After a few days of rest and recovery, Bennet received a summons from the Celestial Fox guild. Hugo accompanied him to the guild house, their footsteps echoing through the grand corridor lined with banners bearing the guild's emblem. As they reached the massive double doors leading to the guild master's office, Bennet couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and curiosity about the reason for their summons.
The doors swung open, and at the center of it all sat Eliador behind his wooden desk, his piercing eyes fixed on the entrance as if he had been awaiting their arrival.
Eliador gestured for them to sit before addressing Bennet, his voice filled with concern.
"Bennet, how are your injuries? I trust you've been recovering well?" Eliador inquired, his gaze unwavering.
Bennet nodded, grateful for the guild master's consideration. "Yes, Guild Master. I'm healing quickly, thanks to the care of our guild's healers who visited me for the past few days."
Eliador nodded approvingly. "Good to hear. Your well-being is of great importance to us. Now, let's get down to the reason I summoned you here."
Eliador leaned forward, his expression grave. "I have some important news to share. You see, Bennet, after extensive investigation, it has been determined that you are the rightful winner of your recent tournament battle against Jax."
Bennet's eyes widened in surprise. "But I was unconscious when they stopped the fight. How can that be?"
Eliador nodded solemnly. "Indeed, it seemed that Jax had been disqualified from the tournament. The investigators uncovered a shocking truth."
Hugo leaned forward, his interest piqued. "What happened? Why was he disqualified?"
Eliador took a deep breath before continuing. "It was discovered that Jax had been subjected to a series of experiments by high-ranking members of the Jackal guild. Over the past year, they had infused his body with orc blood, making him considerably stronger. However, these experiments came at a great cost."
Bennet's brows furrowed as he tried to process this information. "What cost?"
Eliador's eyes bore into Bennet's. "The infusion of orc blood had a profound effect on Jax's mind. It heightened his aggression to a dangerous level, making him prone to fits of uncontrollable anger."
Hugo couldn't hide his shock. "So, during our fight, he wasn't in control of himself?"
Eliador nodded gravely. "Exactly. Jax was not in control, and that's why he was disqualified. It's a tragic outcome for him, but the safety of our warriors and the fairness of the tournament had to be upheld."
Bennet leaned back in his chair, a mix of emotions swirling within him. He felt sympathy for Jax, who had become a victim of the Jackal guild's cruel experiments.
Eliador's voice broke through his thoughts. "I wanted to inform you personally, Bennet. You are the rightful winner of the tournament, and the guild is proud to have you among our ranks."
Bennet met Eliador's gaze. "Thank you, Guild Master. I'm honored to be a part of the Celestial Fox guild, and I'll continue to give my best."
Eliador smiled warmly. "That's what I like to hear. Now, I trust you both have learned a valuable lesson from this experience. Strength is important, but it should always be tempered with control and compassion. Remember, we're not just warriors; we must look out for one another even if they are from a different guild."
Just as they were about to take their leave, Eliador added, "Oh, before I forget, there will be a new member joining our guild by the end of the day. I would like both of you to welcome and assist our newest recruit."
"It's about time that you two become mentors," he said with a smile.
As they made their way out of Eliador's office, Hugo suddenly remembered someone who had been patiently waiting for an assignment within the guild.
"Hey, Bennet," Hugo began, "you remember Leo, right? He's been eager to join us on missions, but he hasn't had the chance yet."
"Guild Master Eliador," Bennet began, "we were wondering if it would be possible to include Leo in our missions. He's been waiting for a chance to prove himself."
Eliador considered their words carefully, and then he sighed, his expression showing a hint of concern.
"You know, Bennet, Hugo, it hasn't been easy finding missions for Leo," Eliador began. "Many of our guild members are hesitant to include him in their teams. But it warms my heart to see that both of you are willing to give him a chance."
"We believe in Leo," Bennet said earnestly. "With our guidance, he can become a valuable member of our team."
Eliador nodded approvingly. "Very well then. Your willingness to mentor Leo is commendable. I'll make sure to include him in your missions as much as possible."
After the discussion, Bennet and Hugo left the guild headquarters with the address that Eliador had provided where Leo lives. As they walked through the bustling city streets, they couldn't help but wonder about the living conditions of a fallen Duke's son.
"He might live in a grand, castle-like house," Hugo speculated.
Bennet nodded in agreement. "Yes, he comes from a noble background."
However, as they followed the map, they found themselves navigating away from the more prosperous areas of the city. The streets grew narrower, the houses more cramped together, and the atmosphere was markedly different from the bustling center they were accustomed to.
Eventually, they arrived at the address Eliador had given them. To their surprise, it was an old, rugged house with no gate. It looked like it had seen better days.
Hesitantly, they knocked on the door. A voice from inside shouted, "We don't have any money! We can't pay you!"
Bennet cleared his throat and replied, "We're not here for money. We're from the Celestial Fox."
The door creaked open, revealing Leo's head as he peeked out. His face lit up when he saw them, and he couldn't help but smile.
