Leon stood before the largest building in Iron Bastion's newly constructed district.
Built from thick stone blocks reinforced with heavy timber beams, the Adventurer Guild stood nearly three stories tall. Its broad entrance was framed by carved pillars depicting crossed swords and shields, while a polished bronze emblem hung proudly above the doorway.
The building bustled with activity.
Adventurers entered and left without pause. Hunters dragged carts loaded with monster carcasses, merchants negotiated with armored warriors before they departed on expeditions, and messengers hurried through the entrance carrying stacks of parchment.
Leon took a deep breath.
"...This is it."
He pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
Warm air immediately greeted him.
The smell of roasted meat, fresh bread, ink, leather, and polished steel filled the entrance hall.
Unlike what Leon had imagined, the guild wasn't a single massive room.
Immediately beyond the entrance stood a long reception counter stretching nearly the entire width of the building. Several guild employees welcomed newcomers, answered questions, directed adventurers, and handled general inquiries before allowing visitors deeper inside.
Behind them hung neatly organized boards listing guild services, office hours, regulations, and expedition notices.
The reception area reminded Leon more of an inn or a grand hotel than an adventurer's headquarters.
One receptionist smiled warmly.
"Good morning."
"First time visiting the guild?"
Leon nodded.
"Yes."
She returned the smile.
"Registration?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Please continue through the main hall."
She gestured toward a pair of large oak doors standing behind the reception desk.
Leon thanked her before stepping through.
The moment the doors opened...
The true scale of the Adventurer Guild revealed itself.
The hall was enormous.
Sunlight poured through tall windows lining both sides of the building, illuminating polished wooden floors already crowded with adventurers preparing for the day's work.
To his left stretched a long marble counter, nearly the length of the hall itself.
More than a dozen guild tellers stood behind it, assisting a steady stream of adventurers. Some registered new members, others handled account records, accepted deposits, issued payments, or managed expedition permits. Shelves behind the counter stretched all the way to the ceiling, filled with ledgers, files, and carefully organized records.
The entire section resembled a bustling bank.
Guild employees moved with remarkable efficiency, rarely stopping as they called the next person in line.
To his right, the atmosphere changed completely.
Long wooden tables filled the spacious dining area, where adventurers gathered over breakfast before departing into the mountains. Some laughed loudly over mugs of ale despite the early hour, while others spread maps across the tables, discussing routes and planning their next expedition.
Near the far wall stood a well-crafted bar stocked with bottles, barrels, and shelves lined with polished glasses. A few adventurers finishing overnight requests quietly enjoyed warm meals while exchanging stories with companions returning from patrol.
It was equal parts tavern...
...and war room.
At the center of the guild hall stood the busiest section of all.
A wide exchange counter curved around an open workspace where guild workers weighed monster materials, examined herbs, sorted ores, and carefully inspected glowing monster crystals brought back from expeditions.
The sounds of coins clinking together echoed constantly.
"Three Silver Wolves."
"Accepted."
"Next!"
A hunter placed several monster fangs onto the counter.
The guild worker quickly inspected them before sliding a small pouch of coins across the desk.
Nearby, another adventurer unloaded bundles of medicinal herbs while two porters struggled to carry the severed leg of a massive beast toward the appraisal tables.
Money changed hands almost as quickly as the materials themselves.
Everything gathered beyond Iron Bastion eventually found its way through this counter.
Leon slowly turned in place, taking in every corner of the hall.
The Adventurer Guild wasn't simply a place to accept quests.
It was where the frontier breathed.
Where information flowed.
Where fortunes were made.
Where expeditions began...
...and where those fortunate enough to return came home.
For the first time since arriving in Iron Bastion's new district...
Leon truly understood why adventurers from across the Empire had begun gathering here.
This wasn't just another guild.
It was the heart of the southern frontier.
---
Leon stood motionless, his eyes wandering from one corner of the guild hall to another.
There was simply too much to take in.
The constant chatter.
The smell of fresh food.
The clinking of coins.
Guild workers calling out completed requests.
Adventurers laughing over breakfast while others returned covered in mud and monster blood.
Everything happened at once.
"...This place is..."
Before Leon could finish his sentence—
**Thump.**
A heavy hand landed squarely on his shoulder.
The sudden weight nearly made him jump.
"Hah!"
"Told you."
