With the hobgoblin defeated, Mio, Reina, and Aron stood in the clearing, catching their breath as they surveyed the aftermath. The air was thick with the scent of earth and blood, but the satisfaction of victory was undeniable. Reina approached the hobgoblin’s massive form and, with a grimace, reached down to slice off one of its ears. She held it up triumphantly, the grim trophy they would need as proof of the subjugation.

“That should be enough to convince the guild we’ve finished the job,” Reina said, her eyes glinting with excitement. Aron gave her a nod, a small but proud smile playing on his lips.

Mio, on the other hand, was more focused on what lay ahead. The thought of entering town filled her with both excitement and a faint sense of trepidation. She wanted to explore this world more fully, but she was also aware of the power she held and how it might draw attention if she wasn’t careful. As the group began the walk back to town, she turned to Reina and Aron.

“I have a favor to ask,” Mio said, her tone calm but firm. “I’d appreciate it if you both kept quiet about my abilities. I’d prefer to stay… unremarkable for now.”

Reina’s face fell slightly, clearly disappointed. “But you’re amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a mage who can cast spells like that.”

Aron nodded, echoing her sentiment. “It’s true, Mio. You could be famous in no time if people knew what you could do.”

Mio smiled, understanding their enthusiasm but remaining resolute. “I appreciate that, but I’d rather avoid drawing too much attention. Let’s just say I’m a mage who happened to be in the right place at the right time, offering a bit of help.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Reina sighed. “Fine, but only because you helped us.”

Aron gave a reluctant nod, clearly still impressed but willing to respect her wishes. With that settled, they resumed their journey, Reina and Aron filling the silence with chatter about the town of Arling and the quests they’d completed. Mio listened quietly, taking in their descriptions of the bustling market square, the rustic houses with herb-filled windows, and the adventurer guild that seemed to be the center of town life. Their excitement was contagious, and she found herself eager to see it all with her own eyes.

When they finally approached the town’s gates, the high stone walls loomed above them, giving a sense of both security and purpose. Two guards stood at the entrance, each wearing leather armor emblazoned with the town’s emblem—a wolf’s head surrounded by leaves. As the trio approached, one of the guards stepped forward, eyeing them carefully.

“Halt,” the guard said, his gaze sharp and assessing. “You’re returning from the forest?”

Reina nodded, lifting the hobgoblin’s ear with a bit of pride. “Yes! We’ve completed our quest. The hobgoblin is dead, and we’re here to report back to the guild.”

The guard nodded, his gaze shifting to Mio with a hint of suspicion. “And who is this?”

Aron cleared his throat. “This is Mio. She’s a mage who offered to help us with the hobgoblin.”

The guard’s brows lifted slightly, his expression shifting from suspicion to mild curiosity. “A mage, you say? Well, if Aron and Reina vouch for you…” He glanced back at his partner, who gave a nod. “Go on in. Just be mindful; we don’t see many mages here.”

With that, he stepped aside, allowing them to enter. Mio followed her new companions through the gates and found herself in the heart of Arling. The sight was more charming than she’d imagined—rows of rustic buildings with stone foundations and timber frames lined the streets, each with flower boxes or small herb gardens growing by the windows. The scent of fresh bread mingled with the aroma of herbs, and the hum of conversation filled the air as townsfolk went about their day, bartering at the market stalls and chatting with familiar faces.

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Reina turned to her with a grin. “Welcome to Arling!” she announced, her excitement evident. Mio took it all in, the sense of community and warmth wrapping around her like a comfortable cloak. This was a place where people lived, laughed, and worked, so different from the isolation of her past life.

But there would be time to explore later. For now, they needed to report to the guild. Reina and Aron led the way, weaving through the market until they reached a large stone building near the town center. The adventurer guild was marked with a sign bearing crossed swords and a shield, giving it an air of importance. Mio noticed the subtle shifts in the atmosphere as they entered. Unlike the lively market, the guild hall was filled with adventurers, most of them focused on their own business and hardly sparing a glance at Aron and Reina, likely due to their low rank.

