As the four of them prepared for the journey, the guild mother approached, catching their attention. Her presence exuded a quiet authority, and she motioned for them to step aside. “Before you head out, I thought it would be wise to brief you on some of the… competing interests within the guild. Silver Rank grants you access to higher-tier information, and with that comes responsibility.”

Kalsei’s usual smirk faltered as he leaned forward, listening intently. “Oh, please don’t tell me we’re about to get some grand conspiracy talk,” he joked, but there was a spark of curiosity in his eyes.

The guild mother gave him a knowing smile, not entirely put off by his sarcasm. “In a way, Kalsei. I wouldn’t call it a conspiracy, but there are factions within the guild that hold differing views about how power should be wielded. As you take on these advanced missions, it’s essential you understand who and what might be working in the shadows.”

Seikan’s eyes narrowed, clearly intrigued. “You mean groups within the guild itself? Not just rival adventurers?”

She nodded. “Yes. You see, power attracts… interests. The guild is split, loosely, among three major factions, each with a different philosophy regarding the responsibilities of those who wield magic, the balance of power, and the use of ancient relics and artifacts.”

Steph glanced at the others, visibly intrigued. “And what are these factions?”

The guild mother’s gaze swept across the group. “The first faction, the Wardens of Balance, believes in strict regulation. They’re dedicated to maintaining the balance of magical forces, ensuring no one individual or team grows too powerful. They see relics like the ones in Emberfall as something that needs protection or, ideally, should be destroyed to avoid misuse.”

Darius crossed his arms thoughtfully. “Sounds… noble, but a bit restrictive. Power needs to be handled carefully, sure, but destroying it outright?”

The guild mother nodded. “That’s precisely why some find their methods too extreme. On the opposite end, there’s the faction called the Seekers of Ascendancy. They see power as something to be pursued without restriction. They believe relics and ancient magics are tools for advancement, that the guild should amass these artifacts for its own strength, and that each member should be able to pursue power as they see fit.”

Kalsei raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. “Sounds like they might be fun at parties.”

“They do tend to attract those who seek personal glory and power. Many of their members are among the guild’s strongest adventurers, though they often prioritize individual advancement over group welfare.” The guild mother’s voice held a hint of caution as she spoke.

Seikan listened intently, an unusual intensity in his gaze. “And the third faction?”

“The third faction is the League of Shadows. They believe in secrecy and subterfuge, that the guild’s true power should remain hidden from the public, even from its own lower ranks. They don’t destroy artifacts, nor do they openly pursue them. Instead, they hoard relics in hidden vaults, studying them in secret. They view knowledge as something that should be guarded closely, kept out of reach of those who may misuse it.”

Kalsei looked intrigued. “So, basically, they’re the ones who’d have the ‘top secret’ stamp on everything?”

The guild mother smiled. “In a way. They’re more subtle in their operations, but make no mistake—they are as powerful as the other two factions, just less visible. They often operate within the shadows, manipulating situations without revealing their hand.”

Steph glanced around the group, her expression serious. “And are these factions… cooperating?”

The guild mother sighed, folding her hands in front of her. “Most of the time, yes. They share a common goal: to protect the realm and the guild’s interests. But as you rise through the ranks, you may find yourselves caught between these differing philosophies. Some will try to recruit you; others may see you as a threat if you do not align with their views.”

Kalsei chuckled. “So, what you’re saying is, we’re basically in the middle of a tug-of-war for power and ideals. Lovely.”

Darius frowned. “It’s important information. But why tell us now?”

“Because your team has shown remarkable potential, and the missions you’ll now have access to are often targets for faction interests,” she replied. “Consider this knowledge a warning—and an invitation. Choose your alliances carefully, or choose none at all, but be prepared for the consequences.”

Seikan’s expression was unreadable, but Kalsei sensed the wheels turning in his mind. “Good to know,” Seikan finally said, his voice even. “We’ll keep it in mind.”

After the guild mother left, Kalsei leaned over to Seikan. “So, Mr. Power Seeker, feeling tempted to make a few new friends?”

Seikan shot him a glance that was half-amused, half-annoyed. “I’m not interested in joining any faction,” he replied smoothly. “But it’s useful to know where they stand.”

“Hmm, see, that sounds like exactly what someone planning to join a faction would say,” Kalsei teased.

Steph chuckled, shaking her head. “Knowing Seikan, he’ll probably take advantage of all of them without committing to any.”

