The day had been chaotic so far but I was back in my study. The rogue, Levira Luneth, and the mage, Kela Emberfist, had been sent to opposite wings of the manor to cool off after their earlier confrontation.

I sat in the drawing room this time. Across from the Grand Library. I slouched on the couch. My body on the couch except for my feet. I absentmindedly flipped through a tome of Elven poetry, it’s leather cover cracked and faintly glowing.

‘Do not sleep,

spirit of sorrow,

for the stars weep the forests embrace was forgotten.’

Elven poetry was boring. Two topics were repeated. How much the elves loved the forests and each other.

There were only so many ways I could read about how much they loved the trees before I was rolling my eyes.

I had met my second elf. Luneth. (The first was the Elarian Thorne Vice-Magus of the Mages Guild) She was much more interesting than that politician.

Specifically her ears. She had longer skinnier ears. They stuck out more. I comparison the vice-magus had normal human sized ears, the tops were pointed up. I wanted to touch Luneth’s ears.

So cool.

My new tutor was here as well. Kela Emberfist.

Very attractive. Very aggressive personality.

I didn’t know if I wanted to take her own as my tutor. It seemed like an open scheme from the Mages Guild. Would she be a good tutor?

The faint smell of roasted meat and spices wafted up. I had ordered catering earlier it smelled ready.

My stomach rumbled.

I walked down to the dining room. It was the first time I had a meal there. The walls were panelled in a rich, polished dark-wood. The uniform surfaces of the panels were broken only by evenly spaced iron sconces holding enchanted candles that burned with an unwavering, pale-blue light. The ceiling, vaulted and reinforced with exposed wooden beams, gave the space the air of a command hall, its height emphasising authority.

A massive dining table dominated the centre of the room, a polished expanse of dragonwood with a flawless, mirror-like finish. High-backed chairs flanked it, their arrangement aligned perfectly with the table's edges. Each chair bore minimal ornamentation, their stark lines speaking of function, yet they were crafted with such care that they exuded elegance.

The chair at the head of the table was subtly larger. The command position. Above the table, a candelabra hung, its enchanted light mimicking the glow of a full moon, casting steady illumination across the polished surface.

The light reflected off the minimal decor: a ceremonial sword mounted above the hearth, its blade gleaming faintly, and a pair of banners bearing an ancient sigil of house T’valor—two scales flanked by dragons—hung with purposeful symmetry on either side of the hearth.

The table-settings were nice. White table cloth. Expensive gold cutlery. Gold food coverings. They had been setup to be perfect. Then the caterers had left to go back to the kitchen.

The two women were already there. Emberfist, with her fiery aura subdued for the moment, her molten gold embroidery glowing faintly in the dim room. Luneth, perched on a chair with feline grace, her long black cloak draped over the backrest. Sitting directly across from each other in chairs halfway down the table.

Their confrontation continued. Non-verbally this time. The tension between them was palpable. Emberfist sitting tall and proud, Luneth leaning back with a casual smirk—hinted that another verbal sparring match was inevitable.

'Let’s keep this civilised, shall we?' I said, taking my seat at the head of the table.

I floated the gold half-dome food covers off the food with my magic.

The spread was impressive: roasted pheasant stuffed with herbs, mashed root vegetables infused with a faint glow of magical essence, and a loaf of bread still steaming from the heat preservation spells. A pitcher of chilled berry wine floated around last, pouring into their goblets on its own.

Everyone served themselves. Emberfist served herself generously, her fiery personality showing even in the way she heaped food onto her plate. Luneth, by contrast, picked at her meal with a rogue’s suspicion, her sharp eyes darting to the pitcher as if expecting it to pour poison instead of wine.

'What’s your angle?' Emberfist said suddenly, breaking the quiet. She gestured with her fork at the elf. 'You don’t just show up in someone’s home for a trinket without a bigger plan.'

Luneth smirked, twirling her goblet in her hand. 'And what’s your excuse? I doubt you’re here for a tutoring session. Or are you struggling with your fire spells these days?'

The room’s temperature seemed to rise slightly as Emberfist’s eyes narrowed. 'Say that again, Luneth, and I’ll show you why they call me the Living Inferno.'

Before I could intervene, Luneth’s eyes glinted mischievously. 'Why don’t you show me, then? I’ll even give you a target.'

Emberfist slammed her goblet down, flames flickering at the edges of her hair. 'Careful, elf. Your tricks won’t save you if I really cut loose.'