A tall man with broad shoulders and a grizzled expression approached them. He wore worn leather armor and carried himself with the confidence of someone accustomed to battle. His gaze settled on Reina and Aron, then shifted to Mio, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.

“Back from the forest, I see,” he said, his voice a rumbling baritone. “And with a new face.”

Reina stepped forward, still holding the hobgoblin’s ear. “Guildmaster Loran! We’ve completed the quest, and we couldn’t have done it without Mio here.”

Loran’s gaze shifted to Mio, studying her intently. “Is that so?” His expression softened, and he gave a slight nod. “If she helped you return safely, then I owe her my thanks. Mio, was it?”

“Yes,” Mio replied with a polite nod. “I happened to be in the area when I saw Reina and Aron in need of assistance.”

Loran raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, but he didn’t push. Instead, he gestured toward his office. “Why don’t we step inside? You can tell me more about the mission there.”

The four of them moved into Loran’s office, a room lined with maps and hunting trophies. He took a seat behind his desk, motioning for the others to sit as well.

“Now,” he began, leaning forward, “tell me how it went. Aron, Reina, you first.”

Reina launched into an enthusiastic retelling of the encounter, emphasizing the danger they had faced and how Mio’s arrival had turned the tide. Aron added details here and there, but as they recounted the story, it became clear they were trying to downplay Mio’s role, keeping her abilities as vague as possible, though they occasionally stumbled in their descriptions.

Loran’s gaze flicked between the two, his expression thoughtful. “You’re not telling me everything,” he said finally, his tone sharp but not unkind. “Mio, perhaps you can clarify?”

Mio met his gaze steadily, sensing that he would see through any deflections. “I’m a mage,” she said simply. “I happened to see these two in trouble and decided to help. I’d prefer to keep a low profile, so if you could respect my privacy, I’d appreciate it.”

Loran held her gaze, his expression contemplative, but after a moment, he gave a slight nod. “Understood. I won’t pry if that’s what you wish.”

He leaned back, his focus shifting back to the task at hand. “And you’re not a guild member yet, is that correct?”

“That’s correct,” Mio confirmed. “Though I am interested in joining, if that’s an option.”

Loran’s eyes glinted with approval. “Given your assistance with this quest, I’d be glad to have you join us. I’ll start you at the Initiate rank, one above Aron and Reina’s Apprentice level. You’ve already shown you’re more than capable.”

Mio nodded, pleased with the offer. “Thank you. That sounds fair. I’d also like to be designated as a healer, if possible.”

Loran’s brows lifted in mild surprise, but he nodded. “A healer, you say? Very well. I’ll mark you down as one. Healers are always in demand, and it’ll certainly keep you busy.”

With a final nod, Loran opened a drawer and retrieved a small, bronze tag, engraved with the guild’s emblem and the word “Initiate.” He passed it to Mio, who accepted it with a quiet satisfaction. This was her first step into an official role in this world, a title she could use to build a foundation here.

“One last thing,” Loran added, glancing at Aron and Reina. “Since you’ve all worked well together, I’ll assign you as an official party. Your team name will be Glass Compass.”

Reina’s face lit up, and Aron grinned, clearly pleased with the title. Mio couldn’t help but smile as well, appreciating the thought behind the name. It symbolized both fragility and guidance, and while it might not be the strongest title, it had a charm that she found appealing.

With the meeting concluded, Loran dismissed them, and the three left the office, each with a sense of newfound purpose. Mio fastened her guild tag, feeling the weight of it—a tangible reminder that she was truly part of this world now.

“Ready to see the town?” Reina asked, practically bouncing on her toes.

Mio nodded, her excitement returning. “Lead the way.”

Together, the newly formed Glass Compass stepped out of the guildhall and into the bustling streets of Arling.