"You had to be at least ten."
Leon immediately recognized the familiar voice.
He turned around to find Gayrum standing behind him, a massive travel pack slung over one shoulder while his oversized shield rested casually against his back.
The old dwarf grinned from ear to ear.
Leon couldn't help smiling.
"...I just turned ten today, you muscle-headed old man."
Gayrum raised an eyebrow.
"Old man?"
He crossed both arms.
"You've got some nerve calling me old after I carried your scrawny butt through half the Orc invasion."
Leon laughed.
"I don't remember asking."
"You didn't."
"You were too busy screaming."
"I was not!"
"Weren't you?"
Several nearby adventurers glanced over before quietly chuckling to themselves.
Gayrum shook his head before gesturing toward the reception counters.
"Come on."
"You didn't come here to argue with me."
He raised one hand.
"Mira!"
One of the receptionists looked up from behind the counter.
She was a young woman with long chestnut hair neatly tied behind her back, her guild uniform pressed perfectly despite the morning rush. A silver guild pin rested upon her collar, while a warm smile appeared the moment she recognized Gayrum.
"Master Gayrum."
"Back already?"
"Still breathing."
"Barely."
She laughed softly before walking over.
"What can I help you with?"
Gayrum placed a large hand on Leon's shoulder.
"This kid's registering today."
"He finally turned ten."
Mira's eyes drifted toward Leon before widening slightly.
"Oh..."
"So you're Leon."
Leon blinked.
"...You know my name?"
She smiled.
"Of course."
She folded her hands politely before giving Leon a small bow.
"Everyone in Iron Bastion knows your name."
"You stood on the walls during the Crimson Invasion."
"You were one of the children who helped defend the village."
Leon rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
"I... only defeated a few gnolls."
Gayrum snorted.
"You were ten years too early to fight an Orc King."
"You're still alive."
"That already puts you ahead of most."
Mira nodded in agreement.
"The Guild recognizes everyone who defended Iron Bastion."
Her smile brightened.
"Congratulations on your birthday, Leon."
"And..."
"...welcome to the Adventurer Guild."
She stepped aside and gestured toward the interior offices.
"Come with me."
"I'll show you around before we begin your registration."
Leon took one last look around the bustling guild hall before following after her.
His heart pounded with excitement.
For the first time...
He wasn't entering the guild as the child who watched heroes from afar.
He was entering it...
As one of its newest adventurers.
---
Mira led Leon toward the long reception counter on the left side of the guild hall before stopping at an empty workstation tucked between two guild clerks.
"Have a seat."
Leon nodded and sat across from her.
Unlike the lively atmosphere filling the guild hall, this corner was surprisingly quiet. Shelves filled with neatly organized ledgers lined the walls, while stacks of blank forms, metal cards, and wax seals rested upon the polished oak desk.
Mira opened one of the drawers and pulled out a single sheet of parchment.
She dipped a feathered quill into a bottle of ink before sliding both across the table.
"First things first."
She smiled politely.
"Can you read and write?"
Leon nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good."
"That'll make this much easier."
She pushed the form toward him.
"Please fill out the basic information."
Leon lowered the quill onto the parchment.
After years of studying under the village elder, writing came naturally to him.
He carefully wrote.
**Name:** Leon Dawn
**Age:** 10
After reading through the rest of the form one final time, he handed it back.
Mira glanced over the page before giving an approving nod.
"Very neat."
"You'd be surprised how many adults struggle to write their own names."
Leon smiled awkwardly.
She opened another drawer beneath the counter and removed a small velvet-lined wooden case.
Inside rested several blank metal cards, each no larger than the palm of a hand. Their polished silver surfaces reflected the morning light, while delicate engravings traced along their borders.
Mira selected one before placing it gently upon the desk.
With a fine engraving pen, she carefully etched several lines onto its surface.
**Name:** Leon Dawn
**Guild Rank:** F
She looked up.
"This will be your Guild Card."
"It serves as your identification within every Adventurer Guild across the Empire."
"It also records your appraisal, achievements, promotions, and any updates made throughout your career."
Leon carefully picked it up.
The metal felt unexpectedly warm.
"It doesn't look magical."
Mira smiled.
"It isn't."
"...Not yet."
She reached beneath the counter once more before setting down a small silver tray.
