The next morning, Aira woke to the sound of knocking.
Relentless, rhythmic, and very much not the casual kind.
She opened her door—and blinked.
Two armored knights stood outside her dorm room. Their crimson plate bore the insignia of a blazing sun wrapped in silver wings: the emblem of the Royal Pyre Guild.
One bowed. "Lady Flameheart. The Grandmaster would like a word."
Emberglow's High Tower – VIP Hall
The VIP reception was lined with glowing chandeliers, enchanted to resemble floating fire wisps. Aira sat alone at a wide obsidian table.
Across from her, a man in dark robes leaned forward. Gavric Rhyl, Grandmaster of the Royal Pyre Guild—a living legend whose firestorm once halted an entire beast tide.
His voice was smooth. His gaze? Calculated.
"You've caused quite the stir," he said. "Phoenix Heart, Primordial Flame, soloing an unclassified dungeon, and now dismantling three elites in under two minutes."
Aira said nothing.
He smiled. "I'll be direct. We want you. The guild is prepared to offer full backing: a high-rank adventurer license, your own flame tower, custom training facilities, a personal battalion. And a contract with a seven-figure stipend."
Aira raised an eyebrow. "And in return?"
"You'll represent us publicly. Share your skills in battle and war, if needed. Loyalty, of course, is non-negotiable."
System Prompt: "Offer Detected — Royal Pyre Guild Recruitment Contract."
Would you like to accept?
[Accept] / [Decline]
She looked at the glowing screen. Then dismissed it.
"I'm honored," she said calmly. "But I'm not interested in being someone else's banner."
Gavric chuckled, though his eyes darkened slightly. "You'll find the world less forgiving than this academy."
"Good," she replied. "I don't need it to be kind. Just flammable."
Later that day, more offers flooded in.
Obsidian Flamecloaks offered her an elite position in their secret dungeon corps.
Ashen Covenant, infamous for its ruthless tactics, promised her unrestricted battlefield command.
Even foreign emissaries sent gifts—enchanted flame scrolls, obsidian talismans, phoenix feathers.
Some even offered political marriages.
She burned those letters unopened.
The academy buzzed louder with each rejection.
"She turned down the Pyre Guild?"
"She's insane."
"Or she's planning something bigger…"
---
That Night — Rooftop of Emberglow Academy
Mira found Aira sitting under the stars, legs dangling over the edge of the roof, fire trailing lazily from her fingers.
"Are you really not going to join any of them?" Mira asked, sitting beside her.
"I don't want to be another fire wielder they use and forget," Aira replied. "I want to build something of my own."
"A guild?"
Aira turned to her, eyes glowing softly in the moonlight.
"A legacy."
---
Phoenix Resonance: 45%
Talent Evolution Approaching…
Next Chapter: The Birth of Blazing Dawn