Chapter 17: Magic Knights
The next day, the early morning chill hung over the South Gate of the capital. A small crowd of adventurers and hunters had gathered, waiting for the high-stakes expedition to begin. A nervous energy rippled through the group; hunting a God-Class monster was a rare, career-defining event. The massive reward placed on the creature only amplified the tension.
Cassian arrived after a quick breakfast at an inn, strolling in and casually standing behind a cluster of adventurers. As usual, none of them noticed him.
This was due to a skill he called FADE. FADE was a constant, passive skill that suppressed his aura and masked his presence, effectively making him undetectable. He wasn't invisible, but unless someone actively focused their entire concentration on him, they simply wouldn't register his existence.
He scanned the scene. Four knights in shining white armor stood rigidly in front of a white carriage adorned with an unfamiliar royal symbol. Three black horses were harnessed to the elaborate vehicle.
"Must be a Royal carriage or something," Cassian thought.
"Which means we're escorting someone very important. Regardless, I can't wait to get my hands on that creature. I feel my blood boil just thinking about it."
A knight stepped forward—a man in pristine white, polished armor, clearly the commander. All eyes fell on him.
"I am Commander Eliot," he announced, his voice ringing with authority.
"I will be leading us all on this expedition."
"Couldn't they get a leader for us and not just some chicken in armor?" an adventurer standing right beside Cassian muttered loud enough for the people nearby to hear.
The adventurer, who still hadn't registered the purple-haired man next to him, burst into a harsh laugh.
A few other adventurers chuckled. Even Cassian let out a slight, low huff of amusement. Commander Eliot, however, remained unfazed.
In this world, Magic Knights were formidable and respected among the general populace, far exceeding the ability of normal knights. However, they commanded little respect among seasoned adventurers and hunters.
The Adventurer's Code was simple: respect is earned, not given by authority or power. A high-ranking nobody couldn't just appear and expect obedience.
World Note: Magic Knights
Magic Knights are fundamentally different from traditional knights. They are the result of intense training that triggers an evolution—a complete change in the individual's energy level, skill set, and strength. They learn to shorten and weave complex spell components, allowing them to unleash spells far faster than a standard mage, making them truly formidable and deadly fighters.
"As you can see," the commander said, pointing to the carriage,
"we have someone very important whom we will be escorting on this expedition. This is also the person who will be presenting the prize to whoever takes down the creature first."
"Seriously? Bringing a squad of Magic Knights to face a God-Class monster with the ability to imitate abilities is not the wisest idea anyone could come up with," Cassian thought, shaking his head.
The adventurers around him were visibly hyped. This made Cassian realize that very few, if any, of them had ever truly faced a monster of that magnitude. They were naive, and it saddened him. They truly had no idea how terrifying such a foe could be.
"They would literally put their lives on the line for quick money," Cassian mused inwardly, a cynical smile cracking on his face.
"Humans are so silly sometimes."
"This will not be an easy task," Commander Eliot continued, his gaze sweeping across the crowd. "Anyone not absolutely sure of this can step out now, because you will only get in our way." By 'our,' he clearly meant the Magic Knights.
He waited for a few seconds, expecting some adventurers to sheepishly retreat. But none left. The adventurers were too confident in their own skills—and so were the knights. Seeing no one move, the commander proceeded.
"Each of you is equipped with special skill sets. You will be divided based on that: swordsmen and archers on one side, healers on another, and mages on the final side."
"You know, around these parts, we call ourselves 'Attackers,' " a gruff voice from the crowd interrupted, sparking more nervous laughter.