The morning sun streamed through the small window of Shiv's room at the inn, bathing everything in a soft, golden light. As he sat at the simple wooden table, the aroma of freshly baked bread and warm porridge filled the air. A knock on the door caught his attention, and a cheerful, bright voice followed.
"Good morning! Breakfast is ready!" A young girl with wide, excited eyes peeked in, her cheeks flushed with the effort of carrying the tray. She couldn't have been much older than 14, her hair tied up in neat braids. "Here you go," she said, setting the tray before Shiv.
"Thank you," Shiv replied, giving her a smile. She beamed in return, clearly pleased with the compliment, and quickly dashed back to her other duties.
As he ate, Shiv overheard some chatter from other patrons about the Adventurer's Guild. Curious, he finished his meal and decided to check it out. After all, he needed to understand how this world worked beyond just the teachings of Veylin and his brief interactions with the merchants.
The Adventurer's Guild was a large, bustling building near the center of the village, full of people in armor, robes, and other battle-ready attire. As soon as Shiv entered, he was met with the sight of a massive bulletin board covered in quests, requests, and notices.
Behind the counter, a burly guild receptionist greeted him with a nod. "You looking to register, lad?"
Shiv nodded, stepping up. "Yes, I'd like to join."
"New here, eh? No worries, everyone starts somewhere." The receptionist handed Shiv a form, asking for basic information. "You'll need to take a simple test to gauge your abilities and rank. Don't worry; we're not looking for much at the start."
After filling out the form, Shiv was led to a training yard behind the guild where the test was to be held. His heart beat a little faster, not from nerves, but from his desire to conceal his true power. He had learned during his time with Veylin that being too powerful drew unwanted attention, and in this unfamiliar world, it was best to stay unnoticed, for now.
The examiner, an older adventurer with a scar across his jaw, crossed his arms and observed. "Let's see what you've got, kid. Show me your magic."
Shiv stepped forward and called on a small amount of mana from his dragon's heart. He conjured a simple fire spark in his palm, enough to show basic control but nothing too impressive. The flame flickered briefly before fading out.
The examiner scratched his chin. "Hmm, alright. Not bad for a beginner." He scribbled something on a parchment and handed it to Shiv. "You're rank F. It's the lowest rank for new members, but you'll move up quickly if you complete missions. You can start by taking some gathering quests. Good luck."
Shiv smiled inwardly at how easily he had passed without revealing anything significant. With his new guild card in hand, he headed to the quest board and picked a simple job involving gathering medicinal herbs and flowers near the village.
Out in the quiet fields, Shiv gathered the herbs with ease, his sharp senses making the task quick. The tranquility of the moment reminded him of his time training with Veylin in the forest. But that peace was soon interrupted by the sound of frantic hoofbeats. He turned, spotting a horse-drawn carriage under attack by a pack of wolves.
Without hesitation, Shiv sprang into action. He summoned a strong gust of wind to push back the wolves, buying time as he assessed the situation. The wolves were circling the carriage, which contained a small noble girl, a maid, and a butler, all huddled in fear. The girl's guard was fighting bravely but was clearly outnumbered.
Shiv focused, gathering more mana, and conjured a wall of ice between the wolves and the carriage. The wolves snarled, sensing the power emanating from him, but before they could react, Shiv created an arc of fire with a sharp movement of his hand. The blue flame—a special manifestation of his knowledge and magic—burst forth, quickly incinerating the nearest wolves. The remaining pack scattered, unwilling to challenge such a powerful force.
The noble girl peered out from the carriage, her wide eyes filled with awe. "Big brother saved us!" she cried, her voice breaking the tension. The maid and butler looked equally relieved, though they were in shock at the sight of someone so young being so capable.
Just then, the rest of the girl's guards, who had been fighting wolves on the other side of the road, arrived. Their relief turned to surprise when they realized the wolves had already been dealt with.
Another carriage soon arrived, carrying the girl's parents—the viscount of the kingdom and his wife. They hurried to their daughter, showering her with concern before turning to Shiv.
"You saved our daughter," the viscount said, his tone filled with gratitude. "I cannot thank you enough. What is your name, young man?"
"Shiv," he replied simply, still unsure how to respond to such nobility.
The viscount studied Shiv for a moment, his gaze sharp. "You're no ordinary adventurer. You must be at least a second-circle mage to have fought off that wolf pack with such ease. How did someone so young attain such power?"
Shiv shifted uncomfortably. He had no desire to reveal the full extent of his abilities. "I'm just a traveler," he said quietly, trying to deflect attention.
The noble girl, however, had other ideas. She rushed forward and hugged Shiv's leg. "Big brother! You have to come visit us! Please!"
Shiv was taken aback by the sudden affection. He looked up at the viscount, who chuckled at his daughter's enthusiasm. "It seems you've made quite an impression, Shiv. We would be honored if you would join us at our estate. I insist."
Shiv wanted to refuse, preferring to remain under the radar. But the girl's pleading eyes and her father's insistent tone made it difficult to decline. Reluctantly, he agreed. "Alright. I'll visit."
The next day, a carriage arrived to pick Shiv up and take him to the viscount's estate. The estate was a grand sight, with lush gardens and tall towers. As he entered, he was greeted by the viscount and his family. They led him to a grand dining hall where lunch was prepared, and Shiv sat with the family, trying to remain as modest as possible.
During the meal, he met Ilina, the viscount's older daughter, who was his age and a third-circle mage with three attributes: fire, water, and wind. She watched him curiously, clearly sensing something different about him. Despite being only a second-circle mage, Shiv's power was evident, especially after fighting the wolf pack.
After lunch, the viscount took Shiv aside. "There's something unique about you, Shiv. For a second-circle mage, you hold more power than anyone I've seen. My daughter Ilina is preparing to attend the kingdom's greatest academy for mages, and I would like you to join her."
Shiv raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Me? But I'm just a traveler—"
The viscount interrupted, his tone firm but kind. "I know talent when I see it. If you attend the academy, it will not only help you grow, but I believe you can help Ilina as well. As a token of my gratitude for saving my daughter, I will write you a letter of recommendation. It will guarantee your entry into the academy."
Shiv thought for a moment. He hadn't planned to attend any academy, but this was a chance to learn more about magic and grow in ways he couldn't have imagined. After a pause, he nodded. "Alright. I'll go."
Shiv stayed with the viscount's family for the next month, becoming close to both the noble girls, Ilina and her younger sister. During this time, he shared his knowledge of magic with Ilina, and she was particularly fascinated by his ability to combine elements. One day, he demonstrated ice magic, something Ilina had never seen before.
"How did you do that?" she asked, eyes wide with excitement.
Shiv smiled. "It's all about understanding the elements and using them in harmony."
Ilina was eager to learn, and over the course of the month, they practiced together. She quickly picked up on the techniques, and Shiv was impressed by her progress. It was clear she had a natural talent for magic.
As the month drew to a close, Shiv felt ready for the next step in his journey—the academy. With the viscount's letter in hand, he was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.