Glyphbinder is a form of magic that activates power through glyphs , symbols drawn in the air as spells. They don't draw just any shape. Every line, curve, and cross must be inscribed with perfect precision.
The basis of this entire discipline are five primary symbols called The First Glyph Set.
These five symbols serve as the foundation.
Each has three levels of derivatives, and each derivative consists of five variants. In total, this system produces seventy-five different glyphs.
The primary symbol is always the simplest.
Its derivatives are distinguished by the addition of lines, tails, or crosses, and the deeper the derivative, the more complex the shape and the more concentration required to draw it.
To activate one spell, two glyph combinations are needed, because one glyph only represents one aspect of magic that cannot stand alone.
A beginner can usually only draw the main symbol, without any derivatives. Even then, combining just two main symbols can allow them to create more than ten spell variants.
Due to its inherent complexity, this school was largely abandoned.
In this era, people often mocked it as prehistoric, until finally only one academic school remained.
The town of Novargate in the Verdenlane region is the only town that produces Gylphbinder, where Lily comes from.
Lily successfully completed her first education (Tier Noviciate) there.
. . .
At graduation.
Suddenly, a hand landed on her shoulder. Lily flinched slightly, then slowly turned her head.
"You don't look happy. Is it because I'm late?"
The voice was too familiar to ignore.
Without thinking, Lily turned her body.
As soon as the figure became clear, her facial expression immediately changed.
"Blaze!"
Blaze's face stiffened for a split second. Lily was standing too close, almost touching.
"A-ah you're too close," he said, pushing her gently, not really moving away, just putting a little space between them.
Lily blinked, realizing, then took a half step back.
"Oh, yeah. Blaze, come with me."
Lily pulled Blaze's hand without further explanation.
"What? Where?"
Blaze was confused, but didn't stop her steps.
They arrived at an open space that looked like a courtyard.
The atmosphere is quite lively.
A long queue formed on one side, mostly in pairs, some even came as families.
Lily took a deep breath. "We'll join the queue."
Blaze followed, still not understanding. "What… are we going to do?"
"Taking a photo." His tone was flat, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
"Photo?" Blaze tilted her head.
A carved staff with a glowing magic stone at the end, floated slowly without anyone appearing to be controlling it.
Lily made a small gesture with her hand, and the magic stone responded, flashing every second as if counting down.
Lily smiled broadly and posed enthusiastically.
Meanwhile Blaze.... stood awkwardly.
He glanced at Lily for a second, before finally pulling off a nervous half-smile.
They moved to another place to take photos.
"One sheet?" asked the officer.
"Yes," Lily answered briefly.
"It costs fifty silver," said the cashier.
Blaze was stunned,
"Fifty silver?? Seriously??" he screamed in his heart, almost in disbelief.
But when he turned his head, his voice was simply drowned out.
Lily stared at the photo with a smile plastered on her face, warm and honest, something she hadn't seen in a long time.
Blaze stared at the side of his face for a long time, his honest feelings wishing more time had passed.
In the afternoon, they went to a hill, which had been a favorite place since childhood.
On that hill, they could see everything.
City views.
Meadows.
Sunsets.
The wind always felt peaceful, not only touching their hair but also bringing the best feeling they had ever felt.
Without looking up, Lily began to speak.
She stared at the sunset as if gazing at hope slowly fading on the horizon.
"You once said… that you would stay with me until my final years of academy."
There was a long pause. The afternoon breeze passed by, carrying the scent of grass and a slight chill.
"I hope… you can find someone else to stay by your side."
Her voice shrank, almost slipping away with the passing breeze.
"Because… I think I have to stop here. For a while."
Lily's gaze dropped. She knew those words would upset Blaze, but she was prepared for whatever he was about to say.
Blaze fell silent. Then he slowly exhaled.
"Yeah... we'll figure it out someday, maybe after we've traveled the world."
"Huh?" Lily turned her head, her eyebrows furrowed.
"Let's become adventurers. People at our level can probably only complete F-rank contracts."
"W–what? Wait a minute, Blaze—"
Blaze ignored her, his eyes still fixed on the sunset.
"But the F contract in each guild is also limited—"
"Blaze!"
Lily's voice rose, cutting him off.
Finally Blaze fell silent. But he didn't turn around.
Only twilight remained in his eyes, along with something he didn't have time to say.
Lily's hands clenched into fists, a faint tremor visible, trying to hold back the emotions that were coming out.
"Why..." her voice was lower.
