The transit station hummed with early morning activity. Workers shuffled toward platforms, clutching thermal cups and checking wristbands. The air smelled of metal and synthetic coffee. Overhead, the first hover-transports of the day carved silver trails through the pre-dawn sky.
Kaelen arrived at the sixth hour exactly, his breath misting in the cool air. He'd dressed simply: dark pants, and a fitted shirt. The Bloodline Thread rested against his collarbone, hidden. His gauntlets and chain stayed in the Oblivion Pouch. Lira was already there, leaning against a support pillar with her arms crossed. She wore practical clothes, dark pants and a fitted jacket with reinforced seams. A bow was slung across her back, the weapon modest but well maintained. A quiver of arrows hung at her waist. Her copper braid hung over one shoulder, and her silver eyes tracked him as he approached.
"Punctual," she said, pushing off the pillar. "I'm impressed."
"Don't be," Kaelen replied.
"You only recently started rising early after awakening and it's not like you were consistent with it at the academy, of course I'd be."
"I was though. We didn't even attend the same classes..."
"Well... I don't need to attend same classes to know that."
"Nonetheless, you are wrong." He said.
Lira pouted at his denial,"Why so insistent on denying it?"
The transit arrived with a soft hiss, its doors sliding open. They boarded, finding seats near the window. The compartment was half full, mostly workers heading to their shifts. A few glanced at Lira's bow with mild curiosity before returning to their own concerns.
As the transit lifted, the city unfolded beneath them. The seventh tier fell away, its narrow streets and cramped buildings shrinking into a maze of metal and shadow. The sixth tier passed quickly, slightly cleaner but still industrial. The fifth tier emerged gradually, the architecture shifting from functional structures to deliberately designed structures. Buildings here had actual design. Glass and steel instead of rust and patches. Trees grew in planned intervals along the streets, their leaves shimmer with faint bioluminescence.
"Yeah." Kaelen tracked the progression. "Academy's on the fourth tier. That's where things really shift. Upper three tiers are for the influential families, high ranked cultivators."
"And the first tier?" Lira asked, though she probably knew.
The air quality changed too. Less metallic tang, more filtered cleanliness. The light was brighter, less filtered by layers of smog. People on the streets below moved with purpose but without the desperate edge that characterized the lower tiers.
"Ever think about moving up here?" Lira asked, still watching the view.
"Every day." Kaelen's hand moved unconsciously to the pendant beneath his shirt. "My mom won't though."
"Stubborn."
"Extremely."
Lira smiled faintly. "Runs in the family."
They rode in comfortable silence for a while. The transit car climbed steadily, the hum of its engines a constant backdrop. Other passengers checked their wristbands, read tablets, or simply stared at nothing with the glazed expression of people who'd made this trip a thousand times.
"What do you think adventurer work is really like?" Lira asked suddenly.
Kaelen considered that. "Dangerous. Probably more complicated than the academy makes it sound."
"Everything's more complicated than the academy makes it sound." She turned from the window to look at him properly. "But it's real, the danger of it makes you feel... alive. Just you and whatever you find out there."
"It worries me you still veiw going outside the Enclave with such gleam."
"Well, during one of my club missions at the academy— "
Kaelen cut her off, "I never got to ask, which club option did you end up choosing?"
"The mage combat–support division," She replied."And one of my club missions took me out of the Enclave, into the safe zone. The battle we had was rather toxic, but enjoyable."
"Well... you always wished to go beyond the Enclave."
The transit announced their arrival at the fifth tier. They disembarked into a station that was cleaner, quieter, more organized than anything in the lower districts. Directional signs glowed with soft blue light. Security drones hovered at regular intervals, their sensors tracking movement without being intrusive.
"Academy's on the fourth tier," Kaelen said as they walked.
"Yeah, genius. It's obvious. Your point?"
"Just thinking about how the city's organized." He gestured vaguely upward. "Fourth tier has the academy and most major institutions. Third tier is were highly wealthy families and successful guilds operate. Second tier is really influential people, Paragons and above. And the first tier..."
"Elder Orders and Guardians," Lira finished. "The people who actually run everything."
"Nine tiers total in every Enclave," Kaelen continued. "Each one a complete separation. Not just wealth, actual power stratification."
"It's nice to know you did your assignments," She said with a smile.
"Ashford Guild is three blocks east," Kaelen said, checking the address Davos had provided.
They walked through streets that felt almost alien in their orderliness. Shop fronts were clean, their displays showcasing quality goods behind protective barriers. Cafes served actual coffee, the expensive kind imported from cultivation farms. People dressed well, their clothes carrying subtle enchantments or status markers.
The Ashford Guild headquarters appeared ahead. The building was substantial, five stories of reinforced construction with architectural elements that suggested both professionalism and militaristic efficiency. The exterior walls were dark gray, lined with protective runes that pulsed faintly with contained energy. Large windows on each floor were reinforced, probably capable of withstanding significant impact.
