Raven and Selene exited the testing area, the air between them charged with a mix of tension and understanding. They walked silently toward the receptionist desk, where Mira was waiting. As soon as she saw them, her cheerful demeanor brightened even further.
"Hey, you two! Done with the test already?" Mira said with a wide smile, her eyes flicking between Selene and Raven. "How did it go?"
Selene leaned casually against the counter, her emerald eyes sparkling with amusement. "Let's just say your rookie here isn't half bad," she said, her tone teasing. "He held his own better than I expected. Actually managed to surprise me a few times."
Mira's smile widened, her gaze shifting to Raven. "Really now?" she said, clearly intrigued. "That's not something Selene says lightly. You must've made quite the impression."
Selene laughed lightly, crossing her arms. "Oh, he's still rough around the edges," she added, her voice carrying a playful edge. "But there's potential there. With the right guidance, he might just become someone worth watching."
Mira nodded approvingly, her tone warm. "That's great to hear. Congratulations, Raven. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild!"
Raven, standing quietly with his usual cold expression, gave a slight nod. "Thank you," he said simply.
Mira's smile softened. "I'll go get your guild card. Give me just a moment." She disappeared into a back room, leaving Raven and Selene alone at the desk.
Selene turned to Raven, her emerald eyes locking onto his. Her playful demeanor shifted slightly, her tone carrying a mix of curiosity and sincerity. "You know, rookie, you've got something about you," she said. "You're strong, sure, but it's more than that. You've got this... aura. Like you've been through hell and came out the other side stronger."
Raven remained silent, his crimson eyes meeting hers without flinching. Selene smirked, tilting her head slightly. "You don't say much, do you?" she teased. "That's fine. Actions speak louder than words anyway. Just don't lose that drive, rookie. I want to see what you're really capable of."
Mira returned, holding a small, polished card in her hand. "Here you go, Raven," she said, placing the card on the counter. "This is your official guild card. It tracks your rank, quests, and achievements. Make sure to keep it safe."
Raven picked up the card, glancing at it briefly before nodding. "Understood," he said.
Mira smiled warmly. "Welcome to the guild, Raven. I'm sure we'll be seeing great things from you."
Selene chuckled softly, stepping away from the desk. "He's off to a good start, at least," she said. "Alright, rookie. Don't disappoint me."
With that, Selene turned and walked off, leaving Raven and Mira at the desk. Raven stood silently for a moment before placing the card into his storage and heading toward the exit, his mind already focused on what lay ahead
Raven stepped out of the guild, the evening sun casting a warm glow over the bustling streets. He paused for a moment, his hand instinctively moving to his chest. Though the cancer that once consumed him was gone, the memory of it still lingered. His fingers brushed against the bracelet on his wrist, a small but powerful reminder of his past.
As he stared at the bracelet, a memory flashed through his mind. He saw his mother and father smiling warmly, their faces full of love and pride. The image flickered, and Raven shook his head, pushing the memory aside.
"Not now," he muttered to himself, his voice low. He straightened, his crimson eyes scanning the lively streets ahead. "I'm a guild member now," he said quietly, almost as if testing the words. "An adventurer. I never thought I'd be standing here like this. Not after everything."
His gaze hardened slightly as he walked forward, his thoughts racing. "I came here to grow stronger, to never feel powerless again. The guild is just the first step. There's a long road ahead." He glanced at the bracelet once more. "I'll keep moving forward. For them. For me."
As he walked, a savory aroma wafted through the air, pulling him from his thoughts. Raven's stomach growled faintly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since the test. His crimson eyes followed the scent, leading him to a row of food stalls bustling with activity.
Vendors called out to passersby, their voices blending into the lively hum of the marketplace. Raven's gaze shifted between the stalls, each offering a variety of dishes. His eyes landed on a stall with steaming skewers of grilled meat, the scent of spices and smoke filling the air.
He approached the vendor, a cheerful old man who greeted him warmly. "Ah, welcome, young man! Care for some freshly grilled skewers? Best in the city, I promise!"
Raven nodded silently, his cold expression unchanging as he pointed to the skewers. "I'll take three," he said.
The vendor quickly prepared the skewers, handing them over with a grin. "Here you go! Enjoy!"
Raven handed over a few coins, then stepped aside to find a quieter spot. He leaned against a nearby wall, the lively marketplace bustling around him as he took his first bite. The meat was tender and flavorful, the spices perfectly balanced. For a moment, Raven allowed himself to relax, savoring the simple pleasure of a good meal.
"It's been a while since I've had something like this," he thought, his mind drifting. "Back then, I wouldn't have even cared about something like food. I was too busy… just surviving."
He took another bite, his gaze distant as he reflected. "This world… it's different. I can't waste it. I won't waste it."
As he finished the skewers, Raven straightened and glanced around, his cold expression returning. He tossed the skewer sticks into a nearby bin and adjusted the cloak draped over his shoulders.
"Time to keep moving," he muttered. "This is just the beginning."
Raven returned to the inn, his footsteps echoing softly as he pushed open the door. The familiar warmth of the interior greeted him, the sound of quiet conversations and the faint clatter of dishes filling the air. Behind the counter, Elara looked up, her emerald eyes lighting up as she spotted him.
"Hey, Raven," she said warmly, a bright smile spreading across her face.
Raven nodded slightly in acknowledgment, his cold crimson eyes meeting hers briefly before he continued walking toward the stairs. Elara watched him for a moment, her expression softening as she spoke, more to herself than to him. "You're always so quiet, but there's something about you… I can't quite figure you out," she said softly. "You're stronger than you let on, aren't you?"
Raven stopped in his tracks, turning his head slightly to glance at her over his shoulder. His voice was calm and cold as he replied, "Strength isn't something you talk about. It's something you show."
Elara blinked, surprised by his response, but before she could say anything more, Raven continued up the stairs without another word. Her gaze lingered on him, a mixture of curiosity and concern flickering in her emerald eyes.
Reaching his room, Raven pushed the door open and stepped inside. The quiet space felt like a refuge from the noise of the outside world. He closed the door behind him, removed his cloak, and dropped it onto a nearby chair before collapsing onto the bed.
Lying on his back, he stared at the ceiling, his thoughts swirling. "A guild member," he murmured to himself, his voice barely above a whisper. "The first step on this path. But it's just that—a step. There's still so much to do, so much to learn."
He touched the bracelet on his wrist, his fingers tracing the familiar surface. "I won't waste this chance. Not again," he said quietly. "I'll grow stronger. Strong enough that no one can take anything from me ever again."
Closing his eyes, Raven allowed the weight of the day to settle over him. His body relaxed against the mattress, his breathing slowing as exhaustion took hold. "This world… it's different," he thought as sleep began to claim him. "But I'll make it mine."
The room fell silent, the only sound the faint rhythm of his breath as he drifted off into a deep sleep.
**To be continued...**