Hiro held his sword, staring as it crumbled into pieces. He let out a deep breath, tired from his final slash, but Kaison's voice broke the silence.
Kaison, who was standing beside him, let out a knowing sigh. "That is one of the reasons Hiryu created the Sword of Blasphemy through my scales and the blessing of the gods. So it can withstand the effects of the Duskveil Slash." His eyes glinted with pride. "But as your reward for completing your training, I'll give you some of my scales," He grinned slightly, "But you'll need a skilled swordsmith to craft this."
Hiro's mind immediately thought of the Dwarven Region: Stonehearth, known for its legendary blacksmiths. But before he left for there, an idea crossed his mind. He smirked. "Before I head there, I've got something else to take care of."
Kaison tilted his head, intrigued. "And what might that be?"
Hiro's eyes darkened with intent. "I want to make my name known. I want the people who wiped out my family to be on edge. It's time they hear the name Amadeus again."
Kaison nodded, impressed by Hiro's ambition. "So, what's the plan now?"
Hiro turned to him. "You're free now, Kaison. You can go and handle your own business. You don't have to follow me around anymore."
But the dragon let out a hearty laugh. "No, I think I'll stick around for a while. Your journey interests me. I want to see where it leads."
Hiro raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to come along, though? You're… kinda big." He gestured to the towering form of Kaison, whose sheer size would definitely draw unwanted attention.
Kaison grimaced, clearly reluctant. "Ugh, it pains my pride, but it can't be helped. I'll have to change my form." In an instant, his massive body shimmered and shrank, reducing in size until he resembled a small fox-like creature. His aura, once overwhelming, became almost undetectable.
Hiro stifled a laugh. "Alright, let's go."
Their next destination? Eldoria—the grand capital of the Heartland, a melting pot where the three major countries, Valeria, Aurelia, and Sylveria, intersected. Known for its diverse population, Eldoria housed guilds, merchants, and scholars from all over the region. The city was alive with activity, and adventurers from every corner of the world converged there.
As they traveled to the city, the two made quick progress. When they finally arrived at the massive gates of Eldoria, the towering walls and bustling city life loomed ahead of them. Hiro was eager to see what the city held, but there was one small problem.
Upon reaching the entrance, the guards stationed at the gates stepped forward, inspecting every traveler. One guard blocked Hiro's path. "Identification, please."
Hiro blinked, realizing with sudden horror that he had no ID. He hadn't considered this, given that he had been training for so long. "Uh…"
The guards looked at him suspiciously. "No ID, huh? We can't let you in without proper documentation."
Hiro cursed under his breath, but before he could respond, Kaison, now in his small form, jumped in. The little fox-like creature's eyes glowed with a strange, ancient light. He spoke in a low, commanding voice, using a dragon's special ability—Dragon's Tongue. "Let us in."
The guards' eyes glazed over for a moment, and they instinctively moved aside. "Go ahead," they said without hesitation.
Hiro smirked. "Handy trick."
Kaison simply flicked his tail, clearly pleased with himself. "Let's not make a habit of it."
Once inside Eldoria, the sheer scale of the city became apparent. The streets were filled with people from all walks of life—merchants peddling their wares, adventurers boasting of their latest quests, and scholars discussing the latest magical breakthroughs. The architecture was a blend of Valerian wealth, Aureliac strength, and Sylverian magical innovation, making it a unique sight to behold.
As Hiro navigated through the crowded streets, his eyes locked onto the massive guildhall in the distance. The Heartland Guild Association, the largest guild in the region, was where adventurers of all ranks gathered. He had heard about the guild's reputation, and now, it was time to make his own mark.
Upon entering the guild, a wave of silence briefly spread across the room. Many adventurers turned to look at Hiro, whispering amongst themselves.
"Hey, it's my first time seeing him," one adventurer muttered. "Do you know him?"
"No, it's my first time too," another responded.
Ignoring the stares, Hiro walked straight toward the counter where a woman sat. She had a friendly smile and greeted him warmly.
"Hello, I'm Rianne, the one assigned to assist adventurers' needs. It's my first time seeing you here. Are you planning to register as an adventurer?" she asked, her tone professional but friendly.
"Yes," Hiro simply replied.
Rianne's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Alright, let's get you registered then."
As Hiro began the process of officially becoming an adventurer, Kaison perched quietly on his shoulder, observing everything with interest. Hiro took his first official step into the world of adventurers, ready to carve out his legacy—one that would eventually shake the foundations of the Heartland itself.