A somewhat unexpected turn of events had occurred while Tearis was out. Apparently, moving the guild hall to a safer place and putting it in a much larger building allowed for an influx of new recruits to screen. Most didn’t mind a low-rank guild that could provide good booze and a place to stay.

The sewer druid was begrudgingly going through the applicants quickly, not accepting anyone immediately due to the government-monitored guild member maximum. While sad, it was understandable. Acorn was an F-rank guild. Ranks go from F>E>D>C>B>A>S>SSS>G, and G-rank guilds rival a country in size and surpass most in power. To start a guild, one must have a leader with a total level of at least 50.

Kon was talking to some hopefuls and assuring them that they had promise. It wasn’t working as well as they thought, but they tried.

A woman in an all-black formfitting leather armor set with a cloth half mask tried to pick the lock to the special cellar behind the stage.

The guild master stood near a doorway, watching the crowd before eyeing Tearis, nodding, and walking into the conference room.

Tearis entered and bypassed the line as he maneuvered through the bar. Then, finally, he made his way to the conference room, unsure what would happen.

The conference room was once used for planning joint expeditions or ventures between guilds or other organizations. “Tearis. Did you advertise that our guild was recruiting and has changed locations?”

“No? Can’t see why growing is bad but the only person I told was my friend Backster and he’s currently in the hospital. I just got back from seeing him. Why?”

“We had an influx of new recruits today. Most under level ten.”

“Eh? Oh… That. I was told to join this guild by some people in Dark Horizon. They said you were recruiting and had plenty of space. Although I heard your group’s name a few more times before I got its location and stuff. Did you leave a note on the door for the other guild members? Also…are you trying to keep me distracted while the rogue is breaking into the booze reserves?”

“I asked Kon to do it… Figures…Wait booze reserves?”

“The hard and expensive stuff. I happened to misplace the key when my mother died. The lock is also heavily warded with very expensive enchantments. I don’t doubt it can be broken into but it won’t be easy.”

“Did you misplace the key or did you misplace the key?”

Tearis pulled out a thin wooden case from a shirt pocket. A decorative deck box for poker. The symbol of a leaf on it. “There are some other things in there but it hasn’t been opened in at least five years. Mostly wine and such.”

“You haven’t opened it in five years?”

“I’ve never really been there in general. Especially when my stepmother appeared. Now what else did you want to talk about?”

“Ah right. What do you hope to get out of our guild?”

“Home defense in a way. My sister Irella is now technically an orphan, and I won’t be here to keep an eye out for her. I want her to be safe from harm but to also be made aware of any odd behavior. I had a conversation earlier and sensed that there could have been some abuse that I wasn’t privy to due to avoiding them both like the plague. She could also be playing me like a fiddle hence why I’m asking those with experience to look after her.”

“I see. Do you intend to treat this place like an inn or tavern?”

“Up to you. I say we move away from the inn function and hire someone to either cook or as a bartender if you can afford it. You” ll get a budget for the first semester, and I’ll check back at the end and see if we can afford to keep that aspect functioning. Your goal is a net gain of one gold. This should help increase job levels for some of our members.”

“Right. That’s forward thinking.”

“My mother was a musician with an advanced bard class. This place was what she called a leveling ground when I was younger.” Tearis sighed.

“I see. Shall I kick everyone out?”

Tearis shook his head, walked out the door, and approached the rogue. “Hey, there. Are you in the guild or just trying to rob me?” Tearis asked with a gentle smile.

“You can see me?” The rogue seemed surprised.

“So you know, stealth skills don’t work there anti theft wards and all that. Not enough for a guild but enough to cancel skills when a lock is touched.”

“Are you the owner?”

The guild master approached with a rather irritated expression. “Can you not try to get us kicked out?”

“Ah! Sorry mistress.” The rogue got away from the lock and bowed.

“So she’s the fifth?”

“Febrona. That’s my name” The rogue stayed bowed.

“Yeah yeah. Guildmaster?” Terris turned towards the guild master.

“Please move for a moment and swear not to steal anything beyond this door.”

“Or from any of the rooms.” Tearis added.

