"Send word to the mission hall," Elder Jian said. "We're short on outer disciples for the upcoming resource scouting trip to the nearby ridge, yes?"
"Yes, Elder," the assistant said slowly.
"Add Astra Long to the list."
The assistant's eyes widened.
"Elder, that mission is usually for—"
"For those I want tested," Elder Jian cut him off. "If he breaks, he wasn't worth it. If he doesn't…"
He smiled thinly.
"…then this little branch of Azure Dragon might not be as useless as the main sect believes."
Later that morning, a group gathered at the mission hall—a simple stone building with a worn emblem above the door.
Astra walked toward it, feeling a few eyes follow him.
Outer disciples stood around a wooden board where missions were posted.
As he approached, Lin Wu and a couple of familiar faces blocked his way.
"Well, well," Lin Wu drawled. "Look who decided to join the world of the living."
Astra stopped.
Lin Wu waved a strip of bamboo in front of him.
"This is a mission slip," he said. "Do you know what that is?"
Astra looked at him.
"…Yes."
"Good!" Lin Wu clapped mockingly. "Then you'll understand that only capable disciples should take missions. Not someone who was scrubbing floors yesterday."
The disciples behind him laughed.
"What if I told you the elder recommended him?" a new voice cut in.
The laughter died abruptly.
A tall, lean young man walked over, his hair tied back loosely, eyes lazy but sharp.
His outer disciple robe had a patch marking him as an inner hall liaison—a cut above the rest here.
"Senior Brother Han…" one disciple murmured.
Han Qing glanced at Astra, then at Lin Wu.
The elder sent word himself," he said. "Astra Long is to join the resource scouting mission to Broken Ridge Forest."
Lin Wu's face twisted.
"How— Why would Elder Jian—?"
Han Qing shrugged.
"Ask him yourself if you're so bold."
Lin Wu swallowed.
Han Qing turned his attention fully to Astra.
"A word of advice, junior brother," he said, voice seeming casual but eyes assessing. "Outside is different from the courtyard. Beasts don't care about pride or gossip."
Astra inclined his head.
"I understand."
Han Qing studied him for a second longer.
His eyes… not afraid. Not arrogant. Just steady.Interesting.
He tossed Astra a bamboo token.
"That's your mission proof. Join the team at the gate in one hour."
He walked away.
Lin Wu stepped closer, voice low.
"You think this is some stroke of fortune?" he hissed. "You might die out there."
Astra held his gaze.
"Then you won't need to bother with me anymore," he said calmly.
He stepped around Lin Wu, not bothering to push or threaten.
That somehow made it worse.
Lin Wu watched him go, fingers digging into his own palm.
Something about him feels… wrong now.
He forced a smirk.
So what if he goes on a mission? If he stumbles, if someone 'accidentally' pushes him into danger…
His eyes darkened.
"There are many ways," he muttered, "for trash to disappear outside."