Vaelis slowly opened her eyes.
Her body ached, every muscle screaming in protest.
She was lying on a bed inside the guild's infirmary, bandages wrapped tightly around her torso. The faint smell of healing herbs filled the room.
— You're awake.
Val stood near the window, arms crossed, his expression unusually serious.
— The monster…? Vaelis asked.
— Dead. Thanks to you holding it back, Val replied.
— But there's something you need to know.
He paused.
— That creature… wasn't supposed to be there.
Vaelis frowned.
— What do you mean?
— It was an evolved hybrid. Half bat, half dragon.
— That thing was at least Rank B… maybe even higher.
Silence fell.
— Then that dungeon…
— Was mislabeled, Val finished. Or tampered with.
Vaelis clenched her fist.
Something about this felt wrong.
Far above the city of Venti—
A figure stood in the air, invisible to all.
Talis Symphorien watched quietly, his crimson eyes fixed on the guild below.
— So it awakened already… he murmured.
Behind him, shadows twisted and faded.
— You're growing faster than expected, Vaelis.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
— Good.
Then he vanished, as if he had never been there.
A few days later, fully recovered, Vaelis stood once more before the magic aptitude crystal.
She placed her hand on it.
The crystal glowed violently.
Magic Power: 1,500
Physical Strength: 900
Mana Capacity: 1,600
Total Power: 4,000
The room fell silent.
— This… the receptionist whispered.
— This is far beyond Rank C.
Vaelis stared at the numbers.
She felt it too.
Her flames burned hotter.
Her control was sharper.
Her presence… heavier.
— With this level, the receptionist continued, you are fully qualified for Rank B.
Vaelis nodded.
— Then I'll take the promotion exam.
Her heart pounded—not with fear, but determination.
As she turned away from the counter, only one name echoed in her mind.
Talis.
— I'm coming closer, she whispered.