The morning light filtered through the cotton curtains, casting a warm glow across the large bed by the window. Sylleth blinked his eyes half-open, gazing up at the wooden ceiling above him.
“Is it... already morning?” He thought, yawning as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“Are you awake?” Zara’s voice piped up from his right.
Sylleth turned his head, blinking slowly as he took in the sight of her cheerful face.
“Uh… yeah, I’m up.” He mumbled, his thoughts still scattered from sleep.
“Then come on, get moving!” She chirped, hopping off her bed and bouncing toward the door. “Niall stopped by earlier—he said to meet up downstairs!”
“What? Why didn’t you wake me up?” Sylleth scrambled to his feet, tossing aside the cozy blanket that he suddenly wished he could burrow back under.
Zara giggled, pacing little circles around the room.
“I tried to wake you, but I just couldn’t do it…” She replied, picking up her speed as she dashed around faster and faster.
“Mmm... where do you get all that energy?” Sylleth asked, still sleepy as he flopped back onto the bed.
"I'm just excited for where we’re going next..." Zara replied, her tail flicking excitedly.
"You... really aren’t going back home?" Sylleth asked, glancing at her with a touch of curiosity.
"Nope, I told you already." She said, hopping over toward his bed. "And now, come on—get up, or the others are probably going to leave us behind!"
She gave him a playful nudge, her eyes bright with anticipation for the day ahead.
Sylleth slid off the bed and stretched briefly before following Zara toward the door. Together, they stepped into the hallway, now bathed in warm light streaming through the ceiling windows—something Sylleth hadn’t noticed the night before.
As they made their way toward the stairs leading down to the bustling heart of the tavern, Zara bounced with excitement, her tail swishing energetically with every step.
“I wonder if that guy is still downstairs…” Sylleth mused to himself, struggling to keep pace with Zara’s boundless enthusiasm.
"Hey, where did you sneak off to last night?" Zara asked, turning to look at him, her ears twitching playfully. "I thought about looking for you, but I was way too tired." She giggled, her tail swishing behind her.
"Ah... I just got thirsty and went downstairs for some water." Sylleth replied with a faint smile tugging at his lips.
The heroes descended the creaky stairs to the bustling tavern below, weaving their way through a lively crowd of travelers drinking, laughing, and sharing stories before heading off on their next adventures. The air was filled with the clinking of mugs and the hum of cheerful chatter, giving the room a warm and chaotic energy.
“Careful now, don’t get lost in the crowd!” Zara teased, flashing a grin as she darted through the throng with ease, her tail swishing behind her. She made a beeline for one of the larger tables near the center of the room, where Niall, Sif, and Syviis were already seated.
“I’m trying,” Sylleth muttered, doing his best to keep up while dodging an enthusiastic group of adventurers mid-toast. He squeezed past a man who nearly spilled his drink and sidestepped a bard gesturing wildly as she recounted a tale.
By the time Sylleth reached the table, Zara was already sliding into a seat with a triumphant hop, grinning as if she’d won some kind of race.
“You slept in late…” Niall remarked, casually fiddling with one of his wooden carvings as his gaze flicked toward Sylleth and Zara.
“Sorry about that…” Sylleth mumbled, sliding into the seat next to Zara with a sheepish look.
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” Syviis chimed in, raising her mug of ale with a serene smile. “Everyone needs to rest, especially after the days we’ve had.”
Before Sylleth could respond, a familiar figure strode up to the table, it was Vidar, holding a frothy mug in his hand. His grin was as sharp as ever as he glanced at Sylleth.
“So, the sleepyheads are finally awake?” Vidar teased, taking a hearty sip of his drink.
“Says the guy who I had to wake up with a bucket of water.” Syviis shot back, her voice laced with amusement.
The table erupted in laughter, Vidar’s loudest of all. “Fair enough.” He admitted, wiping the corner of his mouth. “But I’m awake now, and that’s what matters.”
“Alright, so is everyone here now?” Sif asked, glancing around the table to take a quick headcount.
“What about Lirian? Or Lukius?” Zara asked, swinging her legs back and forth under the table with her usual energy.
“They’re negotiating with the Academy,” Niall replied, placing his intricately carved fox figurine on the table.
“With who…?” Sylleth asked, leaning closer to Niall, his curiosity piqued.
“The Academy,” Niall explained, his tone steady but patient. “It’s the largest and most prestigious university in the capital. The only institution that rivals the guilds in influence.”
