The next day, Mixarnt found himself standing in the bustling town plaza, a stack of flyers in hand. The sun was shining brightly, and the plaza was filled with people going about their daily routines. However, as Mixarnt began handing out the flyers for the Adventurers' Guild staff recruitment quest, his initial enthusiasm quickly waned. "Ugh... I wasn’t expecting that I’d be giving out flyers for this quest," Mixarnt muttered under his breath, his shoulders slumping as person after person either ignored him or took a flyer only to frown and walk away upon realizing it was for a job at the Adventurers' Guild.

The stigma surrounding the guild was undeniable. Despite its importance and the bravery of its members, the Adventurers' Guild was often seen as a place for mercenaries and misfits—far from the noble and prestigious image of the knights. The people of Aetherlight, especially in the capital, held the knights in high regard, while the guild was viewed with skepticism, if not outright disdain.

Mixarnt’s frustration grew as he watched people crumple up the flyers or toss them aside without a second thought. He had hoped to inspire others to join the guild, to show them that it was a place of opportunity and camaraderie. Instead, he was met with indifference and rejection. As the hours passed, Mixarnt’s shoulders slumped further, and his stack of flyers seemed to shrink at a painfully slow rate. He couldn’t help but feel disheartened. "This is harder than I thought," he admitted to himself, leaning against a nearby wall. "How am I supposed to recruit anyone if no one even wants to listen?"

Just as he was about to give up, a familiar voice called out to him. "Having trouble, kid?"

Mixarnt looked up to see Gundrik approaching, his arms crossed and a knowing smile on his face. Behind him was Sunshine, her expression as stern as ever but with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Yeah," Mixarnt admitted, holding up the remaining flyers. "No one seems interested in working for the guild. They all just walk away as soon as they see what it’s for."

Gundrik chuckled, his deep voice carrying over the noise of the plaza. "Well, that’s Aetherlight for you. The knights have the spotlight, and the guild’s always been in the shadows. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to change people’s minds."

Sunshine stepped forward, her tone firm but not unkind. "The key is to show them the value of the guild. People here respect strength, dedication, and results. If you can prove that the guild is more than just a place for mercenaries, they might start to see it differently."

Mixarnt frowned, thinking over her words. "But how do I do that? I’m just one person."

Gundrik clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him off balance. "You’re not just one person, kid. You’ve got the guild behind you, and you’ve got us. Besides, you’ve already made an impression on a lot of people. Just keep at it, and don’t let a few rejections get you down."

Sunshine nodded in agreement. "Start small. Find people who might not fit into the knights’ rigid structure but still have potential. Show them that the guild can offer something the knights can’t—freedom, opportunity, and a chance to prove themselves on their own terms."

Mixarnt’s eyes lit up as he considered their advice. "You’re right. I can’t give up just because it’s hard. I’ll keep trying, and maybe I’ll find the right people along the way."

Gundrik grinned, clearly pleased with Mixarnt’s renewed determination. "That’s the spirit, lad. Now, how about we help you hand out those flyers? Maybe having a retired knight general and a current knight general by your side will make people think twice before tossing them away."

Sunshine rolled her eyes but didn’t object. "Just don’t expect me to smile and charm anyone. That’s not exactly my style."

Mixarnt laughed, feeling a surge of energy as he handed a flyer to Gundrik and Sunshine. "Thanks, both of you. I really appreciate it."

As the trio began distributing the flyers together, the reactions from the townsfolk began to shift. Some still hesitated, but others paused to listen, intrigued by the presence of such respected figures supporting the guild. Slowly but surely, Mixarnt’s optimism returned.

By the end of the day, the stack of flyers was finally gone, and Mixarnt felt a sense of accomplishment. It wasn’t a complete victory, but it was a step in the right direction. With Gundrik and Sunshine by his side, he felt more confident than ever that he could change the perception of the Adventurers' Guild—one flyer, one conversation, and one recruit at a time.

As they walked, Mixarnt yawned, stretching his arms as he glanced at Gundrik and Sunshine. "Won’t you two be in a bind if the knights see what you’re doing? Helping the adventurers guild, I mean," he asked, his tone casual but curious.

Gundrik let out a hearty laugh, his booming voice echoing through the streets. "Guhahaha! I’m a retired knight general! So I don’t really care what they say!" he declared, his grin wide and unapologetic.

Mixarnt raised an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Old man... Aren’t you a little too enthusiastic?"

Sunshine sighed, her expression a mix of resignation and mild annoyance. "As for me, well... yes, it really is a problem. Other knight generals are opposed to it. But what’s done is done. I guess I’ll just take the scolding tomorrow."

Gundrik chuckled, shaking his head. "Gahahaha! Some old dogs never change. They still see the adventurers guild as just a bunch of thieves or mercenaries. No one trusts them."

Sunshine nodded, her tone softening slightly. "Well, we’ll be heading this way, Mixarnt. We might not be around to help you tomorrow. I have some duties to attend to, and Father needs to go to the castle. He was invited to a 'bachelors' party by his peers—some are active knight generals, and some are retired like him." With that, they took a turn toward their home, leaving Mixarnt to continue on his own. As he walked, he checked his bag and realized there was still one flyer left. "Hmm... Sigh... Giving out flyers," Mixarnt muttered, holding up the last piece of paper and staring at it with a mix of exhaustion and determination.

Just then, a strikingly beautiful young woman approached him. She appeared to be around the same age as Sunshine—about 17—but her presence carried a completely opposite aura.

