The next morning, the guild's mission hall awakened long before the sun had fully climbed the sky. Warm light streamed through the tall arched windows, scattering golden patterns across the polished wooden floor. The walls, decorated with trophies of past hunts and sprawling maps marked by countless missions, silently told stories of triumphs, failures, and legends long gone.
The hall was alive.
Adventurers filled the space, their voices overlapping in excited chatter. Leather armor creaked, metal gear clinked, and boots echoed rhythmically as people moved back and forth. Some laughed openly, others whispered in tense anticipation. Today was not just another day. It was the day their futures gained shape.
Every candidate who had passed the test was present.
Proud smiles were common, but so were sharp, assessing glances. For many, this was not only about success. It was about comparison. About knowing where one stood among peers who might one day become rivals… or enemies.
Behind a slightly elevated counter stood Mirella, the guild's receptionist. Her chestnut hair was neatly tied in a low ponytail, her posture straight and composed. She offered polite smiles with practiced ease, though her eyes carefully measured the atmosphere. To her sides, Eldren and Bargan observed the crowd in silence, their expressions stern.
Then Bargan stepped forward.
His massive frame alone was enough to quiet the room. Conversations faded as attention naturally gravitated toward him. Crossing his arms, he scanned the hall before speaking, his deep voice carrying effortlessly across the space.
"Congratulations to all of you who passed the test."
The words landed heavily.
"You faced dangerous creatures. You demonstrated courage, endurance, and above all… intelligence in battle."
He paused deliberately. No one spoke.
"This achievement marks only the beginning. The life of an adventurer is long, unpredictable, and often unforgiving. But it is also filled with opportunity, growth, and purpose."
His gaze sharpened.
"Proceed to the receptionist to receive your guild membership cards. The full evaluation results are posted behind me."
With that, Bargan stepped back.
The silence shattered instantly.
A wave of noise surged through the hall as candidates rushed toward the results board. Cheers erupted here and there. Some fists were raised in victory, while others fell slowly to trembling sides. Joy, frustration, relief, and hunger for more all mixed into a single chaotic rhythm.
Rael and Lyo stayed together as they approached the counter.
Mirella greeted them with a professional smile that softened just slightly.
"Good morning, gentlemen. Your guild cards are ready."
She placed two thin wooden cards on the counter. Each was carefully engraved, warm to the touch, carrying more weight than its material suggested.
Rael picked up his card.
"Rael – Rank C Adventurer."
For a moment, he simply stared.
Rank C.
Not low. Not extraordinary. But solid. Real.
Beside him, Lyo grabbed his own card.
"Lyo – Rank C Adventurer."
A wide grin spread across his face.
"Wait… that means I can already challenge the Rank B test!"
His excitement was infectious. Rael felt his lips curve upward as well, pride stirring quietly in his chest. Around them, the hall buzzed louder than ever, but Rael's eyes drifted through the crowd.
He searched instinctively.
Izen.
He didn't see him.
A flicker of unease surfaced, but it vanished just as quickly.
"Rael!"
Lyo's voice rang out from across the hall.
Rael turned to see him standing near the monster evaluation board, eyes wide, finger pointing.
"What is it?" Rael asked, weaving through the crowd.
Lyo barely waited for him to arrive.
"You defeated a Rank B monster!"
Rael froze.
"What…?"
He leaned closer, scanning the board. There it was. His name. Confirmed. Official.
A Rank B-class monster.
His heart began to pound. The realization hit harder than expected. During the test, he had fallen behind. He had doubted himself. Yet despite everything, he had accomplished something remarkable.
Not luck.
Not coincidence.
Proof.
Elsewhere in the hall, Blanek stood apart from the noise, staring down at his own card.
"Rank B…"
The word lingered in his mind, heavy with expectation.
"So, what rank did you end up with?"
Blanek turned sharply.
Selena stood behind him, her scarlet hair flowing freely over her shoulders. Her eyes sparkled with playful curiosity.
"B," Blanek replied confidently. "And you?"
"Same."
He let out a short laugh.
"But I took down more monsters than you. Including a Rank B."
Selena rolled her eyes and lightly punched his shoulder. Blanek laughed louder, clearly pleased with himself.
"I'm probably the only one who managed that."
"Wrong," Selena said, her tone shifting.
Blanek blinked.
"Another candidate defeated a Rank B monster. A Lupus Albarys."
The smile vanished from his face.
"What?" His eyes widened. "Who?"
Selena crossed her arms, amused.
"His name is Rael."
The name echoed sharply in Blanek's thoughts. He scanned the hall, his competitive instincts flaring to life.
"Rael…" he murmured.
"Don't underestimate him," Selena added. "He's tougher than he looks."
Blanek slowly clenched his fists, excitement burning behind his eyes.
"Interesting," he said quietly. "I'll have to meet him."
Selena smiled, already anticipating what lay ahead.
Back in the heart of the hall, Rael stood among laughter and celebration, his guild card resting firmly in his hand. He felt something new stirring inside him.
Recognition.
Purpose.
He didn't know it yet, but his name had already begun to spread.
And somewhere nearby, a rivalry had taken its first breath.
The journey had truly begun.