Weeks after being discharged from the hospital, Darian decided it was finally time to return to the academy. The once familiar towering gates stood before him, and as his eyes traced the beast insignia—two golden swords crossing beneath a majestic lion—he felt an odd sense of detachment. The emblem represented everything he once aspired to: strength, hope, and a place where warriors were born. Yet, for Darian, it had become a symbol of something else entirely.
The academy had been his dream, but lately, that dream had faded, replaced by something darker, more elusive. The power he had inherited, the system that had begun to shape him, had changed him in ways he didn't fully comprehend. The hunger for strength was still there, but it no longer burned with the same purity it once had. Now, it felt more like a cold necessity than a noble ambition.
"Here we go again," he muttered, shaking his head as he took a step forward, crossing the threshold. The moment his boots hit the familiar cobblestone path, the academy seemed to shift around him, as if acknowledging his presence.
Inside the halls, the usual chatter was subdued. The bustling students, who usually filled the air with their excitement, were quiet, as if a strange unease had gripped them. When Darian passed, the murmurs began. They started soft but quickly grew louder, until it felt like every pair of eyes was fixed on him.
"Isn't that the kid who soloed an S-rank dungeon?"
"No way. He's not strong enough for that."
"I heard he summoned a dragon. Can a D-rank Tamer even do that?"
"He's kind of hot. Never noticed him before."
Darian couldn't help but overhear the whispers. The academy, despite its grand reputation, was full of gossip. No matter how hard one tried to keep a secret, it always found its way into the open. And apparently, his exploits had spread faster than he had anticipated.
He kept his expression neutral, his eyes forward, though inwardly, he couldn't help but feel a slight ripple of discomfort. He wasn't here for attention, but the academy had a way of making everyone the center of it. And no one, it seemed, could resist discussing the strange events that had surrounded his name.
But there was no point in dwelling on it. He'd learned long ago that the world moved on, whether he liked it or not.
As Darian continued walking down the hallway, he spotted a familiar face in the distance. Maria, the green-haired beauty who had a habit of making her presence known. She was running toward him, her smile bright, and without hesitation, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug.
Darian froze. He could feel the sharp stares of the male students around them, their eyes burning with jealousy. Maria wasn't just popular; she was beautiful, and the sight of her embracing him stirred more than a few whispers.
"Where have you been?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Darian blinked, momentarily taken aback. When had they become close enough for her to ask him such personal questions? They were in the same class, sure, but they'd never really been more than passing acquaintances.
"Just sorting out some things," he said, offering a nonchalant smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Are you feeling better now?" she pressed, her green eyes full of genuine worry.
"I am," Darian replied, giving her a warm smile, though inwardly, he was still processing the oddness of her question.
She seemed satisfied with his answer and gave him a soft squeeze before pulling away. But as they continued walking toward class, Darian couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them.
It was then that he noticed something else—something far more peculiar. Standing in the shadows of an alcove, her eyes locked onto him with an intensity that made his skin prickle, was Aurora. He had never been able to fully understand her, and her presence here, watching him so openly, only deepened the mystery. What was she doing? Why was she watching him?
But Darian chose not to dwell on it. He had more pressing matters to focus on.
As they neared the end of the hall, something—or rather, someone—caught his eye. A figure dressed in a black leather jacket and matching pants exuded a magnetic aura of power. The students around her parted like the Red Sea, a silent reverence in their steps. This wasn't just any student.
"Seraphina Wildhart?" Darian whispered to himself, his gaze narrowing.
Seraphina wasn't just a Guild Master—she was a legend. Guild Masters like her held immense power and respect, far beyond that of any student. They commanded guilds that protected entire cities, and their names were whispered in awe across the land. The idea of a Guild Master appearing in the academy was not only absurd—it was unheard of.
Her presence alone was enough to make the air feel thick with anticipation. Darian's heart skipped a beat as she walked toward him, flanked by senior students who wore expressions of awe and fear.
"Hey there, kid," Seraphina said, her voice smooth and confident as she stopped in front of him. Her eyes held a predatory gleam as she sized him up. "So, you're the one who soloed an S-rank dungeon, huh?"
Darian's mind raced. How did she know about that? How quickly had the information spread? He forced himself to remain calm, to not let the overwhelming power of this woman unnerve him.
"Yeah, I guess so," he answered, trying to maintain his composure.
Seraphina smiled, a small but dangerous curve of her lips. "Impressive," she said, her voice laced with approval. "Not many can claim such an achievement, especially at your rank."
There was something unsettling about the way she spoke. It wasn't just praise; it was a calculated recognition, as if she were measuring his worth.
Despite himself, Darian found a small part of him enjoying the attention. Seraphina was everything he had been told about—and more. Her beauty was otherworldly, but it was her strength that drew him in. She wasn't just a powerful woman; she was a force of nature, one that could easily crush anyone who stood in her way.
Just then, the headmaster of the academy burst into the hallway, his frail voice filled with agitation.
"Seraphina! What are you doing here? Haven't you already taken enough of my best students?"
The old man's face was contorted with frustration, but Seraphina didn't even look at him. Her attention remained firmly on Darian, an amused glint in her eyes.
The headmaster seemed to realize that his protests were futile. With a huff, he stepped back, muttering under his breath.
Darian couldn't help but understand the situation now. Seraphina was here for a very specific reason: recruitment. Guilds constantly scouted for talented Tamers, and Seraphina's guild was one of the most powerful in the Golden City. She wasn't here by chance—she had come to claim what she wanted.
"I like you, kid," Seraphina said, her smile widening. Her eyes gleamed with pride, as though she had already made her decision. "What do you say about joining my guild?"