The Gilded Hearth stood at the edge of the bustling market district of Vallenport, nestled between a shop selling enchanted trinkets and a storehouse for fine spell components.
Though modest, two floors, compared to the grand towers and sprawling guilds of the city, it possessed a quiet charm that drew the eye.
Its sign, a carved wooden panel depicting a golden hearth with flames etched in silver leaf, swung gently from a wrought-iron bracket, illuminated by a soft, floating lantern. It glowed gentle and gold in the morning sunlight.
There was also a sign over the door. It’s letters were a bit faded but still legible. In Gold script.
I noticed it as I walked in this morning.
Before I could step in I was cut off. I only saw the figure from the back. A female mage - an apprentice. I saw flash of brown hair tied in a messy bun. Robes, slightly oversized and patched in places, hanging loosely from her wiry frame, the hem noticeably singed from what was likely an overly ambitious fire spell. The fabric was covered in faint smudges of ink, chalk, and the occasional mysterious stain.
A satchel was slung carelessly over one shoulder, bulging with crumpled notes, loose scrolls, and a small collection of runestones that jingled softly as she moved. She smelled faintly like burnt paper and fresh parchment.
The entrance bell chimed as she stepped inside. A comfortable double-chime. A ding-ding. Then chimed again as I followed her.
The girl who had cut me off was walking up the stairs.
Brenna’s comment following her up the stairs: ‘Don’t you dare practice magic in here Ivy. No levitating furniture or food.’
Brenna was the counter. Her magical quill scribbled on its own as she moved with ease between brewing enchanted drinks and chatting with regulars. Near her feet, Soot, the cafe’s sleek black cat with eyes like molten gold, lounged lazily in a patch of sunlight, watching the room with an air of quiet authority.
She welcomed me with a polite smile.
I made my usual order and went to sit at my normal table by the window. This morning I was reading some newspapers.
This morning on the gondola ride here I had discovered that they sold them. They were sold by boat. Criers advertising loudly: ‘Get your paper, get your morning paper’ here had caught my attention. I felt like I was in an old 1920s superman comic.
The titles were interesting. I couldn’t decide so I just bought one of each.
The Vallenport Chronicle. The Lantern Ledger. The Magister’s Mirror. The Adventurer’s Gazette. The Dockside Echo. The Merchant’s Ledger. The Greenvine Times. The Spectral Sentinel. The Artisanal Anvil. The People’s Voice.
I started with the one most relevant to me today.
The Adventurers Gazette. Its tagline was cute.
For Glory, Gold, and Guts!
My usual order arrived. It floated over on a silver tray. Blue Enchanted Calming Brew and a starfruit muffin hopping off on the tray on its own.
There were a couple of stories of quests and interesting feats.
'A-Class Adventurer Uncovers Ancient Ruins on the Storm Shores!'
'S-Class Beast Sighting Near the Ashen Peaks: Guilds Called to Investigate.'
I was featured:
‘A-Class Adventurer Sparks Rumours Across Vallenport!’
I flipped to read it.
***
A-Class Adventurer Sparks Rumours Across Vallenport!
"Southern Barbarian or Hidden Noble? The Mystery of Lord Tavalor"
By Klysandra Quill, Special Correspondent
In a city brimming with adventurers, mages, and more than a few eccentrics, it takes a special kind of newcomer to stir the pot. Enter Lord Tavalor, Vallenport’s newest A-Class adventurer, whose arrival has left tongues wagging and imaginations running wild. But who is this mysterious figure?
Rumours are swirling faster than enchanted gondolas. According to reliable sources (read: an overly chatty barkeep and one slightly tipsy minstrel), Tavalor hails from the rugged Southern Wilds, a dangerous and lawless region notorious for producing the toughest warriors and the deadliest mercenaries. Some whisper that he’s a former warlord, having abandoned his savage kin to seek redemption—or revenge—on the sophisticated streets of the North.
But that’s just the beginning. Others claim Tavalor is actually the disgraced son of a Southern noble house, exiled after a scandal too shocking to name (though this reporter has heard whispers of a forbidden romance, an enchanted artefact gone wrong, or perhaps both). Some insist he fled to the North to escape an arranged marriage—or worse, a death sentence.
