Auren’s record-breaking result in the written exams spread through the town like wildfire.
By noon, the story had already reached the taverns, and by evening, even the market vendors were talking about it.
For many, it was hard to believe that a quiet herbalist had outperford not just seasoned adventurers but even the Emperor himself.
The written examination for the Adventurer’s License was standardized across the entire Wha-lah Empire, and no one had ever broken Emperor Roov’s score of ninety-two percent. Yet sohow, Auren had scored one point higher than him.
The shock it caused rippled through every guild in town and soon probably even the neighboring towns and up to the empire itself.
Those who had mocked him just a day ago now pretended to be old friends.
Rumors shifted overnight—from "that newbie herbalist" to "that prodigy who outscored the Emperor." People who once ignored him now greeted him with forced smiles and fake warmth as Auren walked the streets.
’Darn. here we go again.’
Within a single day, Auren had received no less than eight invitations.
Alchemists, blacksmiths, scholars, even rchants wanted to recruit him. So wanted his skill. Others wanted his fa.
"What do you an? We know you are a capable fighter, but..." one alchemist said as he tried to block Auren’s path, his hands gesturing with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"But only by following your true calling as a herbalist will your potential bloom. Our guild will support you fully—facilities, ingredients, you na it. It is not too late to join us. Rember that you had been fated with a Divine Fra for Herbalist because it is what you are originally made for."
"Thank you," Auren replied, polite but firm, "but I’ve already set my plans with the Adventurer’s Guild. In fact, I am actually already on my way to join them."
He gave a small nod and walked past before the man could respond.
’That’s the eighth one today,’ he thought, suppressing a sigh.
’This is starting to get annoying.’
The further north he went, the more lavish the buildings beca.
Tall mansions lined the cobblestone streets, their banners swaying proudly in the afternoon breeze. Each bore the crest of a powerful guild or a wealthy party.
It was a different world from the bustling center of town—quieter, more polished, yet humming with influence.
Auren walked while looking out for that specific mansion stated by the ssenger.
’It should be aroung here...’
After receiving his license from the guild that morning,
Auren had been approached by a ssenger from Alyssa, the leader of the Blue Bound.
She had invited him to their headquarters. He didn’t hesitate to accept since he had already made up his mind to join them anyway.
While other parties had offered gold and fa, only Blue Bound had sothing he considered irreplaceable: a healer.
He had seen Alyssa’s healing magic firsthand after he gave Blas a good beating using his bazooka.
The way she saved that archer last night had left an impression.
’making friends with a healer might work good for while my bloodline’s ability is not yet available.’
Healing magic wasn’t common, and among adventurers, it was considered miraculous.
’I need to understand how that magic works,’ Auren thought. ’If I’m going to survive what’s coming, I’ll need allies like her.’
The mansion stood out even among the grand hos of northern side of the town.
Two guards in light blue armor stood by the gates. They recognized Auren instantly. His Divine Fra glowed faintly at his side, and that alone earned him a bow of respect.
"Welco to the Blue Bound’s mansion, Mr. Herbon," one of them said.
Auren nodded in return. "Thank you."
"Lady Alyssa will et you shortly. Please, this way."
He stepped through the ornate gate, and for a mont, he wondered if he had entered the wrong place.
The Blue Bound headquarters looked less like a guild hall and more like a noble estate. A wide garden stretched before him, filled with vibrant flowers and elegant statues—each depicting one of the team’s mbers.
Even Blas, the cowardly archer, had a stone likeness, bow in hand and a serious expression that didn’t match his real face.
’What the heck,’ Auren thought, glancing around.
’Is this really what an adventurer team living here?’ It feels like a house of a superstar, but in the fantasy settings.
A greenhouse stood on the right side of the garden, filled with thriving herbs and colorful plants.
On the left, a training field was visible, complete with archery targets, weapon racks, and even a small arena.
A fountain in the center reflected sunlight off its koi pond, casting shimring light across the marble path.
’No wonder they’re B-Class,’ Auren thought, his eyes narrowing in admiration. ’They’re practically nobles already.’
Then, from the mansion doors, Alyssa appeared.
"Welco, Herbon! please co in!" she called out, waving one hand.
Her voice carried its usual brightness, but her appearance caught him off guard. Gone was the battle-ready armor and stern expression.
Today, she wore a light blue dress with floral patterns embroidered across the fabric. Her blonde hair, usually tied in a tight ponytail, now flowed loosely over her shoulders.
There were faint traces of sweat on her neck and collarbone, hinting that she had been training just monts earlier.
