Miss Elara neatly stamped the parchment, marking their registration complete.
"Well then," she said, smiling warmly. "Congratulations. From this moment on, you four are officially registered as an Adventurer Party."
Ryn grinned, his chest swelling with pride. Kael pumped a fist in the air. Taren smiled modestly, while Lyra beamed — her emerald eyes sparkling with excitement.
Before the mood could settle, Kael leaned over the counter and said with a grin,
"So, Miss Elara, got any dragon-slaying quests for us?"
Elara paused mid-motion.
Then slowly, very slowly, she looked up — her sapphire eyes glinting with disbelief.
"…A dragon?" she repeated flatly.
Kael nodded confidently. "Yup! Big, scaly, terrifying—"
Before he could finish, Taren smacked him on the back of the head.
"Idiot, we're still Level 0! We'd be dragon food before you could even draw your bow."
Lyra covered her mouth, giggling softly. Ryn sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Miss Elara, ignore him. He probably hasn't eaten enough breakfast."
Elara chuckled, shaking her head. "I admire your enthusiasm," she said dryly, "but perhaps start with something less suicidal — like collecting herbs or delivering packages."
Kael mumbled under his breath, "Where's the fun in that…"
Ryn cleared his throat. "Then, Miss Elara, when can we start taking missions?"
Ah, yes." She flipped through a few documents on her desk. "You'll need to wait two days. The guild is still sorting the registration backlog from the influx of new adventurers. Your name and rank will be posted on the main notice board once processing is complete."
"Two days, huh?" Ryn muttered. "Guess we'll have to sit tight for now."
Elara nodded. "Indeed. But in the meantime, the guild provides free lodging for new members. You'll find the Inn Hall on the first floor — meals and beds are included for your first three days. Consider it a welcome gift."
Kael's eyes sparkled. "Free food?"
Taren elbowed him. "That's all you heard?"
Elara smiled patiently. "Enjoy the downtime while you can. Once you start your missions, you'll be begging for days like these again."
Lyra bowed politely. "Thank you very much, Miss Elara."
Elara's smile softened as she looked at the four of them — a mismatched but promising team. "Take care of each other," she said. "A good party is built not on strength, but trust."
As they left the counter, Kael whispered dramatically,
"Alright, team, first goal — eat every free meal we can before they kick us out!"
Ryn laughed. "You're hopeless."
Lyra smiled quietly beside him, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. He laughs a lot… it's kind of nice
The group descended the spiral staircase from the third floor, the hum of adventurers growing louder with each step. By the time they reached the first floor, the noise was a living thing — laughter, clinking cups, footsteps, and distant shouts all blended into a busy rhythm that made the whole building feel alive.
Kael whistled low. "Wow… when she said inn, I didn't expect this."
The Guild Inn stretched along the western wing — a vast, warm hall lined with wooden beams, hanging lanterns, and banners bearing the guild's golden insignia.
A huge hearth roared at the center, its flames casting a cozy glow across rows of dining tables. The air smelled of roasted meat, baked bread, and spice.
To one side, a row of armored guild guards stood at attention, and behind them a small training area opened onto a courtyard. Adventurers of all kinds came and went — chatting, laughing, sparring, and polishing weapons.
Lyra's eyes widened with awe. "It's like a whole village in one building."
Ryn nodded, taking it in. "More like a fortress that feeds you."
They followed the polished stone path to the counter where a guild innkeeper, a sturdy middle-aged woman with braided hair and a welcoming grin, was already busy handing out keys.
"New recruits, huh?" she said, sizing them up with an amused smile. "You four must be exhausted after all that waiting upstairs."
Taren bowed politely. "We are, ma'am. Miss Elara told us to check in here."
"Good. You'll find your rooms just down that corridor. Two rooms per party, three days free of charge — breakfast and dinner included. Don't burn anything, don't brawl, and for the love of the gods, don't summon anything explosive indoors."
Kael raised a hand. "Define explosive."
The innkeeper gave him a look so sharp it could pierce armor. "Don't test me, boy."
Lyra giggled behind her hand; Ryn elbowed Kael. "See? Even she can sense trouble from you."
Keys in hand, they made their way to the dormitory wing. Each room had two sturdy beds, a small window overlooking the training yard, and a faint scent of cedar wood. The beds looked heavenly after a day spent standing in lines.
Kael dropped his gear with a groan. "Ahhh… finally, somewhere to collapse!"
Taren sat at the small table, already unpacking a little journal and quill. "You'd think the guild would at least give us a welcome cake or something."
Lyra looked around, smiling softly. "It's still nice… warmer than most inns I've stayed in."
Ryn leaned against the window frame, watching the courtyard below. "Yeah. It almost feels like home already."
The faint laughter from the dining hall drifted in through the open door, the smell of stew and bread teasing them.
Kael's stomach growled loudly. "Speaking of home, I vote we investigate that free dinner policy. For research purposes."
