James's pulse thundered in his ears.
He tightened his grip on his staff, muttered a quick focus chant, and stepped into the tree line. The light dimmed immediately, the meadow's warm gold swallowed by the forest's deep greens and shadowed browns.
The cloaked figures were ahead, their pace quick but not hurried—they thought no one was watching. That was their mistake.
James closed the distance, using Light Orb only as a faint glow in his palm, dim enough to guide his steps without giving him away. When he was close enough to hear the woman's muffled breathing, he struck.
Gust roared to life, a sudden whip of wind that knocked the rear figure off balance. The one in front spun around, a dagger flashing in the dim light.
"Drop her!" James barked, firing Magic Missile. The dart slammed into the dagger-wielder's chest, making him stagger back with a grunt.
The second cloaked figure lunged, swinging a short sword. James threw up Mana Shield just in time—the blade skidded off with a ringing crack, the impact shoving him back a step. His arms ached under the force.
The first kidnapper recovered and rushed him from the side. James shifted quickly, Ignite flaring in his palm before he slammed the burning energy into the attacker's shoulder. The man screamed, dropping his dagger.
The woman stumbled back into the roots of a nearby tree as the kidnappers regrouped. James's breathing was sharp now; his spells weren't powerful, but adrenaline kept him moving.
Another Magic Missile—this one straight into the knee of the short-sword wielder. He buckled with a cry, and James followed with a forceful Gust that slammed him against a trunk.
The first cloaked figure, seeing the fight turn, cursed and vanished into the trees. The second limped after him, leaving the woman behind.
James hurried to her, cutting the ropes with the discarded dagger. She tore the gag free, gulping in air.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
She shook her head, still catching her breath. "No… thank you. I—"
A rustle in the deeper forest made James turn, staff ready—but the sound faded. Whoever those men were, they weren't coming back. Not yet.
As they stepped out of the forest and into the last rays of sunset, James realized his hands were shaking—not from fear, but from the weight of what he'd just done.
This wasn't a quest. No payment, no glory. But for the first time since joining Silver Phantom, he felt like an adventurer.