The streets of Thornhaven were still surprisingly active despite the late hour. Kael walked toward the guild building with Vera padding silently beside him, her crystalline patterns catching the lamplight and throwing violet reflections across the cobblestones. Ember had claimed her favorite perch atop his head, her small form providing pleasant warmth as she swiveled to take in every sight, sound, and smell of the city.
People moved past them with purpose—a woman carrying a basket of what looked like late-harvest vegetables, a man leading a small wolf-like mythbeast on a leather lead, a group of children being hurried along by a tired-looking parent. Street vendors were closing up their stalls, but a few remained open, their wares illuminated by fire-type mythbeasts or glowing crystals mounted on poles.
Kael found himself drawn to observe these transactions, his analytical mind cataloging information. A woman bought what looked like bread, handing over several small, wood-colored coins with a wolverine stamped on them. The vendor counted out five coins and gave her the loaf. At another stall, a man purchased a bundle of dried meat, paying with a single bronze coin bearing the basilisk design.
The pricing patterns became clear after watching several more exchanges. The wolverine coins—smaller, more common—seemed to be worth roughly ten cents each in Earth terms. Small change for minor purchases. The basilisk coins, larger and clearly more valuable, traded at what would be about ten dollars each.
Kael mentally calculated the contents of his coin pouch. The adventurers had given him mostly basilisk coins with a scattering of wolverines. If his estimates were right, he had roughly two hundred and fifty dollars' worth of currency. Not a fortune, but enough for a few nights at an inn and food for himself and his companions.
Assuming mythbeasts don't eat their body weight in food daily, he thought, glancing at Vera. Through their bond, he felt her amusement at the thought.
As he walked, Kael noticed something else that made him adjust his expectations about this world. Most people he saw had only one mythbeast with them. Occasionally, he'd spot someone with two, and those individuals invariably dressed better, carried themselves with more confidence. Two beasts seemed to mark someone as either wealthy or successful.
It made sense, really. Mythbeasts needed food, care, and attention. They were partners, not pets, which meant the investment was significant. For most people, bonding with one mythbeast was probably all they could afford or manage. Why risk spreading resources thin when a single strong bond could serve you for life?
I'm already an outlier with two, Kael reflected. And I'm planning to get more. That's going to draw attention eventually.
But he couldn't imagine stopping. The bonds with Vera and Ember were the best things that had happened to him in either life. If he could form more connections like that, experience more of that profound companionship, he would. The world could think what it wanted.
The guild building loomed larger as he approached, and Kael had to crane his neck to take it all in. It was easily three times the size of the surrounding structures—a massive building of stone and timber that radiated permanence and importance. Only one structure exceeded it: a castle-like edifice in the center of the city that towered above everything else, its spires reaching toward the stars.
That must be where whoever runs this place lives, Kael thought. Lord, mayor, king? I really need to learn more about the political structure here.
He paused at the guild's entrance, looking down at Vera. Her burns from the thunder-horse were visible in the lamplight, matted fur and reddened skin that made something twist in his chest. He could heal her now—Divine Restoration was ready, the cooldown long since expired.
But not here. Not where anyone could see. The inn would give them privacy, and then he could take care of her properly.
Soon, he promised through their bond. Just a little longer.
Vera's response was patient and understanding. She trusted him completely.
Kael pushed open the guild doors, and sound hit him like a physical force.
The right side of the massive main hall was packed with people and mythbeasts, all clustered around tables laden with food and drink. Tamers laughed and shouted, their voices mixing with the calls of various beasts in a cacophony that somehow felt welcoming rather than overwhelming. A massive boar-like creature dozed in one corner while its tamer arm-wrestled someone at a nearby table. A bird with iridescent feathers preened itself while perched on its companion's shoulder. The smell of roasted meat and spilled ale hung thick in the air.
These were working tamers, Kael realized. People who'd spent the day on jobs or hunts were now unwinding before heading home. It was a scene of camaraderie that made him feel both welcome and isolated—he was part of this world now, but still very much an outsider.
The left side of the hall was more organized—a large board covered in papers and notices, with several people studying it carefully. Jobs, probably. Requests for tamer services.
But first, registration.
Kael approached what was obviously the reception desk—a long wooden counter manned by a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and graying hair pulled into a practical bun. She looked up as he approached, her gaze flicking from him to Vera to Ember with professional assessment.
"Help you?" she asked, her voice carrying easily over the background noise.
"I'd like to join the guild," Kael said. "Is that possible?"
"If you're a tamer with bonded beasts, yes." She pulled out a leather-bound ledger and a stylus. "I'll need your name, age, and the names of your mythbeasts."
