The city of Venti stretched endlessly beneath the morning sky.
Built between the sea and towering white cliffs, it was a city of magic and life. Marble towers intertwined with wind-shaped spires, bridges floated above canals of clear water, and banners bearing arcane symbols danced with the breeze. Humans, elves, and dwarves walked side by side through the crowded streets, their voices blending into a vibrant harmony.
Venti was not just a city.
It was a symbol of balance.
At the edge of the shore, where the sand was soft and warm, a young girl lay quietly, staring at the distant horizon.
Aelyra Vaelis, eighteen years old.
The sound of the waves could not calm her heart.
Tomorrow…
Tomorrow is the exam.
Her fingers clenched slightly as memories surfaced—long days of training, bruised hands, exhausted nights. And always, her father's voice.
"Fear is normal," he used to say.
"But courage is moving forward despite it."
Her father was an A-rank adventurer, a man respected across Venti. Living under his shadow was never easy—but she never wanted to run from it.
Aelyra slowly stood up, brushing the sand from her clothes, and turned toward the city.
She walked through the streets, but it didn't take long before the attention started.
Smiles.
Compliments.
Lingering gazes.
Her beauty was impossible to ignore—silver-blonde hair, clear eyes, and an elegance that made people instinctively kinder around her. Too kind.
Men tried to approach her. Some awkward. Some confident. Some persistent.
"Aelyra! A drink later?"
"You look stunning today!"
"Are you an adventurer too?"
Her face burned red.
"M-Maybe another time…" she muttered, escaping as quickly as she could.
She didn't stop until she reached the Adventurers' Guild, where she rented a small room upstairs. Closing the door behind her, she finally exhaled.
Please… let tomorrow come quickly.
The next morning.
Aelyra stepped out of her room, heart pounding, and walked toward the reception hall. Dozens of candidates stood there, waiting for the Aptitude Examination—the test that would determine their future.
At the counter, a guild secretary smiled politely.
"Please place your hand on the crystal."
The crystal was large, transparent, and softly glowing.
Aelyra swallowed and placed her palm against it.
The light flared.
Magic Power: 300
Physical Strength: 50
Mana Energy: 500
Total: 850
The secretary blinked, then smiled warmly.
"Congratulations. You qualify as a Rank D Adventurer."
Aelyra's eyes widened.
"I… I did it!"
Her chest filled with joy. All those years of effort hadn't been wasted.
As she stepped aside, a mysterious young man approached the crystal. He looked ordinary—messy dark hair, simple clothes, calm expression.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
The light exploded.
Magic Power: 3000
Physical Strength: 15000
Mana Energy: 20000
Total: 380000
The entire guild fell silent.
"What…?"
"That has to be a mistake!"
The secretary froze, panic crossing her face.
"T-The crystal must be broken!" she said quickly, resetting it. "Please excuse us."
The test was performed again.
This time, the numbers changed.
Magic Power: 300
Physical Strength: 1500
Mana Energy: 2000
Total: 3800
The secretary forced a laugh.
"I apologize for the inconvenience. You will be registered as Rank B."
The young man nodded calmly.
"No problem."
He took his badge and walked away as if nothing had happened.
But Aelyra was already moving.
She intercepted him outside the guild.
"You did that on purpose," she said firmly.
"You lowered your power. I'm not stupid."
The young man stopped.
"…Who are you?" she asked.
He turned, a faint smile on his lips.
"Talis Symphorien."
He looked at her with mild interest.
"You noticed. That's impressive."
Aelyra frowned.
"You're as strong as the Paladins," she said. "That's not normal. And you look… simple."
Talis chuckled softly.
"I don't like attention," he replied.
"That's all."
The next second—
He vanished.
No sound. No trace.
Aelyra stood frozen, heart racing.
Who… are you?
After a long moment, she clenched her fist.
"…Whatever."
She turned back toward the guild.
If someone like that existed in this world…
Then her journey had only just begun.
She stepped toward the mission board.