"Are you really going, human?" Aeris asked as I adjusted my cloak.
"Yeah, the Guild master wants to talk with ," I replied, pulling on my cloak and heading to the door. "Stay here and don't leave without disguising yourself, and if you want anything to eat, just go over to the inn lady. She will give you whatever you want to eat, just put the bill on my na."
"That is a lot of instructions..."
"No, these are precautions so you remain safe and not get kidnapped again." I slightly turned the door knob and looked towards Aeris. Her fists clenched as she looked downwards, contemplating.
She was still affected by the sight she had seen during her kidnapping—The abuse and torture those people had to go through.
She had seen it all.
"Don't think about it too much," I said, opening the door. "I will be back soon."
I closed the door behind and headed for the counter. Riana was waiting for there. She and I were about to head to the Ravenspire Guild because the Branch Master had asked for .
[Do you know why?] Dante curiously asked.
Well, the most likely answer is... Recruitnt.
[Recruitnt?]
Yeah, when a promising applicant gives the Mazekin test. The person is given a contract of employnt by the guild. The contract ensures monthly wages and a few benefits depending upon the person's potential.
[Are you going to accept it?] Dante insisted.
No, I did say I wanted to open my own guild, didn't I?
As my talk with Dante continued, I reached the counter of the Inn. It was still morning, so there were a few people on seats.
Riana was seated, having a cup of tea. But there was one more strange thing: another girl was sitting with her—Raven hair flowing behind her back. I could not see her face. She was talking with Riana about sothing.
"Collete, do you think he is interested in ?"
"Young Lady, I am not that good at grasping soone just by looking at them... But I think if soone as beautiful as you approaches, maybe he might agree to see you."
"Really?"
Yeah, I don't really care about what they are talking about I should just go and get this shit over with.
"Lady Riana?" I approached their table, giving a call to Riana. The raven-haired girl turned her head around to face . I had seen her before, during the Mazekin test yesterday.
It is that cold one... I forgot her na.
Croft swiftly replied.
"Dimitri, you are here." Riana stood up and approached . "We were waiting for you."
Collete stood up from her seat as well, her icy deanor returning. Her blue eyes swept over as if watching for sothing.
"Is Lady Collete coming with us, too?" I asked, keeping my tone polite. Wasn't she just another Mazekin applicant who appeared in the test alongside and Riana?
"Yes, I did not tell you before, but she is actually my guard sent by my elder sister," Riana explained, gesturing towards Collete. Who slightly lowered her head before .
"I am here to protect Young Lady Riana on her journey. If I angered you with my rude behaviour yesterday, please forgive , Sir Dimitri." Her tone was sharp and restrained. It is as if she was raised to be one.
"It is ok, I don't get angry over such trivial matters." I shifted my focus towards Riana. "Shall we get going now?"
"Yes, let us go." She replied, her warm hands grasped mine. Our arms locked together.
"L-lady Riana?" I stamred, shocked by her blunt action.
"Yes?" She looked up towards , giving a polite smile. "Any problems, Sir Dimitri?"
Yes, woman, there is a problem. You are literally invading my private space!
[Don't say that out loud. Rember that she is a Count's daughter for now; just play along and enjoy~] Dante chuckled. He was clearly enjoying this.
< Good luck> Croft uttered with her usual crisp tone.
Sigh.
...
...
A short while later, the three of us arrived at the Ravenspire Guild building. The dark walls, the slanted roof covered with snow. The huge wooden doors were reinforced with iron and the Guild's emblem carved onto it.
I sohow freed myself of Riana's grasp, which was a relief. She clearly did not like the distance I maintained, but she still respected it.
The three of us ascended the heavy stone stairs and opened the huge wooden doors with a creaking noise.
We stepped through into the warm guild hall, which was silent except for a few Mazekins near the work board and employees doing their jobs.
"Well, isn't it the Top scorer?" A cheerful and deep voice echoed throughout the hall. Everyone present there looked towards with surprised eyes. Murmurs ran among the people, echoing throughout the hall.
Ignoring them, I focused my gaze towards the person who spoke. Black hair with grey streaks, his onyx eyes looked at with a knowing glint. His face was marked with scars followed by his arms and biceps.
Raul. The Mazekin that I fought yesterday.
"Hello, Sir Raul," I greeted him, slightly lowering my head. It was taught to by Micheal, he said it is a sign of respect among warriors.
Raul smiled and lowered his head, his mouth opened to say sothing. "You really don't have to maintain formalities with . It is kind of awkward."
He lifted his head and walked towards . He reached into his pocket, taking out a small Bronze coloured card, and extended it towards . "Here, your license."
"Didn't the referee say that it would at least take 3-4 days for the results to be announced and for the cards to be given?" I asked, accepting the card.
It was plated with bronze with my photo on it. My fake na was written on it alongside my rank, which was C . The surface of the card was hard, almost as if the whole thing was made out of stone.
"Well, you are a special case. You defeated and also were the only one who was able to defeat an experienced Mazekin." Raul said, crossing his arms over his chest. "And, I have another news for... Perhaps, Lady Riana over here has already relayed it to yours ears?"
"Yes, I heard the Branch Master was asking for ."
"He indeed is. Now, follow ." Raul gestured towards the hallway.
"Lady Riana and Ms. Collete, we will now excuse ourselves." I gave a slight bow, hand over chest.
"See you later, Dimitri," Riana said, waving her hand. Collete simply nodded and then turned around alongside Riana towards the exit.
I followed Raul behind, as he led towards the room of the Branch Master. He stopped before a door and raised his hands to knock two tis.
"Yes?" I voice from within the room spoke. It was deep and heavy.
"Sir, it's , Raul. I have the requested Applicant Dimitri Novikov." Raul replied, straightening his back.
"Let him in."
"Well, there you have it." Raul made way for to enter as he leaned against the wall. I stepped forward, reaching for the steel knob and turning it with a click sound.
"Oh, by the way, be careful," Raul added. "Our leader is a person who likes action."
Nodding at his statent, I fully opened the door and entered the room. As soon as I stepped inside, the mana around warped as if I had entered a different space.
What the hell?!
My senses scread at that sothing was about to happen. Everything around sharpened, and the sounds outside were blocked.
The room was eerily quiet and dark. The windows were covered by erald green veils, with no light entering the room. It felt like an ambush.
[Noah, a barrier magic has been used] Dante stated. His tone was completely sharp and serious.
Croft interjected.
Sizzle.
But before I could respond to them. Lightning cracked from the side, flashing through the room and revealing a dark figure and then forming into a single blade that was heading for .
[Shadow Forge] I mumbled, forming a sword just in ti to block the upcoming strike.
Clang!
"Hmmm... you blocked that, huh?"
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