When Darien appeared on the charred field where the flying bus had dropped them, he saw many other warriors scattered across the plains.

A few adventurers and guild captains were already present, actively recruiting from the returning novices who had survived their trials.

No one seemed to notice him when he appeared, his eyes scanning the prolific sight.

The boy searched for anyone he knew, but he was also cautious about his new identity as Jakob.

As an Intermediate-level Spearman, Darien doubted any guild would have much interest in recruiting him.

If he were still himself, he was certain every one of them would be groveling to have him in their squad.

"Jakob!"

Before Darien could steady himself, a young lady suddenly pounced on him, her eyes so teary they smudged his face as she wrapped her arms around him.

Immediately, Darien recognized Mirielle's scent, so he resisted the reflex to shove her away.

Mirielle was crying, both in relief and sorrow, upon seeing her friend alive.

"Jakob, I missed you!" she cried, pressing her head against Darien's chest.

A moment later, she lifted her face, hope flashing in her hazel eyes, so bright it nearly made Darien believe he saw his real reflection.

"What about Darien?!" Mirielle demanded.

The rehearsed question struck him. Darien already had the perfect answer prepared.

Gripping Mirielle's shoulders steadily, he delivered the lie she had to hear.

"Only I survived in our party," he said.

Immediately, Mirielle shut her eyes and pressed her head back against his chest, sobbing quietly.

Darien gently patted her hair in comfort, his gaze wandering around the field all the while.

It appeared to be a special day for Eldermead, and perhaps for other dukedoms as well.

The conclusion of the dungeon test had drawn out many high-ranked warriors, each arriving for their own business, but all intertwined.

In the distance, Darien's eyes caught sight of a massive flying monster eagle descending with a proud warrior astride its back.

Amidst the commotion, his gaze landed on a familiar soul, a figure who stood among the recruiting guild captains, exuding that same commanding aura he remembered.

Darien held Mirielle, who appeared a bit too clingy for his liking.

"You managed to make it to Proficient level," he said as a form of congratulations. "Have you joined any guild yet?"

Mirielle lifted her head and pointed toward a gathering where a proud banner fluttered with an ashen insignia.

"Silver Mantle Guild gave me a chance," she said. "But they're giving others a chance too, so I might have to take a test to prove I'm worth it."

'Silver Mantle, huh?'

Darien knew a couple of well-established guilds, and he remembered Silver Mantle being among them.

The guild was notorious for recruiting in large numbers despite its solid reputation.

He thought briefly about them and the other guilds he knew, but he couldn't help wondering if joining one was truly worth it.

Still, there were undeniable advantages to being part of a guild.

Darien couldn't place all his cards on Vynsera for her promised contribution of resources, protection, and access to exclusive dungeons.

So, to not miss out on such opportunities, he decided to take his chances with the man he could see standing ahead.

Harwin, stately and dignified, stood tall, his eyes scanning the bustling field of returning warriors.

He was searching for someone in particular, a novice he hadn't forgotten.

Darien. That was his name. A small, strange, and mysterious kid.

Harwin thought he was a potential candidate for Honored Spire, destined to become a lofty warrior.

Honored Spire Guild was a guild of virtue, will, and benevolence. They valued character as much as strength, and they were often regarded as one of the few truly "good" guilds left in the entire province.

They were seldom impressed by the usual academy students and hardly ever recruited directly.

Those who proved their worth through uncommon deeds were preferred over the conventional.

However, Harwin wanted Darien because he had shown both sides of the coin.

But seeing that the boy had yet to return, he feared that he had died in the dungeon test.

Harwin thought Darien was good enough. What went wrong?

But then, a youth approached him—handsome, lean, and well-built.

Harwin's gaze assessed the boy, acknowledging his promising physique and stance, but he still wasn't, in the slightest, the kind of warrior the guild needed.

"I'm sorry, but no recruitment," Harwin said politely, taking the stranger for a random boy named Jakob.

But Darien didn't move. Rather, he stood in place and quickly switched back to his public status.

"It's me, ser," he said, as Harwin's eyes narrowed at once with mixed expressions.

After everything that had happened, Darien knew he couldn't trust anyone, but connections and protection were necessities in a world like this.

