The trio didn't waste a second. As soon as they arrived in Velidorn, exhaustion and fear still lingering in their bodies, they made their way straight to the Arcane Order's main post. The towering structure loomed ahead, far grander and more fortified than the Emberwood branch. Guards stood at attention, and Arcanites of various ranks moved in and out of the building, but Lucious, Aldric, and Elara pushed forward, urgency driving them.
They entered the main hall, where a massive emblem of the Arcane Order hung behind a long desk. A sharp-eyed receptionist looked up as they approached. "State your business."
Lucious stepped forward, his breath still heavy from their journey. "We need to report an urgent threat. The Shadow Veil ambushed us while we were escorting an ancient scroll. Their fifth commander personally attacked us."
The receptionist's expression shifted from neutral to serious in an instant. "Wait here. I'll inform the higher-ups." She quickly disappeared through a nearby door, leaving the trio standing in tense silence. They had made it to Velidorn—but their fight with the Shadow Veil was far from over.
After some time, the officer returns and says, "The higher-ups will handle the scroll from here. Your mission is officially complete. You are dismissed until further notice—wait for your next assignment."
As they were leaving, a boy around their age suddenly stepped in front of them. He had messy orange hair and an energetic aura, a wide grin plastered across his face.
"Hey, hey! You guys are the new C-Ranks, right?" he asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "I saw you come in, and I just had to meet you!"
The boy's grin widened as he looked at them with excitement. "Name's Riven! Heard you guys just got promoted—congrats! Man, I love meeting strong people. You gotta tell me, how good are you in a fight?"
His eyes practically sparkled with enthusiasm, his energy infectious. It was clear he wasn't just making conversation—he genuinely cared about strength and combat.
Aldric crossed his arms, smirking. "You're pretty straightforward, huh?"
Riven laughed. "Of course! No point in hiding it. Strength is everything! I mean, how else do you survive in this world?" He leaned forward eagerly. "So? How strong are you guys?"
Lucious, still drained from the past few days, sighed. "We just got back from a mission. Maybe now's not the best time to talk about fighting."
Riven pouted for a moment but then grinned again. "Alright, alright. But I'm not letting you guys off that easy! Let's spar sometime! I gotta see what the new C-ranks can do."
Elara chuckled softly. "You really don't slow down, do you?"
"Never!" Riven declared proudly. "I'll be around. Don't keep me waiting!" With that, he waved and jogged off, his energy never fading.
Lucious exhaled. "Great. Another energetic one."
Aldric smirked. "Could be fun."
Elara smiled. "Or exhausting."
With that, they continued on their way, finally heading to rest after their long journey.
The next morning, after finally getting a proper rest, Lucious, Aldric, and Elara stepped out of their temporary lodgings within the Arcane Order's main post.
Before they could decide what to do, a familiar energetic voice called out to them.
"There you are! I was starting to think you guys were gonna sleep all day!"
Riven, grinning from ear to ear, stood before them, hands on his hips. He looked just as lively as the day before—if not more.
Aldric raised an eyebrow. "You again?"
"Of course!" Riven puffed out his chest. "I said I'd be around, didn't I? Anyway, you're new here, right? You guys gotta see the city! Velidorn's huge compared to wherever you came from."
Lucious rubbed his temple. "We were just going to take it easy today."
Riven waved a hand dismissively. "Exploring is taking it easy! Besides, you'll need to know your way around eventually. So, come on! I'll give you the best tour of Velidorn you'll ever get."
Elara smiled. "Well, it would be good to get familiar with the city."
Aldric smirked. "Fine. Lead the way, tour guide."
Riven grinned. "That's the spirit! Let's go!"
With that, he eagerly led them into the heart of Velidorn, ready to show them everything the grand capital had to offer.
Riven led them through the bustling streets of Velidorn, weaving through crowds with an energy that never seemed to run out. The city was unlike anything Lucious, Aldric, or Elara had seen before. Towering buildings lined the streets, their architecture intricate and grand, adorned with banners bearing the insignia of the Arcane Order. Magic-powered lamps floated above the roads, casting a soft glow even in the daylight.
"Welcome to the heart of the kingdom!" Riven spread his arms wide. "Velidorn isn't just the capital—it's where the strongest warriors, scholars, and mages gather. If you wanna climb the ranks, this is the place to be."
Lucious observed the people around them—knights in gleaming armor, robed magicians discussing spells, merchants selling enchanted goods. This was the true center of power.
Riven continued walking, gesturing toward different landmarks. "Over there's the Grand Colosseum. That's where official duels and tournaments are held. If you ever want to prove your strength, that's the place to do it."