“I agree not to steal anything from the rooms of our guild members or the area beyond this door.”

“Good.” Tearis opened the door and revealed a dusty old broom closet.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“Wait! It wasn’t locked?”

“It’s a trick lock. The harder you try to get in the worse it becomes while negating any skill activations. The door is also locked to anyone not of the owner’s blood. My mother was the owner.”

“I wasn’t getting in this door. Wait. Then why did you show off?”

“Ok. Now anyone coming along will need to join me in the broom closet.” Tearis stepped into the somewhat spacious closet while pulling the key out of the wooden box.

“You better not try anything funny.”

“I won’t. You could always stay out here.”

“And leave you alone with our guildmaster? No way?”

“I very much don’t want to die Febrona. Don’t joke like that.” Tearis said honestly.

Febrona got in the closet anyway, the guild master joining as well, as the door shut itself automatically. The shelves slid into the floor, a doorway appearing past them. Tearis placed his key against the door, and it opened, revealing a relatively large wine cellar lit by blue torches.

“Huh…” Febrona was more awestruck than surprised, while the guild master was shocked by the setup.

“Tell no one of this discovery.” So the guild master told the other two as she went to a wine rack and picked up an old bottle.

“Hundred year old wine. How?”

“Yeah that’s the cheap stuff. The expensive stuff is down further if this is mom’s shelving system.” Tearis walked past the alcohol to the letter, a set of leather armor with lavender embroideries, a skill orb, and a flute.

Dear Tearis Nadir Malvaris,

I sense that I am not long for this world. Every day I feel weaker, and day by day, I can feel my stats lowering. I have gone to the hospital and found that I have been exposed to a curse mixed in with various poisons to prevent it from being removed. Unfortunately, I cannot find a cure in this country and have decided to fake my death here upon discovery that your father had been unfaithful. I have left everything behind in your name as I am effectively dead if you’re able to read this. Teari, you are my world, and I would love to be there to watch over you, but I can’t do so anymore. Assuming you’re reading this after your Trail, I have left behind some tools to help you grow in the academy. I pray for the day we may meet again.

Sincerely: Christina Maldain

Maldain was his mother’s maiden name. One she hadn’t used lightly. If it was in this letter, it could be a clue to where she is. He’d make an effort to visit his aunt during the break if possible. As he thought this through, the letter was engulfed in blue flames.

Picking up the orb first, Teris used Mind Thief.

Skill Gained: Emergency Substitution.

“Eh?”

“Something wrong?” The guild master asked from the wine area?

“No. Just a last request.” Tearis passed the letter over a blue flame and watched as it disappeared.

“I see…” The guild master nodded.

Febrona approached with a rather solemn look in her eyes.

“It’s just booze.”

“Pretty much. I think I’ll make this my study while here.” Tearis placed a hand on the desk that held the letter.

「Master? Where are you?」

Tearis looked about and scowled. He swore he had just heard a voice.

“Right.” Tearis then clapped his hands.

“Do you plan on selling any of these?”

“They’re for special occasions or important visitors. I’d rather hoard them forever, than sell them. And I’d rather drink them than hoard them forever. If you open anything under 100 years old, just mark it in the ledger. Anything older than that should have my permission first. Some of them are magic infused with spells that are truly priceless.” Tearis pointed to a ledger on the desk.

“Are you rich?” Febrona asked, trying to shmooze on Tearis,

“No. But my mom’s side of the family likes to collect things obsessively. My mother loved her mind, my grandfather his canes, my aunt loves her cooking tools and I have a little cousin that’s a little off.”

“I’m sure he’s just misunderstood.” Febrona waved her hand.

“He likes to collect and study eyes. His job was an Ophthalmologist… He was eight with an intelligence over forty. Albeit his wisdom and charisma are under five so he lacks common sense.” Tearis exaggerated slightly to try and scare her away from his family.

“Blessed by Almira?” The guild master seemed shocked.

“Who knows. He would probably be on track for next year’s trail anyway. I doubt he’d want to join a guild though.”

“Not sure he’d be suited in a guild. Or around normal people.” Febrona crossed her arms, changing her mind.

