The Drakmoor Guild hall was a revelation compared to Millbrook's modest operation.
Where the mountain town's office had been a single room with a bored clerk and a handful of posted contracts, the capital's guild occupied an entire city block. Multiple floors housed different departments—mission coordination, equipment sales, training facilities, and administrative services that served hundreds of active adventurers.
The morning crowd was impressive in both size and diversity. Seasoned veterans in expensive gear discussed high-value contracts while newer members clustered around the lower-tier job boards. The ambient energy of awakened individuals created a constant background hum that spoke to the concentration of power within the building.
This is what a real guild operation looks like, Aiden thought as he approached the registration desk. Professional, organized, and actually focused on matching adventurers with appropriate work.
The clerk who processed his credentials was efficient without being dismissive, treating him like a legitimate professional rather than an inconvenient necessity. When Aiden presented his guild identification from Millbrook, she consulted records that appeared to include his mission completion history.
"Transfer from the mountain regions," she noted, making entries on an official form. "Good completion rate for a G-rank member. Any particular specialization?"
"Ice magic primarily, with sword work as backup," Aiden replied, sticking to the simple truth that would explain his observed capabilities.
"Excellent. We've got several contracts that could use magical support." She handed him a temporary authorization badge. "This will give you access to our job boards while we process your full transfer. Fair warning—competition is stiffer here than in the smaller branches. Don't take contracts you can't handle just to impress people."
Sound advice. Aiden thanked her and moved toward the mission boards, where dozens of posted contracts offered everything from simple courier work to monster extermination assignments that would challenge experienced teams.
No gatekeeping, he realized with relief. No established parties controlling access to worthwhile jobs. Just open competition based on capability and available resources.
It took him twenty minutes to identify a promising opportunity—a beast elimination contract in the agricultural district east of the city. A herd of iron-hide bulls had claimed a valley that contained several farming settlements, driving off livestock and threatening anyone who approached their territory.
The payment was substantial—enough to cover a month's expenses at a decent inn. But the posting clearly indicated team requirements, with recommendations for specific role coverage that wouldn't be met by a solo operator.
Tank, warrior, healer, and magical support, he read from the mission specifications. Standard balanced party for dealing with multiple large opponents.
"Interesting in the Eastmere contract?" a voice asked behind him.
Aiden turned to see a young woman in her early twenties, wearing the kind of practical armor that marked serious adventurers. Her gear was well-maintained but not expensive, suggesting competence without substantial resources. A large shield on her back and sword at her hip identified her as front-line fighter.
"Possibly," Aiden replied. "You have a team?"
"Three of us so far," she said, gesturing toward two other adventurers examining a different section of the job board. "I'm Lyra, by the way. Tank and team leader."
The other two members of her group were studying what appeared to be a dungeon exploration contract. A lean man with twin daggers who moved with the fluid grace of someone trained in speed and precision, and a woman wearing the simple robes that usually indicated healing or support magic.
"Marcus," Lyra continued, pointing toward the dagger-wielder, "handles scouting and flanking attacks. Elena provides healing and tactical support. We're looking for magical damage to round out our capabilities."
A legitimate team with proper role balance, Aiden observed. Not the kind of corrupt adventurers who stage fake bandit attacks for profit.
"What's your experience level?" he asked.
"Two months working together as a group, individual experience varies. We're all G-rank officially, but we've been completing contracts above that level." Lyra's expression was frank and professional. "To be honest, we're using adventurer work to build skills and reputation before applying to the Academy. Having diverse team experience looks good on applications."
The Academy again. It seemed like every competent adventurer in the capital was using guild work as preparation for advanced training. That suggested the institution was both highly selective and genuinely valuable for career development.
"What kind of magical specialization are you looking for?" Aiden asked.
"Preferably something with area control or multiple target capability. Iron-hide bulls are tough individually, but the real challenge is dealing with an entire herd without getting trampled."
Aiden's ice magic was well-suited for such requirements. His Frost Aura could slow multiple enemies simultaneously, while his Icicle Spear provided precision damage against individual targets. Combined with proper team support, his abilities might actually be more effective than they'd been during solo operations.
"Ice magic," he said. "Area control through environmental effects, plus ranged damage for priority targets."
Lyra's eyes lit up with the kind of interest that came from recognizing a good tactical fit. "Perfect. We can handle positioning and damage absorption while you control the engagement space. Are you available to depart today?"
The timeline was aggressive but manageable. Aiden's equipment was portable, his supplies adequate, and his other commitments in the city were minimal. More importantly, working with an established team would provide insight into how professional adventurers operated at higher levels.
"Yes," he said. "When and where do you want to meet?"
"City square, two hours after noon. That gives everyone time to prepare and resupply." Lyra extended her hand in the professional gesture that sealed temporary partnerships. "Welcome to the team."
Aiden shook her hand, noting the callused grip of someone who spent significant time training with weapons. "Looking forward to it."