Seikan smirked, not bothering to deny it. “I’m here to learn and grow stronger. If these factions offer useful resources, I’d be a fool to ignore them.”

Darius gave Seikan an approving nod. “Pragmatic. But remember, they’ll expect something in return. Be careful with what you reveal.”

As they made their way through the bustling marketplace, they discussed the mission ahead. Seikan’s gaze wandered over the stalls, eyeing various artifacts and enchanted items with a focused intensity that hadn’t been there before. It was clear he was drawn to the idea of amassing power—an impulse that, while understandable given his recent experiences, hadn’t escaped the notice of his friends.

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Kalsei nudged him, snapping him out of his thoughts. “Earth to Seikan. You’re looking at those trinkets like they owe you money.”

Seikan blinked, clearing his thoughts. “Just considering what might be useful.”

Kalsei grinned. “Don’t worry, if you start building a secret vault of relics, I’ll keep it under wraps… for a small fee.”

Seikan snorted, rolling his eyes. “You’d probably break half the artifacts just out of curiosity.”

Steph was browsing a selection of healing supplies when she caught Kalsei’s gaze and smiled. “The guild’s really opening up to us, huh? I mean, factions, hidden agendas… feels like we’re finally seeing behind the curtain.”

Darius crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. “It’s information we needed to know. As much as it might complicate things, knowing the guild’s internal conflicts will keep us one step ahead.”

They moved on to the weapons section, where Darius took particular interest in a pair of enchanted gauntlets crafted with reinforced steel and laced with spells to boost physical attacks. Meanwhile, Kalsei gravitated toward a cloak enchanted with teleportation runes, his fingers itching to test its limits.

After an hour of gathering supplies, they made their way to a quieter part of the guild—a section known for hosting skilled artisans who specialized in the craft of enchanting and refining gear. Here, items were custom-made to complement an adventurer’s unique abilities.

An elder craftsman, seated behind a table covered with tools and half-finished artifacts, looked up as they approached. “Looking for something special?” His voice was gruff, but his eyes sparkled with an unmistakable passion for his craft.

Kalsei leaned forward, his grin mischievous. “What’s the most ridiculous thing you can make that involves teleportation and maybe a hint of glitter?”

The old man barked a laugh. “Teleportation and glitter? Only a Silver Rank would make such a silly request.”

“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it,” Kalsei replied with a wink.

The craftsman smirked, his hands moving over a series of gemstones. “I think I’ve got something you’d like. Just don’t come complaining if you attract every monster within a mile when you activate it.”

Meanwhile, Seikan watched, intrigued, as another artisan demonstrated a set of rune stones that could amplify magical energy. The potential for experimentation with these stones had his interest piqued.

Darius observed him, his expression thoughtful. “You really do have a fascination with runes, don’t you?”

Seikan shrugged, though there was a gleam in his eye. “Runes have ancient power. They’re not as simple as people think. Each one has a story, a purpose.”

Steph was nearby, testing a new healing charm when she chimed in. “Just don’t go overboard, Seikan. I don’t want to have to carry you back to the guild if you pass out from overloading yourself.”

Kalsei snickered. “Or we could just let him. It’d be a lesson in moderation.”

Seikan rolled his eyes, muttering, “As if I’d let myself get caught off-guard.” But there was a flicker of amusement in his tone, a subtle acknowledgment of their playful banter.

Their shopping complete, they spent the rest of the afternoon sparring in the guild’s training yard. The banter continued, Kalsei’s sarcasm lighting the mood as they took turns showcasing their upgraded abilities.

At one point, Kalsei activated Phantom Blink, creating multiple illusory copies of himself that darted around the yard. Steph rolled her eyes but couldn’t help but chuckle. “Great. Now we’ve got an entire squad of Kalseis causing chaos.” She raised her staff, directing a quick Void Cascade at one of the illusions, but it passed harmlessly through, causing the real Kalsei to stick his tongue out in victory.

“Can’t hit what you can’t touch!” he taunted, his grin wide and triumphant.

Darius, however, was less amused. He stepped forward, wielding his newly upgraded sword and calling on Gale’s Edge to enhance his speed. With a precise slash, he cut through several of Kalsei’s illusions, his blade whistling in the air. “I could get used to taking down a few extra Kalseis,” he remarked dryly, though a faint smirk betrayed his enjoyment.

