Morning brought a familiar rhythm: the bustle of the shop, the focused energy of the girls'' training, and the concentrated effort of guiding Willow deeper into her chosen profession. The lack of a formal class for her was a hurdle, a frustration he couldn''t yet solve. So, he poured his attention into Anya, mapping out a rigorous schedule of two expeditions a week, aiming to catapult her to level 20 within a fortnight. Then, the girls could join the guild, their futures secured within a junior team. Robert knew he''d continue their training, but the true lessons, the ones that forged strength and wisdom, lay in the heart of experience itself, in the trials and triumphs that awaited them beyond his watchful gaze.


    As the first week drew to a close, Anya diligently pursued her new profession, her progress a bright spot in Robert''s busy schedule. He''d put in a request to the guild, and it had borne fruit: two junior teams had arrived from the capital. This was precisely what he''d been hoping for. Both teams, each boasting three members, were seeking precisely the skills his students possessed: a stalwart frontline fighter and a powerful backline mage and healer. He made his way to the guild hall, eager to meet them. The Guild Master greeted him with a smile. "Robert, I appreciate you coming. As you requested, I''ve arranged for two junior teams from the capital to visit. Both are considering relocating here and are in dire need of new members. Whichever team you choose will remain, while the other will return to the capital to recruit before settling here permanently." As she spoke, she produced two sheets of parchment, their edges slightly curled, and handed them to Robert.


    Lysandra pointed at the first sheet, launching into a description of the team. "The first team calls themselves The Steel Sentinels. Their leader is Victoria Hartington, a level 23 human Strongarm Fighter—an uncommon class, that one. She''s been with the guild for six months. Yes, she''s leveling a bit slowly, but she has a good reason. She''s focused on building a solid team, making sure they can hold their own together. Wouldn''t do to have a big level gap, after all. Next, we have Roric Stonefist, a human Open Hand Monk, another uncommon class, level 21. He''s still learning the ropes, but from what I hear, he''s a good member. Finally, there''s Isadora Lionale, a level 22 Swiftfinger Rogue—uncommon as well, and only four months in the guild."


    Turning to the second sheet, Lysandra explained, "This team''s the Shadow Walkers. They''re all about stealth, but they''re good, I think. Their leader is Kael Darkwood, a level 23 Hunter of the Deepwoods—that''s a rare class. He''s human, and he''s got solid reviews from the guild. Next up is Torvin Grimbeard, a human, level 22 Surefooted Scout, uncommon class, that one. Interestingly, he turned down a spot in the royal guard. Seems he wants to see the world before settling down. Finally, there''s Liliana Nightshade, a level 22 Swiftdraw Archer, another uncommon class. Both teams are solid, good starting points, really. But it''s your call, Robert."


    Robert studied the sheets, absorbing the wealth of information contained within, before voicing his concern. "My only concern is the difference in the rarity of their classes and professions. While I won''t go into specifics, the girls are... above rare. How do you think the teams will handle that, knowing that in time the girls will likely outgrow them?" Lysandra nodded understandingly. "It''s a common issue, Robert. Nearly every team in the guild faces a similar dynamic. There will always be someone with a higher tier class, and yes, the girls will likely become more powerful over time. But that''s expected. What usually happens is those individuals become the cornerstones of the group, at least for a while. Eventually, the team may split, it is the natural order of things. Most teams don''t stay together for decades. Take the Walkers, for example. We know Torvin will probably retire in a few years to join the guard. I''d expect the girls to get three or four good years out of this group before moving on, perhaps even going their separate ways. No one can predict the future."


    "That''s a fair point," Robert conceded. "I''d like to speak with each team leader individually, if possible. Then, once I''ve made a decision, I''ll meet with the full team. If they pass muster, I''ll bring the girls by to meet them. The final decision, of course, rests with them," Robert stated, emphasizing the last point. Lysandra smiled. "Naturally. Tell you what, why don''t you make yourself comfortable at my desk, and I''ll have the leaders sent in one at a time." Without waiting for a response, she stood and left the office.


    Robert, shaking his head slightly at her efficiency, perched on the edge of the desk and waited. A moment later, the door opened, and Victoria entered. Seeing Robert, she approached and stood before him, waiting to be addressed. "Victoria, I presume?" Robert asked. The woman nodded, a determined set to her jaw. "Yes, sir. Victoria Hartington, Level 23. Sir, I know my class is uncommon, but I assure you, I''m a good fighter and a good leader. You can depend on me to keep my team out of trouble." Robert smiled, a hint of gentle correction in his tone. "A better leader keeps them from getting into trouble in the first place," he observed. Before she could reply, he raised a hand, forestalling her protest. "But no leader can manage that all the time. Tell me about yourself, your plans. Where do you see yourself in a year?"