"...you choose to wait for me?"
"Waiting?" he replied,
"When I said I'd stay with you, it meant we would do it together."
Lily blinked, the words snapping her into the realization of what Blaze was truly trying to say.
"If you want to stop for a moment, then I will be here too...."
The wind entered her nose unconsciously, which made Lily's chest feel light, her eyes widened slowly, listening more deeply to every word that came out of Blaze's mouth next.
"I understand. So, let's be adventurers. Lily."
Blaze stood up and his gaze swept into the distance.
"There are many things we can see in this world, more beautiful than the scenery we see. Mountains that touch the sky, a city among giant trees, or a great crater that is said to be the place where the ancestors of 'The Guardian'... We don't need to seek danger to see those places. We can just go around each city looking for the lowest contract until we save enough to continue our journey here. Yes... that's what I mean by being an adventurer."
Lily remained silent, her mouth slightly open but no words came out. She returned her gaze to the side.
Then he pulled a faint smile that came from his sincerity.
"Yes.... I also want to see more of this world." She said, his tone still low but the words released all the burden on her mind.
.
.
.
The next day, Blaze stood in front of a Guild.
The building has two levels. On the ground floor is a small tavern, where adventurers can rest or simply stop by.
The door was always open, from outside you could see several adventurers sitting.
Blaze wore regular clothes without armor. A long shirt with a vest, long cloth trousers, short boots, a sword sheathed at his waist and a backpack big enough for an adventurer.
Not long after, Blaze turned to the direction he was waiting.
Lily walked calmly, the morning breeze ruffling the hem of her coat. Her attire seemed like a relic from a magical aristocratic era. Elegant, bold, yet still carrying a hidden warmth.
She wore a long, pale white coat, falling almost to the ground. Along the edges, dark purple patterns trailed upwards like strands of newly awakened magical roots. The color was subtle, yet alluring.
Under the coat, Lily wore a plum-colored corset that emphasized her silhouette in an elegant way. Thin motifs decorate it with symbols that resemble gylphs but are merely ornaments, not spells. The corset blended with a high-necked lace blouse, soft and sheer, adding a calm aristocratic feel.
Slim trousers that extend along the line of her legs, paired with knee-high black boots.
Her hair flowed down, partially tied in a neat arrangement.
Blaze was silent for a moment just staring at her.
There was something about the way the coat followed her steps, swaying with a gentle authority.
"...Have you been waiting long?" Lily asked softly.
Blaze shook his head. "No," he said, even though he had been standing long enough for the morning dew to dry on his shoulders.
Lily stopped a step, the wind lifting the hem of her coat slightly.
"Is this too much?" she asked without looking at Blaze directly, a small gesture of uncertainty in herself.
"For someone who wants to be an adventurer…you look much more prepared than I do. Your clothes look fancy…they suit you perfectly."
Lily looked down slightly, almost smiling.
She straightened her posture again. "Come on," she said. "We have to apply, like you said."
"Wait, you're not going to bring anything?" Blaze asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"This outfit already has a magic pocket, I don't have to bother carrying a backpack."
"Oh... so your outfit is Iron Adventurer level. That's cool."
Blaze stared at her for a moment longer, as if to make sure that the one standing before him was indeed the Lily he knew.
Childhood friends will in one step become partners to face the wide world, starting a long journey holding one goal, so that they can return and continue their dreams together.
Blaze took a slow breath.
"Are you ready?" Blaze asked finally.
"Yes." Lily nodded quickly while smiling.
The Guild door swung open gently as the two entered.
The aroma of wood, oil, and spices from the small ground-floor shop filled the air. Round tables were neatly arranged, seating up to five people. Four chairs were left unoccupied, and judging by their attire, they weren't novice adventurers.
Lily stepped after Blaze. Her pale white coat with purple trim captured the attention of the entire room in one breath.
Some glanced over. Some merely glanced out of the corner of their eye. But one man watched her without blinking.
A man in dark, time-worn armor, a large war axe slung over his back. From the way he sat, anyone could tell he was the party leader.
His eyes followed Lily as if looking at an expensive antique that had suddenly appeared in a cheap shop.
Blaze didn't immediately head for the stairs leading to the Guildmaster's office on the second floor. She stopped right in front of the contract board, her eyes scanning the pages. He was curious about the list of F-rank contracts she would be taking on.
At that moment, a deep voice was heard from the direction of the leader desk.
"Hey miss, is he your personal bodyguard?"