Sylleth nodded slowly, processing the information as Niall stood up, picking up the fox figurine from the table. “I’m going to grab a sandwich.” he said, already heading toward the bar.
“Get me one too!” Vidar called after him, earning a smirk and a dismissive wave from Niall.
“So, I spoke with the guild.” Sif began, taking a sip from her mug of ale, “and it turns out the next ferry to Elanddor won’t be here for another week. Looks like you’re stuck here for now.”
“A week…” Sylleth thought, glancing at her with a faint frown. Gathering his courage, he turned fully toward her. “I wanted to ask you something…”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Oh?” Sif raised an eyebrow, setting her mug aside. “What is it?”
“Could… could I stay with you?” Sylleth asked, his voice quieter than usual. His gaze dropped to the table, and his fingers fidgeted nervously in his lap.
Sif tilted her head, studying him for a moment before speaking, her expression unreadable.
"And why is that?"
"I... I want to find my family." Sylleth began, his voice trembling as memories of the day he was separated from his brother and mother surged to the forefront of his mind. His fists clenched on the table as he forced himself to continue. "...I can’t just hide away, hoping that luck will somehow bring them back to me, that they’ll survive and I’ll see them again..."
His voice quivered with raw emotion, each word dragging up buried pain. "But... I’m too weak. I couldn’t save my friend... and if I don’t change, if I don’t get stronger, I won’t be able to save my brother and my mother either..."
He lifted his gaze to meet Sif’s, his determination shining through the uncertainty. "I... I want to join you. Please."
The weight of his plea hung heavy in the air, his heart pounding as he awaited her response.
Sif leaned back in her chair, her gaze sharp and calculating as she studied the boy in front of her.
"Quite a bold request." She said slowly, her voice laced with caution. "But the life of an adventurer isn't a game... There's a chance you won't make it out alive." She took a long sip from her mug, her eyes never leaving Sylleth.
The boy lowered his gaze, the weight of her words settling over him. He remained silent for a moment, thinking.
"Maybe... but I’d rather die trying to help them than live with the guilt of knowing I did nothing." He said firmly, lifting his eyes to meet hers again, his voice steady and determined.
At Sylleth’s words, Sif’s stern expression softened, and a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. She nodded slowly, setting her mug down with a deliberate thud.
“All right, kid. You’ve passed.” she said, her tone lighter now as she leaned back in her chair and took another long sip of ale.
“Passed…?” Sylleth echoed, his voice shaky as he struggled to steady the storm of emotions churning inside him.
“From today, you’re part of the group.” Vidar chimed in with a hearty laugh, his deep voice filling the room. Without warning, he gave Sylleth a rough clap on the back that nearly sent him sprawling forward.
Sylleth blinked in disbelief, his heart pounding as the weight of their words began to sink in. He was no longer just an outsider. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn’t alone. A hesitant smile spread across his face, his hands gripping the edge of the table as if to anchor himself in this moment of belonging.
“Thank you.” He managed to say, his voice quiet but sincere.
“Don’t thank us just yet.” Sif replied, a small smile playing on her lips. “You’ve got a long road ahead of you.”
Before Sylleth could respond, Zara suddenly sprang from her seat, her face lighting up with excitement.
“Alright then, where are we headed next?” she asked, her fluffy tail swishing back and forth energetically.
“We’re heading to the Academy.” Niall interjected as he approached the table, Lirian walking alongside him. “They’ve got a job for us.”
“Lirian!” Sylleth exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across his face at the sight of the familiar figure.
The tall man grinned, his relaxed demeanor exuding quiet confidence. “Hey there, kid. Good to see you. Now, come on, time to get moving.” He gestured with a wave, beckoning Sylleth to follow.
The group rose from the table, gathering their belongings before heading toward the tavern’s exit.
“What kind of job is it, exactly?” Sif asked as she retrieved her sword from its sheath propped near the door.
“There’s a dungeon south of Yralo that’s become cursed.” Lirian explained, pulling open the heavy wooden door and stepping outside. The street beyond buzzed with the sounds of merchants and travelers. “Our task is to figure out the source of the enchantment and, if possible, cleanse it.”
The sunlight spilled over the group as they emerged into the lively streets, the faint hum of an unfolding adventure hanging in the crisp morning air.