“Look at his build,” said one particularly nosy regular at The Ember’s Edge. “That’s not just strength—that’s someone who’s fought tooth and claw to survive.”
The theories only grow wilder. Some allege that Tavalor isn’t entirely human. His striking presence—heightened by his horns and intense gaze—has sparked speculation of magical lineage. What sort of beastman could he be? Could he be part-giant? Part demon? A forgotten descendant of the Moon Elves? Or perhaps he carries the blood of dragons, his power lying dormant until now?
Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: Tavalor has already made waves. His registration at the Adventurers Guild reportedly caused a stir, with multiple witnessing his power. He passed the test too simply. “He was too quick,” one guild member claimed. “Like he was holding back — off the charts or something.”
This enigma has made him a subject of fascination—and perhaps, a bit of fear.
But who is the real Tavalor? A barbarian-turned-adventurer seeking his fortune? A noble outcast with a shadowed past? Or something far more extraordinary, hiding in plain sight?
One thing’s for sure: all eyes in Vallenport are on him now. Whether he’ll live up to the hype—or burn the city down in the process—remains to be seen. Stay tuned, dear readers, because this Southern enigma has just begun his Northern saga.
Got a lead on Lord Tavalor’s past? Submit your tips to the Lantern Ledger’s Rumour Roundup!
***
It was the same thing that Mara and the other adventurers had said yesterday. They had invented a backstory from nothing. Either I was a former warlord, abandoning my family to seek redemption, or a disgraced son of a Southern Noble Hose.
But — I now had a story. I didn’t have to think of anything.
Even if I didn’t say anything. People would still make up something.
How convenient.
The next sections were
The Guild Rankings - Updated weekly, this section listed the top-ranked adventurers and guilds by tier, along with brief descriptions of their recent accomplishments. There were 100 people on the list.
I was number 20.
20. Lord Thomas Tavalor
The Southern Flame (A-Class)
Known for: Newly registered and already shrouded in mystery. Rumoured to be a Southern barbarian with immense strength and mastery of fire magic.
Current Quest: Newly arrived in Vallenport. Reputation for unpredictability is growing.
What? I was astonished at the thought. Were A-Classes so rare?
I looked over the list. The top 20 were all A-Class. The 20-80 were B-Class. The remainder were [C-Class].
Only 20 people in Vallenport - no 20 adventurers were A-Class. These were the most interesting:
***
1. Lysandra Skythorn
The Blade of the Storm (A-Class)
Known for: Slaying the Thunder Leviathan and leading an S-Class raid on the Obsidian Depths. Specialises in lightning-based magic and dual-wielding enchanted blades.
Current Quest: Investigating ley-line disruptions near the Storm Shores.
2. Garron “Ironheart” Durn
The Indestructible Warrior (A-Class)
Known for: Defeating a Titan of Stone single-handedly. Wields a legendary axe, Heartsplitter.
Current Quest: Guarding the Emerald Caverns against hostile incursions.
3. Levira Luneth
The Silent Whisper (A-Class)
Known for: Her unparalleled skill in stealth and illusion magic. Took down an entire thieves' guild without being detected. As an Elven treasure seeker, she is a master of finding and recovering lost artefacts from ancient ruins.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Current Quest: Investigating a mysterious shadow plague in the Northern Wilds.
4. Kela Emberfist
The Living Inferno (A-Class)
Known for: Harnessing volcanic fire magic to destroy the Crimson Wyrm, saving an entire trade convoy. Her fiery temper and raw magical prowess make her a formidable ally—or foe.
Current Quest: Training a new generation of battlemages at the Ember Spire.
…
11. Kevaris Dawnrunner
The Swift (A-Class)
Known for: His unmatched speed and agility, outpacing a sandstorm to recover a stolen relic.
Current Quest: Patrolling the Crystal Desert.
…
15. Orwin Starbreaker
The Astral Hammer (A-Class)
Known for: Wielding cosmic magic to destroy a fallen star before it struck the city of Dawnspire.
Current Quest: Researching star-forged weapons.
…
18. Althea Sunbloom
The Radiant Healer (A-Class)
Known for: Using light magic to cure a deadly magical plague in the Crescent Vale.
