Adrian took a deep breath, stepping into the ring with calm focus. Calm and steady as always.

The instructor raised her staff slightly, the tip glowing faintly with energy. "Let’s see what you’re capable of."

Adrian tensed, watching her carefully, his mind already working through possible responses. I doubt she'll start with heavy hitters immediately.

With practiced reflexes, Adrian sidestepped as a blast of water shot past him. Not wasting a second, he extended his hand, conjuring a small flame before launching it toward the instructor, tracing a path that forced her to raise her staff in defense.

A wall of water met his flame, sizzling as the two elements clashed, filling the air with steam. Adrian's gaze narrowed. Not bad.

The instructor summoned another blast of wind that whipped toward him. Adrian braced himself, digging his heels into the ground as the wind struck him full force. He slid back, gritting his teeth but holding his ground.

Determined not to be caught off guard, Adrian summoned another flame, larger this time, letting it grow and hover just above his palm. His mind honed in on the instructor’s movements, watching the way she shifted her weight, preparing for her next spell.

As her spells kept coming, he felt the strain of his own magic beginning to tax him. Still, he kept going, determined to last longer than anyone else had. He shot another fireball toward her, this one quicker, tracing a jagged path that kept her on her toes.

The instructor gave a slight nod, almost as if acknowledging his persistence. Then, her staff glowed with a deep, ethereal blue, and she unleashed a torrent of water that spiraled toward him. Adrian’s eyes widened. This is new.

Instead of dodging, he met the water head-on by breathing out bluish flames from his mouth. The two forces met in a hiss of steam, enveloping him in mist as he gritted his teeth and pushed back, forcing his flame to hold against her spell.

The instructor pressed harder, sending a fresh wave of water crashing over him. Adrian staggered, his flame sputtering out as he fell back. I could try my signature spell… but that's probably excessive, I'll just let things go.

With a final, steadying breath, he lowered his defenses, bracing himself as the water struck him square in the chest. The amulet around his neck pulsed, absorbing the brunt of the impact, though he felt the force all the same, his body jolting backward.

When Adrian regained his footing, he met her eyes. The instructor’s eyes gleamed with approval, her staff lowering slightly as she approached him.

“Well done. You have control, restraint, and focus. For someone so young, that’s rare.”

Adrian dipped his head in respect. "Thank you for your kind words."

“I’m more than happy to award you a B-rank,” she announced, loud enough for the other examinees to hear. A few murmurs of surprise echoed around him, but Adrian only nodded, feeling the weight of the accomplishment settle over him.

Adrian watched as the instructor turned her focus to the remaining examinees. Her sharp gaze scanned the group, her expression relaxing slightly, as if the intensity of their trials had eased, if only a bit. “All of you, meet back in the next room. We’ll conclude there.”

The crowd murmured as they moved toward the wide doorway leading to the adjacent hall, shoulders brushing and boots echoing against the stone floor. Adrian followed, catching a few whispers about his B-rank, though he kept his expression steady, focusing instead on what the instructor might say next. So close.

The hall beyond was slightly larger, with high ceilings and walls draped in banners bearing the guild’s emblem. Tables were lined along the far wall, and as the examinees filtered in, Adrian noticed several guild members taking their places, observing the newcomers with quiet interest.

At the center of the hall, the instructor took her stance again. “Congratulations, each of you has passed, and you’re now officially part of the adventurers’ guild. I know this was no easy feat, and I hope you feel proud of yourselves.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping across them. “You’ll be able to collect your licenses from the receptionist desk in a few days' time. However, you can still take on quests without the license temporarily, as long as you register with the guild's receptionist."

“Additionally, should any of you wish to form a party, you’re welcome to register your group at the receptionist desk as well. The guild allows parties of anywhere from two to ten members, though anything larger will require special permission.”

A young man near the back raised his hand. “Ten people? Doesn’t that get… chaotic?”

The instructor’s lips quirked into a knowing smile. “It certainly can, but for larger missions or high-ranking challenges, larger parties have their place. And, as I mentioned, you’ll need permission for parties that size.”

As her words settled in, groups of examinees started talking among themselves, voices rising as they discussed potential parties. Adrian watched them for a moment, noticing the quick alliances forming around him.

Finding a party shouldn’t be too hard, he thought, adjusting his stance and scanning the room for familiar faces. He took a step toward a few examinees he’d noticed during the tests. But each time, he found himself politely declined, most of them already committed to others. One apologized, explaining that they were gathering a group with their friends from home. Another had already been swept into a party with two cousins. Seriously?

Adrian exhaled slowly, crossing his arms as he scanned the clusters of adventurers forming around him. Frustration simmered beneath the surface, but he forced himself to stay calm. I really need to find some decent people to party up with. Otherwise, Anisa won't let me go out on a quest until Marcus comes back, and I'm not feeling like waiting a week or possibly more. Surely finding some people can't be this hard?

“Hey,” a soft, even voice interrupted his thoughts. “You don’t have a team yet, do you?”