Just before stepping out, Sylleth glanced over his shoulder, scanning the tavern for the man he had met the previous evening. He had promised to give him an answer.
“Looks like he’s not here…” He thought, a hint of disappointment tugging at him.
Letting out a soft sigh, he turned back and closed the door behind him. The familiar creak of the hinges faded as he followed the group down the wide cobblestone street.
The group made their way down the bustling cobblestone street, crowded with townsfolk and merchants peddling their wares. In the distance, towering white walls came into view, marking the edge of the grand academy. It stood proudly on the far side of a great river, adjacent to the heart of the capital city.
“Whoa... That wasn’t there before.” Zara said, her eyes wide with awe as she stared at the massive walls.
“That’s because yesterday was the first day of summer.” Lirian replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. He pulled off his black cloak, slinging it casually over his shoulder. “That’s when the academy always updates its magical barriers. It causes the illusion spells around the city to glitch a bit.”
“So that’s why we couldn’t see it before?” Sylleth asked, his gaze drifting to the rows of shops nestled in the stone buildings lining the street. The lively storefronts offered everything from fresh produce to shimmering trinkets, their colorful displays almost distracting him from the towering academy ahead.
“Exactly.” Lirian replied with a knowing smile. “Yesterday, the city probably felt a bit... smaller, didn’t it?”
“Now that you mention it, it did.” Sylleth admitted, nodding thoughtfully. The illusion must have subtly compressed the city’s perceived size, hiding the academy and its sprawling grounds from sight.
“Magic in this city is so frustrating…” Niall muttered, falling into step beside Sylleth. His tone was as dry as ever, but there was a faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
The group pressed on, their footsteps echoing against the ancient stones of a massive arched bridge that stretched over the roaring river below. The water churned with relentless energy, a stark contrast to the steady pace of the adventurers crossing above it.
“Ready for your first mission?” Sif called back, her tone casual but her gaze sharp as it flicked between Sylleth and Zara.
Sylleth nodded firmly, though he couldn’t help but glance at Zara, who bounced with uncontainable excitement.
“I was born ready!” Zara chimed in, her voice ringing out above the rumble of the river.
As the group reached the midway point of the bridge, a striking figure stepped onto the path ahead. A woman with an imposing presence, Aslesa, stood firm, her hand resting on the hilt of a gleaming sword. Beside her, Lukius stood silently, his expression calm but unreadable.
“Greetings.” Aslesa said, her voice steady and authoritative. “Master Corym has tasked me with escorting you to the academy.”
“What does he want this time…?” Niall muttered under his breath, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. His tone was laced with irritation, though it carried the resigned familiarity of someone used to Corym’s enigmatic ways.
Aslesa glanced briefly at Sylleth, her steely demeanor softening for a fleeting moment as she offered him a subtle, almost imperceptible smile. Before he could fully process it, she turned on her heel and began leading the group down the road that stretched from the bridge toward the towering gates of the academy.
Sylleth blinked in surprise, his heart skipping slightly. He glanced at his companions, but none of them seemed to have noticed the exchange. The realization left him feeling both curious and oddly singled out.
Lukius fell in step with the group, his movements fluid and unhurried as they followed Aslesa’s lead. Together, they descended from the great stone bridge, the roar of the river below fading into the background. The road before them opened into the expansive avenues of the city’s southern district.
As the group approached the towering gates of the academy, the faint hum of magic filled the air. The runes etched into the white stone shimmered faintly, reacting to the presence of the newcomers.
"This is where I leave you." Aslesa said, her tone calm and formal. "Master Corym is currently teaching in his class. You can wait for him outside." She gave a small bow before turning sharply and striding away in the opposite direction.
"We still have to wait for him... Ugh." Niall grumbled, rolling his eyes as he stomped up the stairs toward the academy's grand entrance.
Vidar and Syviis stayed behind outside, their figures casting long shadows in the late morning light, while the rest of the group followed Niall inside the academy.
"Don’t take too long." Vidar called out lazily, leaning against a stone pillar with his arms crossed. His grin was as sharp as ever, but there was a flicker of something more serious in his eyes. "We’ll be here if you need us."
After several minutes of wandering through the academy's corridors, they finally arrived at the doors of the lecture hall where Corym was currently teaching.
Sylleth leaned against the wall, his thoughts a mix of nervousness and curiosity as he glanced at the doors. Somewhere beyond them, his next challenge awaited.