    Over the next fifteen minutes, Robert listened attentively as Victoria spoke, interjecting with a few well-placed questions. When she finished, he thanked her for her time and asked her to send in the next person as she left. She thanked him in return, but a flicker of disappointment crossed her face as she departed. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Kael strode in. "You must be Robert," he declared, "I''m Kael Darkwood, a level 23 hunter, and a Rare class, which should be all you need to know." Robert raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. He held up his hand. "I see. A Rare class. Interesting. I will say that''s a plus, but it''s *only* a plus. Tell me, Kael, how do you intend to help *my* girls grow?" Kael looked momentarily taken aback, then recovered with a confident air. "I''m not sure I understand the question. My being Rare means that as we travel, I''ll grow more powerful. With that power, I''ll lead my team to new heights. Your girls will grow by being with *me*." Robert sat in silence for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I see," he said again, his tone neutral. "Thank you for your time, Kael. You can head out now. And could you let the Guild Master know I''d like to see her?" Kael smiled, a flash of arrogance in his eyes. "Sure, Robert. And I look forward to meeting your girls. I''m sure we''ll grow... close."


    A few minutes after Kael departed, Lysandra swept into the office. "So, what did you think?" Robert, his face a mask of barely contained fury, replied, "Normally, I''m the picture of composure. But that man... he pushed me to the edge. I think he''s in need of a rather... intensive lesson. I understand a rare class grants a certain level of prestige, but he''s utterly clueless. And did you hear him? He had the audacity to suggest he and the girls would ''grow close''." A dangerous glint sparked in his eyes. "Tell me, is there a secluded, wooded area nearby? One that wouldn''t be missed if it were to, say, disappear?" Lysandra''s eyes widened with a mixture of concern and apprehension. "Are you serious? Robert, you are serious! You''re not actually going to... to kill him, are you?" A slow, chilling smile spread across Robert''s face. "I said ''teach,'' Lysandra. If I intended to kill him, he wouldn''t have made it out of this office alive." A beat of silence hung in the air before Lysandra''s expression shifted, her eyes lighting up with a mischievous spark. "Actually... I know the perfect place. Come on," she urged, a hint of excitement in her voice, "This is going to be amazing."


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    As they swept out of the office, Lysandra''s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, towards the two party leaders. "Gather your teams. Meet us at the north gate in twenty minutes. Be late, and you''ll be on the next carriage back to the capital, permanently." Without waiting for a response, she and Robert strode out. They made a quick detour to Robert''s house, collecting the girls. Details were withheld, replaced with a simple, firm instruction to follow. The four of them then made their way to the north gate. The two parties were already assembled, though Kael wore a sour expression. "We''ve been waiting for ten minutes," he complained, his tone laced with resentment.


    Before he could continue, Lysandra cut him off, her voice like ice. "You''re free to leave at any time." She held his gaze for a moment, daring him to challenge her, before turning and leading the group out of the city. Lysandra set the pace, a brisk march that took them away from the familiar cityscape and into the untamed wilderness. After nearly an hour, she indicated a wooded area in the distance, the same one she had mentioned earlier. Robert raised a hand, halting the group. "That''s it, right? About four miles out?" He pointed towards the seemingly unremarkable stand of trees. "That''s the one," Lysandra confirmed. "There''s usually no one around here."


    Robert quickly cast a detection spell, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "Confirmed. We''re the only ones within a four-mile radius. Perfect." He turned, his gaze locking onto Kael. "Do you know why I''m seeking a team for my girls? It''s not because I lack the power to nurture their growth. It''s because I understand that adventuring solely with me would hinder their full potential. A rare class is a boon, certainly. In time, you will surpass the average adventurer. But you should know," his voice dropped, each word heavy with significance, "my girls possess neither common nor uncommon classes. They don''t even hold rare classes."