Adrian turned to see the blindfolded boy standing nearby. “No, not yet. Why?”

The boy shrugged nonchalantly, his posture relaxed. “You seem like you know what you’re doing. Thought we could team up.”

Adrian considered him for a moment, hiding his surprise. I thought he'd be snatched up by now. “I’m in. What’s your name?”

“Kael,” he replied, offering a hand. “You?”

“Adrian.” He shook Kael’s hand, noting the firm grip.

Kael nodded, a small, lopsided smile on his lips. “Cool. So… it’s just us for now?”

Adrian’s lips quirked slightly, curiosity getting the better of him. “Looks like it… but wait, aren't you Guildmaster Sigmund's grandson?"

Kael’s small smile vanished, his shoulders tensing. “Yeah, Gramps runs the guild. What about it?”

Adrian arched an eyebrow, folding his arms. “So why are you asking me? Shouldn’t it be easy for you to find a party?”

Kael let out a slow, audible breath. “You’d think so, wouldn’t you? Look, I’m not here to team up with every kiss-up trying to get in Gramps’ good books. I want to find people I can actually work with. Not… them.” He gestured vaguely toward the groups forming around the room.

Adrian considered this, his gaze flickering between Kael and the other examinees. That’s fair. He probably has to deal with a lot of fake people.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“And you?” Kael asked suddenly, tilting his head. “Why do you want to be an adventurer?”

“I want to see how far I can go. Push myself.” Adrian said.

“Fair.”

“And yourself?"

Kael shrugged. “Made a bet with Gramps.”

Adrian blinked. “A bet?”

“Yep.” Kael waved a hand dismissively, cutting off any follow-up questions. “It’s not important. Anyway, we’re a party of two for now, but a two-man team’s just… weird.”

Adrian had to admit Kael had a point. He glanced around the room, scanning the remaining individuals for someone who hadn’t already been claimed by the quickly forming groups. His eyes landed on a figure standing alone near the edge of the room: the black armored knight from earlier.

“What about him?” Adrian asked, nodding toward the knight.

Kael tilted his head slightly, a faint hint of amusement in his tone. “The guy covered head-to-toe in doom armor? Sure, if you’re in the mood for rejection.”

“What’s the worst he can say? No?”

“I dunno. Maybe he’ll stab us? Or glare until we burst into flames.”

Adrian chuckled dryly. “I doubt it… probably.”

Kael snorted lightly. “Great vote of confidence there. You’re totally convincing me.”

“Look, no one else here wants to team up, and he looks… available enough.”

“That’s your pitch? ‘He looks available enough?’ Real inspiring.”

“Can we just try? Worst case, he says no.”

“Fine, fine.” Kael’s shoulders rose and fell in a halfhearted shrug. “I’ll tag along. This should be… interesting.”

Together, they walked through the bustling hall, weaving around knots of adventurers. As they neared the black-armored knight, the air seemed to grow colder, the crowd thinning around him as if repelled by an invisible barrier.

Adrian stopped a few paces away, steadying himself. Here goes nothing. “Hey, we’re putting together a party. You interested?”

The knight’s helmet shifted, the slow, deliberate motion of someone who didn’t bother with pleasantries. The silence stretched before he said a simple, "no.”

Adrian wasn’t deterred. “We’re B-rankers like you. We’d make a good team.”

The knight’s presence loomed closer, the air chilling further. “Not interested,” he said, his tone flat, final. He turned away, his armored boots striking heavy against the floor.

Adrian watched him go, a mix of frustration and resignation settling in. “Well… worth a shot.”

Kael chuckled, a low, amused sound. “Sure it was. You really expected anything else?”

“Not really,” Adrian admitted with a rueful smile. “But it was worth trying.”

Kael tilted his head lazily. “You have a talent for dramatic failures, you know that?”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Adrian replied, shaking his head but unable to suppress a grin. “So, it’s just us?”

“Yeah, looks that way,” Kael replied with a shrug, the movement almost dismissive. “Could be worse.”

“Could be better,” Adrian muttered, casting another glance around the thinning crowd. “What do we do now?”

Kael stretched his arms, his casual demeanor making it seem like this was all a leisurely stroll. “Pick up some quests, I guess?”

“Can we even do that without our guild IDs?” Adrian asked, still uncertain.

“Yeah,” Kael said, rolling his shoulders. “I asked the receptionist. She said we’re good to take quests, get paid, and it’s all on record. No big deal.”

“Didn’t expect you to be that thorough,” Adrian said, impressed despite himself.

“Gotta keep things simple,” Kael replied with a half-smile. “It’s easier that way.”

“Alright,” Adrian said, feeling some of the tension drain away. “Let’s register as a party and see what’s out there.”

“Lead the way,” Kael said with a nod, falling in step beside him, his stride as relaxed as ever.

The two of them made their way back to the registration desk, joining the line to finalize their entry as a pair. Adrian and Kael finalized their registration as a duo, each signing their names into the guild’s records. The receptionist handed them their temporary membership slips, which they’d exchange for official licenses at a later date.

