The second the squad stepped into the cafeteria, they were met with pure madness.
Beast students of all kinds were packed into the massive dining hall—Griffins, Minotaurs, Shadow Stalkers, and even a few Water Sprites floating above their seats.
The air buzzed with loud conversations, the clash of utensils, and the occasional roar or screech.
Gregor sighed. "Yup. The usual."
Alya's eyes scanned the food stations. "Alright, we split up, grab food, and meet at that table over there." She pointed to an open space near the window.
Leo nodded. "Works for me."
Thera was already floating slightly off the ground in excitement. "I'm getting the fruit nectar first."
Pete hesitated. The cafeteria was packed, and he was one of the few humans here.
Gregor noticed. "Relax. No one's gonna eat you."
Pete scoffed. "Yeah, right."
The group split up, navigating through the chaotic cafeteria.
Pete reached the breakfast station and grabbed a tray—
Only to realize he was stuck between a massive Griffin and a four-armed Minotaur.
The Griffin eyed him. "Human, huh? You eat meat?"
Pete gulped. "…Sometimes?"
The Minotaur grunted. "Not enough. You need more muscle."
Pete grabbed his plate faster.
The Griffin suddenly grinned. "Relax, kid. I don't eat classmates."
Pete exhaled. "Good to know."
The squad regrouped with their trays.
Leo had stacked his plate with meat and eggs. Gregor had a mountain of pancakes.
Thera sipped on her fruit nectar, looking content. Alya had a mix of bread and enchanted honey.
Pete plopped into his seat, still shaken from the Minotaur encounter.
Gregor raised an eyebrow. "What happened to you?"
Pete sighed. "Let's just say breakfast almost came with a side of intimidation."
Leo chuckled. "Welcome to beast school, little bro."
Alya smirked. "Well, eat up. We still don't know what the principal has in store for us today."
Thera nodded. "Yeah, after last night's stunt, we definitely have punishment coming."
Pete groaned. "Can't we just eat in peace?"
Gregor grinned. "Nope. Welcome to Squad Lagrith."
"Squad lagrith please report to the principal office, Really Pete" said Alya.
"Good morning principal" they all said .
So to you all it's a good morning!Well I'm not punishing you guys for the chaos which happened yesterday night,Its more of a task, I'm sending you guys for your first mission. Said Mr Drakoris
"HUHH!!!!!" They all exclaimed
"But we aren't ready sir"said Alya , especially Pete said leo .
"Well this is the Orb of Evaluation,Unlike the pillars this one scans you and even know the kind job you can do and it says you all are ready" replied Drakoris
Pete's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, wait. You're saying this… orb thing… actually decides if we're ready?"
Drakoris nodded. "That's correct. Unlike the pillars that simply measure raw power, this orb of evaluation determines your abilities, teamwork, and potential. And according to it… you're all qualified for your first mission."
Gregor smirked. "I like the sound of this."
Leo crossed his arms. "So, what's the job?"
Drakoris snapped his fingers, and a holographic map appeared before them. It displayed a deep forest surrounded by mist, with a small village at the center.
"Your mission is to investigate the disappearances happening in Verdant Hollow. Several villagers have gone missing, and the scouts I sent reported strange magical disturbances in the area."**
Thera leaned forward. "Do we have any idea what's causing it?"
Drakoris shook his head. "That's for you to find out. This will be a test of your ability to assess situations, work together, and handle unexpected threats."
Pete sighed dramatically. "Oh great, our first mission, and we're already playing detective."
Alya gave him a playful nudge. "C'mon, Light Boy, it's better than cleaning the school, right?"
Drakoris' eyes narrowed. "Would you prefer that?"
Pete sat up straight. "Nope! Verdant Hollow sounds great."
Drakoris smirked. "That's what I thought."
The squad gathered supplies from the academy's armory—
Gregor grabbed extra shadow-imbued daggers.
Leo stocked up on enchanted rope and steel claws for close combat.
Thera filled her pouch with fairy dust, useful for tracking.
Alya grabbed her spellbook and a crystal for detecting magical anomalies.
Pete, after some convincing, took a light-infused blade instead of just relying on his magic.
Within an hour, they stood before the teleportation glyph, backpacks slung over their shoulders.
Drakoris raised a hand. "Remember, your goal is to investigate. If it's too dangerous, retreat and report back."
Gregor cracked his knuckles. "Got it. Let's do this."
The glyph glowed, and in a flash of light and shadow, Squad Lagrith vanished.
The squad materialized at the edge of Verdant Hollow, a small village surrounded by dense, foggy woods.
The air was thick with tension.
Pete shivered. "This place gives me the creeps."
Leo scanned the area. "No villagers outside. That's odd."
Thera hovered slightly. "We should check the town square first."
They moved carefully through the empty village streets.
Suddenly—
Alya's crystal flashed. "Something's here…"
The fog shifted.
And then—
A shadow moved.
Eyes glowing red from the mist.
Alya knelt down as the small, shadowy creature stepped forward, its red eyes shifting to a soft golden hue. "A Phenk… They're harmless."
Thera nodded. "More than harmless. They're practically pets in the right environment."
Pete tilted his head. "Then why does it look like a ghost when it's in the dark?"
Gregor smirked. "Because it's designed that way. Phenk's fur reacts to darkness, making it look terrifying when it's not."
Leo crouched down beside Alya. "But they don't live in forests like this." He ran a hand through his hair. "Someone placed it here deliberately."
Pete crossed his arms. "So, someone wanted us to think we were dealing with something supernatural."
Alya picked up the Phenk, which nuzzled against her palm. "Which means they're trying to scare us away… or cover something up."
A sudden rustling in the trees snapped them to attention.
Thera quickly placed a glowing hand on the Phenk. "Shh, little one."
Leo's eyes darted to the fog. "Whatever is happening here, we're not alone."
Gregor grinned, stepping forward. "Then let's find out who's behind it."
The squad snapped into formation, their senses on high alert as the rustling in the trees grew louder.
Gregor extended his shadows, letting them slither through the fog like silent scouts. "Something—or someone—is up there."
Leo flexed his claws. "Let's flush them out."
Pete gripped his dagger. "Uh, what if it's just another Phenk?"
Alya sighed. "Then we'll apologize after we confirm it."
Thera hovered slightly, her fairy senses tingling. "No… this isn't a small creature. It's a person."
The squad inched closer to the base of the tree, the mist swirling around their feet.
Then—
A blur of movement.
Gregor's shadows lashed upward, grabbing onto something mid-air—but before they could tighten, the figure twisted, breaking free with unnatural speed.
Pete barely had time to react before a hooded figure dropped down in front of them, landing in a crouch.
Glowing silver eyes pierced through the mist.
Alya gasped. "Who—"
The figure darted forward, faster than any of them could react.
Before Pete could even blink—
A cold blade pressed against his throat.
"You shouldn't be here," the stranger whispered