The plaza still buzzed with murmurs, the shock of Jordan's weapons hanging in the air. Merchants whispered behind their stalls, and adventurers eyed the buster sword and shield with a mix of caution and envy.
The moment broke with the pounding of boots. A column of guards in silver-and-onyx armor cut through the crowd, their halberds gleaming. At their head strode the Guard Captain, a tall man with a trimmed beard and a scar cutting across his brow. His voice thundered over the noise.
"Clear the way! Make room!"
The crowd parted, silence following in the captain's wake. His sharp eyes fell immediately upon the trio — Jayden, his scythe still flickering with shadowfire; Jordan, his massive weapons still radiant; and Renfo, calm and unshaken with his katana at rest.
The captain's brow furrowed.
"Three students? Two first-years, from the look of it. And you…"
His eyes settled on Renfo. Recognition softened the edge of his tone.
"Kuzenagi. I should've guessed."
Renfo gave a lazy salute, his grin lopsided.
"Good to see you too, Captain. Didn't think we'd cause this much of a scene."
The captain's eyes swept the plaza again, searching for a figure who was notably absent.
"Where is Professor Selora? Surely she wouldn't allow this."
But there was no Selora. Only the three boys, weapons blazing, and the stares of dozens of onlookers.
The captain's jaw tightened. He gestured to his men, who fanned out, halberds crossed to form a half-circle around the trio. The air grew tense, the murmurs of the crowd now replaced by held breath.
"This is no training ground. Weapons do not simply flare to life in the hub. Someone explain — now — before I escort the three of you back under chains."
Jordan swallowed hard, gripping the hilt of his massive sword. Jayden's scythe twitched with restless energy.
Renfo only exhaled slowly, his grin never fading.
"It's a long story, Captain. One I think Selora might be better suited to tell."
A pause. Then his grin sharpened.
"Or…"
With a swift motion, Renfo slammed his hand to the ground. A wave of smoggy flame burst outward, curling around the three boys in a choking cloud. The guards staggered, coughing, their vision consumed by smoke.
"Stop them!" the captain barked, but it was too late. In the disorienting haze, Renfo seized Jordan's arm with one hand, Jayden's with the other, and pulled them both into the smoke.
When the haze cleared, the trio was gone.
The captain cursed, his halberd striking the stone with a crack.
"Form a search party. Hunt them down. I want them found before they cause more chaos."
The guards scattered into the bazaar, while the plaza filled again with murmurs and whispers. The legend of the two first-years had just begun to spread.