Azea stepped through the glowing portal that had appeared after the tutorial ended, the Advanced Summoning Crystal clutched tightly in his hand. Lyra, Amon, and Kael followed close behind, all of them silent but alert.
The transition was smooth and instantaneous. One moment, they were in the scorched battlefield where the Hydra fell, and the next, they were standing in a sprawling city made of shimmering white stone and towering spires. The sky above them was a gradient of deep purple and gold, with two suns casting overlapping shadows.
The place was alive with activity. Summoners and their units moved through the streets, their appearances ranging from battle-worn veterans to wide-eyed newcomers. Stalls lined the streets, selling weapons, potions, crystals, and items Azea couldn't even begin to identify.
Azea's jaw dropped. "What… is this place?"
Lyra grinned. "Welcome to the Summoner's Realm, boss. It's the hub where all Summoners start their real journey."
Kael stretched, looking around lazily. "Feels a little crowded, but hey, better than fighting Hydras in the middle of nowhere."
Amon crossed his arms. "This is where the weak get separated from the strong. Keep your head up, Summoner. We're not the only ones here looking to climb the ranks."
Azea glanced around nervously. Everywhere he looked, Summoners were surrounded by powerful-looking units—some glowing with energy, others radiating a quiet, deadly calm. It was clear this wasn't a place where he could afford to make mistakes.
Before he could process everything, a notification appeared in front of him.
---
[Welcome to the Summoner's Realm!]
[System Tutorial Complete. You are now free to explore and participate in Realm activities.]
[New Quest Available: Orientation Challenge.]
[Quest Objective: Visit the Summoner's Guild and register your party.]
[Rewards: Beginner Realm Token x1, EXP +250]
---
Lyra peered over his shoulder. "Orientation Challenge? That's a standard starter quest. Better knock it out quick."
"Yeah," Azea said, rubbing the back of his neck. "But where's the Summoner's Guild?"
Kael pointed toward a massive building in the center of the city. It was shaped like a fortress, with glowing runes etched into its walls and banners fluttering from its towers. "Pretty sure it's that big, flashy building over there."
Azea sighed. "Of course it's the giant intimidating fortress. Alright, let's go."
As they made their way through the city, Azea couldn't help but notice the stares they were getting. Some Summoners whispered to each other, pointing at his ragged cloak and C-Rank staff. Others eyed his team, their expressions shifting between curiosity and amusement.
Lyra smirked, nudging him. "Looks like we're the new kids on the block. Don't let it get to you."
"Easy for you to say," Azea muttered. "You're not the one they're judging."
Kael chuckled. "Relax, kid. They're just jealous you pulled an S-Rank this early. Trust me, they'll get over it."
Amon, as usual, said nothing, his eyes scanning the crowd for any signs of trouble.
They reached the guild entrance without incident, but the building was even more imposing up close. The doors were massive, carved with intricate patterns depicting battles between Summoners and towering beasts.
Azea hesitated. "This feels… important. Like, once we go in, there's no turning back."
Lyra rolled her eyes. "You're overthinking it, boss. Just go in already."
Taking a deep breath, Azea pushed the doors open.
Inside, the guild hall was bustling with activity. Summoners were gathered in groups, discussing strategies, trading items, or just showing off their units. Massive boards displayed quests and challenges, while holographic maps of the Realm hovered in the air.
A receptionist greeted them from behind a glowing desk. She was a tall, elegant woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Welcome to the Summoner's Guild," she said, her voice calm and professional. "Are you here to register?"
"Uh, yeah," Azea said, stepping forward. "I just finished the tutorial."
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to his team. "An A-Rank assassin, an S-Rank mage, and… a fire tank. Interesting lineup for a beginner."
Azea scratched his head. "Is that… good?"
She smiled faintly. "It's promising. But potential means nothing if you can't prove yourself. Follow me."
She led them to a smaller chamber off to the side. It was quiet and dimly lit, with a single glowing pedestal in the center.
"Place your hand on the pedestal," she instructed.
Azea did as she said. The pedestal lit up, and a series of notifications appeared in front of him.
---
[Summoner Registration Initiated.]
[Name: Azea.]
[Level: 3.]
[Summoner Rank: Unranked.]
[Units Registered: Amon (B-Rank), Lyra (A-Rank), Kael (S-Rank).]
---
"Unranked?" Azea asked, frowning.
The receptionist nodded. "Everyone starts at the bottom. To climb the ranks, you'll need to participate in challenges, complete quests, and prove your worth in combat."
A new notification appeared.
---
[New Quest Available: Prove Your Worth.]
[Quest Objective: Complete a Rank E Guild Challenge.]
[Rewards: Realm EXP +500, Summoner Rank Upgrade.]
---
"Looks like you've got your first real challenge," the receptionist said. "Check the boards for Rank E quests. I'd suggest starting with something simple—maybe a patrol or a low-level dungeon."
Lyra grinned. "Or we could take on something bigger. Go big or go home, right?"
Amon frowned. "Recklessness will get us killed."
Kael shrugged. "Eh, I'm up for anything. What do you think, boss?"
Azea stared at the notification, his mind racing. This was it—the start of his real journey. But the weight of responsibility was already settling on his shoulders.
"Let's head to the boards," he said finally. "We'll figure it out there."