Aldric smirked. "Now that sounds interesting."
"Of course it does," Riven chuckled. "And over here—" He pointed toward a massive building with golden doors and towering spires. "—is the Arcane Library. It has records of nearly every spell, magic theory, and historical event ever documented. If you wanna learn something new, that's the place to go."
Elara's eyes lit up. "I'd love to visit sometime."
Riven grinned. "Then you should. Knowledge is just as important as strength!"
As they continued the tour, they passed training grounds where Arcanites sparred, forges where blacksmiths crafted weapons , and marketplaces filled with rare artifacts and potions.
After hours of walking, they finally stopped at a small plaza with a fountain at its center. Riven stretched. "And that concludes the tour—for now. There's still way more to see, but you'll figure it out as you stay here."
Lucious crossed his arms. "I'll admit, this place is more than I expected."
Aldric nodded. "There's no shortage of strong people here."
Elara smiled. "It's overwhelming, but also exciting."
Riven placed his hands behind his head. "Glad to hear it! So, what do you guys wanna do next?"
Elara pointed toward the highest point in the city, where a massive castle stood, its towering spires piercing the sky. The structure was grand, built from gleaming white stone, with banners bearing the royal crest fluttering in the wind. It overlooked all of Velidorn like a guardian watching over its people.
"That castle up there… is that where the king resides?" she asked.
Riven followed her gaze and grinned. "Yep, that's the royal palace—the heart of the kingdom. King Alden Velthar rules from there."
Lucious raised an eyebrow. "Velthar? So the city is named after the royal family?"
"Exactly," Riven nodded. "The Velthar bloodline has ruled for generations. They say the king himself is one of the strongest magic users alive. Not just politically powerful—actually powerful."
Aldric crossed his arms. "Has anyone ever tried to challenge him?"
Riven chuckled. "Of course, but no one's ever come close. The dude's on another level. Besides, the royal guard is filled with absolute monsters. Some say they're just as strong as S-Rank Arcanites."
Lucious glanced back at the castle. A ruler strong enough to hold an entire kingdom together… he wondered what kind of person this King Alden was.
Elara spoke again. "Do people get to meet him?"
"Only the most important figures do," Riven said. "High-ranking officials, nobles, top Arcanites… Normal folks don't just walk into the palace."
Aldric smirked. "Sounds like a place we'll visit eventually."
Riven laughed. "Now that's the spirit!" Then he clapped his hands together. "Alright, enough about the castle! You guys wanna eat? I know the best spot in town!"
As they walked, the smell of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air, leading them toward a cozy-looking tavern with a wooden sign reading The Silver Boar.
"This is the best spot in town," Riven announced proudly. "Trust me, once you try their food, you'll never want to eat anywhere else."
They stepped inside, greeted by the warm glow of lanterns and the chatter of adventurers enjoying their meals. A friendly innkeeper waved them over, and soon enough, they were seated at a wooden table, plates of steaming food placed before them.
Elara took a bite of her meal and smiled. "This is amazing."
Aldric nodded in agreement. "I'll admit, you weren't exaggerating, Riven."
Lucious, however, was quieter than usual, still thinking about their encounter with the Shadow Veil.
Noticing this, Riven leaned in and grinned. "What's with the serious face? We're in Velidorn now. Relax a little."
Lucious shook his head. "Just thinking… about everything."
Riven shrugged. "Well, whatever it is, you'll figure it out. But for now, enjoy the food. You're in the capital now, my friends—your journey is just beginning."
Riven leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the wooden table. "So, how was your journey here?" he asked casually.
The trio exchanged glances. A brief silence fell over them as they recalled everything that had happened—the ambush in the forest, the overwhelming presence of the Shadow Veil's 5th Commandant, and their desperate escape.
After a moment, Lucious exhaled and spoke. "We ran into the Shadow Veil on our way here."
Riven's casual demeanor shifted instantly. His eyes sharpened, and he leaned in. "Wait, you what?"
Elara nodded. "One of them ambushed us while we were resting, and later, we ran into three more, including their so-called 'leader.' That's when we found out he wasn't actually the real leader—he was just the 5th Commandant."
Riven stared at them, stunned. Then he let out a low whistle. "You guys really survived an encounter with Veylen the Throat Reaper? Damn…"
Aldric furrowed his brows. "So you know about him?"
"Of course I do," Riven said. "Everyone in Velidorn's heard of him. The guy's a nightmare—silent, ruthless, and precise. He's known for taking out entire groups before they even realize he's there. If he's after you… well, let's just say most people wouldn't live to tell the tale."
