The capital of Elaris buzzed like a charged current of life. Towering buildings kissed the sky, street performers juggled enchanted torches, and shimmering carriages glided over cobbled roads. It was unlike anything Kai had ever experienced. His wide, curious eyes flicked left and right, trying to take in every glint and shadow. The golden banners fluttered with the sigil of the kingdom: a crowned lion pierced by light, symbolizing wisdom through battle.
Kai wandered, jaw slightly open, until his nose led him astray again. A rustic scent—cheesy, buttery, soft and sizzling—wafted through the wind and wrapped itself around his senses. His eyes darted, searching, hungry. And then he saw it: a cozy bakery nestled between two bookstores, with a sign that simply read, "Elaris Gold: Bread & Bites."
Minutes later, Kai stumbled out, nearly three-quarters of his allowance gone, cradling a bag stuffed with golden, steaming cheese bread. He nibbled at one loaf, sighed in joy, then quickly shoved two more into his knapsack. "Sir 8 can't know," he mumbled, face full of crumbs.
The joy faded quickly, though. He remembered why he came here—to explore, to learn, to grow. And more importantly, to prove to himself that he was more than just a failed squire. He tossed the final crust aside and pressed deeper into the heart of the city.
Soon, a tall, mossy building caught his attention. A brass sign read: Elaris Adventurer's Guild. The doors loomed tall and carved, guarded by two iron statues of ancient warriors. A symbol above showed a flame wrapped in a scroll, the trademark of the Adventurer's Pact.
Kai stepped inside.
The hall pulsed with life—adventurers bragged over ale mugs, quest boards lined the walls, and assistants rushed about scribbling down information. Swords, cloaks, potions, and odd relics clinked and clattered everywhere. Kai's heart thumped.
As he walked further in, his eyes scanned a glowing quest board: each paper bore a different ranking—D, C, B, A, and even a rare "S"—though the S-rank requests were pinned under a thick pane of glass with magical seals.
Then, without warning, Kai bumped into someone. Hard.
"Ow—hey, watch wh—"
The boy in front of him turned around.
They were about the same age—maybe sixteen or seventeen—but this boy looked older, harsher. His clothes were simple but bloodstained and durable. A long scarf draped over his shoulders, and his eyes—cold, sunken, sharp—looked like they'd seen battlefields.
Kai flinched at the emptiness behind the gaze.
The boy scoffed with a sideways glance, then bumped Kai deliberately with his shoulder as he walked past. He didn't say a word.
Kai's brows furrowed as he turned to the receptionist desk.
"What's his problem?" he asked the woman behind the counter.
She chuckled softly. "That's Zetsu. One of our youngest up-and-coming elites. Completed an A-rank solo mission last week. And he hasn't even hit eighteen."
Kai blinked. "That guy?! He looks like he got lost trying to cosplay as a war orphan."
The receptionist raised an eyebrow.
Kai smirked. "Okay, maybe I'm joking. Kind of. Still… I mean, A-rank solo? That's insane."
"Insane, yes. But true. He doesn't talk much. Some say he lost everything back in the border wars. Others say he's just built different."
Kai turned back to glance at the exit where Zetsu disappeared. "Tch… Bet I could take him in a foot race."
"Would you like to sign up as an adventurer, sir?" the woman asked.
Kai turned, grinning. "Yes. Absolutely. Let me guess, I gotta slay a dragon first?"
She laughed. "Not quite. You'll have to pay a registry fee—50 copper—and pass a basic fitness test. Once you're in, you'll start as a D-rank. You can only take D and C-ranked quests until promoted."
Kai's grin faded. "Ah. Fee. Right. Just my luck... Cheese bread was 35 copper."
He dug into his pouch and began to count slowly, his fingers fumbling over each coin. He looked up, made direct eye contact with the receptionist, then dramatically returned to his 'math.' "One... two... three... thirteen... sixteen... fifty," he muttered, clearly making numbers up as he went. He looked back up, locking eyes again like it added credibility to his nonsense. The receptionist stared at him, one brow lifted in amused disbelief, before bursting into a small laugh. "You're lucky you're cute," she said, still chuckling, scooping up the mismatched coins and sliding him the guild badge anyway.
The lady handed him a small badge—a polished copper rectangle with a lion sigil—and a slip of paper. "Welcome to the Guild, Adventurer Kai. Report back tomorrow morning for the test. And… try not to pick fights with Zetsu."
Kai stared down at the badge. His name etched beneath the lion. It felt heavier than the coins he gave up.
He stepped out of the guild into the city's fading twilight. The wind was cooler now, brushing against his face.
"Alright," he whispered to himself. "Let's make this city remember my name.