The guild clerk's expression shifted from routine boredom to genuine interest as Aiden emptied his hunting satchel onto the counter.
"Dire wolf ears, awakened badger claws, forest drake scales," she catalogued, examining each trophy with professional assessment. "Quality specimens, all of them. You've been busy."
Three separate contracts had posted bounties for pest elimination in the northern forest—minor assignments that most teams ignored in favor of higher-profile work. But Aiden's experimental practice session had provided exactly the proof materials needed to claim those rewards.
"Solo work," he explained, which was technically accurate if incomplete. "Wanted to test some techniques before using them in team situations."
The payment for all three contracts combined was modest compared to team missions, but every contribution to his financial resources mattered. More importantly, the completion record would help establish his reputation as someone capable of independent operations.
"Anything you want to sell from the excess materials?" the clerk asked, gesturing toward the remaining beast parts that weren't required for contract fulfillment.
Aiden had harvested more than necessary during his practice session—partly for thoroughness, partly because experience had taught him that valuable components often went unrecognized until someone with proper knowledge examined them. His Merchant's Eye ability highlighted several items that carried significant commercial value.
"These," he said, separating out the most valuable pieces. "What's the guild's purchase rate for independent contractors?"
The transaction netted him another modest sum while clearing his inventory of materials that would otherwise have gone to waste. Efficient resource management that demonstrated professional attitude along with practical capabilities.
Every advantage matters, he thought as he pocketed the additional coins. Financial security provides options that desperation doesn't allow.
But money wasn't his only preparation requirement. The conversation about Academy admission had highlighted knowledge gaps that needed addressing before he could seriously consider advanced training.
The Scholar's Repository occupied a prominent position in the city's academic district, its multiple floors containing books on every subject taught in imperial institutions. Not cheap—education never was—but comprehensive enough to support serious preparation for competitive examinations.
"Academy preparation materials?" the elderly proprietor asked when Aiden explained his needs. "Certainly. Third floor, sections twelve through fifteen. You'll want the standard curriculum overview first, then specialized texts based on your intended track."
The selection was overwhelming. Dozens of books covering magical theory, military history, political science, mathematics, and general knowledge that educated citizens were expected to possess. The kind of comprehensive education that noble children received through private tutors, but which commoners had to acquire through independent study.
Years of material, Aiden realized as he examined the recommended reading lists. And I have three months to cover enough ground to pass competitive examinations.
But his noble childhood had provided some foundation, despite its abbreviated nature. He could read fluently, possessed basic mathematical skills, and had been exposed to enough formal education to understand academic concepts. The challenge wasn't starting from nothing—it was covering sufficient breadth and depth to compete against candidates who'd had more comprehensive preparation.
He selected carefully, focusing on texts that promised efficient coverage of essential topics. Imperial History: A Strategic Overview. Fundamentals of Magical Theory. Military Tactics and Application. Plus one book that caught his personal interest: Advanced Ice Magic: Theory and Practice.
The total cost was substantial but manageable given his recent earnings. Investment in knowledge that could provide both immediate practical benefit and longer-term career advancement.
"Planning to specialize in frost magic?" the proprietor asked as he processed the purchase. "Excellent choice for military applications. Ice magic offers superior battlefield control compared to more flashy elemental types."
"That's what I'm hoping," Aiden replied, which was perfectly true despite not encompassing his full motivations.
The evening was spent in productive study, beginning with the magical theory text that promised to explain principles he'd been applying instinctively. His awakened abilities had developed through necessity and experimentation, but formal education could provide the theoretical framework needed to push beyond current limitations.
Interesting, he thought as he read about core development patterns. My growth has been accelerated compared to normal awakening progression. Probably because of the essence absorption ability providing external energy sources.
The ice magic book was even more valuable, containing detailed explanations of techniques that he'd been attempting to develop through trial and error. Proper theoretical grounding would make his experimental work more efficient and less dangerous.
Delayed activation spells, he read. Requires maintaining magical resonance between caster and embedded construct. Advanced technique typically learned during third-year specialization studies.
He'd developed a crude version through purely empirical methods, but the book's explanation revealed refinements that could make the technique more reliable and versatile. Knowledge that would take months to discover independently was available through an evening's careful reading.
This is why proper education matters, he realized. Not just for social credentials, but for accelerating development beyond what individual effort can achieve.
Morning brought the familiar routine of team assembly, with Lyra's group meeting at their established rendezvous point to discuss their selected mission.
"Bandit suppression," Marcus announced as they gathered around a detailed map of the region southwest of the city. "Caravan attacks have increased dramatically over the past week, all following the same pattern. Professional coordination, inside information about cargo values, and escape routes that suggest local knowledge."
"Inside job?" Elena asked with the kind of professional suspicion that came from experience with human nature.
"Probably," Lyra confirmed. "Which makes it more interesting than simple highway robbery. Someone's organizing these attacks, which means there's a network to dismantle rather than just individual criminals to arrest."
The mission briefing was more complex than their previous assignments, involving investigation as well as combat, coordination with local authorities, and the kind of political complications that arose when corruption might extend into official circles.
"Payment reflects the complexity," Lyra added. "Substantially higher than monster hunting, plus performance bonuses if we can identify the entire network rather than just eliminating visible participants."
Exactly the kind of work that demonstrates advanced capabilities, Aiden thought. Perfect for building the reputation needed for Academy consideration.
"What's our operational timeline?" he asked.
"Three days minimum, possibly extending to a week depending on what we discover," Marcus replied. "Complex enough to require careful planning, but urgent enough that we can't afford extended preparation."
The kind of assignment that separated professional adventurers from casual monster hunters. Success would demonstrate their team's readiness for advancement to higher-tier contracts, while failure could set back their Academy preparations significantly.
"Everyone ready for departure?" Lyra asked, her expression carrying the focused intensity of someone who understood the stakes involved.
Aiden checked his equipment one final time—weapons, armor, supplies, and the growing collection of magical abilities that made him increasingly dangerous in both obvious and subtle ways. His recent innovations in ice magic would provide tactical options that his enemies wouldn't anticipate, while his theoretical studies had already begun improving his understanding of how to apply existing abilities more effectively.
Ready, he thought as they prepared to leave the city behind for another test of their growing capabilities.
The Path of Frost and Steel pulsed with anticipation, eager to demonstrate how far he'd progressed from the broken slave who had first felt power stirring in his chest.
But more than that, this mission represented another step toward the kind of reputation and capability that would eventually allow him to hunt down the remaining names on his list.
Seven debts still waited to be collected.
But each successful mission brought him closer to the strength needed to collect them properly.
The transformation from victim to predator was accelerating, and soon his enemies would discover exactly what kind of monster their cruelties had created.
The real hunt was just beginning.