The heavy doors of the guild creaked shut behind Alfred as he left, leaving the bustling hall in a strange, uneasy silence. Conversations that had once filled the air fell to hushed murmurs, and even the clinking of mugs seemed to lose its usual cheer.
One of the adventurers, a burly man with a thick beard and a scar across his cheek, was the first to speak, though his voice was low. "That was… him, wasn't it?"
His companion, a lanky swordsman with a long ponytail, nodded slowly. "Yeah, Alfred Nightshade. There's no mistaking that hair and those eyes."
A woman sitting at the corner table leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Did you hear him? He said he was sixteen…"
"He must have been six when his family was… wiped out," someone else muttered, their tone filled with a mix of awe and pity.
The burly man crossed his arms, his brow furrowing. "How did he survive the massacre? They say no one made it out alive."
Another adventurer chimed in from a nearby table, his eyes wide. "Maybe he wasn't with them when it happened. Could have been hidden away somewhere, waiting for the right time to return."
"Or maybe…" The swordsman leaned in closer, his voice dropping conspiratorially. "Maybe he's back to take revenge on whoever was responsible."
A ripple of tension spread through the room, and the adventurers exchanged nervous glances. No one wanted to say it aloud, but the fear in their eyes was unmistakable.
The woman from the corner table spoke up again. "And he didn't even complete the soldier academy. Can you imagine what kind of raw power he must have? To just walk in here like that, without any formal training…"
"That's because he's a Nightshade," the bearded man grumbled. "That family didn't need training. They were born with magic and strength far beyond any of us."
The room fell silent again as everyone mulled over this new information. Each adventurer seemed to be crafting their own theory about Alfred's mysterious past, their imaginations running wild with possibilities.
"He didn't deny it, though," one of them whispered. "When they called him a Nightshade, he didn't say no."
The swordsman narrowed his eyes. "He could be planning something. Maybe gathering power, waiting for the right moment…"
Before the conversation could continue, the doors to the guild swung open with a sudden thud, drawing everyone's attention. A young boy with messy blond hair, barely in his teens, burst into the hall. His wide blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and his cheeks were flushed from running.
"Hey! I heard there was someone from the Nightshade family here!" he exclaimed, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.
The adventurers, who had been on edge moments before, now turned to stare at the boy in disbelief. The sheer excitement in his voice seemed almost ridiculous in light of the fear that had gripped the room.
The receptionist, still seated at her desk, blinked in surprise. "Yes… he just left," she said cautiously. "Why are you so eager to find him?"
The boy's face lit up even more, if that were possible. "Because I want to be his apprentice! I've heard all the stories about the Nightshade family—how powerful they were, how they could wield magic like no one else! If anyone can teach me how to be strong, it's someone from that family!"
A few of the adventurers exchanged worried glances, and the burly man leaned over to whisper to his companion. "Does this kid have any idea who he's talking about?"
The swordsman shook his head. "Apparently not."
But the boy was undeterred by the strange atmosphere in the room. He bounced on the balls of his feet, his excitement palpable. "Where did he go? I want to find him!"
The receptionist hesitated, glancing at the other adventurers for guidance. After a moment, she relented and pointed toward the door. "He was headed toward the soldier academy, I believe. He'll have to complete his training there before registering as an adventurer."
The boy's eyes widened in surprise. "The academy? He hasn't completed his training yet?"
"No," the receptionist replied. "But with a family like his… I'm sure it won't be a problem."
The boy grinned, his enthusiasm undampened. "Even better! That means I can get in on the ground floor before he becomes too famous to take an apprentice!"
The adventurers watched in stunned silence as the boy spun on his heel and dashed out the door, heading in the same direction Alfred had gone.
"Who's that kid?" someone muttered from the back of the room.
"I don't know, but he's either brave or foolish," the swordsman said, shaking his head.
The receptionist let out a small sigh, looking after the boy with a mixture of amusement and concern. "I didn't catch his name, but he seems determined."
"Whatever his name is, he's going after Alfred Nightshade," the bearded man grunted. "Let's hope he knows what he's getting into."
The swordsman smirked. "Or maybe he'll learn the hard way. Either way, it's going to be interesting to see what happens."
Outside, the boy sprinted down the streets, his heart pounding with excitement. He couldn't believe his luck—meeting a living member of the legendary Nightshade family was beyond his wildest dreams. His name was Elias, and he had spent his entire life fascinated by stories of magic and power. Now, the chance to learn from someone with real strength was within his grasp.
"I'll find him, and when I do, I'll prove myself worthy to be his apprentice!" Elias declared to himself as he ran, his mind racing with thoughts of all the things he could learn.
The sun was beginning to set as Elias neared the soldier academy, his eyes scanning the streets for any sign of Alfred. His excitement grew with every step, unaware of the storm of rumors swirling behind him at the guild.
And so, with determination in his heart and excitement in his eyes, Elias set off in pursuit of Alfred, eager to meet the man who could unlock his potential and guide him toward greatness.