    Kael''s face fell. A ripple of murmurs spread through the two parties, a mixture of awe and disbelief. Robert continued, his voice resonating with quiet power, "And neither do I. In fact, I don''t even have an epic class." Before anyone could react, Robert turned his attention back to the distant trees. He began to chant, his voice low and resonant, the words of an incantation unfamiliar to any of them. The chant was long, complex, and after about fifty seconds, a dawning realization spread through the group: this was no ordinary spell. After eighty seconds a current of unease rippled through them. By the two-hundred-second mark, the look in their eyes was no longer mere unease but rather one of fear as they felt the air crackle with barely restrained energy. Then, Robert unleashed his magic. For the first time in history, the spell Inferno''s Birth and Death was cast upon this world, and its power was undeniable, terrifying, and ultimately, awe-inspiring. The world held its breath, bracing for the impact of a power unseen in any of their lifetimes.


    Four miles away, the designated stand of trees became the focal point of a breathtaking, terrifying, and ultimately miraculous spectacle. A fiery pinpoint of light appeared high in the sky, rapidly growing in size and intensity. It was Inferno''s Birth, a colossal meteor, summoned from the heavens, plummeting towards the earth at unimaginable speed. The meteor screamed through the atmosphere, a blazing inferno tearing a fiery gash across the blue canvas of the sky. A sonic boom, delayed by the distance, reached them a moment later, a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath their feet. The air crackled with energy, and a trail of smoke and fire, like a celestial wound, marked the meteor''s devastating path. The impact was cataclysmic. The ground bucked and heaved as the meteor slammed into the stand of trees. A blinding flash of light erupted, followed by a shockwave that sent them stumbling. A colossal plume of fire, earth, and debris shot skyward, painting the sky in shades of orange, red, and black. The trees were instantly vaporized, obliterated in the blink of an eye. The heat was immense, a tangible wall of force radiating outwards. It seemed like the end of everything in that location.


    But then, something extraordinary began to happen. This was Inferno''s Death, not an ending, but a transition. The raging inferno subsided, the fiery rain of debris ceased, and a profound stillness settled over the ravaged landscape. Where once a lush grove had stood, there was now a vast, smoking crater, a testament to the raw power that had been unleashed. Then, from the scorched earth, a faint green glow began to emanate. Tiny tendrils of life, impossibly vibrant against the blackened soil, unfurled. Within moments, the crater was teeming with new growth. Lush, verdant plants, unlike any they had seen before, sprouted and blossomed at an astonishing rate. Strange, beautiful flowers unfurled their petals, releasing a sweet, unfamiliar fragrance into the air. Small, brightly colored creatures, drawn by some unknown instinct, began to appear, flitting and crawling amongst the new flora. The scene was a paradox, a breathtaking juxtaposition of destruction and creation. The devastation wrought by Inferno''s Birth had paved the way for a miraculous resurgence, a vibrant ecosystem born from the ashes. Robert''s point, though made with terrifying power, was ultimately proven, it was a terrifying, yet strangely beautiful display. It made clear that he could wipe someone from existence.


    Brushing a layer of fine dust from his clothes, Robert turned to Kael, his voice resonating with power. "That spell," he declared, each word distinct and deliberate, "required Tier 6 proficiency in Fire, Earth, Creation, and Destruction magic. I won''t reveal my class or level, but consider for a moment what it takes to surpass Tier 6 in four separate magical disciplines." He paused, letting his words sink in. "I''ll offer you one piece of advice: you will never be the most powerful person in any room. There will always be someone stronger. Just as I, myself, am far from the most powerful in this kingdom. And I promise you," his voice hardened, "if you don''t knock that chip off your shoulder, someone else will. And they might just choose you as the target for their next demonstration."


    He beckoned to the girls, who had been standing a short distance away, mouths agape in stunned silence. They rushed to his side, Elara''s words tumbling out in a rush. "Robert, that was... I don''t even know what that was. I''m... speechless." Robert smiled, a stark contrast to the sternness he had directed at Kael. "These are my girls. Not by birth, perhaps, but that makes no difference. They deserve the best, and they will have it." He turned back to Kael, his expression unyielding. "Kael, your team is out. You need to spend some serious time on self-reflection. Return to the capital, find two new members who understand humility, and then, maybe, we''ll try this again. Victoria," he addressed the other party leader, "when we get back to the city, come by my house with your team. You can spend some time with Elara and Anya. See if there''s a genuine connection to be made." With those final words, the unspoken tension that had hung in the air since the spell''s casting began to dissipate. They turned and began the journey back to Oakhaven, leaving behind the echo of a power that had reshaped the landscape, and perhaps, a few perspectives as well. The message had been sent, the point had been proven, and the next move was up to others to decide what they wanted to do.