It wasn’t called a ‘recruitment story’ for nothing. Cadel stared blankly at the pillar of fire piercing the Armor Ogre. Van stood frozen, unmoving despite the heat radiating from the massive flames. His grip on his greatsword tightened, veins bulging on the back of his hand. Beyond the blazing pillar, Cadel’s figure appeared, limping toward Van. As soon as Van spotted him, he rushed over. “Mage!” “My head is pounding. Don’t yell.” “Why did you come out here? If you had just stayed hidden—!”