Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 136: Expedition

The night was slowly falling over Azalith. The sky, now adorned with bright stars, reflected an almost unusual tranquility for the ever-moving city. Kael and Eva walked together down one of the quietest avenues, the streetlights casting a soft glow around them. The sound of leaves in the wind and the distant murmur of fountains in the city center were the only sounds breaking the silence around them.

Kael felt comfortable next to Eva, as if, somehow, he had found a peace he hadn't expected. After the intense conversation about Sylphie, the looming threats, and the battles approaching, he didn't feel as pressured anymore. There was something about Eva that calmed him. She didn't have the same air of tension and alertness he constantly felt. Her laid-back attitude and broader perspective made him feel that, perhaps, just perhaps, he had been too hard on himself.

"Eva," Kael began, breaking the silence as they walked, "Can you help me get stronger?"

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Eva looked at him for a moment, with a subtle smile, almost as if she knew exactly what he was really asking but wanted to let him reach the answer on his own. She tilted her head slightly and replied with a lightness in her voice:

"You're just like Elion," she said, smiling and starting to laugh lightly, covering her mouth, "She was like this too, fufufu." She chuckled while continuing to walk without responding further. "Don't worry, your strength is already quite impressive... you just need more mana... I doubt that grandmother of yours taught you few things, right? You're just not ranked higher in strength because your mana limits you."

"But... that's not enough, Eva. I... need to be stronger. I can't fall behind. I can't be the weak one who just waits for things to get better on their own." Kael looked at her, his face revealing raw sincerity, as if he was finally expressing everything he had felt since the moment he arrived at the academy.

Eva stopped walking and turned to face him, her expression now more serious, but still with a calm that seemed to overflow. She looked at Kael with an expression he couldn't fully understand, but that made him question whether he truly understood the depth of his own feelings.

"Kael," she began, her voice soft but with a firmness he rarely heard from her. "You don't need to be stronger than you already are. I know what you're thinking, you want to be invincible. You want to be the one who can overcome everything. But true strength doesn't come from trying to be the most powerful, it comes from knowing when to stop, when to ask for help, and when to accept your own limits."

Kael furrowed his brow, not fully convinced. "But... how am I supposed to protect others if I'm not strong enough?"

Eva sighed, as if she had expected a simpler answer but also understood that Kael was still learning. "Protecting others isn't about being the strongest. It's about being what they need, Kael. Sometimes, that means being the shield. Other times, it means being the sword. And, more importantly, it means being someone others can trust, not because you're unbeatable, but because you're there for them. I know you have that strength."

Her words resonated within Kael. He had always believed that strength was something absolute, a single measure, but now he was starting to understand that true strength came from somewhere else, something more complicated and perhaps even more vulnerable. He didn't need to be perfect or invincible, he just needed to be someone others could trust. He needed to learn to trust too.

They continued walking, now more slowly, the sound of their footsteps echoing softly through the quiet street. Eva looked up at the stars, her face illuminated by the soft light of the moon. There was a calmness to her, a certainty that Kael didn't know where it came from, but he wanted to understand it.

"I still don't know if I can be everything they expect of me," Kael said, more to himself than to her, his voice carrying a hint of worry. "Sometimes, it feels like the weight of what's to come is too much."

Eva looked at him, her gaze deep. "You don't need to be everything to everyone, Kael. And the weight of the world isn't something you should carry alone. The trust and strength you need are already within you. Maybe it's just a matter of believing in that."

Kael gave a smile, a true smile now, something that reflected more of his understanding than any words could convey. "I'll try," he said with renewed determination. "I'll try to believe."

"Don't pressure yourself too much, Kael," Eva said, her voice now softer. "Sometimes, strength comes when you least expect it. Sometimes, it's better to let things flow, and when the time comes, you'll know what to do."

Kael nodded, feeling lighter, as if a part of his anxiety had dissipated. He knew there was still much to learn, but maybe, just maybe, he was beginning to understand what truly mattered.

They approached a central square, where a few people were strolling peacefully, enjoying the coolness of the night. The place was calm, perfect for a moment of pause. Eva stopped in front of a fountain, looking at the water reflecting the stars. Kael stood beside her, admiring the scene for a moment.

"So, what's next, Eva?" Kael asked, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

Eva turned to him with a slight smile. "Ah, yes. You still have a few things to do." She paused, as if weighing her words. "Soon, there will be an expedition to a nearby Dungeon. Erika will be the supervisor, but it's an opportunity for you to test your skills and see how much you can truly develop."

Kael looked at her more attentively. "An expedition? What can we expect from this Dungeon?"

"It's a mid-tier class mission," Eva explained. "It's not a simple challenge, but it's not a deadly threat... at least, not directly. However, it's a great opportunity to see where you really stand in terms of strength and skill. The Dungeon is full of monsters that aren't easy to deal with. You'll need to stay alert."

"I'll prepare," Kael replied firmly, feeling the anticipation grow within him. "I'll do my best."

'Finally, a chance to level up... it's been so long since I could even increase my status points...' Kael thought as he continued walking beside her.

Eva smiled at him, in a way that Kael found very comforting. "And don't overdo it, Kael. Don't get obsessed with the idea of getting stronger all the time. The expedition will be challenging, but that doesn't mean you need to go there with the mindset of 'overcoming everything.' Just do what you do best."

He gave a gentle smile, the feeling of confidence growing inside him. "I know what to do."

"That's what matters," Eva replied. "Now, rest up. You'll need all your energy for what's to come. And remember, Kael... you're not alone."

...

The sun had risen, bringing with it the gentle warmth of the morning, and the academy campus was quiet, with students starting to gather in their usual spots. The atmosphere was light, unhurried, as if the entire city was taking a deep breath before getting into action. Kael, Eva, and other students were in Professor Erika's classroom, where she began preparing the explanation about the expedition scheduled for that day.

The room was equipped with several whiteboards and desks arranged in circles, allowing for a more fluid interaction between the students and the teacher. It was one of the practical classes, and everyone knew that today's mission would be nothing more than a test to measure each person's level and their ability to work as a team. The tension, though not overwhelming, was still present, especially among the less experienced students who had no idea what to expect.

"Today, we will carry out a practical expedition. This is not a real mission, but it's a great opportunity to observe your level of preparation and test the skills you've acquired during training."

The students were attentive, some nervous, others eager. Kael, on the other hand, didn't feel especially anxious. He knew it wasn't a risky mission, but still, he didn't want to underestimate what was coming.

Erika continued to explain, tapping on the screen to display a map of the dungeon area they would be exploring. "The dungeon we will explore is located nearby. It's not a dangerous place, but it contains some mid-tier monsters. The goal is not to eliminate all enemies, but to observe how you react to combat situations, how you work as a team, and how you handle the challenges of a real dungeon. Think of this as a kind of practical test."

Erika paused to let the students absorb the information. The silence in the room was heavy, everyone focused, as she adjusted the presentation.

"Understand," she continued, "the focus here is not just on victory, but on your ability to work under pressure, make quick decisions, and, most importantly, follow orders. There will be supervision from all instructors, and if the situation gets out of hand, we will intervene immediately, so form groups of five people each."