The Guild Agency's lower floor buzzed with excitement. From behind the shimmering magic doors came the sounds of strikes and cheers. In some rooms, beginners clashed one-on-one like Milo and Hyrax, while in others, teams practiced coordinated assaults. Flashes of energy and the thud of footsteps filled the air, making it clear that everyone here had come to prove they were the strongest.
Amid the lively chaos, a woman walked past. Her long black hair, with a faint shade of deep violet, was tied neatly behind her head. She wore a long, elegant coat and high heels, each step echoing confidently on the floor. Without sparing a glance at the trainees, she moved calmly yet purposefully toward the surveillance room.
She let out a slow sigh and said in a quiet but clear voice,
"Ah… so much noise down in the lower floor."
She reached the door to the surveillance room, placed her hand on the handle, and pushed it open with a smooth motion. The room was dimly lit, screens flickering with the various training rooms below.
Sitting behind the main console, observing the trainees, was Kryne. His brown hair peeked from under his cap, and a cigarette dangled from his mouth as he exhaled a thin trail of smoke.
She stood behind him, watching the screens, her eyes taking in every movement on the lower floor.
"Still watching the kids?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of mockery.
Kryne smiled, keeping his eyes on the monitors.
"Kids? They are of legal age now."
Finally, he looked up and called her name:
"Celestine."
Celestine stood behind him, her eyes carefully scanning the screens.
"So, what's the matter with the legal ones?" she asked calmly, referring to the beginners in the training rooms. "Have you noticed anything unusual among them?"
Kryne lifted his feet off the table and sat upright, regaining his composed posture.
"Yes… I'm truly surprised," he said calmly, his eyes still scanning the monitors. "There are a lot of interesting abilities."
Celestine tilted her head down slightly to get a closer look at the screens, her sharp eyes scanning every movement on the lower floor.
"Damn… I didn't bring my glasses today," she muttered in a calm voice, though with a hint of mild frustration.
Kryne pointed to one of the screens as an example.
"Look at these two," he said.
On the screen, Milo and Hyrax were talking and laughing, their camaraderie clear even through the monitors.
"I watched their fight," Celestine said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "It was really impressive… especially the one called Milo."
Kryne pressed a button on the console, and detailed statistics about Milo appeared on the screen.
"His movements are extremely coordinated," he observed, scrolling through the data. "He reminds me of someone…"
Kryne was visibly shocked.
"Wow… what a surprise. I didn't expect him to have grown up this fast," he said, leaning back in his chair.
He let out a long sigh, resting comfortably against the back of the seat.
"Ah… time really flies."
Kryne pointed to another screen.
"Look at this one as well."
On the screen appeared a boy with medium-length brown hair styled in shaggy waves, his locks gently swaying with every movement, giving off a youthful and lively impression.
Celestine hummed softly, observing the boy.
"Hmm… he's training alone. So, what's his deal?" she asked.
Kryne replied without looking away from the screen.
"His movements are incredibly fast. He fought the test monsters and defeated them with remarkable ease."
Celestine's eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh… it seems you were right about the kids. They really are talented."
Suddenly, her gaze fixed on another screen, and her expression changed to shock.
"Wait… wait a minute… isn't that Korushin Koruka's son??"
Kryne stood up from his chair, shock evident on his face.
"What?? What is his son doing here, for heaven's sake??"
On one of the screens appeared a boy with long black hair styled in sleek long hair, the smooth strands falling gracefully past his shoulders, giving off an elegant and mysterious aura.
The boy sat quietly, his long black hair falling smoothly over his shoulders, styled in sleek long hair. He didn't move a muscle, simply observing the training rooms below with a calm, almost detached expression.
His dark eyes followed the trainees' every action, analyzing each movement with sharp precision, yet he made no attempt to engage or intervene. It was as if he existed in his own world, separate from the chaos around him.
While the boy sat quietly, Nova appeared on her screen and spoke to him.
"Are you… just going to sit there without doing anything?"
But the boy didn't respond at all, as if he hadn't heard her or had chosen to completely ignore her.
The scene returned to Kryne and Celestine.
Kryne pressed a button, bringing up the boy's statistics to gather information about him.
Celestine spoke in a calm, measured tone.
"Koruvian Koruka… the son of the Koruka family's leader."
She paused, her eyes still scanning the screens.
"Korushin Koruka, also known as the Black Dragon."
"It's truly an honor that he has come here," she continued. "Especially considering that family possesses advanced training methods, being wealthy, famous, and highly respected in Novara."
Kryne said, "Look… he's standing!"
Celestine tilted her head down to get a closer view of the camera, her sharp eyes analyzing every subtle movement of the boy. Curiosity flickered within her as her body remained poised and straight, radiating a calm but commanding presence.
The scene returned to Koruvian.
He stood completely calm, his eyes closed as if the world around him had paused for a moment. His body was stable and balanced, every muscle ready for any movement, yet he showed no tension or rush. The silence surrounding him was striking, as if his very presence alone commanded a sense of calm and power in the room.
Nova spoke through her screen, her voice calm but encouraging.
