"Arth heal that guy before he chokes on his own blood." The lady had a satisfied look on her face as Elea became pissed of the fact that they're being watched when they were in danger. And add to the fact that the shitty priest who came to her cabin a few days ago didn't help even made her more angry.
"Are you happy watching people suffer? We're clearly in danger but you act as though nothing happened!!" Elea grinded her teeth as she looked intently at the girl standing in front of her.
The priest then spoke, "Elea, I didn't act because the princess forced me not too. And if I even sense a hint of danger on Val's part, I would've dove down to help." He said this as light from his hand healed the broken bones that Axel suffered. Bit by bit the wounds healed and after only a few minutes all the injuries he suffered were gone.
"W-What happened?" Axel was astonished because all of his wounds were gone. He saw a girl wearing cool looking armor and a priest near Elea.
"The shitty priest healed you." Elea answered as she clung onto Val.
"Oh, thank you then!"
"It's alright you wouldn't even have injuries if the princess wasn't stubborn." He looked at the girl which now crossed her arms as she looked down on Elea.
"Listen, this world doesn't care if you're weak or not. Just be stronger than anyone else before you start judging their actions. With your talent you might make a name for yourself." The proud knight looked down on the girl as she remembered those arrows hitting the vital spots of the Ogre and then she continued, "Besides, with this tree's restriction spell and your arrows, it was clear who would win this fight."
Her words clearly wasn't enough as she's still pissed about what happened. No matter what, in her mind, her brother's safety is top priority.
Kyra sighed as she gave up trying to explain herself. "Ugh. Fine to apologize for my unknightliness in the situation. I'll escort you to Wyrmont, that's your destination right? But we'll camp here tonight. I'm tired so I'll go to sleep." She jumped on top of the holy tree again leaving the four on the ground.
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The embers of the flame was the only light for miles away. Elea brought back a few animals from the hunt. As she was preparing dinner, Arth and Axel was sitting near the campfire as they waited.
"So you're the one that helped with the corruption of my body. Thank you." Axel said as he looked at Arth. He was clearly not your average priest as you can barely recognize him as a priest. The only thing holy about this man was his book he was reading, every page had a faint glow as he turned them.
"I didn't really do much if you ask me. There's also a High Curse inflicted upon you but it's persistent. The demon you encountered must be one of the top dogs of that cult." Arth answered as he turned another page from his mystical book.
"High Curse? Demons? Cult? How do you know all this?" Axel didn't really know that much from this world so gathering much information would be vital if he wants to become stronger.
"A High Curse is something that can only be lifted if the one who casted it dies. Demons are one of the most feared monsters of Alnizia because they have the same intelligence as the enlightened races such as humans. If you plan on hunting it down, I recommend becoming stronger first. The cult I'm talking about is just a rumor though so I don't want to be spreading false news that's why I won't talk about it anymore." He again turned another page.
"I see, that girl who is she? I'm guessing she's not normal." Axel looked atop the tree, thinking of Kyra.
"She's Kyra one of the potential heirs of the King of Wyrmont. She's been like that ever since she was a child, always looking for trouble and never letting anyone beat her. She's one of the popular candidates as well. With her level maybe she'd be the queen someday." Arth smiled at the thought of Kyra being queen, he knew that there are others that are suited as well but with Kyra's prowess and charisma, she'd be able to raise her kingdom's status even further.
"A princess huh?" Axel remembered the brief history told to him by Frim. Alnizia has 5 kingdoms and 4 of them serve the Kingdom of Floreya. The High King is the ruler of all but because of Floreya's territory, the kingdom is divided into five parts with Floreya in the center. One of the Kingdoms under Floreya is the Kingdom of Wyrmont.
"But don't even think of flirting with her, I heard she beats up anyone having any ideas of asking her for marriage." Arth lied about that she even saw some in action and the catastrophe that followed. After her father arranged her marriage with one of the local lords, she burned down a significant part of the castle which ended up ruining the engagement and ever since then no lord would ever want to marry her.
"I-I don't plan to I was just curious!" Axel waved both his hands as he denied the idea.
"I see, your fighting sense is really good, have you ever fought before?" Arth closed his book as his interest started leaning towards Axel.
"I did have some after beating some goblins but-" Axel remembered the events that transpired which stopped him from finishing the sentence and making cold sweat run through his back.
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The look on this face made Arth notice, so he quickly changed the topic, "I only asked because the local guild could benefit from someone like you. The last time I went there, they were in need of men. They can even help you out with stuff like sword training or other basic training."
"Okay thanks for the tip." Axel knew that there were local guilds on strongholds or cities like Wyrmont. They provide quests and training for those who join them.
After the food was done, Kyra descended the tree only to go back up after taking a piece. The four of them casually chatted as they ate the cooked meat hunted by Elea. Each of them took turns guarding the camp from enemies but aside from a few goblins checking them out while hiding in the bushes or trees but never really attacking them, the night was peaceful and solemn.