'That’s enough.' My voice cut through the tension like a blade. I didn’t shout, but the weight behind my words was unmistakable. Both women froze, their gazes snapping to him.

I had only eaten two mouthfuls of food.

'This is my house, and you are all guests. If you two want to destroy each other, do it elsewhere. But if you’re under my roof, at least pretend to be civil.’

Emberfist muttered something under her breath, her flames dimming. Luneth simply raised her goblet in mock salute. 'As you wish, my lord.'

Tavalor sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. 'I’ve had enough of this. If you must argue, let’s settle it with something other than fireballs or daggers.'

'Like what?' Emberfist asked, folding her arms.

'Cards,' I said, pulling a deck from my [System Space].

'A simple game of Dragon’s Draw. Best of three rounds. he winner gets to ask the loser one question they must answer truthfully.'

Luneth was surprised. Emberfist amused.

They both nodded at each other.

The two moved up to a set of chairs next to mine at the head of the table. I floated my food out of the way.

The enchanted deck shuffled itself mid-air The sound of the cards snapping together filling the quiet dining room. The faint enchantment on the deck made the edges shimmer in the soft glow of the enchanted candelabra, each card embossed with intricate illustrations of dragons, treasure, and flames.

The deck stopped shuffling. ‘Are you guys ready?’

Emberfist scoffed. Resting her chin on her hand. ‘I’ll beat her fair and square.’

Luneth smirked, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. ‘Cards? A rogue’s best friend. Let’s see if your magic matches my skill, Emberfist.’

Two cards floated and landed in front of each player.

Dragons Draw was a magical version of Blackjack. With some different special cards. The rules were simple: each player played one card face-down per turn, and the cards would be revealed simultaneously. Each card’s value added to the score, with certain combinations triggering special effects. The goal: end each round with the highest score.

Round One

As the rules dictated, each player drew their first card face up, revealing their starting hand.

My card was a Bronze Dragon, worth 10 points. A solid opening.

Emberfist drew next, flipping over a Flame Serpent, its fiery depiction worth 9 points. 'A decent start,' she muttered, her tone already impatient.

Luneth drew her card with deliberate grace. A Shadow Wyvern worth 8 shimmered on the table. Her eyes flicked to mine, her smirk growing. 'Let’s see where this goes.'

The game wasn't just about reaching 21 first—it was about strategy. Mixed into the deck were Treasure Cards, which added points or granted special abilities, and Trap Cards, which could sabotage your score or mess with an opponent’s hand.

I drew my next card carefully—a Silver Drake worth 5. My total was now 15. Respectable, but not quite safe.

Emberfist, ever the risk-taker, slapped down another card. It was a Treasure Card: Dragon’s Hoard. The shimmering gold pile added 2 points to her score and granted her a one-time ability to draw two cards and pick the best. 'This is going to be easy,' she said, clearly pleased with herself.

Luneth’s turn came. She flipped her card to reveal a Trap Card: Siren’s Call. Her Shadow Wyvern’s 8 points were cut in half, reducing her total to 4. Her smirk faltered for only a moment before she drew again. Her second card, a Mist Serpent, restored her confidence, adding 6 points to bring her to 10.

For my turn, I hesitated. Should I draw or hold? I glanced at Emberfist, who was grinning smugly at her hoard card, and Luneth, who seemed unshaken despite her earlier setback. Taking a chance, I drew another card. A Trap Card appeared: Elder Dragon’s Curse. My score dropped by 3 points, bringing me down to 12. I sighed. 'Figures.'

Emberfist, riding high on her luck, activated her Treasure Card’s ability, drawing two cards. She revealed a Lava Drake worth 8 and a Phoenix Feather, a unique card that allowed her to negate one opponent’s trap. She discarded the Lava Drake and kept the feather. 'You’re toast,' she said, her total still sitting comfortably at 20.

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Luneth played cautiously. She drew a third card—a Golden Drake worth 5—bringing her to 15. 'I’ll hold,' she said, leaning back in her chair, her smirk returning.

For my final turn, I took the risk and drew again. My card was a Treasure Card: Ethereal Blade. It added 7 points to my total, bringing me to 19. Not enough to win outright, but close. 'I’ll hold.'

Emberfist laughed. 'Victory is mine.' She flipped her remaining card, but to her dismay, it was another Trap Card: Dragonbane. It nullified her Treasure Card bonus, dropping her total to 18. Her smug grin turned into a scowl. 'What?!'

Luneth chuckled. 'Looks like the gods favour the sneaky.' She revealed her hand—her total of 15 was still lower than mine, but Emberfist’s sudden drop secured me the win for the first round.

