Dawn broke with a muted chill, casting long shadows across the broken east wall of Veilspire Academy. In the secluded training yard, Renard Valtierre stood still as stone, watching his three recruits spar in the cold morning light.
Elric circled Maera with relaxed, confident footwork, his wooden blade flicking toward her side. She parried awkwardly, nearly overbalancing. Tarn, silent and calm, stepped in with precise timing, blocking Elric's follow-up without force—just clean, perfect positioning.
Renard gave a small nod. They were still rough. But they were listening now.
He had been training them in secret for over a week. No titles. No formal resources. Just stolen time, barebones equipment, and a strange, quiet system guiding him.
[Tactical Formation: Basic Combat Drills – Week 1 Completed]Team Morale: StableSynergy Bonus: +11%Potential Rank-Up Detected: (Elric)
Elric was already showing signs of natural aggression and awareness. Tarn, quiet but fluid, had a feel for momentum. Maera still struggled, but her stubbornness was beginning to harden into intent.
He waited for the spar to end before stepping forward. "That's enough."
Three heads turned. They gathered near as he unrolled a hand-drawn map over an old crate.
"We're taking the next step."
Maera squinted. "This soon?"
Renard nodded. "We've trained enough. Now we test."
Elric leaned in. "What's the target?"
"A camp. Bandits. Seven, maybe eight. Just past the old Stone Spine trail. They hit a merchant wagon two nights ago. No one's responded. They won't. Not officially."
Tarn crossed his arms. "You want us to kill them?"
Renard paused, just a heartbeat too long.
His mouth felt dry.
"No," he said quietly. "I want us to follow orders. I'll do what needs doing if it comes to that."
He didn't look any of them in the eye.
[Mission Initialized: Unofficial Engagement – Bandit Cull]Risk Level: ModerateCommander Perk Activated: Pre-Combat Planning Bonus(+10% Initiative, +8% Critical Chance on Ambush)
The moon was high when they slipped out of the academy's back gate, cloaked in fog and silence.
Renard led them through rugged trails, guiding them along narrow ridges and dried streambeds. The forest felt different tonight. Too still. Like it was holding its breath.
They reached a ridge overlooking the Stone Spine trail just before midnight.
Below, the bandits huddled around a fire, laughing, arguing. Their tents sagged. No sentries. No structure.
"They're amateurs," Renard whispered. "Loud. Lazy. Overconfident."
He pointed out the plan.
"Elric and Tarn—flank right. Maera—create distraction with the flash pouch and fall back. When they panic, strike from behind. I'll stay here and direct."
He hesitated, then added, "Only fight if you must. End it quickly. Don't be reckless."
They nodded. Serious now. Silent.
[Ambush Phase: Initiated]Formation Bonus Active: +16%Enemy Reaction Time: Slowed
Maera struck first.
Her whistle pierced the air. A glowing pouch arced into the fire. Pop!—white smoke exploded outward, engulfing the camp in chaos.
The bandits shouted, staggered. One tripped over a log. Perfect.
Elric and Tarn moved like twin shadows—one brutal, one clean. Elric slammed a blade into a man's ribs. Tarn swept out another's legs and silenced him with a quick, practiced stab.
Maera reappeared behind a third, slashing wildly. Not clean. But deep enough.
Four down.
Then two broke formation.
And they weren't running away.
They had seen the timing. The signals. The way the squad moved.
They had seen who was commanding.
And they ran straight for Renard.
He saw them too late.
One had an axe. The other a wicked shortblade.
Renard reached for his staff—but stopped. He knew the truth.
He couldn't win this with what the world said he was.
[Direct Threat Detected – Commander Status Compromised]Override Permission: Assassin Tree Unlocked (Emergency Use Authorized)Skill Activated: Shadowblade Step I
The wind shifted.
His body moved on its own.
A step to the side—too fast, too smooth. The axe missed. Renard was already inside its arc.
His hand moved.
Steel flickered.
A dagger found soft ribs.
The first man dropped.
The second came screaming—but Renard ducked low, spun, and sliced his throat clean.
[Assassin Skill Used: Shadowblade Step I – LEGAL VIOLATION FLAGGED]Use of Forbidden Class – Punishable by Noble Law §9-ASquad Exposure Risk: HIGH
He stood still as the blood cooled.
And then came the footsteps.
Elric. Tarn. Maera.
They saw everything.
Not just the deaths.
But the way he killed.
Not like a swordsman.
Like an assassin.
Maera's voice was barely a whisper. "That… that was illegal."
Tarn's expression was unreadable. "That wasn't self-defense. That was technique."
Elric just stared.
Then said, flatly, "If no one's alive to tell… then no one needs to know."
Maera turned sharply. "Are you serious?"
"They attacked him. No witnesses. No nobles. No tribunal," Elric replied. "We bury them and forget it."
Renard spoke at last, voice tight. "You saw what I used. I don't expect you to trust me. Just… understand I didn't want this."
There was a pause.
Then Tarn stepped forward.
"I've seen moves like that. Once. A long time ago."
He looked Renard in the eye. "You didn't just learn that this week."
Renard didn't respond.
They buried the last two bodies far from the others. Deep. No stones.
When they returned to the academy, the sky was just beginning to brighten.
No horns sounded. No accolades. No one even knew they'd been gone.
But the system did.
[Mission Complete]Outcome: VictoryCasualties: 0Confirmed Kills: 7 (5 by Squad / 2 by Commander)
Squad Combat XP: +14%Commander XP: +22%
[Squad Designation Updated: Phantom Unit – Level 1]Trait Unlocked: "Strike From Silence" – +10% Damage on First Engagement
Squad Status: Loyal – ShakenInternal Tension: Moderate
New Faction Path Unlocked: Phantom Wing (Hidden)Eligible Unit Detected: Elric – Shadow Affinity: 34%
Renard sat alone on his cot, armor still dusty, hands still stained.
He stared at his stats.
His squad had followed his orders.
They'd won.
But they'd also seen him.
And now, he wasn't just their leader.
He was something darker.
Something whispered.
He closed his eyes.
One day they would call it leadership.
For now… they'd call it fear.
And that would do.