“He works well with others… I just wouldn’t die in front of him if possible. Or leave your eyes unattended….”

“He’ll have to sign a hefty contract if he tries to join.” The guild master added.

“I agree.”

「Master? Where are you?」

“Anyone hear that?” Tearis asked.

“No?” Febrona took a step away from Tearis.

Tearis grabbed the clothes and placed the flute in its case before heading to the exit. “Grab a bottle and come on. I still have some stuff to do.”

“Have us leave first.” The guild master said.

“Fine.” Tearis stepped out of the way and triggered the exit as the wall quietly slid back down so the guild master and Febrona could leave.

Tearis heard some whistling followed by what could have been a table breaking. Silence filled the room for a while before the cheer began.

The Violet Mage opened the door and exited the closet soon after finding a broken table. The wine bottle was placed on a counter.

「 Master! I can see you now」

Tearis watched a puppy run towards him, dodging between the other patrons before jumping up and tackling him in the stomach.

Tearis caught the puppy and sighed as it began to nuzzle.

“Why aren’t you with Irella?” Tearis asked the dog.

「 Small two legs fell asleep. Angry people in white chased me. So I follow scent.」

“Guess they don’t like dogs.”

「 I am a hellhound. Not a dog.」

Tearis looked down. “Not helping, Mr.Cuddles.”

“You ok over there?” Kon approached their expression hidden by their hood.

“Just talking with my familiar. Is that magic to hide your face? I don’t think I’ve seen it.” Tearis said.

“A familiar you say, that should make rabbit hunting easier. Tomorrow you should try for ten rabbits, five slimes and 2 goblins. You’ll be partying up with Febrona.”

“I see… You’re not coming?”

Kon sighed, “No, but I’m a busy mage.”

“I see. Where should I go to get magical gear?”

“Anything worth having would be in your set. Magical gear tends to be expensive and crappy if not made for you or with decent materials. Buying magic gear from a merchant here could prove fatal as it may be faulty.”

“So I need to find a good crafter.”

“There are three parts to a magic item. Magic conductivity, item quality, and enchantments. It’s rare to find some capable of more than one of the last two. Magic conductivity is dependent on the materials and refinement.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“Wait till you get your first class rank up. Things have just started getting complex.”

“Right… I’d need to find a path before choosing gear as well.” Tearis sighed.

“As a Violet mage your money should mostly go towards your skills anyhow. Either by buying, or stealing them, as you won’t get many offensive skills from your class.”

“Ah… Oh no…My build is quite bad then.”

“Sounds about right. We just need to get your class to level five and unlock the violet cauldron. That should be easily doable before the semester starts.”

“It took me five years to raise my job this much.”

“And it took you one day to get to level two. You have what? Five days to train? Easy if you work hard enough.” Kon stated.

Tearis felt his eye twitch. “I’ll go to bed early then.”

“Right.” Kon left the guildhall soon after.

Tearis went to his room, but he did not go to bed. No, Tearis decided to do his mana training before bed.

Closing his eyes, Tearis began to meditate as only a small purple flame could be felt. He imagined pulling in mana as he breathed in, willing his body to accept more. It didn’t help, so Tearis tried to imagine the flame inside him growing bigger. It grew, but he felt he was using mana to accomplish this and stopped when he felt the tug.

“Status, Mana.”

Mana: 4/7

“Did it go up with my level or from the skill?” Tearis waited thirty minutes for his mana to refill, and as he was full, he tried to draw more energy into his body, breathing in and holding it in. He felt bloated in a way that wasn’t normal and noticed as his skin took on a purplish hue.

“Status.”

Health: 30/53 ( -1)

Mana: 8/7

Stamina: 30/45

Tearis instinctively began boiling down the mana, going through what he didn’t recognize as his body became hot and numb. After those thirty minutes passed, he could feel the mana in him solidify in a small tear-shaped gem.

“Stat…us.” Tearis stated as his consciousness faded.

Health: 10/53

Mana: 0/8

Stamina: -1/45

Tearis faded into a dreamless sleep.