"Kael Veyrin," he said, grateful that his transmigrated status hadn't changed his name. "Seventeen years old. My companions are Vera,"—he gestured to the Psychic cat—"and Ember." The fire fairy chimed from atop his head as if in greeting.
The receptionist wrote carefully, her penmanship precise. "Two bonds at seventeen. That's... uncommon. Impressive, even."
Kael shrugged, trying to downplay it. "I got lucky."
"Luck's a skill in this line of work," she said dryly. She finished writing and pulled out a small rectangular piece of metal—bronze, about the size of a credit card. She set it on the counter and placed her hand over it, and Kael felt something shift in the air, like static electricity building.
When she lifted her hand, the metal tablet bore engravings that glowed faintly:
Kael Veyrin
Age: 17
Rank: 1
"This is your guild identification," the receptionist explained. "It proves you're registered and shows your rank. You start at Rank 1, as everyone does. Complete jobs, gain experience, and you'll rank up. Higher ranks get access to better-paying, more challenging jobs."
She slid the tablet across to him. It was surprisingly light, and Kael noticed it was warm to the touch, as if the engraving process had heated it.
"The job board is to the left of the entrance," she continued. "Jobs are organized by required rank. Don't try to take something above your level—the guild monitors this, and attempting jobs you're not qualified for can get you expelled. Questions?"
"How do I prove I completed a job?" Kael asked.
"Depends on the job. Hunting jobs usually require proof—heads, hides, whatever's specified. Escort jobs require the client's signature. Guard jobs are verified by the employer. It's all explained on the individual requests." She gestured dismissively toward the board. "Anything else?"
"No, thank you."
"Then welcome to the guild, Kael Veyrin. Try not to die on your first job."
It wasn't said unkindly, but it wasn't a joke either. Kael nodded seriously and pocketed the metal tablet, then made his way to the job board.
The board was chaos made manifest—dozens of papers pinned haphazardly, some fresh and new, others yellowed and curling at the edges. But they were organized by rank, at least, with clear sections marked from Rank 1 through what looked like Rank 10 at the top.
Kael's eyes went to the higher-ranked jobs out of curiosity. A Rank 8 request caught his attention:
WANTED: Sand Drake Extermination
Location: Two days northeast of Thornhaven
Threat Level: Extreme
Reward: 500 Basilisks
Requirements: Rank 8 or higher, team of 4+ recommended
Seventy-five Sirens. That was seventy-five thousand dollars in his rough mental conversion, if a siren is worth 100x more than a Basilisk. A fortune. And it required multiple high-ranked tamers working together just to have a chance.
That's my future, Kael thought. Someday I'll be taking jobs like that. But not today.
He focused on the Rank 1 section, which was considerably less dramatic. Most jobs were simple: escort a merchant's cart, guard a shop overnight, clear out some pest creatures from a cellar. The rewards ranged from 5 to 20 basilisks, depending on difficulty and danger.
One job stood out, posted at the very edge of the Rank 1 section:
Bear Problem - Harlan's Farm
Location: 2 hours south of Thornhaven
Issue: Two large bears raiding livestock
Reward: 15 Basilisks
Requirements: Rank 1, bring proof (heads required)
Notes: Bears are not mythbeasts, but dangerous nonetheless
Regular bears, not mythbeasts. That was interesting—so normal animals still existed in this world alongside their magical counterparts. And two of them meant he'd have to fight smart, but it wasn't beyond his capabilities. The location was close, the reward decent, and it would give him practical experience.
Kael pulled the notice from the board and returned to the reception desk. The same woman took it, made a note in her ledger, and stamped something on the back of the notice.
"This one's been up for a week," she said. "Harlan's been in here twice asking if anyone's taken it. You'll make the old man's day."
"I'll head there first thing tomorrow morning," Kael promised.
"Good luck. And Veyrin?" She looked up at him seriously. "Normal bears might not have special abilities, but they're still apex predators. Don't underestimate them because they're not magical."
"I won't," Kael assured her.
He waved goodbye and headed back out into the night. The streets were quieter now, most people having finished their business and headed home. Kael followed the directions Borin had given him, navigating by the landmarks the dwarf had mentioned until he found himself in front of a substantial building with a sign hanging above the door.
The Sleeping Drake
Warm light spilled from the windows, and Kael could hear the murmur of conversation from inside. He pushed open the door, Vera and Ember following close behind, and stepped into the common room.
Then he stopped, staring at what he saw.
And suddenly, everything made sense. The smirks on the adventurers' faces when Borin had given directions. The knowing looks they'd exchanged.
Kael shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips despite his exhaustion.
This was going to be interesting.