The day came sooner than we expected. Just a week after our last brutal training session, when Remus had once again left us gasping and bruised on the courtyard ground, he posed a question.
"Well, you brats think you're finally ready for a real hunt?"
I pushed myself up, still catching my breath. My body ached, but I listened intently.
"Yes, sir!" Bentley shouted enthusiastically. "We're ready, sir!"
"Wrong, you idiot!" Remus barked. "You don't even know what you're doing yet! But regardless… We've received an urgent hunting request—perfectly suited to your team's skills. You leave tomorrow."
The more enthusiastic among us—Nora and Bentley—immediately cheered. They high-fived while Orville nodded solemnly, and even Penelope allowed herself a small smile.
"What kind of mission is it?" I asked.
"Molehounds," Remus answered. "Mostly pests, but they can cause serious damage to forests and structures. They can grow large too—but hopefully, we won't run into those on this outing."
"We probably won't be that lucky," I said flatly. Remus actually laughed.
"Right. So better prepare to get beaten badly. I'll be going with you, but don't expect me to help. I'm there to evaluate—not to save your lives."
I sighed. Despite his words, I suspected he'd intervene if someone was about to die—but not necessarily in time. Outside the city walls, death could strike without warning. That's why scouts are the first line of defense.
"So… what exactly are molehounds?" Nora asked.
"They're small dog-like creatures, standing only as high as your ankle," Remus explained. "Or Vita's knee."
"Hey!"
"Their danger lies in their rapid reproduction, excellent digging abilities, and strong territorial instincts. We found a nest about two days' travel from the city—which is far too close. If they reach the walls, hundreds of thousands could die. Your team will locate them and eliminate every last one."
Penelope's smile widened.
"That's where I come in," she deduced. "I can use my abilities outside the walls too, right?"
Remus nodded.
"Exactly, Penelope. You and Orville are crucial for destroying the nest. Vita will find them and ensure we eradicate them completely. Bentley and Nora will keep you weaker ones alive long enough to get there."
If not for Nora's near-indestructibility, I might have taken offense at that remark. As it was, I didn't mind being positioned safely behind her in formation—it was practically the safest spot.
"Normally, I wouldn't send a rookie team like yours against molehounds," Remus continued. "They're weak individually, but highly coordinated and ambush from underground in packs. I've seen many die on similar missions. But you possess the necessary skills. Vita, watch the ground constantly—they move fast through tunnels. And if Vita tells you to move, I don't care if you're climbing a tree or taking a dump—you move ."
The team nodded, a swell of pride rising in me. Penelope could be sharp-tongued even in good moods, and difficult when annoyed—but during training, she rarely argued. Though we disliked each other, there was a grudging respect; I was her eyes, and she was the support that made me truly combat-effective. The others were generally friendly, though I couldn't be sure they'd keep my secrets. At least Nora occasionally attended church—I was cautious around her because of that.
"Sir, what else might we encounter beyond the walls?" Orville asked.
"Anything," Remus replied bluntly. "With powerful monsters roaming, entire ecosystems can shift or collapse overnight. Don't expect anything, prepare for everything. As for what I anticipate—we're fortunate, it shouldn't be much. From what we know, the area is stable. Likely insects, carnivorous plants, solitary predators, and medium herbivores. Manageable, as long as you don't try to tackle everything at once. The terrain resembles jungle, so expect low visibility and path-clearing required."
"No problem, sir!" Bentley saluted cheerfully.
I believed him. Bentley was a great fighter—not particularly strong or fast, but he never seemed to tire. He didn't pant after training, nor slow during prolonged battles. I guessed the team would gladly assign him path-clearing duties. Penelope's "Hyper Metabolism" spell suited him perfectly—a forbidden magic accelerating bodily functions beyond limits, consuming energy rapidly, which Bentley somehow ignored. Penelope once joked she'd keep it active permanently if it weren't illegal.
Sometimes I wondered who Rowan would find stranger between us… I hoped he'd pick Penelope. I didn't want to seem weird!
"In any case, dismissed," Remus said. "We leave at dawn tomorrow. Any of you might not return. Prepare accordingly before departure."
I did quick calculations in my head.
"Sir, the nest is two days from the wall—round trip means at least four days. I haven't learned how to stay alert while sleeping yet."
Remus raised an eyebrow.
"You're bold, Vita, assuming you'll sleep at all."
I opened and closed my mouth.
"… Sir, are you joking?"
"I'm not. Sometimes missions require staying awake for days. Hopefully not this one. We'll camp before nightfall—you rest during daylight. If possible, take full night watches. In darkness, your perception surpasses your teammates'. But if you can't endure the whole night, find relief—understand? Know your limits."
