While stationed at Kubu Fort, Runa woke early with a sense of purpose. Today, she intended to check on her aunt, Dyeva, who had been tirelessly working late nights to ensure the fort's operations ran smoothly. Dyeva often neglected her own needs in favor of guild responsibilities, and Runa had decided it was time to remind her to eat and rest.
As the morning light seeped into the fort, Runa approached Dyeva's office with a soft knock. Receiving no response, she pushed the door open cautiously. Inside, Dyeva was slumped over her desk, fast asleep, her soft snores filling the quiet room. Documents and maps were strewn across the desk, alongside a half-empty cup of cold tea.
Runa smiled at the sight, her aunt's small frame barely visible under the heap of papers. She tiptoed closer, careful not to startle her. As she reached Dyeva's desk, something caught her eye—a faded photograph among the clutter. Her gaze lingered on the image, a group of children in front of a modest building. The orphanage. Her heart skipped when she noticed a boy among the children who bore an uncanny resemblance to Evan.
Before she could inspect it further, Dyeva stirred. "Ugh… I didn't finish…," she mumbled groggily, her voice laced with fatigue. Stretching and yawning, she blinked at Runa, who was now suppressing a giggle.
"You were snoring, Aunt Dyeva," Runa teased, placing a hand on her hip. "And judging by your desk, you weren't planning on stopping anytime soon."
Dyeva shot her a mock glare but couldn't suppress a tired smile. "Guild leaders don't have the luxury of rest, you know. Someone has to keep things running."
"Someone also has to eat breakfast," Runa countered, tugging her aunt's hand gently.
With a resigned sigh, Dyeva allowed herself to be dragged out of the office. They made their way to the Guild Hall, where breakfast was already being served. As they sat with their meals, the memory of the photograph surfaced in Runa's mind.
"Aunt Dyeva," she began hesitantly, "about that photo on your desk… the one of the orphanage. When was it taken?"
Dyeva paused mid-bite and looked thoughtful. "Ah, that one. It's quite old—22 years, to be exact. It was taken seven years after I became the guild leader. That orphanage was built and managed by the guild during the race wars. The children in that photo were the first batch we rescued from the conflict."
Runa listened intently, her curiosity piqued. "One of them looked a lot like Evan," she said softly.
Dyeva nodded, setting her fork down. "That's because one of them was Evan. He was just a child back then, barely three years old. As for his parents… we never found their remains. Gerrard and I discovered him alone in the wilderness north of Kubu Fort, an area devastated by traces of immense magical power. Despite the destruction, Evan was miraculously unharmed. He was scared but resilient. The guild took him in, became his home, and, over time, he became part of our family."
Her voice softened as she continued. "Evan officially joined the Golden Sun Guild at 17. Despite his potential, he faced a serious limitation: he couldn't create a magic circle. Most in his position would have resigned themselves to mediocrity, but Evan was different. He threw himself into physical training, mastering every weapon he could get his hands on. Swords, spears, daggers—you name it, he mastered it. His natural talent for combat was unmatched."
Runa's eyes widened. "But without a magic circle… wasn't it harder for him to compete with others?"
"Much harder," Dyeva admitted.
"But Evan didn't let that stop him. By the time he was 19, he was already a key member of the main team. His tactical thinking and raw skill often turned the tide of missions. Still, it wasn't just his strength that set him apart—it was his heart. He put his team's safety above everything else, earning their respect and loyalty."
She smiled, her gaze distant as if recalling a fond memory.
"When he was 24, he led a mission that saved a royal family member from certain death. It was a near-impossible task, but Evan's quick thinking and unshakable resolve made it a success. That mission earned him the title of captain. Since then, he's become one of the guild's most reliable captains, despite his lack of magic."
Runa felt a swell of admiration for Evan as Dyeva's words painted a vivid picture of his journey. "He must've worked so hard," she murmured.
"Harder than most," Dyeva agreed. "But that's what makes him remarkable. Even when the odds are stacked against him, Evan finds a way to rise above. It's a lesson we could all learn from."
Runa smiled softly. "He's… incredible."
Dyeva's lips curved into a teasing grin. "Starting to admire him a bit more, are we?"
Runa's cheeks turned crimson as she focused intently on her plate, eliciting a warm laugh from Dyeva. The two continued their breakfast, the story of Evan lingering in Runa's mind, further deepening her respect—and perhaps something more—for the determined captain of the Golden Sun Guild.