The morning sun painted golden hues across Elderwood as Kaito stretched, taking in the crisp air. Liora was already up, her keen eyes scanning the surroundings as she sharpened her twin daggers. The village, though still mostly abandoned, felt different today. There was a newfound energy, a sense of possibility lingering in the air.

Today, he would set out to become an adventurer.

“You’re sure about this?” Liora asked, glancing at him with mild curiosity. “Adventurer work isn’t all fun and treasure, you know.”

Kaito nodded. “If we want to rebuild this place, I need to earn a stable income. The best way to do that right now is through the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Thalos, perched lazily on a tree branch, let out a snort. “About time. You’ll need more than that fancy magic of yours to make it in the guild. They don’t take kindly to newcomers who can’t pull their weight.”

Kaito smiled. “Guess I’ll just have to prove myself, then.”

With his decision made, Kaito and Liora set off towards Astrion City, where the guild resided. The journey was relatively uneventful, save for Liora’s frequent scouting to ensure no monsters lurked nearby. They followed the old stone road, winding through thick forests and open plains, until the towering walls of Astrion came into view.

The city bustled with life—merchants peddled wares, knights patrolled the streets, and adventurers in all shapes and sizes loitered around the massive stone building bearing the guild’s insignia. Kaito marveled at the sight. Unlike the peaceful, isolated ruins of Elderwood, Astrion was alive with motion and opportunity.

“This is it,” Liora said, nodding toward the entrance. “Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild.”

Stepping inside, Kaito was met with a mix of scents—wood, steel, and the unmistakable aroma of roasted meat from the tavern section. A massive board covered in parchment dominated one side of the hall, while a counter on the opposite end was manned by clerks assisting adventurers.

“New recruit?” one of them, a woman with sharp eyes and a business-like demeanor, asked as Kaito approached.

“Yes. I’d like to register.”

She nodded and handed him a form. “Fill this out. We’ll need a basic assessment of your skills before assigning your rank.”

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Kaito quickly completed the form, detailing his Worldweaver magic and general survival skills. Once done, he was led to a training ground where an older adventurer waited.

“Alright, kid,” the veteran said, cracking his knuckles. “Show me what you got.”

Taking a deep breath, Kaito activated his magic. The ground beneath them shifted, forming barriers and obstacles at his command. The veteran raised an eyebrow, nodding in approval as Kaito demonstrated both offensive and defensive applications of his ability.

“Not bad,” he admitted. “You’ll start as F-rank, like all newcomers. Don’t get cocky.”

Kaito accepted his new guild badge with a smile. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. As he rejoined Liora, she smirked, clapping a hand on his shoulder.

“Looks like you’re officially one of us now,” she said. “Now let’s get to work.”

His first task was simple—escort a merchant to a nearby village. The job wasn’t glamorous, but Kaito knew he had to start somewhere. Alongside Liora, he met the merchant, a portly man named Halrin, who loaded his cart with various goods.

“Bandits have been active lately,” Halrin muttered, eyeing the road ahead. “Hope you two can handle yourselves.”

The journey started peacefully, the cart creaking as they moved along the dirt path. Liora took the lead, her ears twitching at every sound. Kaito remained alert, ready to use his magic at a moment’s notice.

Hours passed without incident—until a sharp whistle echoed through the trees.

“Ambush!” Liora shouted.

Masked figures emerged from the underbrush, weapons gleaming under the sunlight. The leader, a scarred man with a cruel smile, stepped forward.

“Hand over the goods, and we’ll let you leave in one piece.”

Halrin paled, clutching his coin pouch. Kaito took a deep breath, stepping between the merchant and the bandits. Liora drew her daggers, eyes blazing.

“We’re not handing over anything,” Kaito said, raising his hand. The earth responded, forming a barrier between them and the attackers.

The bandits hesitated before one lunged forward. Liora met him head-on, her daggers flashing as she deflected his strike. Kaito manipulated the terrain, shifting the ground beneath the bandits’ feet, causing them to stumble.

The fight was brief but intense. With coordinated efforts, Kaito and Liora drove the attackers back. The leader, cursing, disappeared into the trees, leaving his men behind. Halrin exhaled sharply, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Well,” he said, laughing nervously. “That was more excitement than I wanted.”

When they finally reached the village, Halrin paid them generously, grateful for their help. Kaito pocketed the coins, feeling a small surge of pride. His first mission as an adventurer was complete.

Returning to Astrion, Kaito reported his success to the guild. The clerk noted his performance and awarded him a slight increase in guild standing. It wasn’t much, but it was progress.

As he sat in the tavern later that evening, Liora raised a mug in his direction. “Here’s to surviving your first job.”

Kaito chuckled, clinking his mug against hers. “And to many more.”

Though there was still a long way to go before Elderwood became a thriving home, he had taken his first real step forward. And that, he decided, was enough for today.