"So… have you chosen the training you want to do? Personally, I would suggest"
Koruvian interrupted her abruptly, his voice quiet but firm.
"Training against monsters. Now."
Koruvian's choice was clear: he meant the monsters created by the system harmless, yet programmed to attack.
Nova responded, trying to guide him.
"Alright… then, how..."
He interrupted her again, his voice calm and decisive.
"The highest level."
The scene returned to Kryne.
"Oh… choosing the highest level? That means we'll really see his strength. I'm genuinely curious about what will happen," he muttered, eyes fixed on the monitors.
Celestine watched in complete silence, her sharp gaze never leaving the screens, analyzing every detail with intense focus.
Suddenly, five large-sized monsters appeared in the training room, each moving with a precise, imposing design. Their eyes glowed with energy, and their teeth and claws were sharp. Behind them stood a slightly larger monster, dominating the group with its massive presence, almost like their leader.
Nova spoke firmly from her screen,
"Alright… begin."
The five monsters charged directly toward Koruvian, each advancing with steady, swift steps, ready to test and challenge him.
Koruvian remained calm, his eyes still closed, as if studying their movements before deciding how to respond.
As the first monster approached, it swung a powerful punch toward Koruvian's face.
Calm and composed, his eyes still closed, he easily dodged the strike, standing in place as if he could anticipate every movement before it happened.
Koruvian began moving forward with steady steps, while the other four monsters charged at him, each taking turns to strike, trying to land a blow.
Yet Koruvian effortlessly avoided every attack, his body flowing with absolute precision. Every movement was calculated, and each strike passed harmlessly by him, as if his reactions were perfectly synchronized with the monsters' attacks.
Suddenly, Koruvian opened his eyes, and a surge of black energy erupted from his body.
Winds scattered violently around him, swirling with the intensity of his aura.
Kryne, watching from the surveillance room, was visibly shocked.
"So… this is the Koruka family's aura!" he muttered, awe in his voice.
Celestine remained silent, but the look on her face betrayed her astonishment, her sharp eyes widening as she took in the incredible display of power.
Koruvian's hair whipped around with the swirling energy of his aura, black strands dancing in the gusts of wind.
Nova's face appeared on her screen, her expression one of pure shock and amazement.
"Wow… incredible!" she exclaimed, stunned by the sudden surge of power.
Without hesitation, Koruvian turned toward the largest monster, his gaze focused and unwavering. He completely ignored the five other monsters, as if they were irrelevant obstacles in his path.
In a blindingly fast motion, Koruvian appeared right in front of the largest monster.
He gathered a dense sphere of black energy in his hand and struck its stomach. The impact sent a surge of energy blasting out from behind the monster, shaking the area.
Koruvian leapt into the air, quickly forming another sphere of black energy in his other hand.
With precise control, he directed it straight at the monster's head, and a massive explosion followed.
The colossal creature collapsed to the ground, defeated. Koruvian turned his back, his posture calm but his face revealing a flicker of disappointment.
"It's not even worth my time," he muttered quietly.
Celestine, Kryne, and even Nova were left stunned, their eyes wide as they processed the incredible display they had just witnessed.
The scene returned to the surveillance room.
Kryne leaned back in his chair, relaxed, his eyes still fixed on the screens.
"Well… that's to be expected from Korushin's son, I suppose," he muttered calmly, as if reading the strength and skill in every movement.
Celestine remained standing beside him, silent, but her face showed a mix of astonishment and admiration at what she had just witnessed.
The other five monsters charged toward Koruvian, moving with incredible speed.
Koruvian let out a calm sigh, preparing himself for what was coming.
"Alright… looks like I'll have to deal with the rest of this filth," he muttered in a quiet yet firm voice, as he readied himself to face them.
Celestine's phone suddenly rang.
"Oh…" she said calmly.
Kryne looked at her with curiosity:
"What? Who…?"
Celestine replied quickly,
"It's the Director."
She picked up the phone and said,
"Hello? Is there a prob.. "
But the Director's voice came through, firm and serious:
"That person has appeared…"
Shock spread across both Kryne and Celestine's faces at the same time.
Kryne muttered in surprise,
"Ah… what is this day? Full of shocks."
Celestine quickly ended the call.
"Let's head to the upper floor quickly," Kryne said firmly.
He asked her hurriedly,
"What about the surveillance?"
Celestine interrupted,
"Come on… there's no time to waste."
They left the room, their steps quick, reflecting urgency and concern at the same time.
Krane and Celestine ride the energy-powered elevator, its faint hum accompanied by a subtle vibration as they ascend.
The doors slide open, and they step out with quick, purposeful strides, moving swiftly down the wide corridor.
They pass several staff members who greet them respect fully especially Celestine, who receives warm smiles and polite nods. She responds only with a brief acknowledgment, her pace never slowing, as if there's no time for conversation.
They climb the final staircase to the very top, their footsteps echoing against the walls.
At the end of the hallway, they stop before a reinforced door bearing a sign that reads: "Restricted Access – Special Clients Only."
Without hesitation, they push it open and step inside.
