In a remote corner of the world, where clouds piled high above towering rocky peaks and dense forests stretched endlessly like an ancient green sea, the wind howled through deep ravines, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and biting cold.
Amidst this rugged terrain, there was a small camp—just a handful of scattered tents around a flickering fire, encircled by the shadows of four people sitting in comfortable silence, exchanging glances without saying much.
But the silence didn't last long.
"Ugh… damn it, my whole body hurts!"
A low groan broke through the sounds of crackling firewood and roaring wind.
Nivalis was lying on the ground, face tilted up toward the cloud-covered sky.
His muscles were screaming, every bone in his body felt like it had been trampled by an enormous elephant.
A soft chuckle came from nearby, followed by a familiar voice dripping with sarcasm:
"Haha, at least you can move now. Not like the first day, when you were just a sack of meat thrown on the ground."
Nivalis turned his head slightly to look at Felix, the red-haired young man leaning against a tree trunk, a mischievous smile dancing on his lips.
Nivalis slowly raised a trembling finger and muttered in an exhausted tone,
"Shut up... just shut up."
Felix raised his hands in mock surrender but didn't stop smiling.
"Alright, alright. But you have to admit... Graive worked a miracle getting you to stand in just two weeks."
Nivalis couldn't help but sigh as memories of the past couple of weeks resurfaced.
Two weeks had passed since Lina had brought him into her team, and it had been two weeks of pure hell for Nivalis—or more precisely, for his body.
His eyes shifted toward the man responsible for this hellish torment.
A massive man, practically a moving wall.
Standing over two meters tall, his muscles were carved like solid rock.
Broad shoulders, enormous arms that could crush stone like it was child's play.
His face bore countless scars, each telling of untold battles.
And yet, despite his terrifying appearance, his eyes held an odd calm—eyes that belonged to a man far different than the monstrous body they resided in.
His hair was short and coarse, his beard unkempt, giving him the look of a warrior who had spent more time in war than among people.
He wore a heavy suit of armor, almost as if torn from a ruined castle, and beside him lay a massive shield—one he could just as easily use to crush enemies as to defend himself.
This was Graive, the team's main fighter and defender, and the man in charge of tormenting Nivalis's muscles and joints daily until his body felt like it would collapse.
To anyone meeting him for the first time, Graive was like a walking nightmare—someone who devoured children for breakfast and crushed monsters with his bare hands.
When Nivalis first met him and found out he would be his trainer, he'd felt a chill unlike anything before.
But after just two days, he realized appearances could be deceiving.
Despite his brutal training methods, Graive had a kind heart, driven by a genuine desire to make Nivalis stronger.
Nivalis sighed, feeling a strange sense of respect for the terrifying giant.
Then his eyes moved to someone else—someone who never stopped talking with an endless stream of enthusiasm.
Felix, the fire mage, and the most annoying and hyperactive member of the team.
A young man in his early twenties, tall and slim, but with fast, energetic movements.
His messy red hair blazed like fire, and his fiery eyes made Nivalis feel like he was always about to launch into battle—or pull a prank.
He wore clothes in red and black, with flame-like designs lining the edges.
A faint aura of heat always surrounded him, making him seem like he walked inside a burning furnace.
To Nivalis, Felix was one of the most irritating people he'd ever met—especially after their first encounter:
"Oh, another kid joining the team? Are you sure he's not just lost?"
Nivalis nearly punched him in the face right then and there, if not for Lina holding him back.
But over time, he realized Felix meant no offense.
It was simply part of his playful, impulsive personality.
Nivalis turned his gaze to another figure in the team.
Celeste, the archer and wind mage prodigy.
A young woman in her mid-twenties, with a slender body that reflected her skill in archery and her agility as a wind mage.
Her long silver hair flowed with the breeze, and her sharp green eyes—like a vigilant hawk's—glimmered with confidence and intelligence.
She moved like part of the wind itself, her steps barely audible, her smile often carrying a mix of challenge and playfulness.
She wore light armor that covered only strategic parts of her body, allowing for swift movement.
Over it, she donned a dark green cloak that danced with the wind.
In her hands, she held an elegant bow crafted from strong wood, adorned with carvings that reflected her bond with the wind, and her quiver was filled with silver-feathered arrows.
She was Nivalis's wind magic instructor and quickly proved herself a genius in it.
She was so enthusiastic about his training, she even insisted on teaching him archery—despite him being a swordsman.
Nivalis's eyes moved to the next person—the second-youngest member of the team.
Mira, the secondary water healer.
A girl with flowing blue hair cascading over her shoulders and ocean-colored eyes that reflected both serenity and hidden mystery.
Her attire was elegant and practical, in shades of blue and silver, giving her the look of a water priestess rather than a mercenary mage.
She was the quietest member of the group, with a slightly childish demeanor despite her age.
Her gentle behavior and calm presence made Nivalis feel at ease around her.
Finally, his eyes landed on the last person in the group—his other hellish instructor, the team's leader.
Captain Lina.
The group was small compared to other mercenary teams, but what they lacked in numbers, they made up for in sheer individual power.
It wasn't surprising, after all—they were the third strongest mercenary team on the continent.
What surprised Nivalis, however, wasn't their strength... but their name.
He had expected something grand, something terrifying that would strike fear into enemies' hearts.
But instead...
He placed his hand on his face, recalling the name once again:
"The Mischievous Cats."
"For hell's sake, why?!"
The answer was painfully obvious—because the team captain loved cats.
Nivalis let out a deep sigh, surrendering to his new reality.
As the camp settled into silence, Nivalis sensed someone approaching.
He raised his head slightly and found Lina, the captain, staring at him with piercing eyes.
"Enjoy the rest tonight, Nivalis."
He raised an eyebrow suspiciously, then asked,
"Why do I feel like trouble's coming?"
Lina smiled coldly and replied,
"Because we're going on a real mission at dawn."
A chill ran down Nivalis's spine.
"Well… guess the rest is over."
He looked up at the dark sky and took a deep breath.
Training was over—it was time to face the real world.