'Round one to me,' I said, shuffling the deck again.

Round Two

Emberfist, furious from her earlier loss, played recklessly, pushing her luck with every draw. Her aggressive strategy paid off when she uncovered a Phoenix Feather and a Dragon’s Claw, which together boosted her total to 19 without any penalties. She slammed her hand on the table and grinned. 'Try and beat that!'

Luneth, ever the strategist, used her draw to uncover a Treasure Map card, which allowed her to peek at the next three cards in the deck. She selected a Silver Drake and a Golden Serpent, stacking her hand at 20.

I was left with a tough decision. My first two cards, a Steel Drake and a Treasure Card: Hidden Vault, gave me 18 points, but I knew the risk of drawing another card was high. Still, I decided to gamble. My third card was a Trap Card: Frozen Wyrm. It reduced my score by 5, knocking me out of the round.

Luneth’s 20 won her the second round, bringing her level with me at one win each.

Round Three

The room was heavy with anticipation as I shuffled the cards for the final round. Emberfist’s fiery glare burned across the table, her pride stinging from her loss in the first round. Luneth, ever the picture of calm cunning, lounged in her chair, her smirk daring me to make a mistake.

I drew my first card: a Golden Drake worth 15 points. A strong start. I decided to hold for now, watching the others carefully.

Emberfist, always brash, drew quickly. Her first card was a Lava Drake worth 8 points. 'Not bad,' she muttered, then immediately went for a second card, flipping over a Treasure Card: Phoenix Feather. It granted her a bonus 2 points and the ability to negate one trap. Her total was 10, but the feather could prove invaluable. 'Still playing to win,' she said with a confident grin.

Luneth drew her card with deliberate precision, revealing a Silver Serpent worth 12 points. She held for a moment, eyeing the deck. 'I’ll draw again,' she decided, flipping over a Treasure Map. It allowed her to peek at the next three cards in the deck. She selected a Shadow Wyvern for 8 points, bringing her total to 20. 'I’ll hold,' she said, leaning back with a smug expression.

Emberfist, unfazed, played aggressively. Her next card was a Flame Serpent, adding 9 points to her total. She grinned. '19. One more,' she said, reaching for the deck. She flipped over a Trap Card: Dragonbane. Her grin vanished as the trap nullified her Phoenix Feather, dropping her back to 17. 'What?!' she snarled, slamming her hand on the table. 'I’ll still beat you!'

It was my turn. My Golden Drake at 15 was strong, but not unbeatable. I needed to take a risk. I drew my second card: a Treasure Card: Dragon’s Gem. It added 3 points, bringing my total to 18. Still not enough to top Luneth’s 20.

I reached for the deck again, ignoring Luneth’s smirk. 'Playing it close to the edge?' she asked, her tone teasing.

The card I flipped over was another Treasure Card: Hidden Vault. It added 4 points, pushing me to 22. My heart skipped a beat—anything over 21 was an automatic loss, but the Vault card also triggered a special effect, letting me discard my lowest-value card. The Golden Drake disappeared, leaving me with exactly 21.

Luneth’s smirk faltered. Emberfist’s eyes widened in disbelief.

'Victory,' I said calmly, placing my cards down.

Luneth frowned but nodded. 'You played it well, Tavalor. Ask your question.'

I waved to Emberfist to ask her question. I’m sure she wanted to know the same thing.

Emberfist leaned forward, her voice low and sharp. 'Why are you really here, Luneth?'

The elf rogue hesitated, her hand resting on the edge of the table. The firelight danced on her black cloak, and for a fleeting moment, she seemed genuinely uncertain. Then she sighed and let her mask slip. 'The key... it’s not just any key. It opens a vault beneath Vallenport. .'

‘The Vallenport Vault?!’ Emberfist stood up. ‘It’s real? How’s your family involved?’

‘What’s the Vallenport vault?’ I interrupted Emberfist’s train of questions.

Emberfist paused. Before shooting at look of understanding at me. ‘That’s right, you’re new here.’

Luneth answered. ‘The name. Vallenport. It’s actually two words. Vallens Port. Vallen was a legendary [S-Class] Mage from the Age of Dragons. The city used to be his tower.’

‘Used to be?’ I asked.

‘It vanished during the end of that age. Nobody’s sure exactly where. This place is built on the ruins.’

‘And what does they key have to do with it?’ I asked.

Luneth paused, looking at me. ‘Vallen’s last name - was T’valor.’