Kryne lets out a sigh.
"I'm not a special agent, Celestine. I'm just a guard who watches the cameras."
Celestine shoots him a sharp look.
"Stop with that nonsense. Everyone knows your true worth."
A long table stretched before them, surrounded by seven chairs.
At the end of the table sat the Director.
On one side, a large-built man with short, curly hair.
Opposite him, a woman with short white hair slicked back, her red eyes sharp and piercing.
Next to her, a man with neatly combed short hair, with a single strand falling over his forehead.
Leaning against the wall, another person sat on a chair, his blond hair parted into two sections.
The Director spoke first, her tone warm:
"Welcome, Celestine."
Then her voice shifted slightly, adding:
"And you… Kryne."
Celestine stepped forward with calm, measured steps and took a seat beside the large, muscular man with short, curly hair. Her hands rested lightly on the table, and her sharp eyes stayed fixed on the Director at the head of the table.
Kryne, meanwhile, stood near the door, removing his cap with a deliberate motion. He surveyed the room with a serious, focused gaze, every line of his posture reflecting respect and awareness of the importance of the gathering.
Celestine looked at Ravena, the Director of the Guild Agency.
She was a woman with long black hair, her eyes black with a small red dot at the center.
Her personality was commanding, strict, and fair one could feel her authority without her needing to speak.
She was in her late thirties but still maintained her youthful appearance and elegance.
As Director, Ravena oversaw all guild operations and activities, ensured order, enforced the rules, and made high-level decisions that shaped the balance of power in Novara.
Celestine stood calmly, her gaze sweeping across the meeting room. Her eyes first fell on Selvara, immediately recognizing her authority over the testing chambers. Her long white hair fell gracefully to her shoulders, neatly styled back, and her sharp eyes reflected her calm, analytical mind. Strict and composed, she relied on logic for every decision. Her slender yet well-defined figure hinted at discipline and endurance.
Celestine then shifted her attention to the massive man beside her, Bran. His broad frame, short curly hair, and the scar on his neck spoke of years of experience and resilience. Stern and serious, yet inherently kind, he oversaw the training of newcomers and monitored them in the large training rooms. His solid build and commanding presence conveyed strength and authority, even in his forties.
Celestine's eyes fell on Ryen, a man in his late twenties with messy brown hair, a rogue strand falling over his forehead. Impulsive and hot-headed, he despises weakness, yet he fulfills his role efficiently, ensuring the agency's systems run smoothly and fixing any errors that arise. His presence radiated constant energy, reflecting his drive and intensity in every action within the agency.
Then Celestine shifted her gaze to the young man leaning against the wall, the leader of Guild Number 8. In his late twenties, tall and slender, with a playful and humorous personality, he sat relaxed, hands clasped behind his head and eyes closed as if napping. Yet his presence in the room was undeniable, bringing a sense of lightheartedness and ease amid the seriousness of the others.
Celestine stepped forward and took a seat beside Bran. She was responsible for the monitoring rooms, overseeing external threats to Novara, analyzing emerging dangers, tracking developments, and observing any appearances of monsters essentially managing everything related to external risks.
She was also in charge of assigning missions to the guilds, after discussing and coordinating with her Director.
Finally, there's Kryne, standing near the door. In his thirties, he is responsible for the surveillance rooms that monitor the trainees, as well as gathering statistics and compiling reports to be sent to the Director. He has brown hair peeking out from under his cap, sharp eyes that constantly scan the room, and a lean, composed build that reflects his serious and attentive nature.
Ravena let out a slow sigh, then spoke in a calm yet firm voice,
"Alright, now that we're almost all here, let's discuss what's happening within the agency and beyond."
Ravena's sharp eyes flicked toward the discussion table, her tone serious.
"We're dealing with a new situation a red-haired, wavy-haired individual linked to the Talented Gang. He managed to infiltrate the agency, and there's every indication he harbors malicious intent."
Selvara, sitting calmly, looked intently at everyone before speaking in a steady, serious voice:
"But we already know who he is… he is their leader, Tavian."
Her composed eyes gleamed with authority, giving the sense that she fully understood the situation, while everyone focused on her words, aware of the looming threat.
The leader of Guild 8, Kazhaya, opened his eyes and straightened his posture in the chair.
All eyes immediately turned to him as he prepared to speak, the room falling silent in anticipation of his words.
Milo and Hyrax prepared to leave after their training, pushing open the door with tired but satisfied expressions.
Meanwhile, Koruvian stepped out of his room and headed toward the Guild Agency's exit, navigating through the light crowd. Suddenly, a figure blocked his path. His wavy, red hair caught the light as he stood firmly in front of him.
"Can we talk?" the red-haired man asked, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable weight.
Meanwhile, at the far end of the corridor near the Agency's entrance, another figure emerged this one with green hair, standing confidently. The wind played with the long strands framing his face as he wore a hooded cloak.
Without warning, he pulled back the hood, revealing his face. His long green hair flowed down past his chin, two strands framing the sides of his sharp, green eyes that gleamed with a mysterious intensity. A sly, unsettling smile curved his lips.