Adrian pocketed the quest slip and turned to Kael. “So, where do we go to find quests around here?”

The receptionist, who had been sorting through some parchment, pointed toward a large board mounted on the far wall. It was covered with postings of various sizes, the paper worn and crinkled in places. “That’s the quest board. You’ll find details on the rank, requirements, and rewards for each quest there. Once you’ve made your selection, bring the slip back here to be registered.”

“Got it, thanks,” Adrian said with a quick nod before heading over, while Kael trailed behind.

The board was crammed with all kinds of tasks. Adrian scanned it carefully, taking in the details. Beside him, Kael tilted his head, tapping his chin thoughtfully. Then, with a sudden burst of energy, he jumped up, snatching a parchment from the higher rows.

“B-rank? Looks like it might be worth checking out.” Kael said, handing the parchment to Adrian.

“Collect ten stalks of dawnshade. Rare herb, grows in shaded spots deep in the forest. Reward’s one hundred gold, and we can keep any extras. Sounds easy for a B-rank quest.”

“Easy or sketchy. I’m betting on sketchy. Maybe there’s a catch.”

“Could be. Let’s ask.”

They returned to the receptionist, who skimmed the parchment with practiced eyes before nodding. “You’ll be heading to the Shadowglen Forest. It’s quite close to Willowbrook. The dawnshade grows in certain pockets of the forest, but those areas are often guarded.”

Adrian’s brow furrowed. “Guarded by what, exactly?”

“Glimmerhounds, they’re nocturnal, but dawnshade only blooms under twilight conditions. So, you’re bound to cross paths.”

Kael let out a low whistle. “Sounds like a fun time. Nothing like dodging glowing, angry mutts.”

Adrian’s lips pressed into a thin line. There’s got to be more. “Is that really it?"

The receptionist hesitated, just long enough for him to notice. “The odds are low, but there’s a slim chance you may come across a challenging monster.”

"How much worse?”

“A Grove Hydra. It’s an A-rank monster. They’re rare and territorial over certain parts of the forest. It’s highly unlikely you’ll see one, but if you do… Run. Fighting it is not an option.”

The air around them grew heavy, silence stretching uncomfortably. Adrian’s stomach twisted. An A-rank? I suppose that explains why this herb gathering quest is ranked so highly.

Kael shrugged, still unbothered. “We can just run if we see it. Not that complicated.”

"And are you confident in your ability to do so?"

"Hey, I'm confident enough to carry both of us out of the forest if need be."

Adrian paused for a moment. Kael seems confident enough, and to be honest, I'm more than up for a challenge by this point. A Grove Hydra should be challenging, but not impossible to beat.

"Alright, we'll take the quest," he said.

The receptionist stamped their slip and handed it back. “Good luck out there.”

They turned to leave, but the heavy, unmistakable sound of armored footsteps stopped them in their tracks. Adrian glanced back to see the black-armored knight striding toward the desk. The knight’s gaze seemed to pierce through them.

“I want to take the dawnshade quest,” the knight said.

The receptionist shook her head. “That quest has already been claimed by these two.”

She gestured to Adrian and Kael. The knight’s gaze shifted to them, as unreadable as ever. Adrian couldn’t help but feel the absurdity of the situation. Now he wants in? He was half-ready to laugh but stopped when he saw the knight’s serious demeanor.

Adrian crossed his arms, meeting the knight’s gaze. “If you’re going to tag along, will you at least cooperate?”

The knight’s response was immediate. “I’ll assist, provided I receive any extra herbs we find.”

Kael leaned against the counter, his tone calm but with a hint of teasing. “Really? That’s your idea of teamwork?

“I am strong. I won’t be a burden.”

That’s not the point, Adrian thought, his irritation prickling beneath the surface. He kept his expression neutral, though. “Strength is great and all, but that doesn’t make your offer fair.”

The knight tilted his head slightly, as if weighing Adrian’s words. “What do you suggest, then?”

“A three-way split of any extra herbs. It’s the only fair option.”

“That is not acceptable to me.”

Frustration rippled through Adrian, but he forced himself to take a breath and think it over. This isn't worth a fight, he reminded himself.

“Fine. How about this? You’ll get priority in the split. If there are seven herbs, you take three. Kael and I will each get two.”

The knight considered this, and after a moment, gave a single nod. “I can agree to that.”

Kael pushed away from the counter with a low chuckle. “What about me? Are you even going to pretend to ask for my opinion?”

Adrian raised an eyebrow at him. “Do you have any real objections?”

Kael’s shrug was exaggerated, but his grin was genuine. “I’m good.”

With that, Adrian nodded, feeling some of the tension in the room start to dissipate. He turned to the receptionist. “Can you add him to the party?”

The receptionist nodded, her movements swift and professional as she completed the necessary paperwork. “Done. The quest is officially updated. Good luck out there.”

As the group turned to leave, Adrian cast a quick glance at the knight. “By the way, what should we call you?”

The armored figure’s reply was as brief and unreadable as he was. “Galtier.”