I nodded. He returned the gesture and left. Our team remained seated on the grass—the others due to exhaustion, Bentley out of solidarity.
"We must execute this mission flawlessly," Penelope said seriously, sitting as upright as possible. "I'm tired of being coddled by that old man."
"Easier said than done, Pea," Nora replied, lying on her back. "But I agree. I can't wait. Building our own hunter squad, growing stronger, earning big—this is what we should do."
Growing stronger. I was surprised how many on the team considered it a reason for becoming hunters. Surviving hunters indeed grew remarkably powerful, but I hadn't thought much about it before. I wanted strength too, though my method differed entirely.
Still, despite not absorbing souls since joining the guild, I had grown slightly stronger. My soul expanded a little. Others naturally matured similarly—no abnormalities apparent… though I could only guess whether they shared my secret. Perhaps people simply grew stronger as they became more proficient. It made sense, considering infants' and children's souls were usually much smaller than adults'.
"I'm surprised Remus heard us discussing spore dispersal earlier, Penelope," Orville remarked.
"Yeah… I think that's why he assigned you and me to handle extermination. Wind magic is ideal for spreading biological agents through tunnel networks. Maybe that's why our team got recommended for this mission so quickly."
"Not to mention our ever-knowing little Vita!" Nora laughed.
"Don't call me little!" I protested.
"Sorry, Vita, but you really are the smallest—and quite cute," Nora said, sitting up. "Compared to me, you're all small, but you're especially tiny!"
"I'm growing! I think I am!"
"Speaking of," Penelope interjected, "I need to check everyone physically. If you're unwell, it reflects poorly on me."
"That would be unfortunate," Orville muttered.
I smiled, enjoying the casual banter. We chatted longer before gradually dispersing. Bentley went home to visit family, Nora to get food, others returning to their rooms.
I followed Penelope slowly back to our room. I'd eat later—since she was checking everyone, I wanted to talk while we were alone. Thoughts swirled in my mind, unsure how to begin.
Yet upon entering, Penelope spoke first—surprising me.
"Vita, perfect timing. Come here—I need the most time with you."
"Okay," I approached, curious about her sudden initiative.
"Vita, do you have a regular general healer?" she asked, turning her chair toward me.
"What's a general healer?"
"Do you regularly see biomancers or ordinary doctors?" she explained impatiently.
"Uh, no. Besides you, I've spoken to another biomancer only once."
Penelope exhaled in frustration.
"Well then. Have you spoken to your mother recently?"
"No, I'm an orphan. Why are you asking all this?"
"Because you're about to start menstruating, and I foolishly hoped I wouldn't have to teach you. Remove your armor and lie down—we'll finish this checkup quickly."
I… didn't know how to respond, so I obeyed. I stripped to undergarments and lay down, allowing Penelope to press and prod across my body. The silence felt awkward, so I shared some thoughts I'd been holding.
"… Hmm, I actually find your research interesting, you know."
"Hmm?" she hummed.
"I mean… how's it going? Sorry I didn't understand earlier. I've never encountered this stuff before. Doesn't mean I'm not interested, I just…"
"You were simply ignorant," she interrupted, scanning my leg with magic. "Like it's some adorable trait—though it's really not."
I swallowed irritation, continuing.
"My point is… it made me think. If your research disproves the brain connecting body and soul, what does connect them?"
"I can't say. That's beyond my scope."
I frowned.
"Aww, at least guess."
She frowned too, but considered.
"...I don't know. Before experiments, I assumed the brain likely connected them—it seemed the only candidate. Obvious connection, since according to the Church, only beings with nervous systems—or something similar—possess souls. We must accept this as fact, since observing such interaction requires basic soul studies knowledge nobody wants to explore. But if having a soul requires a brain, logically linking soul and brain seems reasonable."
"… But removing supposedly soul-connected brain parts changed nothing. Could changes exist but remain undetected?"
"Hence further research. After this mission, I'll need fresh mice."
I nodded, letting her continue. Was this a successful conversation??? She poked my chest hard enough to hurt—seriously painful. I should ask the medic about this.
"Is this… nipple infection or something?"
A brief pause, then Penelope burst into laughter—startling me nearly off the bed. I'd never heard her laugh before!
"Ha ha ha! Sorry, just… Ha ha ha!"
"Why?!" I asked, face reddening. "What's funny?"
Another ten seconds passed before she calmed, finally answering.
"No, Vita, you're not infected. This is normal puberty development."
"But it hurts!" I protested. "It hurts a lot!"
"Perfectly normal," she informed me, still fighting laughter.
"Why is it normal?"
"Breasts exist solely to torment women," she stated flatly. "Now roll over—we're almost done."