Harwin had earned a measure of his trust.

He was also here for Darien alone, to secure him quickly before other guilds realized what kind of gem had returned from the dungeon alive.

When Harwin finally recognized him fully, a genuine smile broke across his face for the first time that day.

Reaching out, he ruffled Darien's brown hair in a warm, fatherly gesture.

He was immensely proud and relieved to see that the boy had not only survived but had found a way to completely mask his cursed-born identity.

"How was your first day as an Adventurer? Did you manage to pay up your membership fee?" Harwin asked.

Darien grinned. "Of course."

The two spoke at length as Darien recounted his dungeon trial, omitting details that he knew he had to omit.

Harwin listened closely, visibly impressed by every account, and even more astounded when he learned that Darien was Expert level.

That alone would have easily secured him a place in Honored Spire Guild's ranking assessment.

However, that was Darien Seaborn, not Jakob, as Darien made sure to clarify that from now on, his identity would remain under the latter name.

Harwin was in support of the decision, but he was concerned that the guild might not be so open to taking in someone who was at Intermediate level.

Still, Harwin was confident he could find a way to weave the narrative to work in Darien's favor.

So, he officially invited the boy to Honored Spire Guild with an extended hand of mentorship and trust.

Before Darien accepted, he made it clear what ends he sought as a guild member.

He would perform his duties if required, but in return, he wanted intel and exclusive access to dungeons.

All guilds were affiliated with the Duke's Order in the capital city, Queen's Reach, so many could gain early intelligence on where dungeon Bridges would tear open and on other phenomenal occurrences.

There was also knowledge within guild circles that one could not acquire from the academy.

Harwin listened attentively to the boy and assured him that such privileges were standard for all members, but since he'd be newly recruited, he would begin from the lowest division.

Before Darien could shake Harwin's hand, something whooshed through the air straight toward him.

It was a blade of blood, whistling fast enough to pierce his skull, yet Harwin reacted quickly enough.

He thrust out a vertical arc of water that met the crimson attack head-on. A hiss followed as the two spells clashed before splattering.

Startled and furious that he'd almost been killed, Darien spun toward the direction of the attack, where a female warrior emerged with predatory poise.

It appeared Harwin knew her.

"Alyx! Why would you try to kill a kid?"

The woman named Alyx didn't seem apologetic for her actions.

She was dressed in thin red and violet that left her arms and legs bare, her every movement exuding provocation.

Her face was immodest, her smile daring as she catwalked closer, unfazed by Harwin's glare.

"Is this what you've been waiting hours for, Harwin? A Spearman?" she scorned as her eyes fixed on Darien.

Drawn to him, she leaned in with feline curiosity, whispering, "You have mixed bloodlines running through you, little boy," as her hands reached for his face.

But Darien stole his head sharply aside and caught her wrist in a firm grip.

"Don't touch me," he said firmly.

Alyx was vexed by his audacity.

Ripping her wrist free, her crimson eyes narrowed murderously, wanting to teach him a lesson right there.

But Harwin knew who his friend was, and how impulsive and crazy she could be at random.

Swiftly, he summoned a veil of water that draped Darien in a protective bubble.

The shimmer of the shield discouraged Alyx, forcing her to take a step back with an irritated click of her tongue.

"The Guild Master will be offended if you bring this whelp to our gates," she said coldly, tossing her hair back as she looked at Harwin.

"Unlike you, Alyx, the Guild Master has far more important affairs than to concern himself with a 'whelp,'" Harwin replied.

At once, Alyx immediately shut her mouth.

From where he stood, Darien could sense an underlying history between the two, but it was none of his business.

Still, the woman—he thought she was absolutely insane.

To think she was this forward toward Jakob; he wondered how she would've acted if she'd seen him as himself.

And whatever she had muttered about bloodlines would've stuck.

"Jakob will take his test," Harwin continued, "and prove to the guild that he deserves a place, at least as a junior."

He then turned toward Darien, handing him a folded paper for the guild's base location.

Alyx only formed a nonchalant frown, pretending disinterest but clearly irked by the decision.

"Thank you, Ser Harwin," Darien said with a respectful bow before turning on his heel.

Without wasting another second, he galloped off toward where his friend Mirielle was waiting.

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