The grand facade of the Merchant Guild's headquarters towered over Iris Stuart and Sera Timrel as they approached. The gleaming stone structure, framed by ornate pillars, radiated luxury in a way that only rich merchants who envied the nobility could. Upon entering, they were greeted by the lush interior that was filled with walls adorned with intricate maps depicting trade routes from all corners of the continent and beyond, vibrant plants breaking the monotony, and ornately carved tables hosting intense discussions between traders. Guild representatives moved amongst them, assisting, facilitating, or sometimes mediating heated disputes.

To the sides of the vast hall were elegantly designed private rooms. Large glass windows allowed glimpses inside, revealing even more people engaged in confidential discussions. Every detail of the place screamed its primary purpose: business and trade.

In the center stood a large round counter, behind which a middle-aged telv woman offered a welcoming smile. “Welcome to the Merchant Guild! How may we assist you today?”

Sera stepped forward, confidence evident in her posture. “We have an appointment. I am Miss Timrel, and this is Miss Stuart. We're scheduled to meet with the council.”

The telv woman's brows rose in a way that betrayed her excitement. “Of course! Most exciting. Oh, this is just a momentous occasion. Ah, you must excuse me. The entire Guild has been abuzz since the Guildmistress informed us of your visit. Please, right this way.”

They made their way through the expansive hall, and as they ascended a grand staircase that spiraled to the second floor, Iris couldn't help but notice the curious and excited glances from the guild's staff.

Their eagerness was contagious.

It was a damned good sign.

At the end of a lavish corridor, the woman knocked softly on a wide double door before opening and walking in. “Guildmistress,” she announced in a hushed tone, “they've arrived.”

From within, a familiar voice resonated, “Good, send them in. We're ready.”

As the door opened wider to invite them inside, Iris and Sera were met with a vast room dominated by a long table. Around it sat an array of figures, but what stood out immediately was how the group’s vast majority were women.

Classic Lehelia.

Seated authoritatively at the table's head was Guildmistress Valentina. She stood gracefully, extending her arm towards two vacant seats beside her. “Welcome! Please, take your seats here.”

“Thank you,” Sera acknowledged, leading the way.

Once they settled, with Iris directly next to Valentina, attentive staff placed crystal glasses before them, swiftly filling them with chilled water.

Iris took a moment to survey the room. Sixteen influential faces stared back at her. That's both more than I expected and fewer than the total number of guilds. Only the big players then. The realization settled heavily in her chest. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the discussions ahead.

Guildmistress Valentina remained standing and drew the attention of everyone in the room. The ambient murmur of conversations ebbed, replaced by an expectant hush.

“Thank you for your patience,” she began, her voice firm yet welcoming. “Allow me to introduce the two women who stand at the precipice of change. To my left is Iris Stuart, an Adventurer whose tales of bravery and ingenuity have, by now, surely reached even the farthest corners of our Queendom. And beside her, we have Sera Timrel. From the busy trade routes to these esteemed chambers, she has made her mark as a merchant and has now turned her aptitude towards administration.”

Valentina paused, letting the weight of the moment settle in. “As everyone here is undoubtedly aware, today we are convened to decide upon the formation of the first new guild in many, many years.” She leaned forward slightly, her eyes scanning the attendees. “But let's not mince words or waste time. We're not a bunch of nobles with silver tongues. So, let's get right to it.”

With that, the room was filled with a renewed sense of purpose, and the discussions commenced.

One of the prominent guild members at the table leaned forward, her voice measured, “Could you go over your current plan? Specifically, regarding location, staff, and members.”

Sera, with a slight nod, unfurled the documents neatly before her. She held up affidavits that attested to their robust financial standing – a considerable one thousand gold coins in funds. “In addition to the required funding, we have a contract secured for a prime location in the city center. Additionally, contracts for ten committed staff members, and membership applications from eight prospective adventurers—including our Grandmaster,” she added with a gesture to Iris.

“And how does the guild intend to generate revenue?” another member questioned, his eyes scrutinizing. “Also, how will the members earn money?”

“By levying fees for quest postings, with hire fees based on the complexity or difficulty of the quest,” Sera explained. “Furthermore, every quest must have some sort of monetary or equivalent reward provided by the quest giver which our members will claim upon completion.”

Iris chimed in, “Each Guild Hall will also have amenities that may be used and paid for by members. We will provide special services and discounts to higher-ranked members to entice further patronage. One example is we will have a bar, but one specifically tailored for adventurers which keeps potential troublemakers in one contained place. Somewhat like what I hear about the Mercenary’s Guild.”

