Following their successful mission, Team Seahorse wasted no time and made their way to the Iron Wolves Mercenary Guild Building. Anticipation was written across their faces as they looked forward to reporting their achievements and reaping their well-deserved rewards.

Captain Holt warmly received them at the guild. With a pleased smile, he nodded approvingly, saying, "You've all done a remarkable job out there. Major Karl was over the moon when he heard the report about your mission."

Adrian, ever the inquisitive soul, couldn't help but ask, "What made Major Karl so happy, Captain?"

Holt chuckled and replied, "Well, it's not just about protecting those traders, although that was your main task. You also took care of those pesky Wraiths, ensured the safety of the miners, and, as the cherry on top, you found that Earth Attribute Crystal. That's crystal is a pretty big deal."

Adrian, though still curious, listened attentively. "An Earth Attribute Crystal? What makes it so special?"

Holt patiently elaborated, "This Crystal, when used in a specific magical formation, has the power to summon all kinds of rare ores and stones. It's like a gold mine for craftsmen and mages alike."

Selena's eyes lit up with fascination, and she added, "So, it's like that chicken which lays golden eggs. "

Holt nodded, his grin spreading wider. "You've got it, Selena."

With the explanations over, it was time for the best part – the rewards. The team members were eager to hear what they had earned.

Holt began the announcements, "For your hard work, you've all earned a substantial reward." He handed out Bronze Steles to Adrian, Allan, Tavon, Selena, and Lily. "And, each of you will receive 10 Gold Coins."

Zelene, as the team leader, received a Silver Stele along with 30 Gold Coins. Holt congratulated her, saying, "Zelene, you've made us all proud. Major Karl wanted to express his personal appreciation for your leadership."

Adrian examined his Bronze Stele with a contented smile. "This is great! Captain Holt, what can we do with these Steles?"

Holt leaned in, eager to share, "These Steles open up a world of possibilities right here at the guild. You can exchange them for a wide range of items – from raw materials, potions, elixirs, weapons, to magic spells, sword skills, and even Magical Scrolls packed with immense power."

Allan, with a glint in his eye, remarked, "Sounds like we've got some exciting choices ahead of us."

Holt patted Allan on the shoulder and said, "You sure do. It's a fantastic way to keep improving and gearing up. Enjoy your well-earned rewards, folks. You've more than earned them."

With Steles and Gold Coins in their hands, the team members were filled with excitement, eager to explore the possibilities that awaited them at the Iron Wolves Mercenary Guild.

The members of Team Seahorse left the Iron Wolves Mercenary Guild, their minds buzzing with the possibilities of how to use their rewards.

As they strolled through the bustling streets of Forgeholm, Selena couldn't contain her excitement. "We should celebrate our victory, guys! How about a good meal at that new tavern that opened up last week?"

Lily chimed in, her eyes gleaming, "I heard they have the best pumpkin pie in town."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Allan, always up for a hearty meal, rubbed his hands together, "I'm in, as long as they have Miner's Stew. I could eat a whole cauldron of that stuff."

Tavon nodded in agreement. "I'm not missing out on a feast. Count me in."

Adrian, while tempted by the thought of a good meal, couldn't shake off the weight of his revenge. He decided to share his thoughts with the team, "You guys go ahead. I think I'll spend some time studying those Sword Skills that I can get with my Bronze Stele. I want to grow even stronger than before.”

Zelene spoke up at this moment as she stared at Adrian, “…Relaxing sometimes is also a good idea. You shouldn’t lose the joys of your daily life and spend all your time training. It will narrow your vision and thinking.”

“I will keep that in mind,” Adrian responded calmly. “I will come along next time.”

“Okay,” Zelene let out a small sigh, acknowledging his decision. She understood that she couldn't impose her will on him.

As the rest of the team headed to the tavern to celebrate their victory, Adrian returned to their lodgings with a sense of determination. He knew that to achieve his ultimate goal, he needed to become even more powerful. So, he settled into his guild and began to explore the various Sword Skills available to him through his newly acquired Bronze Stele.

Each scroll contained descriptions and images of different Sword Skills, showcasing their unique motions and effects. Adrian carefully sifted through the options, searching for a skill that would further enhance his combat abilities.

"Harmonious Blade," he muttered to himself as he stumbled upon the skill that piqued his interest.

