[Summer, Year 312]
A month passed quickly, and the three began to carry out their plan.
When it was Yuki's turn to offer blood at the altar, she grabbed the knight in charge of the fruitknife's hand, twisted his arm, and snatched the fruitknife swiftly before kicking him in the chest, taking his sword.
"EVERYONE, WE CAN ESCAPE NOW! HE'S UNARMED!" Kai yelled on the top of his lungs.
Everyone ran towards the door like a stampede of bulls, wanting to escape. This all happened in a few seconds while Yuki hurried to Kai and Kaitlyn. Their neck collars preventing them from using their ivrent were already off.
Yuki handed her sword to Kai and kept the fruitknife.
"Let me help you take that off." Kaitlyn said, using the stolen key to unlock the device.
Once everyone's neck collars were off, the two followed Kai to a hidden passage, away from wherever the stampede and knights were.
"How did you know this was here?" Yuki asked in a whisper.
"Someone I know from outside kept in communication with me. We used the window to pass messages and they helped dig this passage." Kai explained, speed walking as he led the way.
"We've been stuck here for half a year already." Kaitlyn commented.
'That explains how they knew this place so well.' Yuki thought, her mind focusing on gathering enough energy to cover her entire fist, including the fruitknife.
Kaitlyn, who was beside Yuki while Kai led the way in the front, noticed.
She was impressed by Yuki's deep concentration and was curious about the strange, golden light that surrounded Yuki's hand. How does she imbue something while speed walking?? And what is this, a new type of ivrent where you can see what she's imbuing???? At that age, even being able to imbue anything was impressive, but Yuki managed to multitask. What age was she again, 12?
By the time Yuki finished, they had reached the end of the passage where two people waited for them.
"Here, wear this." The middle aged man handed the three each a cloak.
Yuki put hers on, feeling her body get lighter.
"Follow." The woman said, using the same cloak as everyone else.
Everyone's speed increased significantly and they reached a semi-fancy looking building in a mere few minutes. The moment the five people entered the building, everyone inside's heads turned immediately towards them.
Kai pulled off his hood, revealing his face.
"Young Lord, you're back!" Someone said happily.
The rest cheered as the man and woman guided the three into what seemed like a large office with a singular desk and chair in the middle, bookshelves at the sides, plant and painting decorations, and two long couches with a coffee table placed in the middle, on top of a creatively designed rug.
The moment the door was closed by Kaitlyn, both the man and woman rushed towards Yuki. Before they could land a hit on her, Yuki threw the fruitknife filled with energy and evaded the woman's attack, the weapon piercing through the man's hand, his wounded skin frozen with ice crystals. The fruitknife hit the wall with a sharp thud. Just as Yuki was about to break the woman's arm, the man spoke up in a panic.
"Wait, wait! We were just testing you, please don't be angry." The man explained.
Kai nodded. Both him and Kaitlyn were sitting on the couch leisurely.
"Could you please call a doctor?" Kai asked the women as she nodded and left.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch. This hurts like a b*tch! You're right, this little girl can fight." The man agreed. He felt as if his hand would rip off, freezing from the itching cold.
"Couldn't you go a little easier on us??" The man grunted in frustration, regretting ever agreeing on what Kai asked him to do.
"Self defense." Yuki replied, sitting across from Kai and Kaitlyn.
"Ahem, sorry about that. We wanted to test how good you were at fighting. I'm Althryl, and this is the guide headquarters. I'm the guide leader." Althryl introduced himself.
"I'm Kai, the next in line to become the guide leader." Kai chimed in.
"Kaitlyn, from Luminous Tower." Kaitlyn said, her arms crossed comfortably.
"That's all you're going to say? Well Elaine, this is Kaitlyn Lumi. She's one of the candidates for becoming the leader of Luminous Tower. They're the best of the best at technology. Most of the tech you see is made by people from Luminous. You see that tower out the window? That's them. Here, the guild is where people and mercenaries exist. We have bounties, tasks, missions, and we even buy monster supplies here. This whole side of the street is owned by us." Kai said, his demeanor a little more mature than when they were in the dungeon.
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes.
"I'm Yuki." Yuki jumped in.
Kai paused, confused. "So you do have a name??"
"Mhm." Yuki nodded.
"I can't believe you! We've known each other for a month and this whole time you're telling me you have a name?!!" Kai screamed internally, his hands scrunching his hair in frustration, his demeanor breaking.
"Pftt." Kaitlyn laughed, her hand covering her mouth.
"Well, that's that. Now back to business! Yuki, long story short, we want to invest in your education. You're young, but talented. What do you think about us paying for your education at Randanolux Academy until you graduate? In exchange, we want your help occasionally for some missions during, and after your time at the academy. Of course, you can reject any mission you do not wish to do. How does that sound?" Althryl offered.
"I think you should give her some time to think, she ju—"
"I'll do it." Yuki butted in, ignoring Kai's suggestion.
"Perfect! Kai is a fourth year, while Kaitlyn is a third year. Both are very talented as well, that is why they are where they are despite being so young. Once you complete the entrance exam, I'm sure you'll get in with ease. The exam is the first of next month, which is July. You have a few weeks of time to prepare. The entrance exam consists of a written, physical, and duel. Once the results come out and you get in, you can dorm there and settle in. Classes begin the first week of August."
"Can you be more specific on the exam content?" Yuki asked.
"Of course! Before that, I'm curious as to what that golden light was." Althryl pointed at Yuki's right hand.
"...I'm not sure." Yuki admitted.
"Guild leader, I brought a doctor." The woman said, bringing in a man wearing a white lab coat.
"Ah, I'll leave the explaining responsibility for Kai and Kaitlyn. I'll be taking my leave." Althryl nodded understandingly and smiled, exiting the room quietly.
"You don't seem to know much, considering you didn't know how the King was." Kaitlyn commented.
"Don't worry, we'll teach you." Kai offered.
Yuki nodded, grateful for the help. She was secluded in a hut for years, not knowing about the outside world. After the murder of two people she cared about, she and Xavier were taken away to the Sternze Kingdom. Their execution of the plan was immaculate. Now, she can finally explore and learn. Learning from books really isn't the same as learning from experience.