The morning after his promotion was unusually peaceful.
Sunlight streamed through the window of the small inn where Kael was staying. He stretched his arms before getting out of bed. The soreness from yesterday's battle with the hobgoblin was still there, but it was much lighter than he expected.
After washing up, he strapped his bronze adventurer's plate to his belt.
He looked at it for a few seconds.
"Bronze Rank..."
A small smile appeared on his face.
It had only been a week since he left the orphanage.
Yet things had changed more than he expected.
He carefully sheathed his sword and headed downstairs.
---
The innkeeper greeted him with a cheerful smile.
"Morning, Kael."
"Morning."
"Breakfast is already prepared."
Kael sat at one of the tables.
As he ate, several adventurers who had been in the guild yesterday noticed him.
One of them walked over.
"Mind if I sit here?"
"Not at all."
The man sat down.
He looked to be in his late twenties and carried a longsword on his back.
"I'm Gareth."
"Kael."
Gareth smiled.
"I know who you are."
Kael scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"I don't think I'm that famous."
Gareth laughed.
"The youngest adventurer to become Bronze Rank in this guild?"
"People are talking."
Kael sighed.
"I'd rather they didn't."
Gareth chuckled.
"Don't worry. It'll calm down in a few days."
He studied Kael for a moment.
"I heard you don't use aura."
"I don't."
"Or magic?"
Kael shook his head.
"No."
Gareth looked genuinely surprised.
"Then your swordsmanship must be carrying you."
"I've trained since I was five."
"No wonder."
The two talked while finishing breakfast.
Before leaving, Gareth stood up.
"If you ever need someone to spar with, let me know."
Kael smiled.
"I'd appreciate that."
---
When Kael arrived at the guild, Lyria was already arranging quest papers.
She looked up and smiled.
"Good morning, Bronze Rank."
Kael smiled helplessly.
"You too?"
"What?"
"You keep calling me Bronze Rank."
She giggled.
"I have to celebrate somehow."
Kael walked to the counter.
"So..."
"Any quests today?"
Lyria nodded.
"There are always quests."
She handed him a list.
Most of them were simple.
Gather medicinal herbs.
Escort a merchant to a nearby village.
Repair damaged fences after monster attacks.
Drive away wild boars.
Kael looked through each one carefully.
Lyria noticed.
"You don't choose based on the reward."
Kael looked up.
"I choose based on what I can handle."
She smiled.
"That's one of the reasons the Guild Master likes you."
Before Kael could respond, the Guild Master himself walked into the hall.
"Kael."
"Sir."
"Come with me."
---
Inside his office, the Guild Master motioned for Kael to sit.
The room was simple.
A desk.
A bookshelf.
Several maps hanging on the walls.
The Guild Master poured two cups of tea.
"I've read every report you've submitted."
Kael accepted the cup.
"Thank you."
"They're detailed."
"I write down everything I notice."
"I know."
The Guild Master leaned back.
"That's why I wanted to speak with you."
Kael listened quietly.
"You have good instincts."
"You stay calm."
"And you know when to ask for help."
He paused.
"But..."
Kael waited.
"Your biggest weakness is experience."
Kael nodded immediately.
"I know."
"You've trained your body for years."
"But training and real battles aren't the same."
"They're not."
The Guild Master smiled.
"I'm glad you understand that."
He reached into a drawer and placed a folded map on the table.
It showed the area surrounding Greenwood Village.
Several towns were marked.
"So far..."
"You've only worked around Greenwood."
Kael studied the map.
"There are more guild branches?"
"Many."
The Guild Master pointed to one town.
"Ironbrook."
"It's about four days from here."
"A larger town?"
"Larger."
"The adventurers there are stronger."
"The quests are harder."
Kael looked interested.
"You want me to go there?"
"Not yet."
The Guild Master shook his head.
"First, I want you to gain more experience here."
Kael nodded.
"I understand."
The older man smiled.
"I'm not trying to hold you back."
"I know."
"I just don't want talent to die because it rushed forward."
Kael thought about those words.
They reminded him of Sister Maren.
*"Grow one step at a time."*
She used to tell him that whenever he became frustrated during training.
---
Back in the guild hall, Lyria noticed Kael's thoughtful expression.
"What did the Guild Master want?"
Kael smiled.
"He gave me advice."
"That's all?"
"And a goal."
She tilted her head.
"What goal?"
"To become experienced enough to work in a bigger town."
Lyria smiled warmly.
"That sounds like him."
She suddenly looked a little quieter.
"If you leave..."
"The guild will feel lonely."
Kael blinked.
"You'll make it sound like I'm leaving tomorrow."
She laughed.
"I know."
"But eventually you will."
Kael looked around the guild.
The adventurers chatting.
The receptionist organizing paperwork.
The quest board covered in requests.
The familiar wooden counter where Lyria always stood.
He smiled.
"This place was my first step."
"I won't forget it."
Lyria's cheeks became slightly pink.
"Good."
---
Kael walked toward the quest board again.
This time, a different request caught his attention.
**Quest: Investigate Missing Hunters**
**Location:** Mistwood Forest
**Difficulty:** Bronze Rank
**Reward:** 10 Silver Coins
He frowned.
"Missing hunters..."
Lyria walked beside him.
"I was hoping you wouldn't notice that one."
Kael looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because it's dangerous."
"The hunters disappeared three days ago."
"No bodies."
"No blood."
"No monster tracks."
Kael stared at the paper.
"Has anyone investigated?"
"Two adventurers."
"And?"
"They found nothing."
Kael remained silent.
Lyria folded her arms.
"I know that look."
"What look?"
"The one that says you're interested."
Kael smiled sheepishly.
"Maybe."
She sighed.
"I knew it."
Just then, the Guild Master walked over.
"You've seen the quest."
Kael nodded.
"I have."
The Guild Master looked him straight in the eyes.
"I'm assigning you a partner."
Kael blinked.
"A partner?"
"Yes."
"No objections."
Kael wasn't against the idea.
"Who?"
The Guild Master smiled.
"She'll arrive this afternoon from Ironbrook."
"A Bronze Rank adventurer."
"She's been working for two years."
"Consider this your first lesson in working with someone you don't know."
Kael nodded.
"I'll do my best."
The Guild Master smiled with satisfaction.
"Good."
"Because Mistwood Forest has been hiding something for weeks."
"And I intend to find out what it is."
Kael looked toward the forest visible beyond the village walls.
His next adventure...
Wouldn't be one he faced alone.