Jamie swallowed hard, a knot tightening in his stomach as the reality of the situation bore down upon him. "Retreat!" he bellowed, his voice cutting through the mounting panic.

As soon as the word left his lips, the remaining candidates scattered, their earlier bravado dissolving into urgency as they sprinted toward the safety of the city walls. Fear propelled them forward; the ground trembled beneath their feet with each distant footfall of the approaching giants. Only his companions and five candidates remained, their eyes fixed on him, awaiting some command.

"How many do you think there are? Fifteen?" Jamie asked tersely, his gaze locked on the horizon where colossal silhouettes loomed, emerging from the shrouded treeline like mountains come to life.

"About that," Thomas replied grimly, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his sword. "Giants are incredibly powerful, not to mention they've got resistance to magic. We'd need at least a battalion of the army or two A-rank mercenary companies to stand a real chance against them."

Jamie wiped a bead of sweat from his brow. "What are the chances we have two companies stationed in the city?" he questioned, his voice edged with urgency.

Thomas shook his head, his expression somber. "Only if we're incredibly lucky. They're usually out on assignments, constantly on the move."

"We can't afford to count on luck in a situation like this," Jamie muttered, his mind racing through their limited options. Each tremor in the earth felt stronger than the last, the giants drawing ever nearer. The distant sounds of trees snapping like twigs underfoot reached them.

Turning sharply, Jamie fixed his gaze on Aldwin. "Aldwin, get to the city walls. Do whatever it takes to sound the alarm. The city needs to know giants are coming."

Aldwin nodded firmly, understanding the gravity of the task. Though his instinct was to stand and fight, he recognized the importance of alerting the city's defenders. His speed made him the ideal messenger. "I'm on it," he affirmed, already sprinting toward the city, his silhouette soon swallowed by the gathering dusk.

"Camille," Jamie continued, his eyes meeting the elf's. "Use whatever spells you need, but get the villagers out of their homes and into the castle. Don't leave anyone outside."

Camille's eyes narrowed with determination. "Understood," she replied. With a swift turn, she dashed toward the small village. As she ran, she began to weave enchantments, spells of amplification to carry her voice across the rooftops, to wake those who might already be asleep or too focused on their work.

Jamie began descending the platform, urgency propelling his steps toward the city. But just as he reached the edge, a voice called out, halting him mid-stride.

"And what about us?"

Jamie turned to see the young man who had faced Thomas earlier in the trials. His dark hair was disheveled, framing sharp features that were set with determination. The spear he had rested firmly in his hand.

"What is your name?" Jamie asked, his gaze steady.

"Alonzo," the youth replied, his eyes meeting Jamie's without wavering.

"Run to the city and survive," Jamie said bluntly, already turning away.

But Alonzo stood his ground. "No disrespect intended," he declared, his voice carrying a quiet strength, "but that's not why I came to this test." He took a step forward, resolve evident in his posture. "As you taught us, Professor, a prince is an agent of action and transformation. As Prince Alonzo Del Alcázar, I cannot stand by and leave the fate of others in someone else's hands."

'Prince?' Jamie paused, surprise flickering across his features. The title was unexpected. Alonzo's grip on his spear tightened, knuckles whitening. Behind him, four others watched the exchange intently.

Jamie surveyed them. "Do you all share this sentiment?" he asked.

The gnome girl nodded vigorously, her wild copper curls bouncing with the motion. Thick goggles magnified her bright eyes, and her small hands fiddled with a gadget strapped to her belt. Beside her stood the young woman who wielded ice magic, her silver-blue robes stained from the earlier trials but her expression seemed resolute.

Two more figures completed the group. A rugged man bearing the scars and armor of a seasoned mercenary, and a broad-shouldered farmer, his hands calloused from years of working the land.

"I don't know about what he said," the farmer spoke up, his voice rough but earnest, "but this is my land, damn it. I will defend it."

Jamie regarded them thoughtfully. There was a fire in their eyes, a defiance that stirred something within him. He glanced at Thomas, who gave a slight nod.

"Very well," Jamie conceded. "Don't regret this later."

He took a moment to study the five who stood before him.

'If I bring them into my group, they'll benefit from the buffs,' Jamie mused. 'But it will consume all of my slots.'

Making a quick decision, he summoned the status sheet of one of his allies. A translucent screen materialized before him, glowing softly with arcane symbols.

--

| 2# Member: Thomas Hartfield

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. | Trust: [60/100] | Class: Harvest Guardian [Rare] | Level: 3 | Experience: [3138/6000]

--

'Is there a way to remove him?' Jamie wondered, his eyes flicking over the options. As if in response to his thought, a prompt appeared at the bottom of the screen.

[Do you wish to remove this member?]

