The road stretched endlessly before us, a ribbon of dirt and gravel winding through rolling hills and dense forests. Celia walked beside me, her steps light and carefree, as if the weight of the world didn't press down on her shoulders. For me, every step felt heavier than the last.The Varyon estate was behind us now, along with the safety of its walls. Ahead lay uncertainty, danger, and the faint hope of reclaiming what I had lost.One Week Earlier – The Day of DepartureThe Adventurer's Guild was a cacophony of voices, clinking mugs, and the occasional burst of laughter. Mercenaries, warriors, and mages of all kinds filled the hall, their presence a testament to the guild's reputation as a haven for those seeking fortune—or trouble. Celia and I stood before the registration desk, a sharp-eyed receptionist eyeing us with thinly veiled skepticism."You two are here to register?" she asked, her tone clipped as she glanced between us."Yes," I replied, my voice steady despite the weight of the moment.She nodded and slid two parchment forms across the counter. "Fill these out. Standard procedure."Celia hummed as she scribbled down her details with quick, confident strokes, while I took my time, ensuring every letter was precise. When we handed the forms back, the receptionist examined them with a practiced eye before looking up."You'll need to undergo a mana and physical assessment," she said, gesturing toward a set of testing crystals placed on a nearby pedestal.Celia went first, placing her hand on the crystal. It pulsed with a soft, golden light, revealing moderate stats—above-average mana reserves with a particularly strong affinity for healing magic. She beamed at the results, clearly pleased.Then it was my turn.As I placed my hand on the crystal, a sharp crack echoed through the room. Gasps rippled across the guild as the crystal splintered apart, unable to contain the force of my mana.The receptionist's brows shot up, and she quickly stepped away, returning with a much larger crystal. This time, the results displayed properly: high-tier physical attributes, High mana capacity, and exceptional control.The guild hall fell into a hush. Whispers filled the air as adventurers glanced at me with a mix of wariness, curiosity, and, in some cases, envy.Celia leaned in, whispering, "You just love making a scene, don't you?"I ignored her, turning back to the receptionist."Everything seems in order," she finally said, stamping our registration forms. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild."With that, it was done. Celia and I were now officially adventurers.That Evening – The EstateI returned to the estate one last time to speak with Lady Celestia.She was in the study, a book resting in her lap as I entered. She closed it gently and regarded me with a knowing expression."You've made your decision," she stated, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of something I couldn't quite place."I have," I replied, meeting her gaze.A pause. Then, she set the book aside and stood, her presence as commanding as ever. "House Varyon has been your home for seven years, Elias. Though you do not bear their name by birth, you carry it in spirit."I lowered my head slightly, a gesture of respect. "Thank you for taking me in.""You were meant to be here," she said simply. "But if this is the path you have chosen, walk it with conviction. And know that the doors of this house will always remain open to you."I met her gaze, grateful for the weight of those words.With her blessing, I left the estate for the final time.Present – On the Road"So," Celia said, breaking the silence, "what's our first move as official adventurers?"I glanced at her, noting the excitement in her eyes. She carried a small pack slung over one shoulder, her white robes fluttering in the breeze. Despite her lack of combat experience, she seemed eager to prove herself."We start small," I replied, adjusting the strap of my own pack. "Low-level quests to build our reputation and earn some coin. We'll need supplies, better gear, and information if we're going to survive out here."She nodded, though her expression suggested she was hoping for something more thrilling. "And where do we find these quests?""The Adventurer Guild," I said. "Every town has one. They'll have a board with postings for jobs—escort missions, monster hunts, that sort of thing."Celia's eyes lit up. "Monster hunts? Like, actual monsters?""Don't get too excited," I warned. "Most of them are just oversized animals or minor magical creatures. Nothing you can't handle with a bit of common sense."She pouted. "You're no fun, Elias."I didn't respond. The Adventurer Guild was a necessary step, but it was also a risk. The more attention we drew to ourselves, the greater the chance of attracting unwanted enemies. Still, we had no choice.The Town of GreystoneThe town of Greystone was a modest settlement nestled in a valley, its cobblestone streets bustling with merchants and travelers. The Adventurer Guild hall stood at the center of town, a sturdy building of stone and timber with a sign bearing a crossed sword and staff.Inside, the air was thick with the smell of ale and sweat. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the hall, their voices rising in a cacophony of laughter, arguments, and boasts. I scanned the room, taking note of the various groups. Some were clearly seasoned veterans, their gear polished and their movements confident. Others were novices, their wide eyes betraying their inexperience.Celia tugged on my sleeve. "Where do we start?""The quest board," I said, leading her to a large wooden board near the back of the hall. It was covered in parchment, each sheet detailing a job and its reward. Most were mundane—escort a merchant caravan, clear out a pack of wolves, gather herbs from the forest."This one," I said, plucking a sheet from the board. "Escort mission. A merchant needs protection on the road to the next town. It's simple, but it'll get us started."Celia peered over my shoulder. "Reward: 50 silver coins. That's not much.""It's enough for now," I said. "We're not here to get rich. We're here to survive."She sighed but didn't argue. Together, we approached the guild receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with a no-nonsense demeanor."New adventurers?" she asked, glancing at us over the rim of her glasses."Yes," I said, handing her the quest sheet. "We'd like to take this job."She studied us for a moment, her gaze lingering on Celia. "You're awfully young for this line of work.""We can handle it," I said firmly.The receptionist shrugged and stamped the sheet. "Very well. The merchant's name is Garrick. He'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow. Meet him at the north gate."Dawn – The North GateDawn came too quickly. We found Garrick at the north gate, his wagon loaded with goods and his horse hitched and ready. He was a stout man with a bushy beard and a wary expression."You're my escorts?" he asked, eyeing us skeptically."That's right," I said.He grunted. "You don't look like much, but I suppose beggars can't be choosers. Let's get moving."The journey began quietly, the wagon creaking as it rolled along the dirt road. Celia walked beside me, her eyes scanning the surrounding forest."Do you think we'll run into trouble?" she asked, her voice low."It's possible," I said. "Bandits are common on these roads. Stay alert."She nodded, her hand brushing the hilt of the dagger at her side. I had given it to her before we left, along with a quick lesson on how to use it. She wasn't a fighter, but she needed to be able to defend herself if things went south.Hours passed without incident, the forest giving way to open fields. The sun climbed higher in the sky, its warmth a welcome contrast to the cool morning air.Then, without warning, the attack came.A group of bandits emerged from the trees, their weapons drawn and their faces masked. There were six of them, their movements coordinated and their intent clear."Stay back," I told Celia, drawing my sword.The bandits charged, their leader—a burly man with a scar across his face—leading the way. I met him head-on, my blade clashing against his with a shower of sparks.The fight was a blur of motion and steel. I focused on defense, using my mana layering technique to enhance my speed and strength. My strikes were precise, each one aimed at disarming or incapacitating my opponents.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Celia crouched behind the wagon, her dagger clutched tightly in her hand. She was scared—I could see it in her wide eyes and trembling hands—but she didn't run.The bandit leader swung his axe in a wide arc, forcing me to duck. I countered with a quick thrust, my blade piercing his side. He staggered back, blood staining his tunic, but he didn't fall."You're tougher than you look," he growled, raising his axe for another strike.Before he could attack, a flash of white caught my attention. Celia had moved, her dagger slicing through the air as she struck at one of the bandits. Her attack was clumsy, but it caught him off guard, giving me an opening to finish him off.The tide of the battle turned quickly after that. With two of their number down, the remaining bandits hesitated. I pressed the advantage, driving them back with a series of calculated strikes.Finally, the bandit leader signaled a retreat, his men disappearing into the forest as quickly as they had come.I lowered my sword, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. Celia stood a few feet away, her dagger still in hand and her face pale."Are you hurt?" I asked, stepping toward her.She shook her head, though her hands were trembling. "I... I didn't know what to do. I just... acted.""You did well," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You kept your head, and that's what matters."She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine. "I don't think I'm cut out for this, Elias.""You'll get better," I said. "But if you want to survive, you'll have to."Garrick emerged from behind the wagon, his face pale but unharmed. "You two... you saved my life.""It's what we're here for," I said, sheathing my sword.He nodded, his expression grateful. "I'll make sure the guild knows about this. You've earned your pay—and then some."That night, we made camp by the side of the road. The fire crackled softly, its warmth a small comfort against the chill of the night. Celia sat across from me, her gaze fixed on the flames."Do you think it'll always be like this?" she asked quietly."Like what?""Dangerous. Scary."I hesitated, then nodded. "Probably. But you'll get used to it. And you'll get stronger."She didn't respond, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I wondered if I was pushing her too hard. But then she looked up, her eyes filled with determination."I'll do whatever it takes," she said. "I won't hold you back."I nodded, though a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. The road ahead was long, and the shadows were growing darker.But for now, we had survived. And that was enough.