Chapter 12 – First Encounter
The evening breeze gently stirred the trees lining the road to Dawn City. Kael moved in silence, his steps steady, his daggers hanging at his side. He had left behind the calm of the forests, and more and more travelers and merchants filled the road.
A scream shattered the peace.
—"Help! Someone, please!"
Kael turned his head. Up ahead, a cart swayed dangerously in the middle of the path. An elderly couple desperately tried to defend themselves with wooden sticks against three goblins armed with rusty knives.
The young man sighed.
—"Tsk… annoying."
He drew his daggers and leapt into the fight. His movements were swift, almost invisible: a thrust to the throat, a clean slash across the chest, and the last goblin barely had time to grunt before his body hit the ground lifeless.
The old couple stared at him wide-eyed.
—"You saved us!" —the woman exclaimed, clutching her chest.
Kael calmly wiped the blood from his dagger.
—"I was just passing through."
—"Young man, where are you headed?" —the old man asked hoarsely.
—"To Dawn City."
The couple exchanged a glance. The woman smiled gratefully.
—"We're heading there too. Why don't you come with us? It's not safe to travel alone."
Kael hesitated for a moment, then accepted with a curt nod. He climbed onto the cart, and together they continued their journey.
---
The Bustling City
The stone walls rose majestically as the sun began to set. Dawn City, full of life, welcomed them with the noise of merchants, hawkers, and traders crowding the streets.
Kael stepped down from the cart and gave a silent nod of thanks.
He turned to head toward the plaza… and at that instant bumped into someone.
—"Kyaah!" —a pile of documents flew into the air, scattering across the ground.
Kael took a step back, surprised. In front of him stood a girl with bright blue hair, intense eyes, and an irritated expression. She immediately crouched to gather the papers.
—"Watch where you're walking," —the young woman huffed without looking up.
Kael picked up one sheet and noticed a half-finished sketch: the portrait of a black wolf with fierce eyes.
—…
—"Don't touch that!" —the girl snatched it from his hand, her cheeks flushed—. "That's my most precious treasure!"
Kael raised an eyebrow.
—"A drawing?"
—"It's not a drawing! —she retorted, hugging the papers to her chest—. It's a sketch of the Black Wolf. Someday I'll meet him… and I won't let some arrogant guy like you smudge it with his fingers!"
Kael let out a faint, almost imperceptible scoff.
—"What a waste of time."
—"What did you just say?!"
Before she could continue, she gathered the rest of her papers furiously and stomped away, leaving Kael with a faintly amused smile.
---
The Guild
The Adventurers' Guild building loomed imposingly in the city center. A structure of stone and wood, adorned with colorful banners. Kael pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The bustle engulfed him: adventurers laughing, drinking, arguing. At the main counter stood a familiar figure.
—"You again!" —Lyra turned with an indignant expression.
Kael tilted his head.
—"We meet again?"
—"Don't say it like it's just a coincidence! What are you doing here?"
—"Registering."
—"You? An adventurer?" —Lyra laughed incredulously—. "I bet you won't last a week."
Around them, several adventurers turned to listen. Some began to laugh.
—"Hey, look! Lyra got herself a boyfriend!"
—"About time someone put up with her temper!"
Laughter echoed through the hall. Lyra's face turned crimson, and she grabbed a thick book from the counter, hurling it at them.
BAM! The impact silenced the crowd instantly as the men rubbed their heads.
Kael struggled to hide a smile.
—"Boyfriend, huh?"
—"Shut up!" —she shouted, frowning.
---
The Registration
Kael stepped up to the counter, took the quill, and began filling out the form. The receptionist smiled warmly at him.
—"Very well, sir. The last step is the registration fee: four silver coins."
Kael froze. His eyes dropped to his empty pockets. The murmurs of the adventurers filled with muffled laughter once again.
Lyra watched him with a mix of annoyance and pity. She clicked her tongue, pulled out a few coins, and placed them on the counter.
—"Here. Don't waste it."
Kael looked at her calmly.
—"I didn't ask for your help."
—"And yet you didn't want to die of embarrassment either," —she shot back, turning away arrogantly.
---
The Guild Master
At that moment, a deep, commanding voice filled the hall.
—"Lyra!"
Everyone fell silent. Descending the stairs was an older man, broad-shouldered, with a scar running across his face. The Guild Master.
—"I've heard of your recent achievements. Excellent work."
Lyra beamed with pride, bowing her head slightly.
—"Thank you, Master."
The man's eyes then turned to Kael.
—"And that must be the rookie… interesting."
—"Eh?" —Lyra blinked, confused.
The Master nodded, his voice resolute:
—"From today, Lyra, you'll be this boy's mentor. You'll guide him through his first missions."
—"What?!" —Lyra nearly screamed—. "No, no, no, no, Master, I don't—!"
—"That's an order." —His tone allowed no argument.
Around them, adventurers whistled and laughed, enjoying the show.
Lyra clenched her teeth, fists trembling.
—"This is so unfair…!"
Kael, meanwhile, allowed himself the faintest amused smile.
The Guild Master handed them a scroll sealed in red.
—"Your first mission together: exterminating goblins in the nearby forests."
Silence fell between them. Lyra snatched the scroll with a huff.
—"Great… just what I needed."
Kael glanced at her sideways but said nothing.
And so began a relationship neither of them had asked for… but one that fate had chosen to force.....