The moment they stepped into the Adventurers' Guild Hall, all three froze.
It was chaos.
"Holy—Mother of—what in the world…" Ryn muttered, eyes wide.
Taren blinked several times, scanning the hall.
"It's like… a festival collided with a battlefield."
Kael gave a low whistle.
"And I thought my hometown market was crowded during harvest."
People filled every inch of space — warriors in mismatched armor, robed mages clutching grimoires, beast tamers with their little familiars perched on their shoulders.
Everywhere, voices overlapped: the clang of weapons, laughter, arguments over party formations.
It looked less like an organized guild and more like a sea of humanity, restless and roaring.
Ryn's eyes darted around helplessly.
"Where are we even supposed to go? Reception? Registration? The exit?!"
Taren shrugged.
"At this point, maybe just swim with the current."
As they stood there, looking thoroughly lost, a receptionist passed by — the same elegant woman from before, clipboard in hand, her golden hair tied up neatly.
Ryn recognized her instantly — Miss Elara.
"Excuse me, Miss Elara!" Taren called, raising his hand. "When does the new recruit briefing start?"
She stopped, scanning them briefly — recognizing the three hopefuls from the line a week ago.
Her tone was brisk but polite.
"Afternoon. The Guildmasters are still finalizing new party assignments and ID verifications. You can wait in the lounge area until then."
"Got it, thank you," Taren said, bowing slightly.
Elara gave a nod and moved on, vanishing into the sea of people like a golden fish diving beneath waves.
Ryn exhaled.
"So… we wait?"
"Yup," Taren said, rubbing his temples. "And maybe eat something before this crowd eats us."
Kael chuckled.
"Alright, team. Lounge it is."
The Guild Lounge was slightly calmer — but only slightly.
Dozens of adventurers occupied long tables, chatting loudly, comparing weapons, or arguing about party setups. The air smelled faintly of ink, steel, and baked bread.
The trio managed to find a small corner table by a window.
They sat, still a bit overwhelmed but starting to relax.
Ryn leaned back in his chair.
"Well, since we've got time to kill… why don't we actually talk, huh? We've been running around together, but I barely know anything about you guys."
Taren smiled.
"Fair point. Go on, leader — start us off."
Ryn rubbed the back of his neck shyly.
"Leader? Heh, don't call me that yet. But fine. I'm from a little mountain village called Rendal's Hollow. Not much there except goats, cold winds, and one very grumpy old man who insists he was a hero once."
Kael leaned forward, grinning.
"Oh? What was he like?"
"Annoying," Ryn said immediately, laughing. "Used to wake me up every morning by banging a pot on my window. Said, 'heroes don't sleep past sunrise!' Then he'd trip over his own cane five seconds later."
Taren burst out laughing.
"Sounds like my master."
Ryn chuckled.
"He used to make me train with a stick, said it builds character. I think he just liked hitting me when I messed up."
The three of them laughed until their sides hurt
After the laughter faded, Taren rested his chin on his hand.
"Guess it's my turn."
"Go for it," Kael said.
Taren's smile turned softer.
"I grew up in a small coastal town. My mom ran a herbal shop. She wasn't a mage, but she knew herbs so well that people started calling her a 'miracle woman.' She was the one who taught me healing magic."
Ryn leaned in, curious.
"She sounds amazing."
"She is," Taren said proudly. "She used to tell me: 'Healing's not about magic. It's about care. Magic just helps you do it faster.'"
Kael nodded thoughtfully.
"That's… actually beautiful."
Taren chuckled.
"Yeah, though she'd smack me with a broom if I ever used healing on a drunk. 'Let the fool learn his lesson,' she'd say."
The three laughed again, warmth returning to their faces.
Kael leaned back, folding his arms behind his head.
"Alright, my turn."
He smiled lazily.
"I'm from Greenhollow Plains, near the border. My family's all hunters — bow in hand since we can walk. I'm decent with animals, better with arrows, and hopeless with math."
Taren raised a brow.
"Hopeless?"
"Hopeless," Kael repeated with mock solemnity. "If I shoot two arrows and hit one, I call that a hundred percent success rate."
Ryn snorted.
"I like your logic."
Kael grinned.
"What can I say? I like simple things — wind on my face, meat roasting over fire, and shooting targets no one else can hit."
Taren smirked.
"Romantic much?"
"Hey, if the wind's pretty, why not flirt with it?" Kael replied dramatically, earning another round of laughter.
Time slipped by without them noticing. The sunlight through the window crept slowly across the table, warming their faces.
