The Telemma School was bustling with voices for the first ti in a while.
If it used to resemble the chaos of a crowded market, now it felt more like a lively café.
Apparently, everyone had responded imdiately to Ray’s ssages. Judging by how quickly they all arrived, it was impressive.
"What about Leif?"
"Inside."
Before finding , Ray had already tead up with Leif to divide responsibilities.
Ray, with her sharp instincts, wouldn’t get lost or miss anyone, so she ca to fetch . anwhile, Leif stayed back to greet and guide the arrivals.
"Let’s head in."
The mont I stepped into the Telemma School, I could feel all the conversations abruptly stop. The weight of everyone’s attention shifted toward .
"You’re here."
"Late, as always."
"Wow, looking sharp, Roman!"
"Roman, long ti no see."
Voices ranged from familiar to ones I’d heard more recently. Each greeting carried its own tone.
Walking further in, I greeted them back.
"Thanks for coming."
I scanned the room to take in the faces of those who had shown up.
At one table, taking up the best spot in the room, sat the Alexandria School trio.
At the bar counter, sitting alone, was Theresia.
Elowen sat further down the bar, deliberately keeping her distance from Theresia.
And leaning against the wall, chatting quietly, were Robert and Neil.
Seven people altogether.
Including Ray next to , and Leif hosting alongside a at the far end of the room, there were nine out of fifteen peers present.
Including myself, that made ten.
With just these attendees, we already had the quorum of eight we needed.
And if I factored in non-peers like a and Bongshik, we’d surpass that number. The concern of eting quorum was no longer an issue.
"More people than I expected."
"Yeah, we researchers have ti to spare."
"Tch. Where’s that trash Dustin, though?"
Robert and Neil, Numbers 9 and 10 among our peers, chid in.
They weren’t tied to any guilds but belonged to the rival factions of Ren School and Bodley School, which often clashed.
They were known to debate constantly, often roping in Dustin Chaloner from the prestigious Kelsus School as a diator. Surprisingly, Dustin was good at playing judge between them.
"It’s fine. We’ve got enough—more than enough, actually."
With that thought in mind…
"Let’s hold interviews, shall we?"
My suggestion was t with wide-eyed blinking from everyone.
The atmosphere turned heavy, as if I’d asked, “Are you afraid?”
The first to respond wasn’t who I’d expected—it was Alejandra, the red-haired leader of her trio. She’d been lounging lazily with her chin resting on her hand. Raising her other hand, she spoke.
"I get a pass, right?"
"And why’s that?"
"Because I’m a co-founder, obviously. It was my idea to start a guild, rember?"
Fair enough. It was true that Alejandra had been the one to suggest forming our own guild in the first place.
"Good point."
It made sense. Ray and Leif, who had been with through the contract negotiations, were also co-founders in a way. By that logic, Alejandra deserved the sa treatnt.
"You’re hired as a judge, then."
"Wise decision."
Clatter.
Alejandra stood gracefully, though the chair’s screeching betrayed her elegance. Unbothered, she lifted the chair entirely and placed it back properly.
"This chair’s awful. I need a new one."
"We’re a poor school. Live with it."
It’s not one of those luxury chairs your family probably has, is it?
"So, are we really doing interviews?"
Amaya’s question made glance around at the group.
What started as a joke seed to be taken seriously by everyone.
Before I could wave it off, soone’s provocatively playful remark filled the air.
"What? Are you scared?"
It was Theresia, her energy spiking as the day wore on.
"Hooh…"
The tension between Alejandra’s second-in-command, Amaya, and Theresia, Fiona’s second-in-command, was palpable.
Was this the first ti the Number Twos of the two factions had openly clashed?
"Not scared at all. Just worried about Juan, that’s all."
"What? Hey, Amaya!"
Juan protested as Amaya chuckled.
"You failed, didn’t you?"
"Failed?"
Now that she ntioned it, Alejandra and Amaya wore the senior badge, like . Juan, however, did not.
I’d assud he didn’t want to wear one, but… he never earned one?
"…That was an oversight."
"Uh-huh, sure."