The walk back to his inn took him through the merchant district, where shops displayed goods from across the Empire. Most were standard commercial establishments—clothing, food, basic equipment—but one storefront caught his attention with its unusual signage.
Valdris Runework and Enchantment.
The name made his blood freeze momentarily before he realized it was probably coincidental. Valdris wasn't an uncommon surname in the northern provinces, and many merchant families shared names without being related. Still, curiosity drew him through the shop's heavy wooden door.
The interior was unlike anything he'd seen before. Walls lined with shelves that held crystalline formations pulsing with internal light. Display cases contained carved stones that seemed to shift their patterns when viewed from different angles. And behind the main counter, leather-bound tomes that radiated the kind of power that made his awakened senses tingle with recognition.
"Looking for anything specific?" asked the proprietor, an elderly man whose eyes held the sharp intelligence of someone who worked with dangerous magic on a regular basis.
"Just browsing," Aiden replied, though his attention was immediately drawn to the spell books. Theoretical Foundations of Elemental Magic. Advanced Combat Applications. Principles of Core Development.
The prices were extraordinary. Individual spell books cost more than most adventurers earned in a year, while the carved runestones carried price tags that would bankrupt minor noble houses.
Knowledge has its price, he realized as he examined a tome that claimed to contain instruction in advanced ice magic techniques. Real education costs more than most people can afford.
But the shop's existence suggested that such education was available for those with sufficient resources and connections. Another advantage of building wealth and reputation through adventurer work—eventually, he might be able to afford the kind of specialized instruction that couldn't be obtained through guild training or stolen from defeated enemies.
He left the shop without purchasing anything, but filed away its location and inventory for future reference. When his financial situation improved and his cover identity became more secure, advanced magical instruction might prove invaluable.
The afternoon meeting proceeded exactly as planned. Lyra's team assembled in the city square with the punctuality of professionals, their equipment checked and supplies distributed according to a clearly established routine.
"Standard formation for mobile enemies," Lyra explained as they departed through the eastern gates. "I maintain front position and threat control. Marcus flanks for opportunities and prevents escapes. Elena provides healing and tactical support from protected positions. Aiden controls engagement range and eliminates priority targets."
The tactical discussion continued as they traveled toward their destination, revealing that Lyra's team had put considerable thought into their operational methods. They weren't just random adventurers who had decided to work together—they were genuinely trying to develop professional-level capabilities.
"Mind if I ask about your Academy plans?" Aiden said during a rest break. "Seems like everyone here is preparing for application."
"Military track," Lyra replied without hesitation. "Imperial Army offers the best advancement opportunities for awakened individuals from common backgrounds. Complete the program, serve your required term, and you've got access to career paths that would otherwise require noble birth."
"Similar goals," added Marcus. "Though I'm more interested in intelligence work than front-line command."
Elena nodded agreement. "Healing specialization. Combat medics are always in demand, and the training opens doors to civilian medical practice afterward."
Social mobility through military service, Aiden realized. The Academy provides commoners with access to opportunities that would otherwise be restricted to the nobility.
It was an interesting dynamic, and one that might prove useful for his own purposes. If he could gain acceptance to the Academy and complete their program, it would provide both advanced training and legitimate credentials that could support more ambitious operations.
"What about you?" Lyra asked. "Any particular track you're considering?"
"Still evaluating options," Aiden said carefully. "I want to get a better sense of my capabilities before committing to a specific path."
It was true enough, though his real considerations involved whether Academy training would be worth the scrutiny it would require. The institution probably had ways of investigating applicants' backgrounds that could prove problematic for someone with his particular history.
Three months to decide, he thought as their destination came into view. Time enough to build reputation, accumulate resources, and determine whether I'm ready for that level of exposure.
The farming settlement that had posted the contract was a collection of modest buildings surrounded by fields that showed signs of recent damage. Torn fences, trampled crops, and nervous livestock painted a clear picture of why the residents had been willing to pay substantial money for professional intervention.
"Iron-hide bulls claimed the valley three weeks ago," the village elder explained as he led them toward the affected area. "Drove off our animals, ruined half the harvest, and injured two people who tried to approach peacefully. We need them gone before winter preparations begin."
The tactical situation was exactly what the mission briefing had suggested—a herd of awakened beasts defending territory they had claimed through force. Challenging but manageable for a properly coordinated team with appropriate capabilities.
"Ready to see what we can accomplish together?" Lyra asked as they prepared to engage the target area.
Aiden checked his equipment one final time, feeling the familiar anticipation that preceded combat. His first real test working as part of a professional team, against enemies that would require coordination rather than individual heroics to defeat.
Time to prove I can be more than a solo operator, he thought as they moved toward the valley where dangerous creatures waited.
The Path of Frost and Steel pulsed with readiness, eager to demonstrate how ice magic could complement proper teamwork in pursuit of shared objectives.
Success here would mean more than just completing a contract—it would mean access to better opportunities, stronger allies, and potentially the kind of recommendation that could open doors to advanced training.
The real test of his development was about to begin.