As the squads dispersed to prepare for the mission, Asher headed back to his quarters, his mind occupied with strategies for the upcoming battle. However, he couldn't ignore the subtle shift in the way people looked at him since the last mission. Whispers followed him, and squad members who previously saw him as just another recruit now gave him nods of acknowledgment, some even saluting.
He brushed it off as battlefield camaraderie, but the truth was more complicated. The Magnus name carried weight, and Myria's open approval of him hadn't gone unnoticed. To be acknowledged by one of the elite—the Blue Terror herself—was practically a badge of honor in their world.
Inside the training grounds, Asher noticed Myria observing him with her sharp, discerning gaze as she sparred with a few elite members of her squad. She fought with a fluidity that was almost hypnotic, her blue flames dancing around her with precision and control, a stark reminder of her title.
When she finished, she strode over to him, her expression unreadable. "You've been attracting attention," she said bluntly, crossing her arms.
Asher raised an eyebrow. "Can't say I've noticed. I've been too busy trying to stay alive."
Myria smirked. "Humility is a nice touch, but don't overdo it. People are starting to expect more from you. Being a Magnus means more eyes on you—more pressure, more responsibility."
"I didn't ask for that," Asher replied evenly. Follow current novels on Novel~Fire. (n)et
"No one asks for it," she said, her tone softening slightly. "But it's there. And I wouldn't waste my time training someone who didn't have the potential to rise to it."
The weight of her words settled over him. Myria wasn't one to give compliments lightly, and her acknowledgment carried an unspoken challenge. Rise to the expectations or be crushed under them.
Herman appeared, casually leaning against the wall nearby. "Wow, the Blue Terror personally mentoring the Red Magnus? Didn't think I'd live to see the day," he teased with a grin.
Myria shot him a withering glare. "Don't get cocky, Herman. You're still just a support specialist."
"Amplifier specialist," Herman corrected, unfazed. "And hey, if Asher here gets special treatment, maybe it'll rub off on me."
Asher shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite himself. "You're already riding my coattails, Herman. Don't push it."
Myria watched the exchange silently, then turned to leave. "Get some rest, both of you. Tomorrow's going to be brutal."
Both of them nodded as they saluted her as she was leaving.
The next morning came faster than expected. Asher barely got any sleep, his mind replaying Myria's words over and over. By the time he made his way to the assembly grounds, he felt a familiar mixture of nerves and determination settling in his chest.
The squads were lined up, their gear polished and ready. Renard stood at the front, his sharp gaze sweeping over the soldiers. Myria was beside him, her presence commanding without the need for words. The faint glow of her blue flames danced subtly at her fingertips, a constant reminder of the power she held.
Asher fell in line beside Herman, who looked unusually focused for once.
"Didn't sleep, did you?" Herman asked, adjusting the strap of his weapon.
"Does it show?" Asher replied, stifling a yawn.
"A little. But don't worry, you'll be too busy dodging death to feel tired," Herman quipped with a grin.
Renard's voice boomed across the assembly grounds, cutting through the murmur of conversations. "Listen up! Today's mission is a coordinated strike on a key Metis outpost. Intelligence suggests their leadership has regrouped after yesterday's defeat. This will be tougher, smarter, and deadlier."
He paused, his gaze locking on each soldier as if daring them to show weakness. "This isn't just about survival. It's about sending a message. They're not safe, not even in their strongholds."
Myria stepped forward, her voice colder but no less commanding. "Each team will have specific objectives. Failures won't just cost lives—they'll cost momentum in this war. Don't make us regret putting faith in you."
Her eyes landed briefly on Asher, a flicker of expectation passing between them before she moved on. Asher straightened his stance, the weight of her unspoken challenge pressing on him again.
Renard continued, outlining the teams and their tasks. Asher and Herman were paired again, their objective to infiltrate a heavily guarded section of the outpost and disable a critical energy source powering the Metis' defensive systems.
"Stealth is key for you two," Renard said, pointing at them. "You'll be deep in enemy territory with limited support. Get in, disable the target, and get out. If you get caught, you won't last long. Understood?"
"Understood," Asher replied firmly, while Herman gave a confident nod.
As the squads prepared to move out, Herman nudged Asher. "You know, for a guy who keeps saying he didn't ask for this, you sure look like you're ready to conquer the world."
Asher smirked, a flicker of red lightning sparking at his fingertips. "Let's start with one outpost at a time."
The squads moved silently through the dense forest surrounding the Metis outpost, the only sounds being the faint rustling of leaves and the soft crunch of boots against the ground. The tension was palpable, every soldier hyper-aware of their surroundings. Asher and Herman kept to the rear of their assigned group, their objective requiring them to break off once they reached the perimeter.
Asher's thoughts were sharp, focused entirely on the task at hand. Myria's unyielding gaze from earlier still lingered in his mind, a constant reminder that this mission wasn't just about the war—it was about proving himself.
Herman tapped him on the shoulder, snapping him back to the present. "We're close. Time to split off."
Renard's voice crackled faintly in their comms. "Herman, Asher, you're up. Keep it clean."
"Got it," Herman replied before glancing at Asher. "You ready for this?"
Asher nodded, his face calm but his blood thrumming with anticipation. "Let's move."
The two broke away from the main group, slipping into the shadows of the thick foliage. The outpost loomed ahead, its towering walls constructed from a strange blend of organic and metallic material that pulsed faintly with energy. The eerie glow from within cast long shadows across the forest floor.