The Valenhardt Guild Branch was never quiet, but today it buzzed louder than a swarm of mana-bees.
Adventurers crowded every table, gossiping about the "lazy summoner" who had tamed a phoenix and a wolf of iron. Even the clerks behind the mission counters whispered about him, pretending to organize reports that nobody was reading.
And right through the center of it all walked Kael Draven—hands in pockets, looking like a man on a casual stroll instead of the most talked-about summoner in the city.
Ember perched on his shoulder, feathers flickering gold. Aegros padded silently behind, metal fur glinting in the light.
> "We're just here for food," Kael muttered. "Not to level the building."
Ember trilled innocently.
Aegros huffed.
> "See? Agreement," Kael said. "We're a disciplined team."
A guild receptionist spotted him and nearly dropped her ledger.
> "S-Sir Draven! Your summons—uh—Guild rules—"
Kael smiled. "They're house-trained. Probably."
The receptionist decided to believe him. It was safer that way.
---
Lunch at the Guild
The canteen smelled of roasted meat, mana-brew, and burnt metal—a mix that screamed adventurer life. Long stone tables stretched under rune-lit chandeliers.
Kael found an empty corner, slid into a seat, and flagged down a waitress sprite.
> "Three mana-meals," he said. "One spicy, one rare, one that won't try to bite back."
The sprite hesitated. "For… the wolf and the phoenix?"
> "They have refined palates," Kael said solemnly.
When the food arrived, Ember immediately leaned toward Aegros's steak. The wolf's ears twitched; he growled low, iron fangs flashing.
Ember puffed up like a tiny furnace.
Kael sighed. "If you two start a fire, I'm feeding you vegetables for a week."
Ember hissed.
Aegros chuffed, satisfied.
The scene drew laughter from nearby tables. A group of adventurers raised mugs.
> "Hey, kid!" one called. "You're the new Guild prodigy, right? The summoner who broke the testing crystal?"
> "Technically," Kael said. "It broke itself. I was just nearby."
More laughter. Even the staff chuckled.
---
An Unwelcome Spotlight
Guildmaster Varin's shadow fell across the table before Kael even noticed him.
The cafeteria went silent. Even spoons froze midair.
Varin folded his arms. "Draven."
Kael didn't flinch. "Guildmaster."
> "You have a gift for chaos."
> "I call it charisma."
> "The Guild Council calls it 'a statistical anomaly that keeps breaking equipment.'"
> "Catchy," Kael said. "Can I put that on a badge?"
Varin sighed, the corner of his mouth twitching. "The council has requested a full record of your summons. They're… curious."
> "Curious or scared?"
> "Both," Varin admitted. "They remember what happened to the last summoner who reached your rank."
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Did he also get interrupted during lunch?"
Varin almost smiled. "Worse. He got paperwork."
Ember chirped, as if horrified.
---
Disaster of the Day
Peace lasted exactly three minutes.
Ember, bored of being ignored, fluttered toward the kitchen window. A row of mana stoves glowed blue behind the counter.
> "Ember—don't."
The phoenix poked one rune.
Fwooom!
Every stove in the kitchen erupted at once. Flames raced across the ceiling in a glorious golden wave. Adventurers ducked; someone yelled, "We're under attack!"
Kael didn't even blink. He raised a hand.
> "Flame Reversal."
The fire folded inward, condensed into a glowing sphere, then disappeared with a quiet pop.
Silence.
Smoke curled gently above the tables. Every dish on the counter now looked perfectly grilled.
Kael nodded in satisfaction. "You're welcome. I call it culinary enhancement."
Varin pinched the bridge of his nose. "If you ever join the alchemy division, warn me first so I can leave the continent."
> "That's fair," Kael said.
---
Unexpected Promotion
When calm finally returned, Varin slid a small envelope across the table. The paper shimmered with Guild seals.
> "You're officially cleared for Level B training assignments. You'll begin supervised guild work with adventurer teams next week."
Kael frowned. "That sounds suspiciously like responsibility."
> "Consider it… professional development."
> "Can I refuse?"
> "No."
> "Thought so."
Ember chirped approvingly. Aegros wagged his tail once, making the floor vibrate.
Varin smirked. "At least your beasts seem eager. Try to follow their example."
> "I'll try," Kael said. "No promises, though."
---
Evening Reflections
Later, Kael leaned against the fountain outside the Guild, the evening sun painting the city in gold.
Ember floated lazily above the water's surface; Aegros lay nearby, his reflection gleaming like molten steel.
> "We're leveling up in fame faster than in strength," Kael said. "Not sure how to feel about that."
Ember chirped.
Aegros rumbled softly.
Kael smiled faintly. "Yeah, yeah. Food first, thinking later."
He looked up at the distant Guild spire, glowing faintly under the setting sun. Somewhere inside, the Guildmaster was probably rewriting safety protocols again.
> "Let's try not to explode anything tomorrow," Kael said. "Just for variety."
Ember sneezed sparks.
Kael sighed. "That was a yes, wasn't it?"
The wolf's quiet growl sounded suspiciously like laughter.
---