One week after entering the Special
Student Program, Senior Instructor Arvind gathered the five special students in the pavilion's briefing hall.
A large projection map of Azurewood Forest floated above the central table.
Several red markers indicated areas of recent beast activity.
Arvind looked at the assembled students.
"This will be your first mission as a Special Student team."
The objective was straightforward.
Investigate unusual spiritual fluctuations in remote section of the forest and determine the cause.
The mission was classified as low to moderate risk.
The mission was classified as low to moderate risk.
Two instructors would monitor from a distance, but the students were expected to operate independently unless their lives were in danger.
For Krishak, the mission offered more than practical experience.
It was an opportunity to evaluate his new teammates.
The group consisted of:
Krishak and Lunafang.
Ananya Mehta, healer.
Dev Khurana, spear specialist.
Ishita Roy, formation prodigy.
Raghav Sethi and his wind hawk, Skyrend.
Arvind provided only one additional instruction.
"Work as a unit."
The team departed at dawn.
Dev naturally assumed the role of front-line scout.
Ananya remained near the center.
Ishita monitored the terrain and adjusted small detection arrays.
Raghav coordinated aerial reconnaissance through Skyrend.
Krishak and Lunafang moved quietly, observing more than speaking.
The team's overall composition was balanced.
Each member possessed genuine ability.
By midday, they reached the marked location.
At the base of a rocky hill, spiritual energy leaked from a narrow fissure.
Nearby vegetation had grown unusually dense.
Several beast tracks surrounded the area.
Ishita examined the site.
"There's a damaged formation beneath the hill."
Krishak studied the fluctuations.
The pattern was ancient and unstable.
Likely the remnant of an old sealing array.
Before anyone could investigate further, Lunafang growled. Multiple beasts were approaching
A pack of Ironclaw Wolves emerged from the trees.
Dev stepped forward with his spear.
Ananya prepared healing support.
Ishita activated a slowing formation.
Raghav sent Skyrend into the air.
Krishak remained calm.
"Target the alpha first,"
he said.
The team reacted immediately.
Lunafang vanished into the shadows.
Dev engaged the largest wolf directly.
Skyrend distracted the flanks.
Ishita's formation reduced the wolves' mobility.
At the decisive moment, Lunafang struck from concealment, creating an opening for Dev to land a finishing blow.
With the alpha defeated, the remaining wolves retreated.
The battle had been efficient.
No serious injuries.
Good coordination.
And, most importantly, every member adapted quickly to Krishak's tactical suggestion.
Dev glanced at him with newfound respect.
"Good call."
Krishak nodded.
"Your execution was solid."
With the immediate threat gone, the team turned its attention to the damaged array.
Ishita studied the inscriptions, but several components were unfamiliar.
Krishak stepped forward.
"If the energy is redirected through these nodes, the structure should stabilize."
Ishita tested the suggestion.
Her eyes widened.
"It works."
Together, they repaired the outer layer of the ancient formation.
The spiritual leak diminished immediately.
At the center of the fissure, a small crystal cluster became visible.
Arvind later identified it as a naturally formed spirit crystal vein.
The team returned to the academy that evening.
Arvind reviewed their report and nodded approvingly.
"Excellent work."
Special recognition was given for:
Krishak's tactical leadership.
Ishita's technical expertise.
Effective team coordination.
Each student received contribution points.
After the mission, the other Special Students viewed Krishak differently.
He was no longer merely a younger prodigy.
He had demonstrated calm judgment and practical competence under real conditions.
Raghav crouched to scratch Lunafang behind the ears.
"Your partner is terrifyingly effective."
Lunafang accepted the praise with obvious pride.
That night, Krishak sat with Lunafang in the Special Student meditation chamber.
The mission had confirmed several things.
The team was promising.
The academy's trust in him was increasing.
And ancient remnants across Earth might hold far more opportunities than most people realized.
The Starlit Ruins expedition was approaching.
Today's mission had been a small test.
Soon, they would face something much more significant.