Aelyra Vaelis stood at the counter, watching as the guild clerk weighed the goblin materials.
Fangs.
Claws.
Dungeon crystals.
"It's not much," the clerk said, sliding a small pouch toward her.
Aelyra nodded and took it anyway.
It's a start.
With the coins secured, she left the guild and headed toward a familiar place—the dojo.
The scent of wood and sweat greeted her as she stepped inside.
"Aelyra," a deep voice called out.
Her sword master stood in the center of the room, arms crossed. An A-rank adventurer, his presence alone carried weight.
"Still restless?" he asked with a faint smile.
She drew her saber. "Always."
They trained until sunset.
Steel clashed against steel. Her movements were sharp, controlled, but emotional. The master noticed.
"Your strikes are strong," he said after stopping her blade, "but your mind is elsewhere."
Aelyra looked away.
"…I met someone."
That was all she said.
By nightfall, she left her equipment for repairs and returned home, exhaustion finally pulling her into sleep.
The next morning.
Aelyra entered the armory to retrieve her gear.
And froze.
Standing near the counter was a familiar figure.
Messy dark hair.
Calm posture.
Talis Symphorien.
Her grip tightened.
"You," she said coldly. "Why were you in that dungeon?"
Talis didn't even look at her.
"Answer me."
She stepped closer—
And hit something invisible.
Thud.
Her body stopped mid-step, as if pressed against an unseen wall.
"What—?!"
Talis leaned closer and whispered near her ear.
"You should stop asking questions," he said calmly.
"Some answers are dangerous."
Then he walked away.
The pressure vanished.
Aelyra staggered forward, rage exploding in her chest.
She grabbed her repaired equipment and rushed outside.
Forest of Silence.
She spotted him at the city's edge.
"STOP!"
She leapt forward, saber blazing with flames.
Talis raised a single finger.
Clang.
Her blade stopped.
Her full power—blocked effortlessly.
Before she could react, he flicked his wrist.
Aelyra was sent flying, crashing into a tree.
She coughed, struggling to stand.
"What do you want?" Talis asked calmly.
She glared at him.
"I think you're a Paladin," she said. "And that's the rank I will reach."
Talis paused.
"Why?"
Her voice trembled.
"I promised my father," she said.
"Before he died… I swore I'd become a Paladin. So I could explore the greatest dungeons. The ones no one else is allowed to enter."
Silence.
Then—
Talis smiled.
A dangerous one, he thought. But interesting.
He placed a hand on her shoulder, casting a healing spell. Warmth spread through her body.
"Don't follow me anymore," he said.
"I want to," Aelyra replied instantly.
"I want your power. Your knowledge. I want to walk beside you."
Talis turned.
He looked into her eyes—and saw no fear.
Only resolve.
"…Fine," he said at last.
"Follow me."
Aelyra's breath caught.
He walked forward.
And this time—
She followed.