The description spoke of the ability to synchronize Battle Aura with sword strikes, creating a deadly synergy that could significantly amplify the power of each attack.

It was exactly what he was looking for, a way to make his swordsmanship even more formidable.

With a resolute nod, Adrian selected the "Harmonious Blade" skill using his Bronze Stele. As he did, he felt a surge of power and knowledge coursing through him. It was as if the skill had become a part of him, waiting to be unlocked.

Adrian decided to immediately put this new technique into practice. He unsheathed his sword, held it before him, and focused on harmonizing his Battle Aura with the blade.

His Aura, which had already reached the High Level of Third Order Rank, began to envelop the sword with a gentle, shimmering glow.

The motion of the "Harmonious Blade" skill involved a precise, circular swing of the sword. Adrian's Aura gracefully wrapped around the blade, and as he executed the move, the harmonization between his aura and the sword resulted in a swift, devastating strike.

The air seemed to shimmer with energy as the sword sliced through it, leaving behind a faint trail of sparkling aura.

Adrian repeated the motion several times, each time feeling the connection between himself, the sword, and his aura grow stronger. It was a challenging technique to master, but he was determined to perfect it.

Outside the window, the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden hue over Forgeholm. Meanwhile, at the tavern, Selena and Lily couldn't help but discuss Adrian with starry-eyed expressions.

Selena chuckled, "You know, Lily, Adrian is truly something special. He's not just handsome, but strong as an ox. And there's that air of mystery about him that's so alluring."

Lily nodded, her eyes still sparkling, "You're absolutely right, Selena. And he carries himself with such composure and grace. It's like he is a prince in one of those epic tales."

As they continued to talk, their admiration for Adrian turned into a lighthearted debate.

Selena insisted, "I'm sure my magic could help him become even more powerful. With my support and healing spells, I could be his secret weapon on the battlefield."

Lily countered with a teasing smile, "Oh, Selena. Don't forget, I'm a powerful Wind Mage. I could demolish all his obstacles and clear a path for him. That's the real way to support him."

As Selena and Lily exchanged playful banter, Tavon and Allan couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. They both recognized Adrian's extraordinary abilities and had deep respect for his skills. But, in the face of the admiration that Selena and Lily showered on him, it was hard not to feel somewhat overshadowed.

However, they wisely kept their feelings in check, understanding that Adrian was a vital member of their team, and his strength was an asset to all of them.

Zelene observed the playful interaction between Selena and Lily with a knowing smile. She found it rather amusing to see the two of them swooning over Adrian.

If she were a bit younger, perhaps she would have joined in the playful flirtation. But she had different priorities, and her role as a leader demanded a composed demeanor.

As the evening sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Adrian continued his relentless training, determined to master the "Harmonious Blade" technique.

With each practiced motion, he could feel the potential of his sword strikes becoming even more lethal, thanks to the synergy of his Battle Aura.

Team Seahorse returned from their celebratory dinner. They entered their team's hall, located on the second floor of the Iron Wolves Mercenary Guild Building. The hall was a spacious and well-furnished area, adorned with weapons, trophies, and mementos from their past missions.

Dinner had been enjoyable, filled with laughter and camaraderie. However, it was impossible for them to forget their dedicated team member who had chosen training over the feast.

Selena, having a window view from the hall, was the first to notice Adrian. She peered out and saw him diligently practicing his sword skills in the guild's training grounds. A sense of admiration swelled within her, and she couldn't resist sharing her discovery.

"Look, everyone," Selena exclaimed, drawing the attention of her fellow team members, "Adrian's still out there, training his heart out."

Lily, Tavon, Allan, and Zelene joined Selena by the window, their eyes fixed on Adrian's relentless efforts in the training area.

Lily chimed in, her voice filled with respect, "He's truly something else.”

Tavon nodded in agreement, “Yeah.”

Allan, his previous envy transformed into genuine admiration, remarked, "And look at that determination. It's inspiring."

As they continued to watch Adrian's relentless training from the window, they couldn’t resist themselves from going down and training together with him.

Zelene smiled as she witnessed this. She couldn’t help but think to herself, ‘Adrian is really changing things in the team for the better. Even Selena and Lily have gone to train despite their habit of taking things easy.’