Taren rolled his eyes. "You mean eating until we can't walk?"
"Exactly!" Kael grinned.
Ryn chuckled. "Fine. Let's eat, then crash early. Two days from now, we start our first mission — and something tells me we're gonna need all the energy we can get."
As they left the room, Lyra lingered a moment, looking at Ryn's retreating back. A faint smile touched her lips.
He's… different from most swordsmen I've met. Calm, but kind. I wonder what kind of person he really is.
Then she followed the others, the door closing softly behind her — their laughter echoing down the inn corridor as the firelight danced on the walls.
After dinner, the guild hall began to quiet down. The smell of roasted meat lingered in the air, and the sound of laughter gave way to the distant clatter of swords in the training yard.
Kael leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms. "Man, that food was divine. I swear I could join this guild just for the meals."
Ryn smirked. "If you keep eating like that, you'll have to fight dragons just to burn it off."
Kael's eyes gleamed. "Speaking of fighting… why don't we spar, huh?"
Taren looked up from his cup. "You're challenging him already?"
"Yeah! I wanna see how strong our fearless swordsman is." Kael grinned, tapping his bowstring. "No killing, just a friendly duel. Think of it as… team bonding."
Ryn smiled faintly. "You sure about that? Don't cry when you lose."
Kael laughed. "Oh, confident, are we? Let's see if that fancy swordplay of yours holds up."
Lyra tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her emerald eyes. "A spar, huh? I'd love to watch. I'm curious too — just how strong are you, Ryn?"
Her soft voice made him hesitate for a moment — then he coughed, pretending to look serious. "Guess we'll find out."
Taren groaned, pushing his chair back. "Fine. I'll tag along. If one of you breaks something, I'm not healing you."
The training grounds were enormous — a sprawling expanse behind the guild inn, stretching nearly the size of a small arena.
Polished stone floors were lined with practice dummies, racks of wooden weapons, and shimmering barriers that glowed faintly with runes. In the far corners, adventurers of all ranks trained — swords clashing, spells flashing in bursts of light.
At the center stood a row of private sparring rooms — magically reinforced chambers that contained noise, impact, and spells. Each had an observation deck above it, where spectators could watch safely behind glass.
Kael whistled. "Now this… this is what I call a playground."
Ryn admired the craftsmanship. "The guild really doesn't do anything halfway."
They entered one of the private sparring chambers. The air inside hummed faintly — enchantments activating as the door sealed shut.
Lyra and Taren settled in the observation space above, peering down through the crystal window.
Lyra rested her chin on her hands, eyes bright. "This should be fun."
Taren sighed. "Fun for you, maybe. I'm just here in case someone needs healing."
Kael twirled his bow with a smirk. "Ready, swordsman?"
Ryn unsheathed his blade — a simple but well-balanced longsword gleaming under the magical light. He shifted into stance, calm and steady. "Whenever you are."
The enchantment crystal glowed blue — the match began.
Kael moved first, darting to the side with surprising speed. Three arrows flew in rapid succession — whsst! whsst! whsst! — cutting through the air.
Ryn pivoted smoothly, his blade flashing as he deflected each arrow with precise, economical movements. Sparks danced across the floor.
"Not bad," Kael grinned. "Let's turn up the pace!"
He leapt backward, sliding across the stone and firing a volley so quick it blurred.
Ryn surged forward, weaving through the storm of arrows like a shadow. His movements were sharp, clean — not flashy, but deadly efficient. Every step brought him closer, until—
Clang!
Ryn's blade stopped just inches from Kael's neck, its edge humming with restrained force.
The runes on the wall flared red — the system registering a decisive hit.
Kael froze, blinking in disbelief. "Wait— that fast?"
Ryn sheathed his sword calmly. "Told you not to cry."
Up in the viewing deck, Lyra's eyes were wide. She hadn't even followed his last move. The way he closed the distance — so fluid, so precise — it was almost beautiful.
He's incredible, she thought, heart skipping once. No hesitation, no waste. Just… control.
She found herself smiling unconsciously.
Taren leaned on the railing, unimpressed. "Well, that was quick. Can we go now? I'm missing my tea time."
Kael grumbled, rubbing his neck. "Alright, alright, you win this one, Ryn. But next time I'm bringing explosive arrows."
Ryn smirked. "Then I'll bring a shield."
Lyra giggled softly, hopping down from the observation area. "That was amazing, both of you. But Ryn… that last move was perfect."
He scratched the back of his neck, trying not to look too pleased. "Guess I've had a lot of practice."
Kael sighed dramatically. "Practice or plot armor, I can't tell."
The four laughed, the tension melting into warmth. The training room lights dimmed slightly — signaling the end of sparring hours.
As they left together, Lyra walked a little closer beside Ryn, her smile gentle.
Maybe joining this party wasn't luck after all, she thought. Maybe it was fate.