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The following day, the group walked for a long time sometimes encountering a few monsters and wild animals but they were instantly killed by Kyra. Elea took the animals so that they can have food for the night if they don't reach their destination before sundown. Walking at night in the forest is like walking towards your death because strong monsters prey on those foolish enough to travel in the dark unprepared. Thankfully, the group reached the Dragon Gate, one of the gates that fortifies Wyrmont, Kyra didn't even say her goodbye, she disappeared through the crowd of merchants and carriages entering the gate. Arth escorted Axel, Elea and Van to the local guild.
"This is Dragon Fang's headquarters, it's the local guild here in Wyrmont. It's famous throughout Alnizia as one of the most unforgiving guilds. I'll introduce you to the receptionist." Arth excitedly opened the door and all of the people inside looked at Arth for a few seconds and then ignored him at the same time.
"It's just Arth."
"I thought someone important just opened the door, t'was just a scum."
"Why can't he open the door the normal way? Like how normal people do it?"
"HAHA! He always does that! I'm even used to it by now! Okay time to go. I'm gonna have some fun with those guys."
A lot of mumblings were heard as Axel and the siblings walked through the door. Some people stared at them but the majority ignored the three new faces. Arth happily walked to the receptionist and they followed.
"Sabine! I'm back, did you miss me?!" Arth exclaimed as he walked towards the receptionist.
"No." She quickly replied with her ice cold tone.
Arth coughed and said, "This is Sabine, my current girlfriend. She is managing the complicated part of the guild. If you have any questions related to quests posted by the guild be sure to ask her first."
"Your last girlfriend." She corrected him quickly as well.
"Uhh.. Y-Yes my last girlfriend." He nervously said as fear and panic were written all over his face.
Axel was surprised that priests here don't practice celibacy here but he didn't really mind. He collected his thoughts and stepped forward to speak with Sabine. He knew that in order to become strong he needed to get basic training from someone and joining this guild will be the perfect opportunity.
"I'm Axel and this is Elea, we'd like to join your guild." Axel's tone was a bit serious, he knew that it was imperative that they get in since they also don't have the proper income to live in a place like Wyrmont.
"I see." Sabine looked at the two of them as if she was gauging their strength, after a long pause she said, "I don't have the power to refuse your request so you will be joining as recruits. After you become reserves, you will be able to use the guild lodgings for free and take on quests posted by the guild. Basic training and introduction will be handled by Randy."
Ranking up in a guild means getting assigned to tougher quest. The newcomers will always get F or in some occasions D class missions. They will start as novice members of the guild. Rank are as follows: Recruits, Reserves, Regular, Seniors, Elites and finally the Masters. Master Rank can only be given by the leader of the guilds across Alnizia. They serve as a part of Alnizia's greatest powers. These powers hold great responsibility in keeping the stability of the continent as a whole. Although they can be regarded as independent, guilds can swear their allegiance to a certain kingdom without too much issue but this can also create guild wars between guilds. These wars are officially sanctioned by all the kingdoms all over Alnizia and are considered bloody at times.
The two new recruits were escorted by a reserve to the training grounds where they saw other recruits lined up. After just a few moment, a body came flying upwards then crashed to the ground that ended with a scream of pain. The recruit was escorted to the infirmary after that. Those that are in the line became worried for their lives. Some even backed out before even knowing what was happening at the front.
"COME! Anyone acknowledged by me will be promoted to a Reserve! Those who don't will be kicked out of the guild! Dragon Fang is a guild without Recruits! A first and last chance! NOW COME!" A huge man with a booming voice which resonated with the surrounding made everyone nearby by tremble is now asking everyone to attack him. He is Randy Steelheart, a Senior of Dragon Fang.
"Randy is at it again. This is why we're always lacking in manpower." Axel couldn't make out of what kind of face Arth was making as he talked, it was either embarassment or disappointment.
Several recruits started leaving right away after Randy made the declaration. Only a few people were left after that, two mages, three warriors including Axel and Elea as the only archer left.
"So you guys are the only ones left huh? Let's see what you're made of then! Come at me! I'm only gonna use this training stick so give it your all!" Randy signalled them to come as if he was taunting them.
The two mages made a combination attack of fire and water which made steam burst near Randy. The purpose of the attack is to create a way to reduce the enemy's field of sight. The two warriors other than Axel equipped with a club and a spear both ran towards Randy at the same time. While running, Randy raised his weapon high and swung it to the ground which dispersed all the steam that covered the area. This shocked every recruit present but the two charging warriors did not stop their assault. Randy dodged both of their attacks and hit them in the head using the stick which knocked both of them out. After that, he quickly rushed towards the two mages. They retaliated with their magic but the casting time was too long and Randy reached them before the spell was set.
Axel and Elea were the only ones standing but they knew they had to win at all cost. Axel started sprinting to Randy and caught him by surprise but it did not end there. While sprinting his sword started pulsing a black energy which covered the blade. This was noticed not only by Randy but also by Arth. Randy also charged towards Axel but the arrows showering in his path made it hard for him to gain momentum so he stood his ground and deflected the arrows instead. When Axel reached Randy, he jumped as he wanted to finish this quick with an attack to the head but soon after he swung his sword, all the momentum he had was countered simply by pointing the end of the stick to his stomach which gave him a painful sensation knocking him out as he dropped to the ground.