BLOOD & SIGILS

Chapter 21: First Mission

A solemn air hung over the Veyrin Estate's Great Hall, the faint glow of enchanted sconces casting elongated shadows across the polished obsidian floor. Kael stood before his father, his hands clasped behind his back, his red eyes sharp with anticipation.

Duke Veyrin sat on his grand throne-like chair, his fingers interlaced beneath his chin. His gaze bore into Kael with the weight of expectation.

"You've trained for five months. You have learned discipline, refined your magic, and sharpened your instincts." His voice was calm, yet unyielding. "But training is merely a foundation. Strength must be tested."

Kael remained silent, his heartbeat steady.

"A merchant convoy carrying Veyrin-forged mana crystals has vanished near the Duskwind Highlands. The shipment never arrived at its intended destination, and we received no distress signals from the guards or traders. Your task is to investigate, recover what can be salvaged, and eliminate any threats if necessary."

Kael's mind immediately dissected the situation. Veyrin mana crystals were among the finest in Eldoria—imbued with arcane energy and highly sought after by nobles, military factions, and black-market dealers alike. Their theft was no random act of greed.

"Do we have any leads?" Kael asked.

Duke Veyrin's lips curled into the faintest smirk, pleased by his son's lack of hesitation. "The convoy was last seen at the base of the Duskwind Highlands two days ago. That is all the information you will receive."

A test.

Kael understood immediately—his father wanted him to gather his own intelligence, plan accordingly, and prove his ability to handle unknown variables.

But then, his father added something unexpected.

"You may bring one person."

Kael raised an eyebrow.

Just one?

His mind raced through possible choices. A veteran knight would offer strength, a scout could provide stealth, and a scholar could aid in magical analysis. But only one companion meant he needed someone versatile. Someone who could adapt.

"I choose Rivain," Kael said after a moment.

Rivain was one of the estate's top scouts—a skilled tracker, an expert in stealth, and capable enough in combat to hold his own. Most importantly, he could operate independently, something Kael valued highly.

The Duke nodded approvingly. "Good. Then your mission begins at dawn."

As soon as those words left his father's lips, a faint hum resonated in Kael's mind.

[New Quest Generated.]

First Mission: The Vanishing Convoy

Investigate the disappearance of the Veyrin convoy.

Retrieve any surviving goods.

Identify those responsible.

Optional: Recover any captured personnel.

Rewards:

Arcane Sigil Progression

Rune Mastery Experience

???

Kael's fingers twitched slightly.

The Arcane Sigil had never given him a direct mission before. Until now, his growth was based on training, experimentation, and battles. But this?

This was different.

This was a step toward something more.

The Road to the Highlands

The Duskwind Highlands loomed in the distance, jagged peaks piercing the early morning sky. The journey had been quiet, save for the rhythmic clatter of hooves against dirt. Kael rode alongside Rivain, their cloaks billowing in the wind.

Rivain, a lean man with sharp eyes and dark leather armor, spoke first. "You've been quiet."

"Thinking," Kael replied. "This mission isn't just about retrieving stolen goods. If my father wanted a brute-force solution, he would have sent knights."

Rivain nodded. "Which means the situation is more complicated than it seems."

Kael's red eyes narrowed. "Exactly."

They pressed forward. By midday, they reached the last known location of the convoy.

The scene was grim.

Shattered wooden crates. Deep scorch marks in the earth. Bloodstains, but no bodies.

Kael dismounted, crouching low. He pressed his fingers against the charred ground, activating a detection rune. A faint blue glow pulsed outward, revealing traces of residual magic.

"Fire magic," he muttered. "But too precise for bandits."

Rivain was already inspecting the tracks. "Multiple footprints. At least fifteen individuals, moving in formation."

Kael processed the information swiftly. "Organized. Not a random attack."

A light breeze carried the scent of burnt fabric and something... off. A faint metallic tang.

"Blood, but no bodies," Kael murmured. "Where did they take them?"

Rivain pointed toward two sets of tracks leading away from the ambush site. "One group moved west into the highlands. The other... deeper into the valley."

Kael's mind worked quickly.

The valley route had deeper tracks, likely from carts or carried cargo.

The highland tracks were lighter, suggesting movement without extra weight—prisoners?

His Arcane Sigil pulsed again.

[Quest Update: Two Paths]

Follow the valley path to recover the stolen mana crystals.

Follow the highland path to rescue potential captives.

Kael exhaled slowly.

His first real decision.

Kael's Choice

"Rivain," Kael said after a moment, his voice firm. "We go after the personells first."

Rivain glanced at him. "Not the cargo?"

"The crystals are valuable, but people come first. And if we find the captives, we might get answers about who did this."

Rivain gave a small smirk. "Good answer."

Kael adjusted his sword belt and tightened his gloves.

"Let's move."

The highland path awaited.

And with it—the unknown.