Astraeus woke to afternoon sunlight streaming through his window and the distant sounds of the city going about its business. For a moment, he lay still, staring at the ceiling, his body heavy with the kind of exhaustion that came from pushing essence reserves to their absolute limit. Every muscle ached, and his head throbbed with a dull, persistent pain.
You're awake. Good. I was beginning to wonder if you'd sleep through the entire day.
"How long was I out?" Astraeus asked, his voice rough.
About six hours. Your body needed the rest. Combining our essences like that takes a toll on both of us.
Astraeus sat up slowly, wincing at the protest from his muscles. He pulled up his status screen, checking the damage.
[HEALTH: 130/130]
[ETHEREAL ESSENCE: 45/65]
[STAMINA: 60/100]
His essence had regenerated somewhat during sleep, but not completely. His stamina was still low, his body recovering from the strain. He needed food, water, and more rest before he'd be back to full capacity.
"That Voidborn," he said quietly. "If we hadn't stopped it..."
Thousands would have died. Maybe tens of thousands, depending on how long it took the guild to realize what was happening. Voidborn are patient hunters. They corrupt slowly, spreading like a disease through a population. By the time the symptoms are obvious, it's usually too late.
"How many of them are out there? Trying to break through?"
Impossible to say. Hundreds, certainly. Maybe thousands. Every weak point in the dimensional barriers is a potential entry point. And the barriers are weakening everywhere, not just here.
Astraeus stood and moved to the washbasin, splashing cold water on his face. The shock of it helped clear his head. "The God System chose me to be a Reality Anchor. To stop this. But I'm just one person."
You're one of several. There are other Anchors out there, each with their own bound entities, their own methods. You'll meet them eventually. Some will be allies. Others will be competitors or enemies. The system doesn't guarantee cooperation—it just gives you the tools to do the job.
"That's comforting," Astraeus said dryly.
I'm not here to comfort you. I'm here to keep you alive long enough to become useful.
Despite the harsh words, Astraeus heard something else in Kha'Zul's tone—a subtle shift that hadn't been there before. The demon had risked a lot by allowing their essences to combine. He could have tried to take control, to use that moment of vulnerability to break free or seize Astraeus's body. But he hadn't. He'd genuinely helped, adding his power without attempting betrayal.
That meant something. Even if neither of them wanted to acknowledge it yet.
Astraeus changed into the cleanest version of his torn robes and headed downstairs. The common room was busy with the afternoon crowd—travelers, merchants, locals enjoying a meal and conversation. He found an empty table and ordered food, his stomach growling at the smell of cooking meat and fresh bread.
While he waited, he counted his money. Twenty silver coins from the guild task, plus the three remaining from his original eight. Twenty-three silver total. It was more money than he'd ever had as a student, but it wouldn't last long if he stayed at the Copper Bell. Three silver per night for the room, plus food and supplies. He needed to find more work, or find cheaper lodging.
Or you could take Marcus up on his offer, Kha'Zul suggested. Higher-level tasks mean higher pay. And you've proven you can handle them.
"Higher-level tasks also mean higher risk."
Everything worth doing involves risk. You know that by now.
The innkeeper brought his food—roasted pork, potatoes, vegetables, and a mug of ale. Astraeus ate slowly, savoring every bite, listening to the conversations around him. Information was valuable, and common rooms were excellent places to gather it.
"—heard the guild sent a full team to the warehouse district. Whatever they found there must have been serious—"
"—three more Voidborn sightings in the northern territories. The king is calling for volunteers to join the border guard—"
"—Mage Guild is offering bonuses for anyone willing to take dimensional sealing training. They're expecting more incidents—"
Astraeus filed it all away. The Voidborn threat was becoming common knowledge, which meant the dimensional crisis was accelerating. The guild was preparing for more incidents, which meant they expected the barriers to keep weakening.
He was finishing his meal when a young man approached his table. The stranger wore apprentice robes marked with the guild's crest, and his expression was a mixture of curiosity and nervousness.
"Excuse me," the apprentice said. "Are you Astraeus Ren?"
Astraeus set down his fork, immediately wary. "I am. Why?"
"Instructor Thorne sent me to find you. He wants to see you at the guild hall. He said it's important."
Interesting, Kha'Zul murmured. Either he has more work for you, or there's been a complication with the mirror.
"Tell him I'll be there within the hour," Astraeus said.
The apprentice nodded and hurried off. Astraeus finished his meal, paid the innkeeper, and headed toward the guild hall. The afternoon sun was warm, the streets busy with commerce and life. It was hard to believe that just this morning, he'd been facing down a creature from beyond reality, fighting to prevent a dimensional incursion that could have killed thousands.
