The room still smelled of ale and smoke.
Faint sunlight bled through the cracked shutters, striping the wooden floor in gold and gray.
Adrian sat on the edge of the bed, boots laced tight, eyes fixed on the faint shimmer of his system window. It flickered, then steadied.
[Level: 0]
[EXP: 85]
Lucien stood by the window, adjusting his gloves, the light catching on the faint scar at his wrist. His own notification hovered briefly before fading.
[Level: 0]
[EXP: 60]
Kael leaned against the wall, calmly sharpening his dagger. His expression was unreadable as his interface blinked once, then vanished.
[Level: 0]
[EXP: 60]
No one spoke for a while. The quiet wasn't tension—it was calculation.
Finally, Kael said, "Bodies are gone. No guards. We move before anyone starts talking."
Lucien nodded, still staring out at the waking city. "Guild first. We need information, and coin."
Adrian stood, slipping on his cloak. "We start small. Register, gather intel, find out how this world works before we do anything reckless."
Kael sheathed his dagger. "And no more attention."
Lucien smirked faintly. "That depends on who's watching."
They stepped out into the morning. The streets of Ardent Gate were alive with sound—vendors shouting, cart wheels rattling, blacksmith hammers ringing somewhere in the distance. The air smelled of dust, bread, and iron.
They moved quietly through the narrow lanes, blending into the flow of people.
Flashback — The Night Before
The basement was dim, lit only by a flickering oil lamp that fought against the smoke. Crates and barrels lined the walls.
Cal stood before a heavyset man in a dark vest—Boss Castien. The boss didn't look up right away, just rolled a coin across his knuckles, his voice low and deliberate.
"Word is, that quiet boy from the tavern handled himself better than most. Bring him to me. Unharmed."
Cal frowned. "You want me to drag in some random outsider?"
Castien's eyes lifted—cold, sharp, and dangerous.
"I said unharmed, Cal. There's something about him. Don't make me repeat myself."
Cal's jaw tightened. He forced a nod. "Yeah. Sure, boss. I'll take care of it."
But when he left the room, his tone shifted, bitterness leaking through his smirk.
"Boss wants him safe, huh? Let's see how safe he feels after I'm done with him."
The others laughed. None of them thought it would end in blood.
Present — Outer District, Ardent Gate
The guild branch stood at the edge of the trade quarter, larger than most buildings nearby. Its stone walls were streaked with soot and sunlight, and a banner hung above the doorway—a winged emblem clutching a sword and flame.
Adrian's gaze lingered on it. "So this is the place."
Lucien shrugged. "Better than another tavern."
Kael scanned the guards posted near the steps. "Eyes forward. Don't draw attention."
They climbed the worn stone stairs and entered.
Inside, the hall smelled of parchment, sweat, and steel. Adventurers moved in and out, some armored, others wearing simple cloaks and weapons of every shape and make. A long wooden counter dominated the far end, manned by a single receptionist scribbling into a ledger.
When she looked up, her expression was calm but tired. "State your business."
Adrian stepped forward. "We're here to register. Learn about class awakening."
The woman nodded faintly, flipping a few pages. "Registration's simple enough. There's a one-silver fee—waived for first-timers who take the readiness test."
Lucien asked, "What's the test?"
"Physical balance, reaction, and willpower," she said flatly. "Pass that, and you'll be scheduled for the Aptitude Test. That's the one that determines whether you're fit for awakening. Not everyone is."
Kael frowned slightly. "Not everyone?"
The receptionist shrugged. "Some people just don't have what the world's looking for. The system doesn't choose everyone."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, thoughtful. "Then we'll take the readiness test."
"Fill these out." She slid three small registration tags across the counter. "Then head through that door. You'll meet the tester—Orrin. Don't let his grin fool you."
They filled the forms quickly and stepped into the training corridor. The air changed—cooler, humming faintly with energy. Beyond the noise of recruits sparring and instructors shouting, there was an unspoken tension in the air.
Adrian looked ahead. "One step at a time."
Lucien exhaled. "Feels like the beginning of something."
Kael's eyes swept the hall, sharp and steady. "Or the test before it."
The three of them moved on, their boots echoing softly against the stone floor.
Their notifications flickered faintly in the back of their minds:
[Level: 0 | EXP: 85]
[Level: 0 | EXP: 60]
[Level: 0 | EXP: 60]