With long silver hair tied in a ponytail and sharp crimson eyes that seemed to pierce through him, she had a captivating presence that left Mixarnt momentarily mesmerized. Sunshine had her own charm with her golden hair, blue eyes, and proud, stern demeanor, but the woman before him exuded a gentle and kind aura, drawing him in a different way.

"Uhm... Wanna work as a receptionist for the adventurers guild?" Mixarnt asked suddenly, his voice slightly shaky as he held out the flyer.

The silver-haired beauty’s crimson eyes sparkled with amusement as she tilted her head, considering his question. Her lips curved into a coy smile, as if she enjoyed the effect she had on him. "Why, yes, I think that position could suit me quite well," she replied, her voice smooth and warm like honey.

She took the flyer from Mixarnt’s hand, her fingertips brushing against his in the process. The brief contact sent a pleasant shiver down his spine, leaving him momentarily speechless. "Tell me, what kind of tasks would a receptionist be expected to perform?" she asked, her gaze locking onto his, inviting him to share more about the role.

Mixarnt felt his cheeks flush as he struggled to collect his thoughts. "Uh, mostly greeting adventurers, managing quests, and handling administrative duties," he managed to stammer out, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman held her chin thoughtfully, a small smile playing on her lips as she nodded. "I see. That sounds interesting." she said, her tone warm and agreeable.

"Er... what’s your name?" Mixarnt asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

The woman smiled politely, her crimson eyes softening. "My name is Moonlight. But you can call me Moon," she said, her voice as gentle as a breeze.

Mixarnt blinked, still slightly dazed by her presence. "Moon... that’s a beautiful name," he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration.

Moonlight chuckled softly, her smile widening a little. "Thank you. And you are?"

"Oh! I’m Mixarnt," he said quickly, snapping out of his daze. "I’m, uh, an adventurer. And, well, I guess I’m also trying to recruit staff for the guild."

Moonlight nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Well, Mixarnt, I think I’ll take you up on your offer. The adventurers guild sounds like an interesting place to work."

Mixarnt’s eyes lit up with excitement. "Really? That’s great! I mean, uh, welcome to the team!" he said, trying to sound professional but failing to hide his enthusiasm.

Moonlight laughed softly, the sound like music to Mixarnt’s ears. "I look forward to it. When do I start?"

"Tomorrow, if that works for you," Mixarnt said, his grin widening. "I’ll introduce you to the guildmaster. He’ll be really happy to have you on board."

Moonlight nodded, her smile warm and reassuring. "Tomorrow it is, then. I’ll see you, Mixarnt."

As she walked away, Mixarnt couldn’t help but feel a surge of hope. Maybe, just maybe, things were starting to look up for the adventurers guild. And with someone like Moonlight joining, who knew what the future might hold?

"Ah, there you are, General Eclipse," Althea said, her tone a mix of surprise and amusement. "It’s rare to see you without your mask. Anyway, we have a meeting to discuss how we’ll judge the coming knight examination. Is something the matter?" she asked, noticing the subtle smile on Moonlight’s face.

Moonlight paused mid-stride, her delicate smile lingering as she turned to face Althea. "A private matter, nothing of consequence," she assured her, waving a dismissive hand. However, a hint of mischief danced in her eyes, suggesting there was more to the story than she was letting on. "I heard you officially got promoted to general rank today, Althea. Congratulations. We are now the same rank, so no need to be formal."

Althea chuckled, though she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Despite their equal rank, she knew Moonlight Eclipse was in a league of her own. "You’re too kind, General Eclipse. But I’ll never stop respecting you. You’ve always been an inspiration to me despite our age gap."

Moonlight’s smile softened, her crimson eyes glowing with warmth. "You’ve earned your place, Althea. Never doubt that."

As they walked together, Moonlight’s expression turned thoughtful. "The knight examination... I’ve been reviewing the candidates' files, and I must admit, there’s one particular individual who has caught my attention." Her gaze drifted upward, as if picturing Mixarnt’s youthful face in her mind’s eye. "I believe he possesses potential, but he’ll require guidance to reach his full capabilities."

Althea’s eyebrow arched, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? Which candidate are you referring to, General Eclipse?"

Moonlight’s lips curved into a playful smile. "Fufu... it’s a secret," she said, her tone light but enigmatic. With a graceful motion, she conjured her moonlight mask, the silver material shimmering as it materialized in her hand. She placed it over her eyes, the mask covering only the upper half of her face like a masquerade accessory. Instantly, her hair loosened, cascading down her shoulders in elegant waves, and her crimson eyes transformed into a luminous lunar color as she activated her Lunar Eyes. Her attire shifted as well, her clothes morphing into a stunning white silver armor dress that made her look like a goddess descended from the heavens.

Althea watched in awe, as she always did whenever Moonlight transformed. She had seen this display of power multiple times, but it never failed to leave her breathless. Moonlight Eclipse, also known as General Eclipse the Sovereign Sword, a descendant of the moon goddess, was a figure of unparalleled grace and strength.

"You never cease to amaze me, General Eclipse," Althea said, her voice filled with admiration. "Your power is truly something else."

Moonlight chuckled softly, her lunar eyes glowing with a gentle light. "Thank you, Althea. But remember, power is only as meaningful as how it’s used. That’s why I’m so interested in this particular candidate. He has the potential to do great things, but he’ll need the right guidance."

Althea nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Well, if you believe in him, then I trust your judgment. But you know how the other generals can be. They’re not exactly open to... unconventional candidates."

Moonlight’s smile turned sly. "Let them think what they will. I have a feeling this one will surprise us all."

As the two generals continued their conversation, the moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the city.