Then suddenly, a gentle tug ca from his side.
"Brother Axel?" Ellory’s small voice called out, and her hand shook his arm gently.
Another voice ca next, more casual but filled with concern.
"You okay, bro? You’re spacing out," said Owen, the little green sli curled under his hood, his tiny eyes blinking up at him.
Axelius blinked and turned his head slowly, The crowd around them had begun to move again, returning to their normal pace now that the music was gone. He looked back to the fountain—but the girl in black silk mask was no longer there.
"I..." he paused, then took a deep breath, slowly letting it out through his nose. "It’s nothing. I just rembered sothing.""
Before anyone could say anything else, Cyruz suddenly gasped, pointing toward the nearby row of colorful stalls lined up near the town square.
"Look, Ellory! So many sweets! Let’s go!" he said excitedly, his hand already reaching for hers.
"Huh—?" Ellory blinked, surprised by his sudden shout, but her eyes lit up the mont she saw the rows of sugar-dusted pastries and honey candies and round little fruit pies stacked on wooden trays.
"Oh!" she gasped.
Without thinking, she let Cyruz take her hand, and together they ran toward the stalls, their steps quick and filled with laughter.
As they walked, "You rember it too?" Owen said gently. "Aunty always played it to us on the rooftop."
Axelius didn’t answer.
The warm air inside the shop was filled with the soft rustle of fabric, the scent of new clothes, and the low voice of the shopkeeper explaining the embroidery.
Ellory was standing in front of the mirror, her small hands brushing gently over the soft white and pink dress she was trying on. Her cheeks were red from excitent, and her eyes sparkled as she turned side to side.
Outside the dressing room, Cyruz waited with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall. His fingers tapped against his arm until he looked to the side and saw Axelius standing not far, watching the street quietly through the shop’s glass window.
Cyruz suddenly walked toward him and grabbed his shoulder.
"I don’t want a favor," Cyruz said, "I’m giving an order."
Axelius turned his eyes slowly to look at him, silent.
"You already had her to yourself for five months," Cyruz continued with a serious face. "Let us have ti with Ellory. Go sowhere else. It’s our turn. We’re her full-blooded brothers. Not you."
But when he finished speaking, he turned to the side, expecting a reply... and saw no one.
"Huh?" he blinked, then looked around quickly. "What the?! When did he leave?!"
One of the guards behind them bowed a little and answered politely, "He left after you started talking, young master."
Cyruz’s eyes widened, and his face turned red with annoyance. He clenched his fists tightly and muttered, "That idiot!"
Cedric, who had been sitting nearby checking his sword’s straps, looked up and sighed.
"Never mind Axelius," Cedric said calmly. "You should calm your mana and focus on bonding with Ellory."
Cyruz groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "Why the hell would I need to calm my mana? It’s already calm."
Cedric raised an eyebrow and answered, "Not enough. It’s still chaotic."
"...Tsk," Cyruz clicked his tongue but closed his eyes for a second, trying to take a deep breath like he was told before during training. Slowly, the swirling mana around him settled little by little.
Just then, the curtain from the dressing room opened, and Ellory stepped out.
Her hands held the edge of the dress lightly, and she looked so happy—but when her eyes looked around the shop and saw no sign of Axelius or Millie, her smile faded slowly.
She opened her mouth to ask where they were when her eyes t her maid Julie’s. Julie only smiled gently and nodded slightly.
Earlier, Julie had told her that young master Cyruz really wanted to spend ti with her today.
So... Ellory didn’t ask, She looked down at her hands and nodded quietly.
anwhile, Axelius was standing in front of a large, building made of stone and wood. The sign above the entrance was carved neatly, with bold letters that read: Heartstone Guild.
Millie stood beside him, holding a folded map. She looked up at him with a small smile. "It’s here, young master," she said gently.
He gave a small nod, then stepped forward. "Let’s go."
They pushed the wooden doors open and stepped inside.
The air inside the Heartstone Guild was warm and slled like smoke and leather. The floor was made of heavy wooden planks, and the walls were lined with large weapons, old trophies, and hanging maps with pins. There was a long desk in the back where a few staff mbers were talking to adventurers.
Chatter filled the hall—deep voices laughing, boots hitting the floor, the clink of coins, and the clatter of mugs being set down. A large fireplace crackled in the corner, and above it, a huge black bear’s head was mounted, its eyes glassy but fierce.
Axelius looked around. He walked toward the desk, People glanced at him briefly but didn’t stare long—his hood helped keep his face hidden thinking that he’s just a dwarf. Just another traveler. Just another man with business.
The woman behind the desk looked past Axelius and gave a small nod toward Millie, who stood straight with calm posture.
"Welco to Heartstone Guild, Are you an adventurer?" the woman said with a bright tone.
"No," Millie replied, the receptionist asked again. "Would you like to hear about Hearstone Guild Sire?" Axelius nodded and Millie nodded as well.
"We’re one of the few all-around guilds in Virewyn. Adventurers, travelers, and skilled workers co here to take on quests, bring in rare items, or recruit talent for their journey.
Whether you need a bodyguard, a healer, a scout, or just soone who knows how to hunt monsters, this is the place. You’ll find task boards in the next room, updated daily. There are local requests, nobles’ contracts, rchant commissions, and sotis even secret quests."
She looked proud while speaking, as if this was a speech she had given many tis. Then she turned her gaze back toMillie, who had not spoken yet. He looked around the room once, slowly.
"How may i help you now? Miss?"
"I’m looking for a blacksmith to recruit," Axelius said finally.
The woman raised one brow and looked down at him again, more carefully this ti.
Millie kept silent, but her eyes briefly glanced toward Axelius. The woman cleared her throat quickly and tried to stand straighter. "Ahem. In that case, I’ll need to see your guild card."
Axelius frowned a little. "I don’t have one."
The woman gave a tired sigh and bent down to open a drawer. She pulled out a thick brown book and set it on the desk with a soft thud.
"It looks like you’re a traveler without registration. Please read this book. It explains everything. Rules, systems, ranks, and more. If you’re serious about working through the guild, this will help."
Axelius stared at the book, then reached out and took it.
Without a word, he began flipping through the pages—fwip, fwip, fwip—from beginning to end at a surprising speed. Owen eyes scanned each page quickly.
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