Ignoring Amaya’s teasing, Juan stepped forward confidently, acting like he was first in line for the interview.
Ray, Alejandra, and I moved behind the bar, while Theresia and Elowen stood up to form a makeshift interview space.
Seeing my senior badge, Juan nodded approvingly.
"Ah, Roman Sen. As expected of a man I respect."
"Start with an introduction?"
Alejandra’s teasing tone prompted Juan to hesitate before finally speaking.
"…Juan Blasco. From the Alexandria School. An elental mage, specializing in ice."
"Hey, what’s your rank?"
"Ray, at least pretend to be formal during an interview…"
Leif winced at Ray’s bluntness, clearly embarrassed on her behalf.
"Ugh… Novice."
"Wow… Should a novice even be applying to a guild?"
Unable to endure Ray’s taunts, Juan appealed directly to .
"Roman! You know ! I’m a solid asset, right? Have you forgotten how I helped capture that necromancer? Sure, I slipped up this ti, but I’ve grown since then!"
"…That was a joint effort, wasn’t it? Hardly your accomplishnt alone, Blasco."
Leif, gaining confidence, spoke up.
Her badge seed to glow brighter in contrast to Juan’s lack thereof.
"Well, that’s the end of this interview. Next, please. We’ll inform you of the results later."
"Wait! Roman, I’m not finished—"
"Step aside, please."
"Not yet—gah!"
Amaya dragged Juan away, practically tossing him aside.
Taking his place, she introduced herself confidently.
"Number 3! Amaya Hierro. Elental mage, specializing in iron. Nice to et you!"
"Accepted. She’s in."
Ray, ever the biased judge.
The rest of the interviews—or rather, mock interviews—progressed smoothly.
Elowen handled Leif’s intense questioning calmly and passed. Robert and Neil were unremarkable but acceptable.
Surprisingly, Alejandra didn’t interfere during Theresia’s turn, and things went smoothly.
After catching up with old peers, we moved on to serious guild discussions.
Agenda Topics:
Vice Guild Leader: While everyone agreed I’d be the Guild Leader, we needed soone to manage the guild in my absence when I’d be in the Abyss.
Guild House: We needed a headquarters and had to decide how to acquire one.
Guild Na: The most anticipated topic.
"Well, I’ll be Vice Guild Leader," Alejandra declared imdiately.
"A fine choice. You have my vote."
"Sa here."
"I object."
Theresia, of course.
"You’ll be heading to the Abyss too. The Vice Guild Leader should be soone stationed in the city. One of those two should do it."
She pointed to Robert and Neil, who looked bewildered at the suggestion.
"She’s got a point. Those two are the only ones staying in the city."
Elowen supported Theresia’s logic.
"It makes sense, but are we really up for it?"
"Logical enough. And hey, we’re higher rank than him."
Ray gestured toward Juan, throwing another jab his way.
As the group leaned toward Robert and Neil, Alejandra shrugged and raised her hands in surrender.
"Fine. One of you take it."
"I’ll do it."
"No! It’s . Rob’s great with math, but clueless about the real world."
After so bickering, Neil was chosen for his practical skills, even though Robert had stronger magical abilities.
With the first topic settled, the second was brief:
"We’ll scout for unused buildings."
"Sa here."
Everyone agreed to either search individually or check with their respective schools for rentals or purchases. Costs would be split equally.
Finally, the third topic:
The guild na.
Anticipation filled the air.
Eyes darted around, waiting for soone to break the silence. Nobody wanted to go first, knowing they’d face ridicule.
Except one.
"This is it! Ti to claim the na Black Pride!"
"Yeah, no."
"Why? You’re the only beastfolk here."
"If we’re going that route, let’s use Nightfall."
"Ugh. Sounds like a dhampir na."
The mont Ray spoke, a floodgate of ideas burst open.
Chaos reigned until…
"Uh… Um…"
A new voice interrupted, halting the heated debate.
A pink-haired girl, Priscilla, timidly entered the room. Emboldened by her peers’ presence, she spoke despite the attention on her.
"I heard you’re forming a guild… Do I need to, um, interview?"
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