They talked about everything — childhood mischief, embarrassing moments, favorite foods, dreams, the weird things villagers believed in.
For the first time since stepping into the city, Ryn felt comfortable.
Not as a stranger, not as a lost boy, but as part of something — a team.
Eventually, Taren stretched, yawning.
"Morning's gone already. Guess it's almost time for the registration to start."
Kael nodded, pushing his chair back.
"Then let's get ready, team. After all…" — he smirked — "today we officially become adventurers."
Ryn grinned, standing up with renewed energy.
"Yeah. Let's do this — together."
The three clasped hands across the table — swordsman, healer, and archer — sealing a bond that felt more like family than partnership.
The sun had climbed high by the time Ryn, Taren, and Kael trudged up the grand staircase to the third floor of the Adventurers' Guild. The noise of chatter and footsteps echoed like waves in a bustling port.
"Man, this place never runs out of people," Kael muttered, adjusting the quiver on his shoulder.
"Guess we're not the only ones trying to make a living," Taren replied with an easy grin.
Ryn smirked. "Alright, focus. We're heading to Miss Elara's counter. Third floor, far left. She's the one who helped me register."
Both of his friends looked at him in mild surprise.
"You know Miss Elara?" Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Ryn said, scratching his cheek with a shy grin. "She's... hard to miss."
"Hard to miss, huh?" Taren teased. "You sure it's not because she's pretty?"
"Shut up," Ryn muttered, but his ears turned red.
They reached the counter area. Despite the huge space, it was crowded with fresh-faced adventurers clutching parchment and nervously chatting. Lines formed before each receptionist, and the air buzzed with conversation. The three friends waited patiently in Miss Elara's line for nearly an hour.
That's when he saw her.
Standing a few steps ahead was an elf girl — her long, silken blonde hair gleaming like sunlight through honey. She held a slender staff carved from pale wood, and her robe shimmered faintly with blue runic threads. Her emerald eyes — bright and uncertain — darted nervously as she waited her turn.
Ryn froze.
For a heartbeat, the guild's noise faded. It was just her — radiant, graceful, untouchable.
His heart began pounding so loudly he swore Taren could hear it.
"Bro… bro… you're staring," Kael whispered, smirking.
"Wha— I'm not— Shut up!" Ryn hissed, eyes flicking away as his face flushed scarlet.
"Ohhh, someone's in love," Taren sing-songed under his breath.
Miss Elara's warm voice called out, "Next!" and the elf girl stepped forward.
"Your registration paper, please," Elara said.
The elf girl hesitated, her fingers trembling slightly. "I—I have it here…" she handed it over.
Elara looked it over, then frowned softly. "My dear, where is your party?"
The girl's shoulders stiffened. "I… I don't have one."
Elara sighed. "You know the rule — new adventurers must join with a party, or they cannot be approved for active status."
The girl's voice cracked slightly. "I know, but… I thought I could form one here. Everyone else already has a group…" Her tone turned desperate. "Please, if there's anyone—"
Elara's eyes softened with sympathy. She scanned the room — and then her gaze landed on Ryn's group waiting patiently nearby.
"Hmm…" she murmured, smiling slightly. "Perhaps luck is on your side today."
She waved them forward. "Ryn, Taren, Kael — come here a moment."
The three of them exchanged glances and approached.
"I'd like to recommend a new member for your party," Elara said kindly. "She's a control-type mage. Would you be willing to take her in?"
The elf girl turned to face them fully — and time seemed to slow again for Ryn. Her hair shimmered as she bowed slightly, her voice soft and musical
"My name is Lyra," she said. "I'm a control mage — I specialize in battlefield manipulation spells. Barriers, crowd control, freezing movements… things like that."
Ryn's heart thumped. Even her voice sounds like music… what the hell… calm down, Ryn, calm down.
Taren nudged him lightly. "Well, captain? What do you say?"
Ryn cleared his throat, desperately trying to look composed. "Control magic, huh? That's… useful. Fine, you can join our party."
Lyra's face brightened into a smile so warm it nearly stopped his heart again. "Really? Thank you!"
Her green eyes met his — bright, thankful, and a little curious. He looks strong, she thought. And… handsome, too. Her gaze lingered a bit too long before she quickly looked away, her cheeks tinting pink. I wonder if he already has a girlfriend…
Kael whispered to Taren, "Oh, she's totally smitten already."
"Right? Match made in heaven," Taren whispered back.
Ryn shot them both a glare, but Lyra's soft laugh broke the tension. For a brief moment, all four of them smiled — the start of something new.