"Blake?"
Kain Clinton examined the mission closely. That guy was just an Apprentice – Mid Stage mage—handling him would be nothing more than a single spell.
"So? When do we head out?"
Seeing Kain zoning out, Jayce nudged his shoulder impatiently.
"Heading out for what?"
Pulled back to reality, Kain glanced at the anxious Jayce and replied casually,
"We're not going to Fishmen Village anymore. We're heading to Alice Springs. There's a clue to a Spirit there."
Now that he had the system, Kain wasn't in a rush to personally search for Spirits. That kind of work was tiring and risky. A system mission, however, was much sweeter.
The Stardust Summoning Element… once he completed this mission, he'd have four elements—the hallmark of a Warlock!
And with the Summoning Element unlocked, he could finally deal with Aria, that ancient spirit who was centuries older than she appeared.
But completing this mission required care. Blake was an undercover military mage stationed in Alice Springs. To take him out openly, Kain needed Jayce's assistance. He had to convince—no, trick—Jayce into accompanying him. And the only thing that could spark Jayce's interest was a Spirit.
"Alice Springs? A Spirit clue there? Are you sure?"
Jayce looked unconvinced. He had spent days gathering Spirit leads, only for Kain to suddenly announce a trip to Alice Springs. Was he losing his mind?
Kain revealed a mysterious smile and whispered two words:
"Azure Dragon."
The Azure Dragon! One of the Four Sacred Spirits!
"Azure Dragon in Alice Springs—no, wait. Alice Springs has a clue to the Azure Dragon?"
Jayce nearly blurted out the truth, but quickly corrected himself. If Alice Springs truly held the Azure Dragon, it would have been famous long ago.
"So what's it gonna be? Alice Springs, or Fishmen Village?"
Kain folded his arms and raised his chin slightly, the confidence of a seasoned mage radiating from him.
"Of course Alice Springs! What kind of dump is Fishmen Village? Even dogs wouldn't go there."
Jayce didn't hesitate. The lure of a Sacred Spirit was stronger than any mundane curiosity.
"Then go buy the tickets."
"On it!"
Alice Springs
"So this is Alice Springs. Looks a bit backward."
"Put away your young-master attitude. I think it looks like a quaint little town—perfect for sightseeing."
"You're not planning to start a tourism business here, are you? Since when were you so desperate for money?"
"I was just saying," Kain replied, unfazed.
Stepping out of the train station, Kain and Jayce observed the busy streets. Unlike the magic-dense metropolis of Melbourne, Alice Springs' streets were almost entirely ordinary folk. Kain couldn't help feeling a little emotional.
Why did it feel like a high-level mage walking into a beginner village?
"So… where now? We can't just wander the streets all day."
Jayce, wearing sunglasses perched on his forehead and a black jacket, radiated a distinct "outsider" aura, attracting curious glances from locals.
"Skywave Academy – Melbourne."
Even though this was Kain's first visit to Alice Springs, he knew one place intimately: Skywave Academy. Though at this time of year, the school was probably on break.
Skywave Academy
"Why are we going to a high school? Planning to send your future kid here?"
"Get lost. I'm planning to send you here," Kain laughed. He strolled directly to the security booth at the school gate. Politely, he asked,
"Hello, may we come inside?"
The security officer, young and still half-asleep, barely lifted his head. Seeing just two young men, he waved them off.
"You know what this is? Skywave Academy – Melbourne, a school that trains mages. Outsiders aren't allowed inside."
Jayce's jaw dropped. How many years of detours had this guard avoided to end up in such a cushy job?
"You—!"
Jayce immediately flared up. He was a member of the Australian National Team—a Warlock! How dare a mere guard look down on him?
Kain stopped him and instead produced a Hunter Certification, holding it up.
"We're mages. We'd like to meet your principal."
The guard's eyes swept over the card:
Kain Clinton – Warlock – Two-Star Hunter Master
"Wa-What?! Warlock?!"
His jaw dropped. An early-twenties Warlock in Alice Springs was practically a god. His job might already be finished.
"M-Mage-sir, I—I have an eighty-year-old wife and a fifty-year-old stepson… Please spare me!"
Kain nearly choked. Good lord—what kind of shortcuts had this guy taken in life?
"Then notify someone quickly. Don't make me get violent."
He tapped on the window.
"R-right away! I'll call now!"
The guard scrambled frantically, contacting Captain Corey, the security chief.
"Brother Corey, there's a twenty-something Warlock here wanting to see the principal! I don't have the principal's number—can you help?"
"You trying to fool me? A Warlock in his twenties? Why not say he ascended to heaven?"
"I swear, he's in his early twenties! Brother Corey, please—if you don't hurry, I'm done for!"
"…Fine. If you lie, you're dead."
After the call, the guard rushed back, bowing repeatedly—completely different from his earlier arrogance.
"A Warlock in his twenties…"
Upon hearing this, Principal Hughes leapt from his chair. A Warlock in his early twenties was extraordinary! He didn't even verify the information, rushing straight from his office. Only a few minutes separated him from the gate.
The visitor was none other than Kain Clinton, captain of the Australian National Team—the very mage who had won the World Academy Tournament!
As a school principal, Hughes naturally followed the competition. Kain's nearly unrivaled performance had inspired countless youths.
"Captain Kain Clinton! An honor, an honor!"
Principal Hughes jogged eagerly, unable to hide his smile. The strongest young mage in the country visiting Skywave Academy—what a privilege!
"Principal Hughes, you flatter me. We came rather abruptly. I hope we haven't troubled you."
Kain remained humble, neither arrogant nor overbearing. Admiration was welcome, but flaunting it would make him look foolish.
"And this is…?"
Only now did Principal Hughes notice Jayce, who had been overlooked amidst all the excitement.
"You don't know me? Jayce! Also a member of the national team!"
Jayce pointed at himself indignantly, comparing his treatment to Kain's—like night and day.
"My apologies, my apologies. Of course I know you," Hughes said, though perfunctorily. Jayce nearly ground his teeth in frustration.
"So, what brings Captain—no, Kain Clinton—to our school?"
"The national tournament is over. Just call me Kain. I wanted to ask—have your second-year students gone on break yet?"
Hughes stared in disbelief. All this fuss just for that? He had thought Kain had come to lecture or inspire the students, and his excitement deflated instantly.
"They're currently on a field training exercise. They left this morning."
"Field training, huh…"
Kain murmured, a perfect opportunity to check on Blake. With Jayce here, Blake would have ample chances to slip up.
"Principal Hughes, could you give us the exact location?"
"Of course. It's a bit far, but if you insist, we can have a school bus take you."
Though puzzled why two Warlocks would visit students on a training trip, Hughes offered assistance. Neither Kain nor Jayce possessed Wind or Space elements, so taking a bus was certainly easier.