"This checkup took way longer than your first scan," I complained, complying.
"Yeah, this time I wasn't just healing bruises. I looked for chronic issues—you have… quite a few."
"Ah, what? How many?"
"Orville mentioned past malnutrition," Penelope said. "The deeper I checked, the more problems emerged. I should've started nightly biomancy treatments weeks ago—but I'll begin after we return."
I blinked.
"Wait, really? Nightly biomancy treatment? Won't that be insanely expensive? I already owe so much debt."
"You certainly do," Penelope replied dryly. "But no. I need you alive. You're far harder to replace than simple-minded guys like Bentley."
"Woah! You like me!" I teased.
"Not really. I just didn't realize how destitute you were. I failed my duty as the team biomancer—that… unsettles me. Please don't tell anyone about my negligence."
"I promise I won't!" I assured her. Daily biomancy treatment was worth any price.
She nodded.
"Alright, that's all for now. Go get Nora, okay?"
"Sure." I agreed, dressing back in armor.
"Oh, one thing," she rummaged in a cabinet, tossing me soft cloths. "Around nine days from now, place these inside your underwear."
"Why would I…" I began asking, but she gave me that look , so I shut up.
"Need me to explain, or will you ask someone else?"
"I'll ask someone else," I mumbled.
"Good. Go."
I hurried downstairs to inform Nora it was her turn, trying not to blush excessively.
While retrieving the cloths from my pocket, I found Nora finishing dinner.
"Hey, Nora!" I waved. "Penelope's waiting to check you."
"Oh, sounds… fun," she replied, sipping from her cup. "Did you survive?"
"Not bad," I answered. "A bit awkward, but manageable. I think I'm starting to get along with her."
"Oh? Hope someone does. She and Orville should date—he needs to loosen up."
I scratched my head. Unexpected, but okay.
"Would that help?"
"Hmm…" She sipped again, making an ambivalent hand gesture. "Seventy percent chance they'd relax, thirty percent they'd compete more. Orville sees everyone as obstacles to overcome—Penelope's pretty high on that list. Thing is, he has issues with innate mages. Meanwhile, Penelope secretly craves attention—she gets satisfaction from his constant challenges without fearing actual defeat."
I blinked. A lot to process.
"… Do you mean Penelope has a penis?"
"She's a biomancer, so maybe, but I don't think so. It's a metaphor, Vita. 'Compete' means striving against someone purely for pride, without real reason."
"Oh, got it," I said, storing the phrase.
I grabbed food, piled my plate high, and returned.
"Nora, how do you know so much about people?"
"I observe," the large woman replied, shrugging. "People are fascinating. Complex, yet follow similar behavioral patterns. Watch habits closely—you learn who they are."
I frowned, nodding.
"What about Bentley?"
"Just a straightforward guy," Nora said simply. "Don't know why he became a hunter, but I bet it's some silly, naive reason—like 'I love fighting, but hate hurting people!'"
I chuckled at her imitation of Bentley's cheerful bluntness.
"Seriously," she continued, "he's a good person, but… lacks something. His kindness comes from assuming everyone's like him. When that illusion breaks, he'll suffer—but with his personality, plenty will help him recover."
She shrugged.
"What about me?" I hesitated to ask.
She studied me carefully, deciding how much to share.
"… Vita, you're mysterious. Most times, you seem like a cute kitten—scared of the world, even yourself. That fear makes me want to shield you—know what I mean? Adorable. But when danger hits, suddenly you focus completely, taking full control. It's incredible."
I frowned, eating bread soup—tasted great.
"… My life's basically been one deadly event after another. Of course I'm scared. If I hesitated around danger, I'd be dead already."
"First, Vita—that's tragic. Life shouldn't feel that way. Now I'm your shield, right? Share burdens with me. I'm sturdy."
She flexed comically, making me laugh.
"Second," she continued, "not just your ability, but attitude. Hard to describe… Defiant, maybe? Every time Remus beats you badly, the expression on your face… I can't explain it, Vita. What kind of person sees a boot flying toward them—capable of knocking out teeth—as just another bug to crush? You're scary. Mysterious girl."
"Oh," I murmured, shrinking slightly, embarrassed. "Sorry."
Nora laughed, rising to clear dishes. She walked over, gently patting my shoulder.
"Hey, even if you're mysterious, you're our mysterious girl. Glad you joined us, Vita. Don't overthink. See you! Gotta go before Penelope decides to give me rashes."
"Hey, wait!" I protested. "What about you? What's your… self-analysis?"
Nora grinned crookedly.
"Me? Just a small-town girl with nothing left to lose."
She exited the dining hall, heading upstairs. I sat quietly, finishing my stew before walking in the opposite direction. Time to go home.