Current Quest: Establishing healing sanctuaries across Vallenport.
…
25. Mara Bladebreaker
Captain of the Iron Tides (B-Class)
Known for: Leading her mercenary crew, The Iron Tides, to recover the Luminous Crown from the Shifting Labyrinth. Although she lacks the raw magical prowess to reach A-Class, her tactical brilliance and leadership are unmatched.
Current Quest: Safeguarding caravans through the dangerous Whispering Woods.
***
Mara was also on the list. Number 25. How strong was she?
The rest of the paper wasn’t as interesting. A quest board (Mini Quest Board like the Guild) , ‘Tales of Triumph’ (First-hand bragging), Adventurers Toolkit (Gear), Tavern Reviews and Classifieds.
The Tavern reviews seemed okay. Nothing that I wanted to visit. I had already got a list talking to a few people and none of the places were mentioned.
***
I was back home in my old manor. The manor I lived in followed the typical Georgian style of architecture, popular in the 18th and early 19th centuries back on earth. This layout was called a Noble’s Hall in this world.
It was three separate boxes each will a hallway connecting each box to the main box. Perfectly symmetrical. The main box was the central wing. The two smaller boxes were the side wings. The central wing had all of the entertainment rooms (dining room, drawing room, reception hall, back parlour, chintz chamber) and the two smaller side wings were for private quarters or service quarters.
Upstairs the two smaller wings were bedrooms. The main guest bedroom and my own master suite. The central was lounges and the study.
The study took up the majority of the upper floor of the manor’s central wing, taking up the space equivalent to the dining room, reception hall, and drawing room below.
It was split into three rooms as well. Just like below.
The central room was a cavernous space filled with towering bookshelves that stretch from floor to ceiling. I called it the ‘Grand Library’ even though there were only about ten shelves in the room. The shelves were made of dragonwood, their rich, deep hue gleaming faintly under the enchanted floating lanterns that hover near the high, vaulted ceiling. A ladder on enchanted rails offered access to the higher rows.
The room was dominated by a large arched doorway to a balcony at the far end, framed by heavy, faded burgundy curtains that once belonged to the manor’s golden days. Sunlight streamed through the cracked glass, casting patterns of dappled light across the floor.
Scroll racks and display cases lined the walls in between the shelves, showcasing rare manuscripts, maps, and magical artefacts. The floor was covered in a threadbare rug featuring a faded dragon motif, and the air carries a mix of old parchment, candle wax, and faint magical energy.
The left room was my study. With a desk and chair. I had put in the fancy dragon-wood desk and chair that I had ordered the other day. The desk with its polished surfaces and intricate carvings of coiled dragons, sat near one of the two fireplaces in the study wing.
The fireplace, built into the far wall, was a tall, imposing structure made of blackened stone. Above the mantle, an ancient map of Vallenport and its surrounding lands hung in a cracked frame, the faded ink still whispering of forgotten territories.
The rest of the room was lined with smaller shelves filled with frequently-used tomes, quills, and stacks of parchment. All covered in dust. A globe, enchanted to glow faintly with constellations, sat on a pedestal in one corner, and an armchair (also newly bought) with fresh, velvet upholstery stood near the fire.
The right room was the reading room. On the opposite side of the Grand Study. Symmetrical in size and layout. It also had a fireplace, though this one was framed by a carved stone mantle depicting scenes of dragons in flight.
It was also full of new furniture. Plush armchairs and a fainting couch, all upholstered in soft, magically stain-resistant fabrics, were arranged in a semicircle around the fireplace. There was low table, scattered with some half-read books, tea cups and a lantern.
The shelves in this room were filled with lighter reading material—collections of poetry, histories of Vallenport, and even a few romances. A small cabinet tucked into one corner held the last owners collection of expired enchanted teas and brews, as well as a decanter of for wine. I hadn’t had time to change it over yet.
I had decided to sort through and clean the shelves in my study today. I had used basic wind magic to clean the dust. Now I was flipping through all of the books on the shelves and categorise them.
A shadow detached itself from one of the bookcases.
My back was to the room.
I was short and hooded. A rogue.
A pair of short swords in hand. Dusted black with charcoal.