The guild hall was as impressive in daylight as it had been on his first visit. The white stone gleamed, the blue tower rose against the sky, and the protective runes pulsed with steady power. Astraeus entered and made his way to the third floor, where Marcus's office was located.
He knocked, and Marcus called for him to enter.
The instructor's office was more crowded than before. Marcus sat behind his desk, but two other people were present—a woman in her forties wearing senior mage robes of deep purple, and a man who looked to be in his sixties with gray hair and the bearing of someone who'd held authority for a long time.
"Astraeus," Marcus said, gesturing to the empty chair. "Please, sit. These are Senior Instructor Helena Voss and Guildmaster Thomas Crane."
Astraeus's blood ran cold. Those were the names he'd invented for his cover story—the fictional instructors who'd supposedly led the doomed expedition from Valdris Academy. He'd chosen them at random, never expecting to encounter real people with those names.
Stay calm, Kha'Zul advised. They don't know you used their names. This is just coincidence. Bad luck, but manageable.
Astraeus sat, forcing his expression to remain neutral. "It's an honor to meet you both."
Helena studied him with sharp gray eyes. "Marcus tells us you sealed a Voidborn portal by yourself. That's master-level magic for someone your age."
"I had... instinctive knowledge," Astraeus said, repeating the explanation he'd given Marcus. "It came to me in the moment."
"Instinctive knowledge," Thomas repeated, his tone thoughtful. "That's rare but not unheard of. Some mages have natural talents that manifest under extreme pressure." He leaned forward. "Tell me, Astraeus—have you experienced any other instances of knowledge appearing in your mind without formal training?"
Careful, Kha'Zul warned. He's fishing. He suspects something.
"Occasionally," Astraeus admitted. "During the... accident that killed my classmates, I found myself doing things I hadn't been taught. Survival instinct, I suppose."
"Perhaps," Thomas said. "Or perhaps you're one of the rare individuals with a natural affinity for essence manipulation. It would explain your rapid skill development."
Helena pulled out a document from a folder she'd been holding. "We received a response from Valdris Academy this morning. Via express courier, which is why it arrived so quickly."
Astraeus's heart hammered in his chest, but he kept his expression carefully neutral. "What did they say?"
"They confirmed there was an expedition three weeks ago," Helena said, watching him closely. "But the details are... inconsistent with your account."
Here it comes, Kha'Zul said. Your cover is about to fall apart. Be ready to run if necessary.
"Inconsistent how?" Astraeus asked, his mind racing through possible explanations.
Marcus spoke up, his tone gentle. "The academy reports that the expedition returned safely. All students and instructors accounted for. No casualties."
The room fell silent. Astraeus felt three pairs of eyes on him, waiting for his response. His cover story had just collapsed completely. He could try to maintain the lie, but they'd see through it immediately. He could run, but where would he go? The guild had resources, connections, and powerful mages who could track him down.
Or he could tell a version of the truth. Not the whole truth—never that—but enough to explain the inconsistencies.
"I wasn't part of that expedition," Astraeus said quietly.
"Then where did you come from?" Thomas asked, his voice hard. "And why did you lie?"
Astraeus took a deep breath. This was the moment where everything could fall apart. But he'd learned something important over the past week: the best lies were wrapped around a core of truth.
"I was expelled from Valdris Academy two months ago," he said, letting shame color his voice. "For failing my practical exams. I was too weak, too afraid. I froze during a combat assessment and nearly got another student killed. The academy decided I was a liability and sent me home."
It wasn't true, but it was close enough to his real experience—freezing in the ruins, dying because he was too afraid to fight—that the emotion behind it was genuine.
"I couldn't face my family," he continued. "Couldn't admit that I'd failed. So I left home and started traveling, trying to figure out what to do with my life. Then, about a week ago, I was attacked by bandits on the road. I should have died. But something... changed. I don't know how to explain it. It was like a door opened in my mind, and suddenly I understood essence in a way I never had before. I fought back, and I won."
"A spontaneous awakening," Helena said softly. "Triggered by mortal danger."
"I've heard of such things," Thomas admitted. "Rare, but documented. The mind's survival instinct unlocking latent potential."
Good, Kha'Zul said. They're buying it. Keep going.
"I came to Thornhaven because I had nowhere else to go," Astraeus said. "I lied about the expedition because I was ashamed. I didn't want anyone to know I'd been expelled, that I'd failed. I thought if I could prove myself here, maybe I could start over."
Marcus leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "You lied to us. That's a serious breach of trust."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"But," Marcus continued, "you also saved this city from a Voidborn incursion. You demonstrated master-level magic and genuine courage. Those things matter more than a false cover story told out of shame."
Thomas and Helena exchanged glances. Some unspoken communication passed between them, and Thomas nodded.