Resting upon a folded cloth was a tiny needle.
Leon stared at it.
"...Do I really have to?"
"I'm afraid so."
She laughed softly.
"Just one drop."
Leon took a slow breath before pricking the tip of his finger.
A small bead of crimson blood appeared.
Mira gently pointed toward the center of the metal card.
"Place it here."
The droplet landed upon the smooth surface.
Instead of running across the metal...
The blood slowly spread across the intricate engravings surrounding the card before disappearing into them as though being absorbed.
Leon blinked.
"...It vanished."
"It always does."
Mira stood and gestured toward a crystal sphere resting upon a stone pedestal beside the desk.
The crystal was nearly the size of a melon, perfectly clear except for faint silver veins winding through its center.
"Now comes the appraisal."
She motioned for Leon to step closer.
"Hold your Guild Card in your hand."
Leon obeyed.
"Now..."
"Hover it directly above the crystal."
The moment the card entered the space above the sphere...
The crystal emitted a soft hum.
A pale blue light slowly spread from its core, illuminating the silver veins hidden within.
The glow gradually intensified.
The Guild Card in Leon's hand began trembling ever so slightly.
Mira folded her hands behind her back, watching quietly.
"Remain still."
"The process only takes a few moments."
The blue light continued growing brighter.
Tiny strands of light rose from the crystal, wrapping gently around the Guild Card before disappearing into its surface.
One by one...
Letters slowly engraved themselves into the once-blank metal.
The appraisal had begun.
The soft blue glow surrounding the Guild Card slowly faded.
The humming within the crystal ceased.
A gentle metallic chime echoed through the workstation.
**Ding.**
The final line engraved itself upon the polished metal.
Mira reached forward and carefully picked up the card before giving it a quick glance.
"...Done."
She handed it to Leon with a warm smile.
"Congratulations."
"Your Guild Card has been successfully registered."
Leon accepted it with both hands.
The polished metal felt noticeably warmer than before.
He lowered his gaze.
One line after another slowly came into focus.
**Name:** Leon Dawn
**Guild Rank:** F
...
His eyes continued moving down the card.
"Strength... B."
"Agility... B."
"Intelligence... B."
"Efficiency... B minus."
"Luck... B minus."
He nodded to himself.
"That seems about right."
His eyes moved lower.
"...Mana Capacity..."
"...S?"
Leon blinked.
"...Eh?"
Just as he was about to continue reading—
Two heads slowly rose from behind his shoulders.
One from the left.
One from the right.
Gayrum leaned over Leon's left shoulder.
Lambert quietly appeared over his right.
Neither of them said a word.
Leon didn't even notice they were there.
His eyes continued scanning the card.
"Fire Affinity... Three."
"Wind... Two."
"Lightning... One."
"Water... One."
"Earth... One."
"...Special Affinity..."
"...Light... Two?"
Behind him...
Gayrum's eyebrows slowly climbed higher.
"..."
Lambert remained expressionless.
Then...
One eyebrow lifted.
Gayrum quietly looked toward Lambert.
Lambert looked back.
Neither of them spoke.
Their eyes slowly returned to the Guild Card.
"..."
"..."
Gayrum's eyes widened.
A little more.
Lambert's gaze lingered on the words **Mana Capacity: S** before shifting toward **Special Affinity: Light II**.
For the briefest moment...
Even his normally calm expression stiffened.
Gayrum leaned in another inch.
"...Kid."
Leon finally noticed the two faces hovering over his shoulders.
He nearly jumped out of his chair.
"WAAAH!"
He clutched the Guild Card against his chest.
"When did you two get there?!"
Gayrum scratched his beard.
"...Just now."
Lambert calmly nodded.
"...Coincidence."
Leon stared at both of them.
"...You're terrible liars."
Mira pressed a hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Several nearby guild clerks had already stopped pretending not to watch.
One quietly whispered,
"...Did Lambert actually react?"
Another answered under his breath,
"...I think he did."
"...I've never seen that before."
Lambert cleared his throat once.
"...Show me the card."
Leon reluctantly handed it over.
Lambert studied it for a few seconds.
Then handed it to Gayrum.
"...Interesting."
That was all he said.
Which somehow made everyone in the room even more curious.
---
Mira smiled warmly as she watched Leon carefully turn the Guild Card over in his hands.
