Bows, swords, axes, and magic staffs gleamed under the sunlight as the group departed from the grand gates of the Valiant Alliance.
Thorak, Celia, and Alicia walked in front, each with a confident stride. Celia carried her bow on her back, her movements light yet steady. Thorak rested a massive axe on his shoulder as if it were nothing more than a wooden log, even though its size was enough to cleave a horse in two. Alicia walked briskly with short steps, holding a magic staff almost taller than her small frame. Every now and then, she flicked her short red hair aside to keep it from covering her view.
Meanwhile, at the back, Arzael walked calmly with his hands folded beneath his black cloak. His gaze was steady yet sharp, full of vigilance. On his shoulder, Puff sat lazily, her ears swaying with each step. From time to time, the little creature yawned before looking around again with her lively pink eyes. At his side, Seraphina walked with a cold aura, as though the world around her held no meaning. Each of her steps was soundless, almost weightless, making her presence all the more intimidating.
Arzael's eyes narrowed as he looked at Celia ahead. His voice finally broke the silence, low but clear.
"This is an S-rank quest. Why did you want bring us along?"
Celia glanced back slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her green hair swayed gently in the evening breeze. "You're already on par with rank A… maybe even S, you know? And besides, your girlfriend looks powerful." She winked mischievously, her playful tone drawing a small chuckle from Thorak beside her.
Arzael lowered his face, then looked at them. His voice was almost inaudible.
"Scan."
His crimson eyes glowed faintly, scanning the auras of his companions. In an instant, their bodies lit up before him, each surrounded by a distinct aura.
Celia's aura blazed crimson, intense and fierce, nearly equal to Guild Master Grokk. Thorak radiated a steady yellow aura, his strength solid and unshakable like a mountain, typical of a dwarf. Alicia, despite her frail appearance, was surrounded by a brilliant yellow glow as well, a sign that she was more dangerous than she looked.
This woman… Arzael's gaze lingered on Celia from behind.
…she might be as strong as that guild master.
Thorak turned back, his expression friendly. "You're the one who fought the Guild Master yesterday, right, lad?"
Arzael gave a slight nod. "Something like that."
The dwarf burst into hearty laughter. "Hahaha! You know, that was incredible! Everyone at the guild's been talking about you. The mysterious kid who dared to challenge Grokk!"
Arzael responded briefly. "Hm."
Alicia lifted her chin and scoffed. "Not that impressive." Her tone was arrogant, almost dismissive.
Arzael didn't turn around. He let her words pass in silence. But Puff suddenly leapt slightly on his shoulder, her ears perked up.
"Hey, lost child! Watch your mouth!" Puff puffed her cheeks, glaring at Alicia.
"W-what?! Lost child?!" Alicia snapped back, her face reddening. "Hey, you weird rabbit! You're the one who should shut up!"
"I'm not a rabbit! I'm a dragon!" Puff bared her tiny teeth.
"There's no such thing as a dragon that small!" Alicia shot back, her voice rising.
Their little quarrel filled the air with noise. Thorak chuckled, while Celia covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Seraphina kept walking, her eyes straight ahead, completely indifferent. Arzael only let out a long sigh, his head lowering slightly.
…
An hour passed. The cobblestone road gradually turned into a narrow path surrounded by dense trees. Sunlight streamed through the canopy above, painting the ground with shifting shadows.
Alicia suddenly spoke again, her voice calmer this time. "Hey, you two," she turned toward Arzael and Seraphina. "Are you planning to take the Hero Academy entrance exam?"
Arzael answered curtly. "Yes."
Seraphina only gave a small nod, her face devoid of emotion.
"Ohh, perfect!" Alicia grinned, her eyes sparkling. "That means we can all go together!"
Puff immediately cut in, her voice loud. "First it was Auntie Celia, now it's the lost child. Everyone's trying to get close to my boss! Listen here! My boss already has Seraphina!"
"As if!" Alicia snapped, glaring. "I'm not interested in your boss, you weird rabbit!"
"I'm not a rabbit! I told you I'm a dragon!" Puff shouted, her ears twitching furiously.
The bickering flared up again. Thorak turned his head briefly, then laughed heartily. "Hahaha! It's been a long time since I've had such lively company on the road."
Celia merely smiled mysteriously. She didn't join in, only stealing the occasional meaningful glance at Arzael.
Arzael closed his eyes briefly. "Hhh…" His sigh was heavy, clearly fed up with the noise.
…
Hours later, they arrived at the gates of Blissvale City, a small yet prosperous settlement at the foot of the Crystalline Spires.
Wooden houses stood neatly in rows, their rooftops glowing beneath the evening sun. Merchants packed up their stalls, the noisy bustle of the market fading as night approached. All around the city, massive crystals jutted out of the earth, shining in hues of blue and violet. Their reflections cast a magical glow over the entire city, making it look almost otherworldly.
An old crystal merchant greeted them near the gate. "Welcome to Blissvale. You must be the adventurers sent here, yes?"
"Yes," Celia replied quickly. "Tell us more about what's been happening here."
The man's face darkened. "Blissvale's livelihood comes from selling these crystals. But somehow, a Black Dragon suddenly appeared in the Crystalline Spires. It started attacking the miners. We've all been living in fear."
Celia gazed up at the towering mountains. The massive blue crystals gleamed like towers of glass. "This… is not the habitat of a Black Dragon," she said flatly. "Something must have drawn it here."
Thorak nodded. "Right. Black Dragons usually live far away, deep within the Alzareth Empire's lands. Something's definitely wrong."
Arzael stared at the crystals for a long moment.
Alzareth, huh?
His crimson eyes glimmered as though piercing through the light itself.
Seraphina whispered softly, without turning her head. "…the smell of blood."
Puff trembled slightly on Arzael's shoulder. "B-boss… I've got a bad feeling about this."
Arzael clenched his fist. "Good."
Alicia quickly turned toward him. "Good?"
Arzael's reply was simple. "The more dangerous, the more interesting."
…
That night, they stayed at the city's inn. A small fire crackled in the common room, its glow flickering across the wooden walls. Thorak sat sharpening his axe, the rhythmic sound of metal on stone filling the room. Alicia sat in the corner, studying a magic scroll with a serious face, her eyes glinting under the firelight. Celia lounged casually in a chair, sneaking glances at Arzael with a faint, enigmatic smile.
Seraphina stood near the window, her white hair shimmering under the moonlight as she stared outside with her usual blank expression. Puff curled up restlessly on the table, her tail twitching now and then.
"So…" Thorak finally broke the silence. "Tomorrow we climb the Crystalline Spires. The Black Dragon was last reported on the northern slopes of the mountain."
Celia spoke calmly. "I've already prepared a binding spell. But a dragon… is not something to be underestimated."
Alicia turned her eyes to Arzael. "You're awfully calm. Not scared at all?"
Arzael looked back briefly. "Not really."
Alicia chuckled softly. "You're strange."
Puff grumbled loudly. "Not strange. My boss is cool. Hmph."
Seraphina suddenly spoke, her tone as flat as ever. "If you're afraid, then don't come."
The room fell into silence for a moment. Alicia and Seraphina's eyes locked, sparks of cold hostility flashing between them.
Thorak quickly let out a booming laugh to break the tension. "Hahaha! Alright, alright. Let's get some rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."