Lucious clenched his fists. He already knew how terrifying Veylen was firsthand.
"But you survived," Riven continued, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's insane. You're either the luckiest people alive or—" He grinned. "Maybe you're just stronger than you think."
Lucious clenched his fists, his expression darkening. "We weren't strong enough," he muttered. "We ran away. That's all we did."
Riven raised an eyebrow. "Not everyone can escape Veylen, you know. The fact that you're still breathing means something. Most people wouldn't have even had the chance to run."
Lucious didn't respond. He knew Riven was trying to make him feel better, but it didn't change the reality of what happened. If Veylen had been even a little more serious, they wouldn't be here right now.
Riven crossed his arms. "So what did he want, anyway? Shadow Veil doesn't just attack random people for fun. Well, some of them might, but a guy like Veylen doesn't move without a reason."
Elara exchanged glances with Aldric before answering. "He wanted the scroll we were tasked with bringing here. He said he would've killed Lucious anyway, just because he 'annoyed' him before, but the scroll was his main target."
Riven's expression shifted, his usual excitement dimming slightly. "The scroll, huh? Whatever's in it, it must be something big if the Shadow Veil's sending their top guys after it."
Lucious clenched his fists, his frustration boiling over. "We have to get stronger," he said firmly. "If we stay like this, next time we won't be able to run. We'll just die."
Riven smirked, his usual energy returning. "Now that's what I like to hear! No point sulking about the past—just get stronger so it doesn't happen again!" He cracked his knuckles and grinned at the trio. "Tell you what, how about a little spar? I'll show you how we train in Velidorn."
Aldric raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? You don't even know what we can do."
Riven laughed. "Doesn't matter! Fighting strong opponents is the best way to improve. So, what do you say? You up for it?"
Lucious didn't hesitate. "Yeah. Let's do it."
Riven led them just outside Velidorn to an open field, the wind rustling the grass around them. He stretched his arms, looking around with satisfaction.
"I usually fight in the colosseum," he said with a grin, "but this place will do just fine. No crowds, no distractions—just a pure fight." His fiery orange hair seemed to glow under the sun as he turned to Lucious.
"Alright, Lucious, you're up first. Prepare yourself."
Lucious stepped forward, rolling his shoulders as he took a deep breath. "I'm ready."
Lucious and Riven stood a few feet apart, the tension between them rising. The air around them felt still, as if the surroundings themselves were waiting for the battle to begin.
Without warning, Riven launched himself forward, his gauntlet-clad fist swinging toward Lucious with incredible speed. Lucious barely managed to teleport out of the way, reappearing a few feet behind him.
"Fast," Lucious muttered.
"You bet I am!" Riven grinned, turning on his heel and dashing toward him again.
Lucious teleported again, trying to find an opening, but Riven was relentless, closing the distance each time. The moment Lucious reappeared after his latest teleport, Riven was already in front of him, throwing a powerful punch.
Lucious raised his arms to block, but the impact sent him skidding backward. His arms ached from the sheer force.
"Come on, Lucious!" Riven called out, slamming his fists together. "You can't win just by dodging!"
Lucious gritted his teeth. He's strong, but he doesn't know my full speed yet.
He vanished again, appearing in rapid succession from multiple angles, feinting attacks to keep Riven guessing. But just as he moved in for a strike—
Riven's gauntlet suddenly ignited. A burst of flames erupted from it, forcing Lucious to teleport away before he got burned.
"Surprised?" Riven smirked, holding up his gauntlet. The fire danced along its surface, crackling with heat. "Told you I was strong."
Lucious narrowed his eyes, watching the flames flicker around Riven's gauntlet. He hadn't expected fire magic—not like this.
"You were holding back," Lucious muttered.
"Of course," Riven grinned. "Gotta keep things interesting, right?"
Without another word, Riven dashed forward again, his flaming gauntlet leaving a trail of embers behind him. Lucious teleported to the side, narrowly avoiding a fiery punch, but before he could counter, Riven adjusted mid-swing, launching a burst of flames from his fist.
Lucious barely managed to teleport again, appearing farther away, but the heat still grazed him. He clenched his teeth. If he got caught by a direct hit, it wouldn't end well.
"You can't keep running forever," Riven taunted. "I'll burn you out eventually!"
Lucious knew he was right. He needed a new approach.
Instead of teleporting away again, he charged straight at Riven.
Riven smirked. Finally. He threw a fiery punch—
But Lucious teleported mid-sprint, reappearing right behind him.