"Congratulations."
She folded both hands before her.
"As of today..."
"...you're officially a registered adventurer."
Leon stared at the engraved metal card for another moment before slowly smiling.
"...I actually did it."
Gayrum suddenly threw an arm around Leon's shoulder, nearly knocking him off balance.
"Hahaha!"
"You finally made it, kid!"
"I told you you'd get here eventually."
Leon laughed.
"You also kept telling me to wait until I was ten."
"Because rules are rules."
Gayrum grinned.
"And now..."
He gave Leon another hearty pat on the back.
"...you're finally done with Lambert's training."
Leon instinctively looked toward Lambert.
The old warrior stood quietly with his arms crossed.
After a long silence...
He gave a small nod.
"...Congratulations."
Those single words carried more weight than any grand speech.
Leon lowered his head respectfully.
"...Thank you, Master."
Gayrum suddenly rubbed his beard.
"...You know..."
Lambert looked at him.
"...What?"
"The kid graduated."
"...He did."
"So?"
Gayrum smirked.
"Where's the graduation present?"
Lambert answered without hesitation.
"...No."
Gayrum burst into laughter.
"What kind of master doesn't give his disciple a graduation gift?"
"He already got one."
Gayrum looked around.
"...Where?"
Lambert pointed at Leon's Guild Card.
"...That."
Mira covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
"I don't think that counts."
Lambert looked at her.
"...You too?"
She smiled innocently.
"It is an important milestone."
"Most masters give their students something to remember."
Lambert sighed.
"...Memories are enough."
Gayrum immediately shook his head.
"No they're not."
"You're one of the strongest adventurers in the Empire."
"You seriously can't spare the kid anything?"
Lambert remained silent.
His eyes slowly drifted toward the Guild Card still resting in Leon's hands.
One line caught his attention.
**Mana Capacity: S**
He quietly read it again.
Then...
Without another word...
He raised his left hand.
Upon his finger rested a deep ruby-colored ring.
The crimson gemstone shimmered faintly beneath the guild's lantern light.
Slowly...
He pulled it free.
Gayrum's grin disappeared.
"...Oi."
Mira blinked.
"...Master Lambert?"
Without a word, Lambert held the ring toward Leon.
"...Take it."
Leon stared at the ring in disbelief.
"...This is... for me?"
Lambert nodded once.
"You have the mana to use it."
"It'll serve you better than it serves me."
Leon hesitated.
"...Are you sure?"
"...I wouldn't offer it if I wasn't."
Leon carefully accepted the ring with both hands.
The ruby gemstone glowed faintly the moment it touched his palm before gradually becoming still once more.
For several seconds...
No one spoke.
Then Gayrum slowly exhaled.
"...Well..."
"...That wasn't what I expected."
He scratched his beard.
"I thought you'd toss him one of those daggers hanging from your belt."
He pointed toward Lambert's waist.
"Maybe an old knife."
"Maybe a whetstone if you were feeling generous."
Gayrum looked back at the ruby ring resting in Leon's hands.
"Instead..."
"...you hand him one of your mana rings."
He slowly folded both arms.
"...As expected."
"...Your favorite child gets the expensive present."
Leon nearly dropped the ring.
"...Favorite child?!"
Mira giggled.
"I was thinking the same thing."
She smiled mischievously at Lambert.
"I've worked here for years."
"I've never heard of you giving one of those away."
She tilted her head.
"Should we start calling Leon your adopted son?"
Lambert closed his eyes.
"...Idiots."
Gayrum laughed so loudly that several nearby adventurers turned to look.
"What?"
"I'm just saying!"
"If anyone asks whose kid he is..."
"...I'm pointing at you."
Leon stood frozen, his face bright red, while Lambert simply walked past the three of them toward the guild doors.
"...Keep up."
Leon blinked.
"...Huh?"
"You've got a ring now."
Lambert spoke without looking back.
"...Don't waste it."
Leon looked down at the ruby ring resting in his hand.
Then smiled.
"...Yes, Master."
Behind him, Gayrum nudged Mira with his elbow.
"...See?"
"I told you."
"That old man has a soft spot."
Mira laughed quietly.
"He'd never admit it."
Together, the two watched Leon run after Lambert, still clutching the ring tightly in his hand.
For the first time in years...
Lambert's ring had found a new owner.