"I hope I didn’t make you wait long," she said as she approached, smiling wide.
"Don’t worry. I just arrived," Auren replied, keeping his tone casual though his eyes scanned the mansion’s interior. The air slled faintly of lavender and fresh bread.
"Still," Alyssa said, her voice lowering slightly as she led him in, "I’ve been looking forward to this. I heard about your amazing result in the exams."
Her tone carried a mix of awe and disbelief. "Just how much did you study to reach such a score? You even broke the Emperor’s record!"
Auren smiled faintly. "I had good teachers when I was young."
Half-truth, half-lie. Robert and Marissa had taught him plenty, but most of what he knew ca from experience, observation, and long nights of study. Survival had been his real teacher.
They passed through a hallway decorated with portraits of the Blue Bound’s past achievents—dragon hunts, dungeon conquests, rare beast subjugations. Everything about the place scread discipline and pride.
Eventually, Alyssa led him into a wide guest room. A long glass table stretched across the middle, surrounded by elegant chairs. Waiting there were two familiar faces.
Essel, the party’s healer, stood up the mont she saw him. Her brown hair was neatly tied, and her smile was genuine.
"Welco! I’m Essel, the healer and support of Blue Bound. I’m excited to work with you!"
Auren returned the handshake firmly.
"Thank you for the warm welco. As you can see, I am Herbon the herbalist. I will do my best to support the team with the best of my abilities."
Then his eyes moved to Blas, the archer who had previously mocked him and tried to ’test’ him.
The man seed smaller today, avoiding eye contact. Alyssa shot him a smile so sharp it could cut steel—a silent warning.
"W-welco," Blas stamred. "I hope you can forgive my... stupidity last night."
Auren smiled, amused by how quickly the man’s arrogance had vanished.
"Don’t worry, brother. I understand you only wanted the best for your team. I’m here to prove that you can trust ."
Alyssa’s eyes softened as the two n shook hands. "Good. I’m glad we can all start fresh."
Then she turned to Auren, bowing slightly. "Once again, as leader of the Blue Bound, I apologize for Blas’s behavior. Rest assured, it won’t happen again. Right, Blas?"
Blas straightened, a drop of sweat sliding down his cheek. "R-right."
"Good. Now that everyone has been properly introduced.." Alyssa smiled in satisfaction, then sat down. "lets start by having a seat first."
Auren took one of the chairs, his attention drawn to the faint hum of mana in the air.
Even the furniture here had enchantnts—small, subtle runes carved along the edges to keep the room clean and temperature stable. It was a level of luxury most adventurers could never dream of.
Alyssa placed a folded piece of parchnt on the table.
"Now, to officially welco Herbon to our team, I believe the best introduction is through our usual tradition."
Auren raised an eyebrow. "Usual tradition?"
"This," Alyssa said, sliding the parchnt forward.
Getting a closer look, Auren realized it was a quest form from the guild.
Blas leaned forward, reading the details aloud.
"C-Level Quest: Ogre Infestation Subjugation..." He frowned.
"Are you sure Herbon will be safe? Last ti we did this kind of mission, it took us three days to clear. And to practice our coordination takes ti." he said while sipping into his coffee.
"Don’t worry," Alyssa said with a confident grin. "Last ti, we had setbacks because we were short on manpower. But now we have Herbon... and just in case you haven’t known, he scored a ninety-three percent score on the written exam!"
"What!?" Blas almost choked on the coffee, spewing it out not so elegantly.
"Wow!" Essel on the other hand was geniuinely happy.
"I was just lucky, I guess." Auren said trying to calm them down.
Alyssa then turned to Auren, her eyes glowing with excitent. "That’s why, this ti, it’ll be a walk in the park."
Auren leaned back slightly, arms crossing. "A C-Level quest for a first mission, huh. Sounds like fun."
Alyssa chuckled. "I like your confidence."
Essel looked between them, smiling softly. "Then it’s settled."
Auren’s gaze lingered on Alyssa for a mont.
Despite her elegance and warmth, there was sothing sharper beneath the surface—a fierce determination, maybe even obsession. He recognized it because he had the sa thing inside him.
’Interesting,’ he thought. ’This team might be more than it appears.’
Outside, the sunlight filtered through the mansion’s glass windows, glinting off Alyssa’s sword on her side.
For the first ti since arriving in this place, Auren felt sothing he hadn’t felt in a long ti—anticipation.
The Blue Bound had no idea who they had just recruited.
And neither did the rest of the Empire.
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