"What—?"
Before Riven could react, Lucious spun and kicked him in the back, sending him stumbling forward.
Aldric and Elara watched intently from the sidelines.
"Nice hit," Aldric muttered.
Elara, however, wasn't convinced. "Riven's not done."
She was right.
As Riven caught his balance, the flames around his gauntlet surged, growing hotter and wilder.
"Alright," Riven said, rolling his shoulders. "Time to stop playing around."
With a stomp, he unleashed a wave of fire across the ground, forcing Lucious to teleport into the air—
That was exactly what Riven wanted.
He twisted his body and launched himself upward with an explosion of flames from his gauntlet, closing the gap between them in an instant.
Lucious' eyes widened. Too fast!
Riven's fist slammed into his stomach, sending him crashing to the ground. Dust and embers scattered as Lucious hit the dirt hard.
Riven landed gracefully, cracking his knuckles. "Still think you can win?"
Lucious groaned, pushing himself up from the dirt. His entire body ached from the impact, but he clenched his fists, refusing to stay down.
Riven tilted his head, amused. "You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But if this is all you've got, you won't last long."
Lucious wiped the sweat from his forehead, his breathing heavy. He couldn't win by brute force—Riven was too fast, too strong. He had to think.
Then an idea struck him.
Riven fought with bursts of fire, using them to enhance his speed and power. But what if Lucious used that against him?
He tightened his stance and smirked. "You talk too much."
Riven grinned. "Then let's fix that!"
With a powerful step, Riven shot forward, fire exploding from his gauntlet. He closed the distance in an instant, throwing a flaming punch straight at Lucious.
But this time, Lucious was ready.
He teleported at the last second—
Not away.
Behind Riven.
The moment Riven's punch missed, Lucious reappeared right behind him and kicked the back of his knee, making him stumble. Before Riven could recover, Lucious teleported again—this time above him.
With gravity on his side, he delivered a powerful axe kick to Riven's shoulder, sending him crashing into the ground.
Aldric smirked. "Now that's more like it."
Elara nodded. "Lucious is adapting."
But Riven wasn't done yet.
As the dust settled, he slowly got up, rolling his shoulder. He looked at Lucious, eyes burning—literally.
"Alright," Riven muttered, flexing his fingers. "Guess I should take you seriously now."
The flames around his gauntlet roared to life, brighter and hotter than before. The air shimmered from the sheer heat.
Lucious tensed. This is bad.
Riven took a deep breath, his grin widening.
"Ignition Mode."
With that, the flames erupted around him, coating his body in a fiery aura. The ground beneath him scorched instantly, and the air itself felt suffocating.
"Hope you're ready, Lucious."
Then he vanished.
Lucious barely had time to react before a flaming fist was already inches from his face.
Lucious barely managed to teleport in time, reappearing a few feet away, but the sheer heat from Riven's punch left a burning sensation on his skin. He gritted his teeth. He's even faster now.
Riven didn't give him time to think. In an instant, he was on him again, striking with a rapid barrage of flaming punches. Lucious dodged as best as he could, teleporting in short bursts to avoid being overwhelmed. But Riven was relentless—every punch left behind trails of fire, creating a scorching battlefield.
"You can't run forever!" Riven taunted, his voice filled with excitement. He swung a blazing uppercut, and even though Lucious teleported away, the heat wave alone sent him stumbling.
Aldric crossed his arms, watching intently. "Riven's on a different level."
Elara nodded, concern in her eyes. "Lucious needs a plan. He can't win just by dodging."
Lucious panted, sweat dripping down his forehead. His body felt like it was baking from the intense heat. Think, damn it!
Then, an idea.
Instead of running, he teleported directly toward Riven.
"Huh?" Riven barely had time to react before Lucious appeared right in front of him.
But Lucious wasn't attacking.
Instead, he grabbed onto Riven's arm.
Then—he teleported.
Riven's eyes widened as the world shifted around him. In a blink, they reappeared mid-air—high above the ground.
"What the—"
Before Riven could process what was happening, Lucious let go before punching him to the ground.
With no footing, Riven was left falling.
Lucious teleported away safely while Riven crashed hard into the dirt, his flames flickering as the impact rattled him.
"That was risky," Aldric muttered. "But smart."
Elara exhaled. "Lucious finally turned the fight around."
Dust settled as Riven slowly got up, shaking off the impact. He wiped his mouth, then let out a breathless laugh.
"That was a damn good move."
His flames calmed slightly, and he rolled his shoulders.