[Yes] [No]

Excellent, he thought, a plan forming swiftly.

"Are you certain about this? What if any of them leak information about you?" Jay's voice was laced with worry, the spectral cat had a furrowed brow of concern.

Jamie glanced at his companion. 'We can focus our safety another time,' he thought resolutely.

Turning to face his guard, he called out, "Thomas! All five of them are temporarily part of the Golden Fiddle Company." He gestured toward the group of candidates who had chosen to stay behind. Their faces reflected determination and apprehension. "They're still pending a final evaluation, but for now, they're under your command."

Thomas scratched his head lightly, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. Accepting new members, even temporarily, during such circumstances was a risky move. But he trusted Jamie's judgment.

"Understood," Thomas replied, nodding slowly.

[Member Slots Consumed]

[Member Slots: 10 / 10]

[You don't have any more slots available]

--

| 6# Member: Alonzo Del Alcázar | Family: Alcázar Throne - Third Prince | Trust: [5/100] | Class: Lightning Whisperer [Unique] | Race: Human [Quarter Elf] | Level: 1 | Experience: [2510/3000]

| 7# Member: Thyra Snowfrid | Trust: [-10/100] | Class: Ice Witch [Unique] | Race: Human | Level: 1 | Experience: [1230/3000]

| 8# Member: Emyr Wrenchley | Trust: [80/100] | Class: Engineer [Rare] | Race: Gnome | Level: 2 | Experience: [510/5000]

| 9# Member: Holz | Trust: [60/100] | Class: Carpenter [Common] | Race: Human | Level: 1 | Experience: [120/1000]

| 10# Member: Dieter | Trust: [25/100] | Class: Swordsman [Rare] | Race: Human | Level: 2 | Experience: [1260/5000]

--

A murmur spread through the group as the new members exchanged puzzled glances. "What just happened?" one of them asked.

Jamie observed as some gazed at their hands, flexing their fingers as if sensing an unseen change. Emyr, the gnome engineer, bounced lightly on her toes, an expression of delight crossing her face. "I feel... lighter!" she exclaimed.

"You've all been temporarily added to the company," Jamie explained. "This grants you certain benefits when near me or our base. It's nothing drastic, but it enhances your constitution and perception." He offered a reassuring smile. "Any advantage could make the difference at this moment."

'But most importantly, I need to understand what each of you is capable of,' Jamie thought, his mind calculating the best way to utilize the newfound assets.

He turned his attention to two of the men, a sturdy fellow with sawdust in his hair and calloused hands and a lean swordsman with a hardened gaze. "Dieter and Holz," he addressed them, surprising them at how he knew their names. Moments ago, they had been strangers.

"You both lack ranged attack capabilities," Jamie continued. "Assist with evacuating the village. Help the townsfolk reach the safety of the city walls."

Dieter, the swordsman, exchanged a startled look with Holz, the carpenter. "How did you know our names?" Holz asked, eyebrows raised.

Jamie's gaze was steady. "There's no time to explain in detail. Just know that I know your skills, and right now, the villagers need you."

Thomas watched the exchange, a knowing glint in his eye. He had long suspected that Jamie possessed some blessing that allowed him to know their names and skill, but never had confirmed before.

Jamie shifted focus to the remaining members. "Those of you who can set traps, prepare as many as you can along the giants' path."

Emyr perked up. "My bombs. Do you need them?" the gnome asked eagerly, her goggles slipping slightly down her nose.

"Can they be triggered by pressure or contact?" Jamie inquired.

She nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! They detonate if someone steps on them."

"Excellent. Place as many as you have along the route leading to the wall," Jamie instructed, pointing toward the approaching danger.

Turning to Thyra, the ice witch, he said, "Thyra, use your magic to erect barriers. Walls of ice, anything to slow their advance."

Thyra hesitated momentarily, her pale eyes meeting his. A flicker of defiance crossed her face, but she gave a curt nod. "As you wish," she replied, though her tone lacked warmth.

'Snowfrid... That surname sounds familiar,' Jamie mused, a vague memory tugging at the edges of his mind.

Finally, he addressed Alonzo, the young prince. "Alonzo, get to the city wall. Use your lightning abilities to strike from a distance. I don't know the full extent of your powers, but do whatever you can to delay them."

Alonzo bristled slightly. "I would prefer to be on the front li—"

Jamie's eyes hardened. "You're under my command now. Go to the wall."

The prince opened his mouth as if to argue but then closed it, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "Understood," he conceded begrudgingly.

As Alonzo turned to leave, he paused. "And what about you?" he asked over his shoulder.

Jamie exchanged a glance with Thomas, who gave a subtle nod.

"Thomas and I," Jamie began, a steely resolve in his voice, "we'll try to slow them down."

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