Lily turned her head slowly,
"No, we are partner," she replied politely.
The man suddenly let out a long sigh. A sigh that was clearly meant as a taunt. Two of his teammates chuckled, like children who had just heard a cheesy joke.
"Partner?" the leader repeated, half-snorting. "Look at you, miss. Was what I heard some kind of joke?"
Lily's hands were clenched into fists beneath her coat. She kept her face impassive, but her brows were furrowed slightly... just a little, barely noticeable, except to Blaze or someone who was really paying attention.
He could accept insults towards himself. But Blaze's condescending attitude... that was different.
But Blaze… didn't turn around even though he heard everything clearly.
Lily watched him for a moment. Something shifted slightly in his expression. She realized that Blaze was used to enduring such things, and that was precisely what made Lily dislike him even more.
After getting no response, the leader finally stood up,
The creaking sound of the chair was loud in the silence.
Blaze glanced at him briefly, before his gaze returned to the board.
He stopped a step in front of Lily, crossing his arms, his smile half disdainful, half teasing.
"I want to talk to you, miss."
Lily didn't answer, her attitude was clear.
"Don't be like that," he teased, "You'll scratch this little heart."
He tilted his head slightly, his voice soft.
"Um. My name is Dorian, I'm the party leader. You can see my three companions at the table over there. From your appearance... you seem to be an Arcanist, my team doesn't have any pure magic users, so..."
He smiled. "I want you to join me."
Lily answered quickly, coldly but still maintaining her polite tone.
"Sorry, I'm not interested at all. I'm not an Arcanist anyway."
Dorian held back his emotions, his eyebrows trembling subtly.
"I see." He leaned in a little closer, his voice a low growl. "Let me guess, if you're from this town, you must be a Gylphbinder."
His flat laugh didn't reach his eyes.
"No wonder. You're just as pathetic."
Blaze finally turned his head,
"Watch your words." His tone was cold and not high, but enough to make the tension creep up.
Dorian immediately turned to Blaze, the man was staring at him with a gaze as sharp as a knife.
His breath shortening, he grinned at Blaze, challenging back.
"Heh... you can talk, so it seems."
"He already rejected it, right? Now move." Blaze said
At the corner of the table, one of Dorian's companions was watching as well, his body slightly bent forward.
"Oh no, he's heating up."
Suddenly a chair creaked, another partner walked towards them.
"Hey where are you going?"
The man didn't respond, he just kept walking.
"Tsk… What a weirdo." He whispered, trailing behind.
Meanwhile Blaze's words made Dorian's jaw muscles tense.
Blaze half looked back,
"Come on Lily."
Lily nodded.
Blaze was about to walk away but Dorian's palm held his chest.
"What is your problem?"
Blaze said it without emotion, questioning Dorian's existence as if he didn't really matter.
Two eyes met, their gazes not shifting even a bit.
"You need to fix your attitude. Should I teach you how to speak to a senior?"
"Senior?"
Blaze exhaled,
"I have a more reasonable question…" His gaze remained unwavering.
"…who are you?"
Durian's emotions immediately exploded, his hand was about to throw a punch but suddenly another hand held his arm.
"Stop Dorian," he said.
Dorian was silent for a second, he glanced at his arm for a moment.
He tried once again to pull his hand away.
Not moving at all.
Dorian's eyes widened, he felt his partner not grip his arm tightly, he couldn't believe he could withstand his raw physicality.
Finally Dorian turned his head.
"You..."
Lily was the first to see him coming.
A man with white, short, slightly wavy hair.
She wore a loose, dull green top, with crisscross straps across the chest, creating a sleek, neat neckline. Dark black trousers followed the shape of her legs, paired with a pair of dark brown boots.
But the most striking thing is not the clothes.
A sheathed sword hung at his waist, yet he also carried a bow slung across his back.A combination that never existed in adventurer class.Neither Rangers nor Swordmasters had any subclasses that overlapped like that.
Not only that, empty phials lined up almost around his waist, quivering gently with each step. His trousers and shirt had extra pockets that didn't appear to be stitched in.
Judging from his face, the man looked like he was still her age.
Dorian threw the grip away roughly.
"Get your hands off me!"
The white-haired man remained calm, the shouting didn't bother him.
"If we cause a commotion here, our payment will get cut again."
Dorian immediately grabbed him by the collar, pulling him until their faces were only an inch apart. His breath was hot and ragged, more from anger than strength.