My back was towards the figure.
The figure crept closer.
I flipped through the book I was looking at.
I felt their presence as soon as the rogue stepped within several steps of me. I turned quickly
The rogue attacked.
It was a short, black-haired female elf. Long black cloak, tight snug clothes with reinforced trousers and leather armour.
Slicing at me with the swords. One after the other. One high. One low.
I didn’t bother to dodge. I was [S-Class] and she was merely [A-Class] after looking at her stats. I was also immune to all physical damage. A benefit of my [Ancient Scales].
I threw a basic punch towards her. Matching my strength and speed to hers.
The elf had a look of astonishment on her face. And fear.
She rolled underneath the punch and past me. Ending up behind me. Landing in my blind spot.
I couldn’t see her but I could sense her.
She sliced again. Aiming at the strike zone. The spot between my rib cage and left shoulder.
She was aiming to kill. The gap between the ribs and shoulder blade offered the perfect opening. A well-aimed thrust here could slip past bone, driving the blade upward toward the heart. It would sever vital arteries and collapse the defences of the body in seconds.
I tossed a backwards elbow. A bit faster this time. She didn’t have space to dodge and my elbow smashed into knives. Cracking one and smashing the other out of her hand.
The impact forced her several steps back.
She automatically flipped her hood back on her head and slipped into stealth. Attempting to escape.
I pushed some magic into the the study’s main carpet. It had been an expensive purchase and it was fire-resistant phoenix feathers.
The carpet lit up in flames. A quiet phoenix cry reverberated. The heat and light caught the rogue mid step. Lit the edges of her robe.
She tossed the robe off her back. I suppressed the flame. I didn’t want any more fire-damage.
She wore a long sleeved black tunic. A embers were still lit up on it but she ignored it. She only had a pair of daggers left on her belt and she drew them.
On the rogues face was a look of determination.
I sighed. The study was a restraint. I didn’t want to burn anything. A fireball would have solved this issue.
I just bought this furniture. I just started cleaning this place.
I wanted to find out what was going on. I’ll end this quickly.
I lifted my hands up and stepped into a basic martial arts stance. Lead foot pointing forwards. Rear foot pointing slightly outwards. Knees bent. Body angled sideways to make myself a smaller targets. Hands up hovering in front of my face in a loose but ready guard.
There were ten-fifteen steps between us but I crossed them instantly. Almost as if I was teleporting. I accelerated my speed to almost my peak. I was too fast.
She didn’t have a chance. I knocked her out.
***
I waited for her to wake up in the downstairs drawing room.
There was a massive fireplace. Made of black stone, its carved mantle bearing phoenixes and dragons mid-flight.
Above the hearth, an antique mirror, framed in tarnished silver, reflecting the flickering light of enchanted flames that burn steadily without wood and the two people in the room. The unconscious woman and myself. The walls, panelled in dark oak, were adorned with faded tapestries and a few crooked portraits of long-forgotten ancestors.
The furniture was a mish-mash. A central dragonwood coffee table, its surface scarred from years of use, is surrounded by: a dark green sofa with golden embroidery, a fainting couch upholstered in soft, wine-coloured velvet, and two wing-back chairs.
A circular rug beneath them is slightly off-centre, its intricate phoenix motif shiny and new. A partner to the hallway rug that had helped to catch the rogue. The tall windows, framed by draped burgundy curtains, let in just enough light to accentuate the lingering dust motes floating lazily in the air. A bookcase leaned against the far wall, overstuffed with tomes and scrolls, many piled haphazardly on the floor below.
When she woke up she was sitting in a one of the wing-back chairs in front of the fireplace. I was sitting in the other one across from her. Her cloak and weapons in a pile at my feet.
I had used magic to bind her. She tested it. Trying to enter stealth. Wriggling around for a moment before she realised she couldn’t escape.
She turned her attention to the room.
Observed it. Then looked at me.
Her face was bruised. A cut above her eye was bleeding.
Despite it all. She looked determined. Unwilling to lose.
She stayed silent.
‘Who are you?’ I asked.
Her voice was rough and strangely modulated. As if rarely used. ‘Levira Luneth.’
Where had I heard that name before?