"Here's what we're going to do," the guildmaster said. "You'll register with the guild officially, under your real name and circumstances. No more lies. In exchange, we'll provide you with training, resources, and legitimate work. Your spontaneous awakening makes you valuable—mages with natural talent are rare, and we need every capable person we can get with the dimensional crisis escalating."
"You're giving me a second chance?" Astraeus asked, not quite believing it.
"We're giving you the chance you've earned," Helena corrected. "But understand this: if you lie to us again, if you betray the guild's trust, there will be consequences. Clear?"
"Crystal clear. Thank you. I won't let you down."
"See that you don't," Thomas said. He stood, and the meeting was clearly over. "Marcus will handle your official registration. Welcome to the Thornhaven Mage Guild, Astraeus Ren. Try not to make us regret this."
Helena and Thomas left, and Astraeus released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. His hands were shaking slightly, adrenaline from the close call still coursing through him.
Marcus pulled out fresh paperwork. "That was well done. Quick thinking, emotional honesty, and just enough truth to be believable."
"You knew I was lying from the start, didn't you?" Astraeus asked.
"I suspected. Your story had holes, and you were clearly hiding something. But I also saw genuine trauma in your eyes, genuine exhaustion from surviving something terrible. So I gave you the benefit of the doubt." Marcus began filling out forms. "The story you just told—about being expelled and having a spontaneous awakening—is that true?"
"Parts of it," Astraeus said carefully. "I did fail when it mattered. I did nearly die. And something did change in me after that. The rest... is complicated."
"Complicated I can work with. Just don't lie to me again."
"I won't."
Marcus completed the registration forms and handed Astraeus a small crystal badge marked with the guild's crest. "This identifies you as an official guild member. It also serves as your access key to the training facilities, library, and task board. Your rank is Initiate, which is standard for new members regardless of skill level. You'll advance through demonstrated competence."
[NEW ITEM: GUILD BADGE (INITIATE RANK)]
[GRANTS ACCESS TO: Training facilities, basic library, standard task board]
"What's the rank structure?" Astraeus asked.
"Initiate, Apprentice, Journeyman, Expert, Master, and Grandmaster. Most mages never progress beyond Journeyman. Reaching Master rank typically takes decades. Grandmaster is reserved for the truly exceptional—there are only five in the entire kingdom."
"And you think I can advance quickly?"
"If your spontaneous awakening is genuine, yes. Natural talent combined with proper training can produce remarkable results." Marcus paused. "There's a training session tomorrow morning for combat magic. Advanced techniques, designed for Journeyman-level mages. I'm going to authorize you to attend. It'll be above your official rank, but I think you can handle it."
"I'll be there."
"Good. Six in the morning, training yard behind the guild hall. Don't be late." Marcus stood, extending his hand. "Welcome to the guild, Astraeus. Officially this time."
Astraeus shook his hand and left the office, his mind spinning. He'd survived another crisis, turned a potential disaster into an opportunity, and gained official standing with the guild. But he'd also come dangerously close to having his entire cover blown apart.
You handled that well, Kha'Zul said as Astraeus descended the stairs. The spontaneous awakening story is clever. It explains your rapid growth without revealing the truth about me or the God System.
"It won't hold up forever. Eventually, someone will notice I'm growing too fast, learning things I shouldn't know."
By then, you'll either be strong enough that it doesn't matter, or you'll have moved on. For now, you've bought yourself time. Use it wisely.
Astraeus left the guild hall and walked back toward the inn, the crystal badge heavy in his pocket. The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. The city was beautiful in this light, peaceful and alive, completely unaware of how close it had come to destruction.
He thought about the Voidborn, about the dimensional barriers failing, about the thousands of threats waiting beyond reality's edge. He thought about the other Reality Anchors out there, each fighting their own battles. He thought about the four thousand chapters ahead of him, the countless challenges and transformations that would shape him from a frightened student into something more.
But for tonight, he would rest. Tomorrow, he would train. And the day after that, he would face whatever came next.
Because he'd already died once. And he'd learned that everything after that was just details.
[QUEST COMPLETE: ESTABLISH YOURSELF IN THORNHAVEN]
[REWARD: 150 EXPERIENCE, SKILL BOOK: BASIC COMBAT TECHNIQUES]
[EXPERIENCE: 280/250]
[LEVEL UP!]
[YOU ARE NOW LEVEL 5]
[NEW ATTRIBUTE POINTS AVAILABLE: 3]
[NEW SKILL UNLOCKED: BASIC COMBAT TECHNIQUES]
Astraeus smiled as he walked through the evening streets. Level five. Official guild membership. A training session tomorrow with advanced mages. And a demon in his shadow who was slowly, grudgingly, becoming something that might actually be called a partner.
The journey was just beginning. But he was ready for it.