This drew a series of knowing nods from around the table, including a muscled, tattooed woman with the sides of her head shaved who had a big proud grin on her face. If it wasn’t for stats, I dare say she’d break me in two. Iris drew in a breath. I’m a taken woman. I’m a taken woman…

Her mind went to Kaira.

A flash of that blue-eyed, pixie-haired elf with her after the bath filled Iris’s mind.

Water dripping…

Yup. All better.

Sera continued detailing their partnership with the Merchant Guild, while Iris chimed in whenever someone asked her a question directly. The understanding was that each branch would contract with a company to manage monster parts and other resources gathered by their members, with the guild obtaining a portion of the profits. “And notably,” Sera added, “The Fenren Trading House has agreed to have a significant presence within our headquarters. This offers another avenue for revenue, of which the guild will take a modest cut.”

Guildmistress Valentina's face brightened with evident satisfaction.

A murmur arose around the room, “And how do you plan to organize your members?”

Iris, with a touch of pride, elaborated on her tier system, likening it superficially to the Banking Guild's system for familiarity.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

But her approach drew skepticism.

Sera defended, pointing to the organizational structure of the Blade’s Guild. “It’s not entirely unprecedented.”

“But the focus on this… mana? We hardly grasp its significance,” a skeptical voice pointed out.

“Mana is the new reality in Eona. It’s here to stay and we must stay at the forefront of it, or risk being swept away. It offers many benefits, and it also brings many dangers. Monsters, beasts that have been transformed and turned into bloodthirsty creatures are one such thing. I have fought them, and these are the types of things that adventurers will go after,” Iris confidently explained. She then clarified her coordination with the Church, emphasizing their willingness to work with the guild. “Additionally, the local temple has agreed to aid us in establishing a voluntary baseline for every new member.”

While many heads bobbed in acknowledgment, the concept clearly remained elusive for some.

The room stirred with discord as several council members voiced their skepticism. “It's unnecessary,” one grumbled, a sentiment echoed by several others.

Iris leaned forward, her gaze steely. “Let's not forget,” she began, her voice laden with quiet intensity, “that I have already proven the worth of such adventurers. Need I remind everyone of the Marauder Prince? And his faction? I sought him out, went where the knights wouldn’t go, where the guards wouldn’t go, and found him in a forest amassing power and forces to overtake this nation. Well, in the end, I was the one that killed him and stopped the danger he posed,” There was a subtle challenge in her eyes, daring anyone to counter her claims.

Around the room, nods and murmurs of approval erupted. They may not have heard much, but the news was spreading. But as one crisis was defused, another ignited.

“Why must Brightburn host it?” A skeptical voice pierced the growing consensus. The speaker, a tall, broad-shouldered man, shot a challenging look towards Valentina. “Why bring this unknown element to our city?”

Valentina's response was immediate, her posture upright and defiant. “Are we not proud of Brightburn? Is this not the northern pride of our lands, the jewel of our Queendom?”

Before Valentina could continue, a woman at the opposite end of the table interjected, her tone dripping with suspicion. “What puzzles me is why you'd support this, Valentina. Iris is clearly an outsider. Hell, she's not even from this damned world. She's a terran. By having a grandmaster like her in Brightburn, it disrupts our hierarchy, does it not?”

Iris scowled. “I have been granted citizenship of Lehelia. I am every bit a part of this nation as you. I have bled for the people of this nation ever since I arrived. I am Lehelian, and honestly? I’m damn proud of that. I’ve met amazing people who have tried their damnedest to make their communities better. I have tried to give back to those people, to help them. And in return, they have helped me. I don’t care for the politics. I care because I know that I can do good. I know that there are others like me out there who are ready and willing to give their all for not just Lehelia, but for everyone. For everyone who found their backs to a wall and cried out for help. To fight the dangers in the night or hunt the monsters in the forest. Lehelia is my home and it has given me something new, something to be treasured. A family. And love.”

Valentina's lips curled into a knowing smile. “I want to say unequivocally that I support it,” she began measuredly, “because, like Iris here, I see the sheer potential of such a guild. And I will admit, the merchant in me salivates at the vast profit it promises. I'm haunted by tales of monsters that ravage our lands, threatening our traders, and our people. Who stands against them? Not our cities, not our nobles. When our caravans were undefended in ages past, we birthed the Mercenary Guild. When justice was denied and those we sought to protect were stolen away, the Blades Guild came into existence. When our lands were undefended by skilled protectors, we founded the Guard’s Guild. Each time Ikios faltered, the Guilds have risen. We've always sought prosperity, security for all, be it noble or commoner.”