Bennet smiled back warmly. "Guild master Eliador sent us. He said you can join our party from now on."
Leo's eyes glistened with tears "It's been two days since we had anything fresh to eat, and my mother has been so unwell." He took a deep breath and wiped away a tear. "I can't thank you enough for this opportunity."
Bennet, sensing the need to change the subject and lighten the atmosphere, turned to Leo. "Hey, Leo, speaking of new members, we've got one joining us today. Would you like to come along and meet them with us?"
Leo's eyes lit up with curiosity and excitement. "Sure, I'd love to! It'll be great to meet the new member."
With Leo by their side, the three of them set off to the guild house, and as they were walking, Hugo's curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to ask.
"So, what kind of warrior am I joining forces with here?"
"Well, you see, most of the warriors in our guild are augment users, enhancing their physical abilities. But I've always had a connection with nature, and I specialize in manipulating fire." Leo answered.
Bennet chimed in, genuinely interested. "Fire manipulation, huh? That sounds exciting. Can you show us some of your skills?"
Leo hesitated for a moment but then grinned. "Alright, how about a quick demonstration? But let's keep it friendly."
Hugo, ever the competitive spirit, couldn't resist a challenge. "A friendly duel it is! Just a single round to gauge each other's abilities."
Leo agreed with a nod, and they soon found a suitable training area. The three young warriors stood facing each other, anticipation in the air. As Hugo lunged forward with his halberd, ready to strike, Leo's response left both Bennet and Hugo stunned.
With a swift incantation and a flick of his hand, Leo conjured a wall of fire. But this was no ordinary fire; it was a mesmerizing black flame, flickering with dark intensity. The flames danced ominously, casting eerie shadows around them.
Bennet's jaw dropped, and Hugo, who had initiated the challenge, was equally amazed. The control and mastery Leo displayed over the black flames were nothing short of extraordinary.
Hugo chuckled nervously, realizing he had underestimated Leo. "Well, Leo, it seems you've got quite the talent there. I might have to rethink my battle strategies."
Leo grinned, the black flames reflecting in his eyes. "Don't worry, guys. We'll make an excellent team, and these flames of mine will come in handy when the going gets tough."
Bennet couldn't contain his curiosity and asked, "Leo, how did you come to possess the ability to control these black flames?"
"I've been able to manipulate these flames for as long as I can remember. It's a skill that has been passed down through generations in my family." Leo thought for a moment.
Hugo, always interested in the strength of warriors, inquired, "Was your father a powerful warrior as well?"
Leo nodded, acknowledging his father's strength. "Yes, he was a skilled warrior, but he didn't quite reach the level of our legendary ancestors. You see, my father had a different focus. He became consumed by the pursuit of wealth and power, neglecting to fully master the gifts that he already has."
As the conversation lapsed into silence, there were still questions lingering in the air, unspoken but present. Leo, ever perceptive, gave them a warm smile and said, "You know, we're friends now, and there's no need to hold back. Ask anything you'd like to know."
Since no one dared to ask the question, Leo took a deep breath and continued, "My father... he was guilty of his crimes. I won't deny that he deserved the capital punishment that was brought upon him." His voice grew somber as he went on, "The hardships my mother and I have faced, in a way, we see them as well-deserved."
Bennet couldn't let those words go unchallenged. "Leo," he said firmly, "you can't blame yourself for your father's mistakes. The sins of the father shouldn't be passed on to the child. You're your own person, and you have the right to make your own path in life."
A sense of relief washed over Leo's face, and he realized that he had found friends who wouldn't judge him for crimes he hadn't committed.
Leo, with tears glistening in his eyes, responded with heartfelt gratitude, "T-thank you for accepting me."
Sensing the need to lighten the mood after the intense conversation, Bennet suggested, "You're one of us now, Leo. Let's not dwell on the past. Come on, let's go meet our new guild member together."
Suddenly, a system message appeared before Bennet, visible only to him. It read, "Companion trust 100%." Intrigued, he continued reading the message and noticed a small detail under Leo's name: "Legendary Bloodline."
Bennet pondered the significance of this newfound information. He couldn't help but wonder if these details might become important in their future adventures. Regardless, one thing was certain: their bond with Leo was solidifying.
As they entered, they were greeted by the guild master, who appeared slightly nervous despite his attempts to appear composed.
Bennet, ever perceptive, couldn't help but notice the guild master's unease. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Guild master, is something bothering you? You seem a bit off today."
The guild master forced a smile. "Oh, no, not at all! I'm just excited to introduce you all to the new member. That's all."
Despite his reassurances, Bennet and the others could sense that something was amiss. Their curiosity grew as they turned their attention to the entrance of the guild house. Someone had just stepped inside.
The guild master quickly approached the newcomer, his nervousness palpable. With a polite gesture, he introduced the person to the trio. "Everyone, this is our new member."
The room fell into a heavy silence as they all stared at the unexpected addition to their guild. The person who had just entered was none other than Jax.