Emberfist also continued. Sitting back down. ‘There’s also a rumour.’ She sipped from her wine goblet. ‘The reason why the last Lord of this manor went mad, was that he found something. Rumour was he found the entrance underground to the remnants of Vallen’s tower.’

I sat back.

Damn. I thought to myself. A legendary ruin just landed in my lap.

‘And what does that have to do you with you?’ I asked Luneth.

‘Vallenport was an elf. He’s a founder of our clan.’ She said calmly.

‘Vallenport was an elf?’ Emberfist looked astonished.

‘Yes.’ She replied. ‘No matter how much the guilds all try to hide it. Most great mages in the Age of Dragons were.’

I looked at Luneth. ‘How valuable is this— this dungeon for lack of a better word?’ I asked.

Luneth’s gaze met mine, her smirk returning, though it was tinged with seriousness now. 'Enough to make guilds, thieves, and half the city fight over it. Trust me, it’s better in my hands than theirs.'

A hot potato.

I sat back in my chair, tapping my fingers thoughtfully against the edge of the table. This key was turning out to be more trouble than it was worth.

But it was interesting. An opportunity to play adventurer. My first dungeon — exploring the remnants of a mage from the Age of Dragons.

Awesome.

I turned to look back at the two women.

‘How about we form a party? Evenly split it?’ I asked.

I watched their reactions. The tension crackled between the two women like a live wire.

Kela’s glare could have melted steel, while Levira’s smirk dared her to try. They both turned to Tavalor, their expressions a mix of intrigue and suspicion.

Kela’s fiery eyes narrowed at the suggestion, her molten gold embroidery catching the flickering firelight. She leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table, her fingers drumming a slow, deliberate rhythm.

'Split it evenly?' she said, her voice laced with scepticism. 'You want me to share a potential treasure trove with her?' She flicked a disdainful glance toward Luneth, her lips curling slightly. 'You’ve got guts, Tavalor. I’ll give you that. But trusting a rogue—an elf rogue—on a venture like this? That’s not just bold, it’s reckless.'

Levira chuckled softly, leaning back in her chair with an air of unbothered amusement. She crossed her legs, her cloak shifting to reveal the glint of a dagger strapped to her thigh.

Emberfist’s tone softened slightly, a fiery edge still lingering. 'Still… it’s not like I want this key falling into the wrong hands either. If we’re doing this, I’m not taking my eyes off her for a second. And I’m not carrying her if she gets stabbed in the back.'

Luneth laughed. 'A party, hmm?' she said, tilting her head to one side. Her voice was smooth, but her smirk carried a touch of derision. 'How quaint. What’s next? Singing songs around a campfire? Holding hands in camaraderie?'

She shrugged, her smirk sharpening into something more predatory. 'But fine. If it gets me to the vault faster—and keeps her,' she gestured lazily at Emberfist, 'from roasting me alive, I’ll play nice. Just don’t expect me to split anything evenly if your noble friend here decides to be greedy.'

Her black eyes glinted, and her voice dropped into a near-whisper. 'Besides, I’ll bet my dagger you’ll both need me more than I’ll need you.'

Emberfist continued: 'If this vault is real, I get first pick of anything valuable—and if she makes one false move…' She cracked her knuckles, a faint ember flickering in her palm.

Levira laughed softly, her tone mocking. 'Oh, I’m terrified. Don’t worry, Kela dear. I’ll save you a seat on the treasure pile.'

***

The two decided to live with me temporarily while we figured out what was happening with the key.

The dining room was quiet now, save for the low hum of magical energy as Emberfist and I prepared the barriers. Luneth had retired to one of the spare bedrooms, claiming exhaustion, though her parting smirk suggested otherwise.

'You think she’s actually sleeping?' Kela asked, her voice low as she traced a sigil in the air. The glowing runes left a faint trail of molten gold before settling into the air like embers fading in a dying fire.

'She’s a rogue,' I replied, holding my hand out to summon a faintly glowing orb of energy. It hovered in the air, pulsing as I wove it into the lattice of protections encircling the manor. 'She’s probably eavesdropping right now. But as long as she stays in that room and doesn’t stab us in our sleep, I’ll call it a win.'

Kela snorted, though her smirk betrayed her amusement. 'You’re too trusting. If it were up to me, I’d have tied her to the bedpost with enchanted chains.'

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at her as I pressed another seal against the corner of the room. 'Should I be worried about how specific that suggestion is?'

