Alaine, Hiro's childhood friend from Vermint Town, dismounted from her horse and ran towards them, embracing Hiro in a tight hug.
"I can't believe I found you here of all places! How did you end up in the forest?" Alaine asked with concern.
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Hiro quickly explained the situation—the betrayal by someone who acts like official in Sky Academy and the loss of their belongings, leading to an unplanned journey through the forest.
Alaine listened with a mixture of concern and empathy. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Hiro. But I'm glad we crossed paths again. Let me help you both."
After a moment of silence, Kyren introduced himself, grateful for Alaine's assistance, she warmly welcomed Kyren into the conversation.
As they continued talking, Hiro couldn't help but be curious. "And what are you doing here, Alaine? Is the person riding with you your lover?" Hiro acted a foolish smiled.
Alaine knocked Hiro's head. "STUPID!, Hiro, Kyren, this is Roland."
"We're here to submit our guild quest report to the Arrayama's Legacy Guild. We often take quests to improve our guild, and one day we hope to become a strong and large guild." Alaine shown her guild badge.
Hiro's interest was piqued while scratching his head from Alaine's Attack. "So, you're in a guild now, Alaine? Tell me more! tell me more about it."
As the conversation continued, Roland, the logistics coordinator of the guild, joined in, introducing himself with a friendly smile. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you both. Alaine often speaks fondly of her childhood friends. It's wonderful to finally meet you."
Alaine stared to clean her horse's back while making some space. "I'll take you back to Arramaya City on my horses. You can rest and recover there, and we're also planning to stay in the city for the night. We'll figure out what to do next."
Both Hiro and Kyren expressed their heartfelt gratitude for Alaine's kindness.
They mounted the horses, and with Alaine leading the way, they began their journey back to Arramaya City.
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During the ride, they reminisced about their fond memories from childhood, recounting the adventures they had shared and the mischief they had gotten into together.
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"Alaine! It's been so long," Hiro said, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Alaine returned the smile, her eyes shining with happiness. "Hiro! I can't believe it's really you."
Hiro continued to talk. "Do you remember our pinky promise?"
Alaine, a little bit blushed on her cheeks, replied, "YOU ARE STUPID AS BEFORE!"
Hiro laughed and said "YOU KNOW I'M JUST KIDDING, YOU TOO, YOU ARE THE SAME AS BEFORE."
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"We used to explore every corner of Vermint Town together," Alaine said with a fond smile. "Remember that old treehouse we built in the side forest between Verboten Gate and Vermint Town? It was our secret hideout."
Hiro laughed, nodding enthusiastically. "Oh, how could I forget? Those were some of the best days of my life."
"We created a lot of our fantasy stories," Alaine added.
Hiro's eyes filled with excitement as he talked to Alaine.
"YES! ESPECIALLY OUR TALE ABOUT 'HIRO, THE MIGHTY KNIGHT'"
"Yes, we've faced many monsters while protecting you, my Princess Alaine," while Hiro is reenacting as a Mighty Warrior.
Their reminiscing tugged at Kyren's heart, and they couldn't help but reflect on the power of childhood friendships, wishing that they had those stories of their childhood too.
"Anyway, I'm glad you are in better path, after moving to other town, Uncle really smart isn't? I was worried and sad that day, after you said you are going to move to other town." Hiro said.
Alaine's expression turned sad as she spoke. "Hiro, my dad... passed away last year."
Hiro was shocked and felt sorry about bringing it up. "Alaine...."
"It's ok, he died in the one of the B mission on his guild..." Alaine said.
"Alaine... I'm sorry." Hiro shut his mouth.
"I'm fine Hiro, at least he saw me achieving my dream."
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They managed to go to the city, and Alaine insisted on treating them to dinner as a gesture of concern.
As Hiro and Alaine settled into their seats, Hiro's eyes sparkled with thankfulness. "This is too much, Alaine," he said. "I don't know how we can pay you for this."
As Hiro and Alaine continued their conversation, Kyren couldn't help but feel a strong sense of gratitude for her hospitality and kindness.
"It's nothing, Hiro. In fact, I'm thinking about this. I knew you're planning to enroll in Sky Academy, right?" Alaine said.
"Yeah, but all of that plan will change because, you know..." Hiro said sadly, remembering what Carlos did to them.
"I have an offer for you two," Alaine continued.
"An offer?" Hiro wondered.
Alaine explained, "I'll pay for both of your enrollment fees..."
Hiro interrupted, "No, it's too much for us to accept all of this for free."
"I didn't say it's for free. It's an offer that I'll pay for your fees, but after you earn one star badge, you two join my guild and help me expand it. Hiro, I know your dream, and you know mine. I'd like to join one of the top guilds, especially Cassadine's Dynasty Guild, which is currently ranked second," Alaine proposed.
Hiro's confused. "Wait wait? your guild? you mean....."
Roland interrupted. "Yeah, Alaine is our Guild Leader, and our guild named Heart Blade.."
Hiro's amused and grabbed Alaine's hand "WOAH! YOU ARE SO AWESOME MY FRIEND, YOU FINALLY MADE IT!"
"Yeah," Alaine admitted with a hint of modesty, her gaze momentarily flickering away before returning to meet Hiro's gaze, her eyes alight with a quiet determination.
"I'm in the bottom of the top 20 from the previous batch."
Hiro's astonishment only grew, his admiration for Alaine swelling within him like a rising tide. "WHOA! So you got a three-starred badge? Can I see it? Can I see it?" His excitement was palpable, his words tumbling out in a rush as he leaned in closer, eager to catch a glimpse of her coveted emblem of achievement.
"Anyway, would you accept it, Hiro?" Alaine returned to her offer.