He made sure that no trace of the letter remained.
—"Lenor, what was that...?" Kano finally broke the silence, barely able to catch his breath from the tension.
Lenor sharply raised his head and glanced at both Kano and Naira.
—"Follow me."
Without waiting for any response, he turned and swiftly began climbing the stairs.
Kano and Naira exchanged looks.
—"Wow, what was that all about?" Kano muttered.
—"I think we'll find out soon enough," Naira replied dryly, already following Lenor up the stairs.
Kano paused for a second, casting one last glance at the spot where the letter had burned.
He didn't know what was in it, but judging by Lenor's reaction, it was clear—it was something very serious.
His heart started to race.
—"What are we going to hear now…?"
Silently, Kano and Naira ascended the stairs behind Lenor. His steps were deliberate, confident, but there was something in his posture that made them feel it.
"This conversation is important."
Lenor opened the door to his office and stepped inside, with them following close behind. The room was dimly lit by the faint glow of magical light from a crystal chandelier. A large oak desk, tall cabinets filled with old books and scrolls, and a map on the wall marked with dozens of notations.
—"Sit down."
He didn't wait for them to obey his command and instead approached the window, crossing his arms behind his back. He gazed out at the city, but his thoughts were clearly far away.
—"Something is coming."
His voice was deep and detached.
—"Goblins, a Cerberus in the ruins, strange activity on the outskirts—none of this is a coincidence. Someone is trying to tip the balance in this region."
Naira crossed her arms over her chest, her face becoming serious.
—"And what was in the letter?"
Lenor turned to face them. His gaze pierced through both of them.
—"Too many questions and no answers. But one thing I know for sure—someone is eyeing our city. And this is just the beginning."
Kano felt a chill run down his spine.
—"Why us?" he asked, his gaze wary as he looked at Lenor.
Lenor placed his hands on the desk, leaning forward.
—"Because I trust only the two of you."
His voice carried no doubt.
Kano and Naira exchanged another glance.
—"What do you want from us?" Naira asked.
—"Keep watch."
Lenor straightened, stepping back a pace.
—"Naira, your task from now on is to carefully observe everyone who enters the guild. Track any suspicious movements. If someone lingers longer than necessary, or shows interest in something unusual, you'll be the first to know."
She nodded.
—"And what about me?" Kano asked.
Lenor slowly exhaled.
—"We'll continue your night training in the library. But in addition to that..."
He looked at Kano in a way that made him almost step back.
—"I'll send you on an assignment with a team. You'll be working with various adventurers, and your main task will be to find someone we can't trust. A traitor could be among us."
Kano clenched his fists.
—"And you think I'll be able to find him?"
Lenor smiled, but there was no warmth in it.
—"I know you'll manage."
Kano held his breath.
—"And one more thing. No solo actions. You're not a hero, and you don't need to be one. All suspicions—bring them to me. Understood?"
Kano nodded silently.
Lenor shifted his gaze to Naira.
—"If something goes wrong, you have to cover him."
—"Always," she replied without hesitation.
Lenor looked at both of them, as if weighing something in his mind one last time.
—"Then that's it. You may go. Kano, prepare yourself. You'll get your assignment later."
Kano stood up, feeling that this conversation had fundamentally changed his role in this world.
Naira left first, and Kano lingered for a moment.
—"Lenor."
He raised his head.
—"You said this is just the beginning. If that's true... what's next?"
Lenor paused for a moment, then answered briefly, yet ominously.
—"Perhaps even war."
He decided to spend the rest of the day training.
Kano stood by the stream, gripping his sword tightly. Broken branches lay scattered around him, tangled together into a crude scarecrow made of grass and vines—his opponent for the evening. He knew that real enemies would be much more dangerous, but this was his battlefield, his arena.
He took a deep breath and lunged forward with a sharp motion.
The sword sliced through the air, the blades flashing as they left behind a faint quiver. He moved swiftly, his strikes becoming precise, without any unnecessary movement. A strike—the sword cleaves the "shoulder" of the scarecrow. A reverse strike—severing the "arm." His feet glided across the grass like a hunter waiting for the perfect moment.
"Not enough."
Kano stepped back, spreading his arms.
The air began to swirl around him, lifting dust and leaves into the air. He made a sharp motion—the gust of wind slammed into the scarecrow, causing it to stagger back. Kano seized the moment, jumping sideways, twisting in the air, and delivering a devastating overhead slash.
"Good, but not enough power."
He lowered his arm, and suddenly droplets of water rose from the stream, hanging in the air. Another swing of his sword—and they turned into a dense ball of water, which struck the "face" of the scarecrow with a furious impact.
"Keep combining."
Kano struck sharply from below, and a chunk of earth erupted from under his feet, hurtling with incredible speed straight into the scarecrow's torso.
The sword was in motion again—an overhead strike sliced through the "chest" of his opponent, while below, its base ignited—flames engulfing the scarecrow's legs, preventing it from "surviving."
Kano's movements grew even faster; he didn't stop for a second. He struck the "legs," tearing up the earth, each swing adding another element. Water knocked it off balance, the earth finished it, and the wind fed the flames that consumed the opponent.
—"What kind of nonsense are you doing?!"
Kano turned sharply. Standing by the roadside was Rudgard, arms crossed over his chest, watching him as if he'd just witnessed someone trying to tame a donkey by patting it on the belly.
—"Are you tired of living?!" The dwarf sighed heavily, stepping closer.
Kano wiped the sweat from his forehead.
—"It's an experiment."
Rudgard rolled his eyes skeptically.
—"A foolish experiment." He pointed at Kano's sword.— "A weapon should be held firmly, with two hands. Like a woman."
Kano froze for a moment.
—"Eh... What?"
The dwarf crossed his arms behind his back and explained, as if teaching a child:
—"If you hold your sword as firmly as you would a true battle partner, you won't lose it at the worst moment. But if you relax your grip... well, you'll figure out what happens."
Kano took a moment to understand the joke.
—"And how many women have you held?" he raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms over his chest.
The dwarf puffed out his chest and squared his shoulders:
—"Tens! No, hundreds!"
Kano burst into laughter.
—"What?! You don't believe me?" the dwarf scowled.
Kano sheathed his sword and started walking toward the guild.
—"Absolutely not!" he answered, still laughing.
Rudgard quickly caught up with him.
—"You don't get it! I even had an elf!"
Kano laughed even louder.
—"Really?!" He was already wiping tears from his eyes.— "And what, did she marry you too?"
The dwarf snorted in mock indignation.
—"I see you're still green, my friend. But don't worry! You'll learn from old Rungard."
—"Oh, absolutely," Kano said, still chuckling.
They entered the city together, the dwarf still grumbling about his "achievements," while Kano couldn't calm his laughter.