"You think because of who our contract got cut in the first place, huh? You brat—!"
"Because you didn't listen to my advice." His answer was light, as if discussing something unimportant.
"I hope you make a better decision this time."
Even though his body was slightly lifted, the man remained as calm as a rock. He didn't hold back. He didn't fight back. He wasn't afraid. He simply let Dorian pour out his emotions without giving him anything to take back.
Unexpectedly, Dorian slowly released his grip.
Slowly his grip loosened, then released. Dorian looked down for a moment.
He took a breath.
Once. Twice.
Finally he looked up, pulling a forced smile.
"Yes, V. You're right... You're right..."
It turns out the white-haired man's name is 'V'. Yes, just one letter.
Dorian turned around without waiting for anyone to respond. His steps sounded lazy, as he returned to his table, grabbing a glass.
He glanced at V who was standing where he was.
"What are you doing? Hurry up you idiot, we haven't split the payment yet."
Dorian turned his head slightly, just to the point of his shoulder.
"Just take it." V's breath sounded even.
Dorian turned half his body.
"What are you saying?"
"I'm leaving your party," said V.
A moment of silence.
Dorian smiled sarcastically, his tone sounding indifferent.
"Oh, that's good then. I can drink some expensive beer today."
One person from the table immediately stood up, the chair moved roughly.
"Wait a minute V! But why??" he shouted.
"Nothing personal, Edric.... I'd rather be somewhere else."
He turned to Blaze and Lily. Neither of them were prepared for the spotlight.
V walked over, stopping in front of Blaze.
"New adventurers must form a party of at least three."
V bent his body slightly.
"Let me join you."
Blaze and Lily gasped.
The guild became silent.
Blaze opened his mouth but no words came out.
As his body straightened again, he turned to Lily.
"You're a Gyphbinder, right? I want to learn about that style."
V's voice was flat, but Lily sensed something else behind it. She wasn't sure. What was clear was that the words made her chest feel both warm and nervous.
"Y-yes." His voice was soft, almost carried away by the wind.
Dorian's laughter broke the silence.
"Learn?" he repeated, making the word itself a joke. His saliva splattered with amusement. "You want to learn? Did I hear you right?"
He slapped the table hard, making the glass vibrate.
"You don't even have any magic energy. What kind of joke is that."
Gazes from various tables began to turn toward V, tending toward uncomfortable curiosity. V didn't react.
As the words left Dorian's mouth, Lily reflexively turned her head towards V. A hesitant movement, unsure if she had actually heard him correctly.
Her eyes widened to the thinnest of a strand, there was a small twitch on his lips, like someone who wanted to say something but was afraid her voice would hurt him.
"Without magical energy??"
Beside her, Blaze also froze for a moment.
He didn't look at Dorian. He didn't look at anyone. He just looked at V.
There was a little uncertainty in his eyes.
Only Lily noticed Blaze's gaze. It was enough to tell her that he was showing sympathy.
Dorian, who was still feeling annoyed, took advantage of the opportunity to pour oil on the flames.
"You know what's funnier? He has no class."
Whispers were heard from other tables.
"What? An adventurer without a class?"
"Are you serious?"
"How did he get through the registration?"
"No, that's impossible."
Among the crowd, one voice rang out louder,
"Hey, white hair! How did you get an adventurer's permit?"
"Maybe he bribed," said another table member.
Some laughed, others just furrowed their brows, not entirely believing, not entirely dismissive.
When V glanced over, checking to see if Lily and Blaze would also move away from him... They were both staring at him.
"Do you mind?"
There was a short pause, a second long enough to convey surprise.
V really doesn't care about people's judgments of him. The question to Blaze was something like, 'Are you guys ready to accept someone who doesn't have magic energy?'
Blaze smiled, a smile that challenged him back.
"Heh... Don't underestimate me."
Blaze walked towards the stairs past V, without turning around he said,
"Come on V."
Lily's eyes widened for a moment, a warm feeling rising in her eyes as she watched Blaze walk without hesitation.
Lily stepped forward to follow.
As she was about to pass V, Lily smiled at him. It was an awkward but empathetic smile. The smile of someone who wanted to say, "It's okay," but couldn't find the right words.
V stared at their backs for a moment, then walked after them without a word.
Three people walked without looking at each other, the sounds of commotion fading behind them.
No one imagined that their adventure would start like this.
A Swordmaster with a piercing gaze, a Gylphbinder who is learning to understand himself... and a human that no have magic energy who is now part of their journey.