The tension in the room was palpable. The high elf woman sitting opposite Iris, who had been eyeing her with undisguised disdain throughout the proceedings, finally voiced her dissent, leveling her gaze at Valentina. “There's too much at stake here. It's preposterous to think we can make such a monumental decision in one sitting. The consequences are far-reaching, and we are but a fraction of the guilds. I move to delay this matter; we should reconvene next spring when we are more informed.”

Valentina responded not with words but with a chuckle, her laughter echoing in the room's stillness.

The woman's face reddened, her eyes narrowing in visible offense. “Are you just dismissing our concerns, Valentina?” she demanded, voice icy with accusation.

Valentina shook her head, a wry smile playing on her lips. “Phinara, have you even been listening? Or are you so preoccupied with your plans to take over once I retire?”

Phinara’s scoff was one of genuine disbelief. “That is an absurd insinuation,” she retorted, visibly affronted.

Valentina leaned forward, capturing everyone's attention. “Whether we approve it or not, Brightburn will have its Adventurer's Guild. Lehelia is in dire need of some international clout, and we cannot afford to be dismissed in these changing times. Our nation is small; we lack native guilds. And it's painfully obvious that Lady Arden's influence is at play here.” She paused, fixing a piercing stare on Phinara. “Your reasons for opposing this venture are clear to me, though I won't air them here. But know this: Lady Arden will ensure this guild's establishment, even if she has to shove it down our throats.”

Phinara bristled, her voice rising with indignation. “She has no authority to do such a thing.”

Valentina smirked, leaning back into her chair. “Oh, she has every right. It would simply be unofficial by our standards, but do you truly believe our Queen wouldn't endorse this? The Crown's relations with the Cities have always been... intimate, to say the least. Do you doubt she could easily sway one of our Grandmasters to supersede our verdict? It's sheer folly to assume we have the upper hand here.”

She paused, letting the gravity of her words sink in before continuing, her voice softening. “But coercion shouldn't be our motivator. We should recognize the inherent value of such an endeavor.”

Valentina's gaze was unwavering, moving deliberately across the room. She ensured that each guild representative felt the gravity of her declaration, their faces a tableau of emotions ranging from uncertainty to respect. “The Adventurer’s Guild represents the inevitable march of time—adaptability in its rawest form. We stand on the brink of a new era since the Flash. Personal ambition, the future of this council, my role, or that of my successor—all of it pales in comparison to the safety of our Queendom. We owe it to our people to have heroes ready to face the looming threats.”

A heavy silence blanketed the room. Only after what felt like an eternity did she speak again, authority radiating from her. “It's time. I cast my vote as aye, as Guildmistress of the Brightburn Merchant Guild.”

A cacophony of voices erupted, echoing the sentiment of affirmation and dissent in near equal measure as only the Guildmasters were able to vote. When the count settled, the score was evident: Nine ayes to Six nays.

The Adventurer’s Guild was no longer a dream, but a reality.

Turning toward Iris, Valentina rose gracefully from her chair, her movement signifying more than just a change in position. It was a transfer of power, an ushering in of a new era. “Grandmaster Iris Stuart of the Adventurer’s Guild, would you please take this seat at the head of the Council of Guild for Brightburn?”

Deep breaths, Iris.

She felt the tide of emotions threatening to crash over her, the enormity of the moment pressing down. But she centered herself, drawing in mana and [Focusing] to maintain her composure.

Rising, she approached the chair. As she sat, a surge of [Electromancy] danced to her eyes, turning them into a mesmerizing spectacle of pulsating lightning magic.

Murmurs and gasps filled the room, all except for Sera, whose proud gaze met hers.

With her electric eyes shimmering, she offered a warm, confident smile as she surveyed the council chamber, her posture upright and her smile both warm and confident. “Regardless of how you cast your vote today, I'm deeply grateful. This dream, now a reality, allows for us to build toward a safer Lehelia, one where the good of the many is valued over individual ambitions.”

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. Her gaze then shifted, locking onto the future guildmistress of the Merchant Guild. There was a playful smirk, noticeable but she was devoid of malice. “I look forward to getting to know and working with each and every one of you. Together, we have the power to elevate both Brightburn and all of Lehelia. Rest assured, when challenges arise or quests beckon, the Adventurer's Guild will be prepared. We will face them head-on for the betterment of all. So if you have a relic that needs finding, if you have a monster that needs slaying, or hell, if you have a cat stuck somewhere in a tree… the Adventurer’s Guild is open for business. Bring your problems, your quests—we’ll face them head-on, and we will prevail. Because that’s who we are.”

The room was heavy with a mix of awe, anticipation, and residual skepticism. Let them doubt; they'll soon see what this guild is capable of. But just as quickly as the electric tension had charged the room, it seemed to dissipate, leaving only her final words hanging in the air.

“We’re adventurers and our tales will become legend.”