The moon had long since risen by the ti Inigo and Lyra stepped out of La Ferrine's, the lingering warmth of their shared al still wrapping around them like the final note of a song. The streets of Elandra had quieted, though not completely. Couples strolled under lamplight. The occasional carriage rumbled down cobbled roads. A bard played a gentle tune near the plaza, his lute echoing against the stone.
"That was... different," Lyra said softly as they walked.
"You didn't hate it," Inigo replied with a small grin.
"No," she admitted. "I didn't."
They walked in companionable silence until they reached the outer ring of the district where the inns were located. There, they paused.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Inigo asked.
"At the guild," she confird. "Bright and early."
He gave a casual wave, turning for his own inn, though sothing in the look she gave him lingered behind his eyes for the rest of the night.
The next morning ca brisk and clear. Inigo stepped into the Adventurer's Guild with Lyra just behind him. The front hall was already busy—new quests pinned to the board, adventurers bargaining for shares, and guild staff bustling behind the counter.
Elise, her hair neatly tied and expression sharp as ever, waved them over the mont she spotted them.
"The Guildmaster wants to see you both," she said. "He ntioned it last night before closing."
Inigo raised an eyebrow. "Both of us?"
Elise gave him a nod. "Apparently your kobold job made quite the impression."
They passed through the guild corridors, deeper into the administrative wing. Beyond thick oaken doors, Guildmaster Halric Thorne sat behind a heavy desk carved from ancient ironwood. He looked up as they entered.
"Ah," Thorne greeted, his voice deep and weathered. "Inigo Velasquez. Lyra Artheniel. I've been waiting."
He gestured for them to sit.
"I reviewed the reports from Elise," the Guildmaster said. "Two successful completions—one C-rank goblin subjugation, one A-rank kobold extermination. Both handled with efficiency and minimal collateral damage."
He pulled open a drawer and retrieved a small velvet-lined box. Opening it revealed a polished silver badge.
"Inigo Velasquez, by the authority of the Elandra Adventurer's Guild, you are hereby promoted to Silver Rank."
Inigo accepted the badge with a quiet nod, the weight of it heavier than expected. Recognition wasn't sothing he chased, but in this world, every step up was survival.
Lyra glanced at him with sothing between pride and relief.
Thorne continued. "Furthermore, I've been inford the two of you worked as an unofficial team on both missions."
"That's right," Inigo said.
"And I would like to formalize that," Lyra added. "I want to join him permanently. We fight well together. Better than most full parties I've seen in this hall."
"Ehh?"
Thorne leaned back, folding his hands. "So be it. Have you chosen a party na?"
Inigo glanced at Lyra, who gave him a small nod of encouragent. He thought for a mont as he couldn't resist her beaming eyes.
"Ebon Vanguard," he said finally.
Thorne raised an eyebrow. "Ebon... as in shadow or steel?"
"Both," Inigo replied. "We move in the dark, the enemy not going to see us coming."
"I like it," Lyra said simply.
Thorne nodded and turned to Elise, who had quietly followed them in with her ledger in hand. "See to it. Register them officially. They'll be operating under the Ebon Vanguard na effective imdiately."
Elise's quill scratched across parchnt. "Done."
"Good," Thorne said. "Now that you're Silver and a registered party, you'll be receiving higher-tier assignnts. Dangerous, yes—but rewarding. And based on what I've seen... I expect good things from you."
The Guildmaster rose and extended a hand.
"Welco to the next tier."
Inigo stood and shook it. "We won't disappoint."
Back in the guild hall, the shift was already evident.
Adventurers looked at him differently now—so with nods of respect, others with narrowed eyes of competition. Lyra stood beside him with the sa quiet confidence, her bow slung behind her back and silver hair cascading over her cloak.
"You realize," Inigo said, "this ans we'll probably start getting even crazier jobs."
"I don't mind," she said. "So long as you're there to watch my back."
He smiled. "Always."
Elise stepped up from behind the counter with a parchnt in hand. hand. "Here's your first mission offer as Ebon Vanguard. A scouting party reported unusual activity near the Windspire Cliffs. Rumors of wyvern sightings. It's B-rank and pays two gold up front."
Inigo whistled low. "Wyverns already?"
"You don't have to take it right away," Elise said with a smirk. "But I figured you might want sothing with teeth."
Lyra took the parchnt and rolled it neatly. "We'll consider it."
Elise leaned forward slightly. "And Inigo..."
He turned.
"Congratulations. You've earned it."
There was sothing honest in her tone—not the polite professionalism she used at the counter, but sothing personal. He gave her a small nod of appreciation.
"Thanks. And thanks for putting up with us."
"I'll be here when you get back," she said, returning to her post.
As they walked toward the main doors, Lyra nudged him lightly. "So what now?"
"We shop for gear. Restock supplies. Maybe get new clothes—I'm tired of looking like I only own two shirts."
Lyra actually laughed—a soft, musical sound. "I can help you pick."
"Dangerous offer," Inigo said with mock suspicion. "I have terrible taste."
"It's fine by ."
They stepped out into the bright midmorning sun, the city alive with its usual bustle—vendors calling out specials, students in mage robes rushing past with armfuls of scrolls, and armored guards patrolling the streets with relaxed deanor.
Inigo adjusted the new silver badge clipped to his cloak. "Silver rank, a party na, and wyverns on the horizon. Not bad for a week's work."
Lyra glanced sideways at him. "You think the next mission will be tougher?"
"Oh, definitely," he said. "But hey—Ebon Vanguard doesn't back down from a challenge."
She smiled. "You are the first human that made quite an impression on ."
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