"Alright, let's call it there. If we keep going, one of us might actually get hurt."
Lucious, still catching his breath, smirked. "Tired already?"
Riven grinned. "Nah. But you look like you're about to collapse."
Lucious let out a chuckle, finally allowing himself to relax. He was exhausted, but he had proven something—he wasn't the same weak fighter he was before.
Riven walked up to him and patted his shoulder. "You're strong, Lucious. But you've still got a long way to go. Let's spar again sometime."
Lucious nodded. "Yeah. Next time, I'll win."
Aldric clapped his hands. "That was entertaining.
As they walked back toward the city, Riven stretched his arms behind his head. "Well, that was fun. Guess I'll head to the coliseum and see if there's anyone interesting to fight."
Lucious, still catching his breath, glanced at him. "You really don't get tired of fighting, do you?"
Riven laughed. "Nope! Fighting's the best way to get stronger. And getting stronger is what I live for."
Aldric smirked. "You sound just like Lucious."
Riven grinned. "Then that means we'll get along just fine!"
Elara chuckled, then turned toward Lucious. "What about you? What do you want to do now?"
Lucious exhaled, still feeling the exhaustion in his body. "Rest. Then train again."
Aldric rolled his eyes. "You really are hopeless."
Riven clapped Lucious on the back. "That's the spirit! But don't burn yourself out. You've got plenty of time to get stronger."
Lucious clenched his fists. "Not enough time."
The others fell silent for a moment. They all knew what he meant. The Shadow Veil wasn't going to stop hunting them. The battle with Veylen had only proven one thing—right now, they were too weak to stand against them.
Elara finally broke the silence. "Then we train together. We'll all get stronger."
Riven grinned. "Now that's what I like to hear!"
Aldric sighed. "Fine. But if we're training, let's at least do it somewhere interesting."
Lucious smirked. "We'll figure that out later."
With that, they continued their walk through the city, their determination stronger than ever.
As they walked through the streets of Velidorn, Aldric glanced at Riven and asked, "By the way, what rank are you?"
Riven smirked. "Take a guess."
Lucious and Aldric exchanged looks.
"B-Rank?" Elara guessed.
Riven laughed. "Try higher."
Lucious narrowed his eyes. "No way… A-Rank?"
Riven grinned and held up a single finger. "Bingo."
The trio froze.
"You're A-Rank?!" Aldric exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Riven shrugged. "Didn't think it mattered. Besides, ranks don't mean everything. If you're strong, you're strong."
Elara looked at him in disbelief. "That means you're one of the strongest Arcanites here in Velidorn."
Riven grinned. "Well, not the strongest, but yeah, I can hold my own."
Aldric crossed his arms. "With the shortage of Arcanites, A-Rank is the highest rank here, right? That means you're one of the strongest in the city."
Riven chuckled and shook his head. "Not exactly."
Elara raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"There's one exception," Riven said, pointing toward the towering castle in the distance. "The Royal Guards. Those guys are on another level. Even among A-Ranks, they stand above the rest."
Lucious frowned. "So they're stronger than you?"
Riven smirked. "Let's just say I wouldn't want to fight them seriously. They protect the king, and that means they have access to the best training, the best equipment, and—" he tapped his temple "—some serious experience."
Aldric sighed. "Great. Just when I thought we were starting to understand the power scale, it gets even crazier."
Elara nodded. "That means if the Royal Guards got involved, even someone like Veylen wouldn't stand a chance."
Riven shrugged. "Maybe, maybe not. The Shadow Veil is unpredictable, and if they're bold enough to move in broad daylight, it means they have something up their sleeve."
Lucious clenched his fists. "That's why we need to get stronger. We can't just keep running away."
Riven grinned. "Now you're talking. But strength doesn't come overnight. If you really want to improve, you'll need to train harder than ever."
Elara smiled. "Then we better get started soon."
As their conversation wrapped up, Elara glanced at the sky. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the city lights of Velidorn flickered to life.
"It's getting late," she noted.
Riven stretched, letting out a yawn. "Yeah, we should call it a day. You guys probably need the rest after all that traveling."
Aldric nodded. "Splitting up, then? We'll meet up tomorrow?"
"Sounds like a plan," Riven said with a grin. "I'll come find you in the morning. Maybe we can check out the Colosseum if you're up for it."
Lucious, still lost in thought about their fight, simply nodded. Elara and Aldric exchanged glances before heading toward the inn.
"Get some rest, you three," Riven called as he turned to leave. "You're gonna need it."
With that, they each went their separate ways for the night.