**The Year 1294 NA**
The village of Hingr Wynd had grown accustomed to the harsh bite of winter, yet beneath the snow-covered streets and frost-laden rooftops, a quiet anticipation buzzed among its residents. The latest news from the far-reaching lands of the Venatoria guild had set the village abuzz with excitement.
Arnolt Yorgir, now sixteen, was on the brink of a significant milestone. After a year of rigorous training, he was ready to face the trials to join the esteemed Venatoria guild. Meanwhile, his cousin Xiona, at fourteen, was still two years away from her own turn to prove herself, yet she had been diligently preparing, eager for the day she could join Arnolt in their shared pursuit.
On this particular morning, as the first light of dawn filtered through the icy windowpanes of the Yorgir cottage, Xiona burst into the room, her breath visible in the chill air, eyes wide with excitement.
"Arnolt! You won't believe it," she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed from the cold. "Grennyn told me about an adventurer who just got promoted to a three-star Silver rank—after only three years!"
Arnolt, who was methodically sharpening his spear, looked up with interest. "Really? I've never heard of anyone climbing the ranks that fast. Isn't that supposed to take years?"
Xiona nodded eagerly, her enthusiasm palpable. "Exactly! It's almost unheard of. Grennyn said it's an incredible achievement—only a handful of adventurers ever rank up that quickly. It's causing quite a stir in the guild."
Arnolt's mind whirred with the implications. He and Xiona had learned much about Venatoria from Grennyn, and its ranking system was well-known and highly respected. The ranks ranged from Tauva, the beginner level marked by a simple wooden plaque, to the legendary Egregium rank, reserved for those who had accomplished feats far beyond the subjugation of magical beasts. The most common ranks besides Tauva are; Veirium (Iron), Uiridium (Copper), Argentum (Silver), and Aurum (Gold), each had sub-ranks from zero to three stars indicating an adventurer's standing within that rank.
Egregium, or Peerless, was a name given to weapons or armor forged from Aetherium, a mystical metal of extraordinary strength and lightness. The rank was a relatively new addition, reserved for those who had achieved legendary status in the guild. In the two centuries since its inception, only one person had ever reached Egregium, and they now lived far from the quaint village of Hingr Wynd.
To rise to a three-star Argentum rank in just three years was a feat that spoke of extraordinary skill, courage, and perseverance—perhaps with a touch of luck. The guild was filled with seasoned adventurers, yet only a rare few managed to achieve such rapid advancement.
"Grennyn must be impressed," Arnolt said, setting aside his sharpening stone and rising to his feet. "If someone can rise through the ranks that quickly, there's probably a lot we can learn from their journey."
Xiona's face brightened. "Impressed is an understatement! Grennyn's about as old as your dad, and he's still at two-star Argentum. And get this—the adventurer's name is Alastir. She's really making a name for herself. I'm so excited right now!"
Arnolt's eyes widened in surprise. "She? That's unexpected. I bet that inspires you even more, huh? But Alastir? Sounds more like an alias than a real name."
Xiona grinned, looking up at the ceiling as if lost in a daydream. "Maybe… But who cares? It's a name that's making history! I want to be like that someday."
Their conversation continued, filled with laughter and playful banter. Yet beneath the lighthearted exchange, Arnolt felt a growing unease.
Arnolt and Xiona had absorbed countless stories about the adventurer's guild from Grennyn, and Xiona's fascination with the guild had only intensified over the years. Arnolt had long accepted that their path would inevitably lead them to join the guild, but the thought of Xiona rushing into danger filled him with dread. Deep down, Arnolt was reluctant to leave his comfort zone, preferring to avoid hardship. However, the idea of something happening to Xiona while he was supposed to protect her was a burden he could not ignore.
Arnolt had been contemplating his next steps for some time. He had initially planned to register as a junior adventurer when he turned sixteen, giving himself a head start to rank up before Xiona was old enough to join. With two years of experience under his belt, he could ensure their safety when the time came. But the thought of starting without her felt unfair. Xiona was the reason he had pursued this path in the first place. Perhaps it would be better to wait and register together, even if it meant delaying his own progress.
These thoughts had been weighing on his mind, and he had considered discussing them with Xiona. But before he could broach the subject, the door to their cottage creaked open, and Grennyn entered, a somewhat troubled look on his face.