I remembered the paper earlier in the day.
***
3. Levira Luneth
The Silent Whisper (A-Class)
Known for: Her unparalleled skill in stealth and illusion magic. Took down an entire thieves' guild without being detected. As an Elven treasure seeker, she is a master of finding and recovering lost artefacts from ancient ruins.
Current Quest: Investigating a mysterious shadow plague in the Northern Wilds.
***
‘The number three ranked adventurer in Vallenport?’ I leaned forward in interest. ‘What are you doing here? Aren’t you meant to be investigating a shadow plague in the North?’
She ignored that question. ‘The key.’ She said. ‘I want the key. I’ll buy it off you.’
The key? Hadn’t I already used it? It only opened the box in the library? Did it open something else?
I pulled the key out of my [System Space]. Waving it in front of her face.
As soon as the key had appeared in my hand. Her eyes never left it. Following it around.
‘Why should I? You attacked me for it after all.’
‘I wanted to check if you were strong enough to keep it?’
I laughed.
‘You — test me.’ I sat back in my seat. Twirling the key around.
‘How much? How much are you offering?’ I asked.
She stopped - a blush spread across her face.
‘I don’t — I don’t have any..’
I cut her off. ‘You weren’t here to negotiate were you?’ I leaned forward again. Clutching the key. ‘You thought you could just ambush me and steal the key. Don’t say you’re offering your body or service — don’t lie.’
‘Don’t you want to know about the key?’
‘I don’t care.’ I replied. ‘I’d actually like to give it away— it’s a trouble magnet.’
‘But — can’t you just give it to me?‘ she looked like she was going to tear up. ‘It’s a family heirloom,’ she continued.
I rolled my eyes.
‘A thousand gold.’ I said. ‘And it’s yours.’
I waved my hand freeing her of the magic spell.
She stood. ‘Where am I gonna get that kinda money?’ she said rubbing her wrists to get her circulation back.
There was a knock on my door then a crash and bang.
The stomping of loud footsteps and a female voice was heard: ‘Greetings.’ The steps came around the corner. ‘Lord Tavalor?’ questioned the voice.
It was a beautiful female mage in a set of deep crimson and black robes trimmed with molten gold embroidery, designed to resemble flowing lava. Draped over her shoulders was a flowing ash-grey cloak that appears to flicker with embers as she moved. Very curvy figure. Long wavy reddish orange hair. Striking blue eyes. The stomping came from knee high battle boots.
‘I’m here for your tutoring—‘ she paused as soon as she walked in the room. Pointing at the rogue with her enchanted gauntlets.
‘Luneth?!’
‘Emberfist?!’
They both spoke almost at the same time.
Emberfist?
I remembered the list again from earlier.
***
4. Kela Emberfist
The Living Inferno (A-Class)
Known for: Harnessing volcanic fire magic to destroy the Crimson Wyrm, saving an entire trade convoy. Her fiery temper and raw magical prowess make her a formidable ally—or foe.
Current Quest: Training a new generation of battlemages at the Ember Spire.
***
The number three and number four ranked adventurers in Vallenport were both in my living room?
The amulet around Emberfist’s neck lit up. Her gauntlets started to pulse with fiery runes. Her hair began to crackle at the edges. Standing upright. As if heated up by her magic. Her blue eyes started to blaze.
The rogue crouched down at the sight of that. Figure turning shadowy. I hadn’t opened the windows all the way so there was enough gloom to hide.
‘You rat!’ Emberfist screamed.
She crashed forward. Swinging at Luneth.
Luneth swung a dagger at her.
Where had she gotten the dagger? I had thought I had collected them all off her.
I appeared between the pair of them. Catching a gauntleted hand and and a knife in either hand.
I held them in place. They both attempted to fight out.
‘Enough. This is a manor, not a battleground.’ I interrupted.
After trying to escape my grip and failing. They stopped fighting.
‘That backstabbing pickpocket —‘ started Emberfist.
‘That arrogant mage —‘ started Luneth at the same time.
‘Are you gonna keep fighting?’ I asked them both. Turning first to stare at Luneth then at Emberfist.
They looked at each other. Then looked away. I let them both go.
I sighed. What a headache.