Steph joined in, throwing a playful look at Kalsei. “I think one Kalsei is already enough for the world to handle.” She unleashed Spectral Chains, attempting to immobilize him, but he evaded each attempt with a well-timed Reversal Blink, reappearing behind her with a mischievous grin.

“Come on, Steph, I thought you were supposed to be the healer. Maybe you need to practice that aim,” he teased.

Seikan watched, arms crossed, his expression more reserved but not without amusement. The light-hearted sparring brought a kind of levity he hadn’t felt in some time, and it reminded him that, for all his ambition and obsession with power, this was a group that genuinely cared for each other.

Later, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, the guild bell sounded, signaling the end of the day’s training and sparring sessions. The group made their way back to the guild hall, sweaty but grinning, their spirits lifted by the laughter and friendly competition.

As they entered the guild hall, they noticed a new noticeboard set up, with various high-ranking missions listed. Alongside the usual bounty and monster-hunting jobs were special requests, each bearing a unique symbol of one of the guild’s factions: the Wardens of Balance, Seekers of Ascendancy, and League of Shadows.

Kalsei’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Looks like they’re rolling out the faction missions for Silver Ranks. So, anyone tempted?”

Darius shrugged. “Depends. These missions are likely higher-stakes. We’d have to weigh the risks.”

Seikan studied the symbols, his gaze intense. “I think these missions would offer us resources we wouldn’t get anywhere else.”

Kalsei raised an eyebrow. “You mean, resources you wouldn’t get anywhere else, huh?”

Steph stifled a laugh, giving Kalsei a knowing look. “Come on, he’s not wrong. Some of these faction missions probably come with specialized rewards.”

The guild mother walked by, overhearing their conversation. “Those missions aren’t to be taken lightly. Each faction has its own agenda, and any allegiance—however temporary—will come with consequences.”

Seikan’s eyes gleamed. “Consequences worth the gain?”

The guild mother paused, her gaze thoughtful. “That depends on your goals, Seikan. The Seekers of Ascendancy, for instance, value individual power. They might reward you handsomely for retrieving relics or taking down formidable foes, but they care little for the ethical implications.”

Darius raised an eyebrow. “And the League of Shadows?”

“They’re different. They value knowledge as much as power but prize secrecy above all else. Their missions are… unconventional. You’d be operating in shadows, often handling artifacts deemed too dangerous for the general guild to know about.”

Kalsei crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. “And the Wardens?”

The guild mother nodded. “The Wardens are the moral backbone. They believe in preserving the world’s balance, which often means curbing misuse of magic. They would reward you, but only if you align with their ideals of restraint and balance.”

Seikan’s expression was thoughtful as he processed this information. Each faction held unique opportunities, paths that could further his thirst for power and knowledge. But he was cautious; no faction’s allegiance came without strings.

Kalsei clapped Seikan on the shoulder, bringing him back to the present. “Hey, careful, Seikan. If you start scheming too hard, I might have to start calling you ‘Mastermind.’”

Steph smirked. “He already has that aura. Might as well make it official.”

Seikan chuckled, shaking his head. “If I’m the ‘Mastermind,’ then you’re the ‘Sass Healer,’ Steph.”

She laughed, giving him a playful shove. “I can live with that.”

The group spent the remainder of the evening discussing their options over dinner. They weighed the risks and rewards, considering which faction’s missions would best align with their current goals and how much involvement they wanted in the guild’s internal politics.

The evening ended with a collective decision: they would remain neutral for now, taking on general Silver Rank missions to gather strength and resources before committing to any faction. They agreed that caution was their best approach, especially with the knowledge of how intertwined the factions’ agendas were with the guild’s larger workings.

As they settled into their quarters that night, Kalsei leaned back against his bed, staring at the ceiling. “It’s weird, isn’t it?” he mused. “We joined the guild to take on monsters and quests, and now we’re getting hints of secret agendas and factions trying to pull us in different directions.”

Steph nodded from her bed, a thoughtful look on her face. “I didn’t expect it either, but… maybe it’s part of the journey. Maybe the higher up we go, the more complicated things get.”

Seikan sat by the window, watching the night sky. “The higher we climb, the more we’ll see. Power and knowledge don’t come without challenges.”

Darius lay back, arms behind his head. “And we’ll face those challenges together. No matter how complicated things get, we’re a team.”

Kalsei grinned. “Then it’s settled. We climb the ranks, find every artifact, beat every monster, and maybe uncover a few secrets along the way. Sounds fun, right?”