Kelina quietly left. Catherine stepped closer, her voice calm but tinged with concern.
Catherine: "When you suddenly collapsed in front of me, I didn't know what else to do… so I brought you here. Don't worry—Louis and Lily should be arriving soon."
Michael rubbed his forehead, his expression weary.
Michael: "It's always me causing trouble. Ah… what's happening to me? I can't remember anything."
Catherine sighed softly, then steadied her tone.
Catherine: "Listen, what's gone is gone. There's no point in torturing yourself over the past. What matters now is your future. You need to rebuild yourself… reclaim your place."
Saying this, she placed a bowl of soup beside him. The liquid shimmered green, with strange bean-like lumps floating on top. Michael hesitated, unsettled by its appearance.
Catherine (smiling faintly): "My mother used to make this for me whenever I was sick. But she's gone now. No one takes care of me anymore… and besides, I'm a hunter, an adventurer."
Michael lowered his gaze, whispering almost to himself.
Michael: "If given the chance, someone would take care of you…"
Catherine (turning her head sharply): "What did you say?"
Michael: "N–Nothing."
Catherine shifted the conversation, her voice a little distant.
Catherine: "It's just me and my sister in this house now. My mother passed away three years ago… and my father five years ago, during the war."
Michael's eyes widened.
Michael: "War?"
Catherine (nodding, her tone heavy): "Yes. A great war with the White Continent. It dragged on for nearly twelve years. All twenty-eight kingdoms and four empires of the Bronze Continent fought together. My father died in that war. Honestly, we would've lost… but with political maneuvering—and the Dark Continent's help—we barely survived."
Michael's face stiffened in astonishment.
Michael: "Continents… how many exist in this world?"
Catherine: "Technically three. But myths speak of a fourth—the Void Continent, or the Unknown. What is confirmed are the White, Dark, and Black Continents. Still… not everyone can travel freely between them."
Michael: "Why? What stops them?"
Catherine (pressing her lips together): "That, I don't know. Only royals and continental knights hold that knowledge."
Michael exhaled.
Michael: "Forget it then. Let's drop the subject."
Catherine smiled faintly.
Catherine: "Alright. Now eat."
As Michael reluctantly took the soup, the door opened. Louis and Lily entered, both smiling brightly.
Louis & Lily (in unison): "Oh, you're looking better! Get some rest."
But Michael called out, his expression firm.
Michael: "Wait. If you don't mind… I've made my decision. I want to join you. I'll become an adventurer."
Lily (surprised): "Are you sure? You'll come with us?"
Louis: "That means you want to join our party. Then ask Catherine—she's our leader."
Catherine hesitated for a long moment before nodding.
Catherine: "Alright… but you'll need to register first."
Michael clenched his jaw, thinking bitterly: "Damn this world. So many rules… so unnatural. I don't like it at all."
---
Meanwhile…
Niha followed Chris in silence. She couldn't take it anymore and finally asked:
Niha: "Where are you going?"
Chris, his eyes fixed on the passing scenery outside the carriage window, replied flatly:
Chris: "To the guild."
Niha didn't press further—she understood enough. Instead, her gaze lingered on him. His tall frame, at least 6'3, lean yet imposing. Sharp, almond-shaped eyes. Long white hair tied back, streaked with blue—an unusual mixture. He carried the air of royalty, though even nobles didn't look this striking.
---
Back at Catherine's house…
Michael and the others set off. Looking up at the bright sky, he whispered to himself:
Michael: "So… a new life begins."
The streets stretched ahead, lined with wooden houses reinforced with stone. To him, they looked like relics from ancient Rome—cobblestone roads, old-world architecture. Michael felt as if he had been thrown into the distant past.
Their destination wasn't far—perhaps a ten-minute walk. Along the way, Louis explained guild protocols and adventurer rules.
Finally, they arrived.
---
Inside the Guild
It wasn't what Michael had imagined. A few people lingered, a massive notice board hung with quests, and only two or three receptionists sat at their desks.
While he was still observing, the doors opened. A young man and a woman entered, immediately drawing attention. Whispers spread through the hall. The woman—rumored to be a noble's courtesan—was met with wary glances, though few knew the full truth.
Catherine guided Michael to the receptionist. After a brief explanation, the woman behind the desk handed him a parchment.
Receptionist: "I'll just check your magical affinity. Place your hand here—the pattern will reveal your rank."
Michael complied. Strange symbols bloomed on the parchment—forming into an orb, with intricate designs spinning inside it.
Receptionist (eyes widening): "Fascinating… AA rank. Final stage. Much better than expected."
Louis (shocked): "What? That means you're nearly stronger than me?!"
At that moment, the boy and girl who had just entered also stepped forward to be tested. The girl scored a mere C-rank. But the boy—his parchment blazed brilliantly.
Receptionist (in awe): "SS-rank… incredible."
Catherine stiffened. "What kind of power is this?"
Michael stepped forward, curiosity sparking in his eyes.
Michael: "Hey… can we get acquainted?"
The boy turned, offering his hand with a faint smile.
Chris: "Why not?"
Niha nearly gasped. "He… can smile?"
Michael: "I'm Michael. I just registered here."
Chris chuckled.
Chris: "I'm Chris… and like you, I'm new."
The two locked eyes, tension crackling between them. Then, almost at the same time, both asked:
Michael & Chris: "Want to join my team?"
The hall erupted in murmurs. Niha frowned, exasperated.
Niha: "Who even are you? Teaming up with us just like that?"
Chris smirked.
Chris: "Why team up, indeed?"
Michael replied smoothly.
Michael: "Because strangers don't have to stay strangers."
Chris laughed under his breath.
Chris: "That's not how I see it."
Michael smirked back.
Michael: "Nor do I."
The guild hall fell into stunned silence. Catherine, her sharp gaze unblinking, studied both of them.
"Who are these two… Michael and Chris? They don't belong to this land. They're not ordinary at all."
---
Elsewhere…
In a vast garden, a young woman of twenty-two plucked Snapdragon flowers near a pond. She whispered in a language long forgotten:
"Be husi be Baiso, Michael Arre Ren?"
Translation: When will you come, Michael Arre Ren ?