side by side through countless dangerous missions. We know each other inside and out, and when it comes to strength, we're absolutely reliable."

"Having us join the escort unit for this monster hunt would be the perfect arrangement. Don't you agree, Zelier?"

"But..." Zelier hesitated.

"This... might be difficult for me to bring up, right? I'm only a newcomer who was just approved to participate in the hunt myself."

"Ah, what's the big deal?" Grey waved his hand dismissively.

"The main problem is that I don't have any experience with this kind of thing. I don't know how to bring it up with your mentor..."

"Social connections, my genius mage friend. Social connections!" Grey threw an arm around Zelier's shoulder, putting on a look of deep sorrow.

"We're not asking you to borrow money from your mentor or anything outrageous like that."

"The guild needs adventurers anyway. Why not prioritize people you already know and trust?"

"Think about it. Your mentor would definitely be willing to help with such a small favor, wouldn't he?"

"And after going back and forth a few times, maintaining more contact, wouldn't your relationship with your mentor become even closer?"

"Cough..." Marcus, who had been sitting nearby, finally spoke.

"Zelier, we're not forcing you. But if... if there really is a chance, we'd still like to try." The generous reward for joining the escort unit was undeniably tempting. Even Vaelis quietly turned his gaze toward Zelier. He said nothing, but the hope in his eyes spoke for itself.

"Fine!" Under the gaze of three pairs of expectant eyes, Zelier finally gave in.

"But let me make this clear first. I'm only going to mention it to my mentor. Whether he chooses you or not, I can't guarantee anything."

"No problem." Grey immediately gave him a thumbs-up, his smile shining brightly. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

"That's all we needed to hear. We trust you!"... The next day. Mage Guild.

"Knock, knock, knock..." Zelier nervously knocked on the door of Marven's office. After all, he was asking someone for a favor. Feeling a little embarrassed was unavoidable. Marven's office was also located in the small building hidden behind the Silverleaf Tree bushes, but his room was on the third floor.

"Come in." Zelier pushed open the door. Inside, Marven was sitting behind a large desk covered with scrolls and thick magical tomes. He wasn't wearing his usual monocle. Instead, he held a feather pen in his hand, seemingly reviewing some documents. When he saw Zelier enter, Marven looked slightly surprised, but soon revealed a gentle smile.

"Zelier, come in. Sit down."

"Um... Mentor Marven." Zelier sat stiffly in the chair across from the desk. After thinking for a moment, he decided not to beat around the bush.

"Mentor Marven, sorry to bother you. I came here today to ask about the monster hunt."

"Oh..." Marven leaned back against his chair.

"What's wrong? Do you have any questions?"

"I heard that besides leading the apprentices, the Mage Guild will also recruit adventurers from the Adventurer Association to form an escort unit?"

"Yes. After all, most of the participating apprentices lack actual combat experience." Marven nodded.

"In a complicated forest environment, professional adventurers are needed to handle scouting, security, and unexpected situations."

"You're an adventurer yourself, so you understand how important a well-balanced team can be."

"Then..." Zelier gathered his thoughts.

"Mentor Marven, I have a small request."

"A request?" Hearing that, Marven smiled.

"Go ahead."

"My usual teammates from the Adventurer Association also want to participate in this monster hunt and become members of the escort unit."

"They want to join as well?" Marven fell into thought. His fingers lightly tapped against the surface of the desk.

"Speaking of which... I haven't really asked about your activities at the Adventurer Association."

"Are the teams you usually take missions with temporary groups?"

"Not exactly." Zelier shook his head.

"But we're not an official fixed party either. We just have good chemistry, and we usually work together whenever we take missions."

"You avoided forming a permanent party because you were worried leaving later would become troublesome?" Marven smiled knowingly, like someone who had been through it before.

"What do you think of them?"

"They're excellent people. They're trustworthy." Zelier had expected this question.

"The first time I went on a mission, we encountered a juvenile Mistwraith in the forest."

"Everyone panicked at the time, but our captain didn't choose to flee. Instead, he stepped forward and led us to defeat it."

"After that, he proved reliable in every mission. The others in the team are also companions who can entrust their backs to each other when it matters most."

"Good." Hearing this, Marven's eyes showed approval as he nodded.

"In an adventurer's career, reliable companions are the most important thing. Sometimes they matter even more than strength itself."

"So, who are the adventurers you want to recommend? Tell me their names and ranks. I'll contact the Adventurer Association later." Marven picked up his pen, ready to take notes. Seeing how readily his mentor agreed, Zelier finally relaxed.

"Marcus, Mid-Tier Warrior. Vaelis, Mid-Tier Ranger. And also..." At this point, Zelier paused noticeably.

"There's another one named Grey. He's a Lower-Tier Warrior." Saying "Lower-Tier Warrior" himself made Zelier feel a little embarrassed.

"Lower-Tier Warrior?" As expected, Marven's brow lifted slightly, and his pen stopped.

"Is he reliable?" Zelier lowered his eyes and thought for a moment. The first scene that came to his mind was Grey's figure throwing himself forward beneath the barrage of bone spikes from the Giant Winged Bat, protecting Vaelis without hesitation. Then Zelier gave his answer.

"Yes. He's reliable."

"Alright." With Zelier's confirmation, Marven didn't ask further.

"If you say he's trustworthy, then there's no problem."

"Thank you, Mentor Marven. I'm really sorry for troubling you with such a request..."

"It's nothing." After writing down the names, Marven asked with interest.

"Zelier, with your current strength, what kind of monsters do you usually hunt during your missions?"

"Most of them are rated Difficult." Zelier answered honestly.

"Hmm... Difficult rating." Marven nodded.

"That level of danger is indeed suitable for your current stage of growth. However, this monster hunt will be different."

"During the hunt, we'll be watching from behind. Your safety will be absolutely guaranteed."

"When the time comes, you can try fighting Challenge-rated monsters. Accumulate more experience against stronger opponents. It will benefit your future growth."

"This is a rare opportunity. Make sure you take advantage of it."

"Yes, Mentor Marven." Zelier nodded seriously. After leaving Marven's office, Zelier walked along the quiet tree-lined path inside the guild, his mood considerably lighter. With an Upper-Tier Mage backing him up, he would finally be able to fight without holding back and properly test himself against true Challenge-rated monsters. Even if he ended up losing, at least he no longer had to worry about losing his life. And perhaps...

He might even get the chance to witness battles between Marven, Mentor Manlin, or other powerful mages. How many advanced spells would he be able to analyze from those battles?