The sun hung low in the afternoon sky as the towering stone walls of Galia came into view. Massive iron gates stood open, with lines of merchants, adventurers, and travelers pouring in and out like a living river. The guards at the gate nodded respectfully as the Brightstar party approached.
Raizo's eyes lit up, lips parting in awe.
> "So… this is the city of Galia…"
His heart raced. Compared to his countryside home, Galia was a completely different world. Tall medieval buildings with flags flapping in the wind. Stalls lined with glowing crystals. Adventurers in all types of armor, from leather to silver-plated. Mages wore flowing robes, and beastkin sold herbs in baskets. It was like walking into one of the anime intros he used to watch back in his old life.
As he soaked it in, someone tapped his shoulder. A man handed him a folded paper and walked off without a word.
> "Huh?" Raizo tilted his head and opened it.
"Raizo," Rjay called out. "What did he give you?"
Raizo jogged up beside him. "I was about to ask you the same thing."
Rjay unfolded his own copy and smiled. "That paper means the quest is done. The escort mission. We just have to check in at the guild now."
> "Oh, okay…" Raizo nodded, folding the paper carefully.
Rjay stretched. "Welp, let's head to the Adventurer Guild and report in."
Raizo clenched his fists with excitement.
> "The Adventurer Guild... I'm going to the real Adventurer Guild. Yes… yes! I'm actually doing this!" he thought, grinning.
Freya glanced at him with a smirk. "What's with that smile, Raizo?"
Raizo laughed awkwardly. "Ah… I'm just excited. That's all."
As they walked down the cobblestone streets, Raizo noticed something unusual. Not everyone here was human. He saw demi-humans—beastkin with wolf ears, cat tails, even scaled skin. One fox-eared girl was selling polished claws, while a lion-man laughed loudly as he bartered weapons.
Raizo tilted his head. "Rjay, why is that adventurer selling his stuff?"
Nathan chimed in. "You see, Raizo, you can actually take on more than one job. Some adventurers are also blacksmiths, or merchants, or even spies."
> "So I could be an adventurer and a merchant at the same time?"
Nathan nodded. "Exactly. It's rare, but it happens."
Raizo nodded slowly. "That's… actually really cool."
Eventually, they arrived at a massive stone building with a wide arch and glowing blue crystals embedded around the entrance. The words "Galia Adventurer Guild" were carved into the stone above the doors.
Raizo's jaw dropped.
> "So this is it…" he whispered. "The real Adventurer Guild… it's made of actual stone and concrete…"
Rjay approached the doors, ready to push them open, when—
> "Wait!" Latina called out. "Before we enter… Raizo, how old are you?"
Raizo blinked. "I'm eleven."
Cid whistled. "That's good then. If you were ten or younger, you couldn't register."
Latina nodded. "Just had to make sure. Sorry for stopping you."
Rjay laughed. "I totally forgot. Thanks for the reminder."
The group stepped inside. The warm scent of old wood and parchment filled the air. Dozens of adventurers were inside—some laughing, some arguing over jobs on the quest board. A few glanced at Raizo, whispering quietly. Some looked curious. Others… not so kind.
Raizo gulped.
Rjay placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. They might look rough, but most of them are good people."
Cid nodded. "They just don't see kids walk in here very often."
Freya turned and headed toward the front desk. "I'll tell the receptionist our quest's done."
The rest made their way to another counter labeled "Registration."
The receptionist looked up with a bright smile. "Oh, hey! Brightstar party! What brings you in today?"
Rjay gestured at Raizo. "We'd like to register this kid as a new adventurer."
The woman leaned forward and gasped softly. "Oh, how cute he is!"
She pulled out a parchment form and handed it to Raizo. "Here you go, sweetie. Just fill this out."
Raizo took a quill and stared at the form.
> "I… can't use Hayagashi. If they find out I'm Lay's son…"
He gritted his teeth and began writing:
Name: Raizo Felipe
Age: 11
Address: Village of Zenith
Ability: Copycat
Skill: Basic Craftsmanship
Element: Healing
> "Some of this is a lie… but it's better than revealing my true ability and where I'm from," Raizo thought, frowning.
He handed the form back.
The receptionist glanced over it, then smiled.
> "Alright! Here's your Guild Card. You're officially a G-Rank adventurer now! With time, you can climb all the way to A or even S Rank!"
She handed him a small metal card etched with his fake name and rank.
> "Do you want a starter guide?"
Raizo shook his head. "No, thank you. This is enough."
"Okay then. Good luck out there!"
They exited the guild together.
Rjay raised an eyebrow. "Felipe, huh? That's a pretty unique last name."
Raizo laughed nervously. "Yeah… very unique."
Cid crossed his arms. "Village of Zenith, though? Never heard of it."
Freya tilted her head. "Where is that, exactly?"
Raizo rubbed the back of his neck. "It's hidden deep in the forest. Pretty remote. That's why no one's heard of it."
Freya squinted. "Hmm… okay then."
Rjay looked at the sky. "The sun's setting. Let's find an inn for the night."
They found a nearby inn called The Silver Flame, where the lights were soft and the food smelled warm.
That night, they sat at a round table, plates full, mugs lifted high.
> "Let's celebrate the rise of our newest adventurer—Raizo Felipe!" Rjay grinned, raising his mug.
Everyone clapped.
Raizo looked around, smiling shyly. For once, he didn't feel like an outsider.
> "Hey," Rjay said, leaning closer, "once you reach E-Rank, you'll be allowed to create your own party. Or… you can stay with us. Just something to think about."
Raizo nodded. "I'll remember that."
"Fine, fine," Rjay laughed. "You'll think about it."
Cid chuckled. "You're different, Raizo. Most new adventurers are desperate to join a high-ranking party. Some even lie just to get in."
Raizo tilted his head. "Why's that?"
Nathan explained. "Because some A-Rank parties treat newbies like tools. Steal their loot, bully them, use them to boost their own stats."
Raizo clenched his fists slightly. "That's… terrible."
Freya nodded. "It happens more than you'd think."
The room eventually quieted. Each of them went up to their own rooms, full from the meal and weary from travel.
Raizo lay in bed, staring at the wooden ceiling.
He whispered to himself,
> "From this day on… I'll carve my own path. Whether they know my true name or not… I'll rise."
The stars outside the window flickered, as if listening.
And in the distance… fate stirred once more.