'Only if you’re planning to betray me too,' she shot back, flicking a spark of fire magic toward the base of the doorway. The flames curled and settled, forming a protective rune that glowed faintly with heat.

The first layer of the barrier was almost complete. It shimmered faintly, an invisible dome of energy woven from my magic and Kela’s wards. The combination was surprisingly effective, her volatile flames tempered by my steadying force.

'You’ve done this before,' I noted, watching her work.

'I’ve had practice,' she replied, her tone clipped. 'The Crimson Wyrm didn’t fall because I twiddled my thumbs. You learn to think ahead when your enemies want to barbecue you for breakfast.'

'Good to know I’ve got a professional on my side.' I pressed another sigil into the wall, the barrier flickering briefly before solidifying. 'Though I didn’t expect you to work so well with someone like me.'

She glanced over, her blue eyes sharp. 'Don’t get used to it. This is a temporary alliance, not a friendship. The moment this key nonsense is done, we go our separate ways.'

'Fair enough.' I straightened, brushing off the faint dust that had gathered on my sleeves. 'But until then, let’s keep this place secure.'

Emberfist nodded, finishing her last rune with a decisive flourish. 'What about her?' She jerked her head toward the upstairs where Luneth had gone.

I paused, considering. 'I’ve set a ward on her room. If she tries to leave or use any stealth magic, we’ll know.'

'Good.' Emberfist stood back, examining her work with a critical eye. 'Because if she even thinks about double-crossing us…'

'You’ll burn the entire manor down?' I guessed.

She smirked, flames flickering faintly at her fingertips. 'You’re catching on.'

I took a moment to admire the completed barrier. It felt secure, humming faintly with layered power. Still, the quiet between us hung heavy. To fill it, I asked, 'Why fire magic? Seems like a risky element to work with.'

Emberfist glanced at me, her expression shifting into something thoughtful. 'It wasn’t my first choice. When I started training, I wanted to specialise in earth magic—stability, control, things that made sense. But during my first battle, everything went wrong. My squad was ambushed, and the only thing I spell circle available was a fire one. All we had under pressure was fire.' She paused, a flicker of something distant in her eyes. 'Turns out, I’m good at burning things. It’s... visceral. Raw. And once you’ve burned a wyvern out of the sky, it sticks with you.'

'Practical, if not subtle,' I mused. 'And it fits your personality.'

She shot me a look, the corner of her mouth twitching. 'What’s that supposed to mean?'

'Only that you don’t strike me as the ‘subtle’ type.'

Her laugh was short but genuine. 'Fair enough. And you? Why the sudden interest in tutoring? You don’t exactly seem like the type who’s just starting out.'

I hesitated, then decided on honesty—at least partly. 'I’m... catching up. My magic is powerful, but it’s instinctive, raw. I can cast without incantations, bend energy to my will, but there’s no finesse. No understanding of the finer points.'

'Ah,' she said, leaning against the door-frame, arms crossed. 'You’re a natural talent with no technique.'

'That’s one way of putting it.' I shrugged. 'I don’t want to be a blunt instrument forever. I’ve got time to refine things.'

She raised an eyebrow. 'Time? You’re already what—A-Class? Most adventurers at that level don’t bother ‘refining’ anything. They just swing harder.'

'Maybe I’m not like most adventurers.'

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, scrutinising. 'No, you’re not.'

I didn’t push further. Instead, I turned back to the sigils, carefully weaving the final piece of the barrier. 'What about you? Why offer to tutor someone like me? Not exactly your usual battlefield.'

'You’re rich,' she said with a shrug. 'You’re strong, but you don’t act like it. Most [A-Class] adventurers I’ve met are arrogant, boastful. You just seem... odd.'

'Thanks, I guess.'

She laughed again, softer this time. 'Don’t let it go to your head. I just want to see if you’re worth the trouble.'

With the last rune in place, the barrier settled into a steady glow before fading from view. The hum of magic quieted, leaving the manor feeling enclosed but secure.

Emberfist brushed her hands off, the faint smell of charred air dissipating. 'That’ll hold, at least for tonight. If Luneth tries anything, we’ll know.'

'Good.' I turned toward the staircase, glancing up toward the rogue’s room. 'Though something tells me she’s not the type to make her move this early.'

'Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be ready.' Emberfist stretched, the faint glow of her magic dimming as she let it settle. 'Get some rest. You’ll need it for whatever insanity tomorrow brings.'

I nodded, heading toward my quarters. 'Same to you. And Emberfist—thanks.'

She paused, her hand on the banister, then gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. 'Don’t make me regret it.'