The hall buzzed with activity as Darian stood in stunned silence, the words of Seraphina Wildhart, Guild Master of the Veilbreakers, echoing in his ears.
"I like you, kid," she said with a proud smile, her emerald eyes gleaming. "What do you say about joining my guild?"
The entire hall fell silent for a breathless moment, before whispers and murmurs erupted like a wildfire.
"Did she just recruit him?!"
"He's so lucky! The Veilbreakers of all guilds!"
"Do you think he'll accept? Anyone would kill for this chance!"
Maria, standing by Darian's side, was as stunned as everyone else. Her gaze flickered between Seraphina and Darian, equal parts astonishment and unease clouding her expression. Meanwhile, Aurora, watching from a distance, remained still, her unreadable eyes locked on Darian.
Darian's mind raced. Seraphina Wildhart. A Guild Master. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. The Veilbreakers were renowned across the Golden City, known for their daring exploits and unparalleled influence. A member of the Veilbreakers lived a life of prestige, power, and privilege.
Becoming one of them would mean more than fame. It would mean freedom.
Seraphina seemed to sense his hesitation and leaned in slightly, her voice lowering just enough for him to hear. "One hundred thousand beast coins as a welcome gift," she said with a wink, her tone playful yet confident.
A ripple of astonishment spread across the room.
"One hundred thousand beast coins?! That's enough to live comfortably for years!"
Darian's heart pounded. That kind of money could change everything. It wasn't just about better summoner equipment or leaving the academy dorms. His mind drifted to her. A fragile face, bedridden and pale, yet smiling faintly as he promised to help her. With this money, he could finally fulfill that promise.
Yet despite the dazzling allure of Seraphina's offer, something tugged at him—a feeling deep in his chest. A warning. His new system, a mysterious power that had awakened within him, whispered words of caution. This was too soon. He wasn't ready.
Darian opened his mouth, ready to answer, when a voice from the crowd sliced through the air.
"Why waste your time on a lowly D-rank summoner when there are others here more deserving?"
The hall fell silent again, and all eyes turned to the speaker. A tall, sharply dressed boy stepped forward, his blond hair catching the light.
"Aeris Crown," he introduced himself with a cocky smirk and a shallow bow toward Seraphina. "I'm sure you've heard of me. My talents far surpass those of anyone else in this hall, including him." He gestured dismissively toward Darian, his expression full of disdain.
Darian's fists clenched at his sides. Aeris was the kind of person he despised the most—arrogant and entitled. Though Aeris had never personally wronged him, Darian couldn't stand his smugness.
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into an amused smile. "Oh? And what exactly makes you more qualified?"
Aeris puffed out his chest. "My lineage, my accomplishments, and my abilities speak for themselves. A summoner like him is bound to fail in a guild. But I—"
"Enough," Seraphina said, cutting him off with a wave of her hand. Her eyes flickered between the two boys, her expression thoughtful.
She had a rare gift—she could see the "flames" of potential within people. Aeris's flame burned bright and blue, a testament to his strong yet straightforward talents. But Darian's was different. A swirling blend of dark and gold flames, its unpredictable nature intrigued her.
"Interesting," she murmured. "On one hand, I have a blazing fire full of confidence and power. On the other, a quiet flame shrouded in mystery."
Turning back to Darian, she grinned. "Well, kid? What's your answer?" Her voice dropped to a whisper, though the nearby students strained to hear. "If you accept, I'll make you third in command."
Gasps erupted around the hall.
"Third in command?! That's unheard of for a rookie!"
Darian's mind was in turmoil. The offer was tempting, overwhelmingly so. But the system's earlier warning about a "descendant" loomed over him. He needed time—time to understand his powers, his destiny, and what lay ahead.
He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
"Ma'am," he began, his voice clear and steady, "I appreciate your generous offer, but I must decline."
The hall erupted into chaos.
"What?! He rejected it?!"
"Doesn't he realize how lucky he is?"
"Guess he knows he wouldn't survive. A summoner in a guild like that? Please."
Even Maria looked at him with wide eyes, her disbelief evident. Aurora, still watching from the back, narrowed her eyes slightly, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Seraphina, however, was unfazed. If anything, her smile widened. "Well, well," she said, crossing her arms. "You've got guts, kid. Not many would turn down an offer like mine. I'll be keeping an eye on you. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll come to me."
She turned to Aeris. "Looks like the spot's yours, Aeris. Welcome to the Veilbreakers."
Aeris's smirk returned as he strode toward her, shooting Darian a triumphant glare.
Darian resisted the urge to punch him, forcing himself to stay calm. Seraphina glanced at him one last time before stepping into a swirling portal with Aeris and the other recruits.
"See you around, kid," she said with a wink, her voice carrying just a hint of promise.
As the portal closed, Darian exhaled deeply. The tension in the hall lingered, and he could feel the cold stares of his peers boring into him.
Maria broke the silence as they walked toward their next class. "I can't believe you said no," she said, her voice a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
"Yeah," Darian replied simply, his tone unreadable.
She glanced at him. "So… why did you?"
Darian hesitated. "Let's just say I have my reasons."
Maria frowned but didn't push further.
As they walked, Darian's thoughts swirled. It was only the first day, and already his life had taken a dramatic turn. If this was just the beginning, he could only imagine what awaited him next.