The main entrance was impressive. Tall doors of some dark metal, etched with the guild's symbol, a stylized blade crossed with an aether crystal. Guards stood on either side, their armor gleaming with embedded formations. They tracked Kaelen and Lira's approach with assessment but didn't move to intercept.
"Here we go," Lira said quietly.
They pushed through the doors into a spacious reception area. The floor was polished stone, probably reinforced with aether to handle heavy foot traffic. The walls displayed various notices: mission postings, equipment sales, training schedules. Holographic displays cycled through guild achievements, notable hunts, member rankings.
The reception desk dominated the far wall, a long counter of dark wood with multiple stations. Behind it, staff moved efficiently, processing paperwork, answering questions, directing people to appropriate areas.
The waiting area to the left was filled with adventurers. Kaelen's eyes tracked across them, noting the diversity. A Dravari warrior sat near the window, his scaled features catching the light as he sharpened a massive blade. Two human Mages discussed something in low voices, their robes marked with complex rune patterns. An Aetherian woman stood alone, her crystalline veins glowing faintly beneath luminous skin as she reviewed something on a tablet. A Mutation class individual, his arms covered in what looked like natural armor plating, was eating something from a food pack.
Equipment quality varied significantly. Some wore obviously expensive gear, enchanted armor that hummed with power. Others, probably newer adventurers, carried basic weapons and worn protective clothing. The social hierarchy was visible in how people positioned themselves, the expensive gear taking the better seats, the newer members standing or sitting on the periphery.
Kaelen activated Analytical Scan subtly, his vision shifting as he focused on a few individuals. The Dravari warrior showed mostly question marks, his ability rank clearly above what Kaelen's current scan level could penetrate. Same with the two Mages and the Aetherian. The Mutation class individual's information was partially visible but still largely blocked.
He dismissed the skill before anyone noticed. Scanning people required staring at people, and staring could be considered rude. Better not to risk it.
"Can I help you?" A woman's voice pulled his attention back to the reception desk.
They approached the nearest station. The receptionist was human, probably in her thirties, with dark hair pulled back in a professional style. Her uniform was clean, marked with the guild's symbol on the shoulder. Her eyes were sharp, assessing them quickly.
"We're here for adventurer registration," Kaelen said. "Davos recommended I come here."
The woman's expression shifted slightly. "Davos? Davos Ashford?"
"Of course he goes by that name..." Kaelen thought.
"Yes, ma'am."
She studied him more carefully now. "And your name?"
"Kaelen Burn. This is Lira Venn."
The receptionist's fingers moved across her terminal, pulling up information. "Academy students?"
"First years," Lira confirmed.
The receptionist nodded, her expression neutral but not unfriendly. She pulled up a form on the holographic display, rotating it to face them.
"Registration process takes about two hours total," she explained. "There's a fee: one hundred fifty thousand credits per individual. This can be paid in installments over six months if needed, but full payment gives you immediate access to all guild facilities and mission postings."
Kaelen felt his chest tighten. One hundred fifty thousand. That was substantial. His mother's yearly income was maybe thirty thousand on a good year. But he had the credits now. The question was whether Lira did.
Before he could speak, the receptionist continued. "Before we proceed, understand that registering through a guild doesn't make you affiliated with that guild. You're an independent adventurer who happens to be using our registration services. Affiliation is a separate process with additional requirements and benefits."
"Understood," Kaelen said.
Lira nodded beside him.
"I'll pay for both of us," Kaelen said, pulling out his credit chip.
Lira's hand shot out, stopping him. "No."
"Lira—"
"I said no." Her silver eyes were firm. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm paying my own way."
"It's not a problem. I have the credits—"
"So do I." Her tone left no room for argument. "Before getting into the academy, I've being saving. I can handle one hundred fifty thousand."
Kaelen hesitated, then nodded. Pushing would just insult her. "Fine. But if you need help—"
"I'll ask." She turned to the receptionist. "We're both paying in full."
The receptionist processed their payments, the transactions completing smoothly. She handed them each a temporary identification chip, simple metal discs that would be upgraded once registration completed.
"Basic information first," she said, pulling up a new form. "Full name, class, cultivation level, any organizational affiliations."
Lira went first. "Lira Venn. Mage class. Adept cultivation, Channel Stage. No affiliations beyond Veyra Academy."
The receptionist's fingers moved across the terminal, recording information. Then she looked at Kaelen.
"Kaelen Burn. Unique class. Initiate cultivation, Latent Stage. Veyra academy affiliation only."
The receptionist's hands paused. She looked up, her expression shifting to visible surprise. "Unique class?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I..." She blinked, recovering her professional composure. "Apologies. It's just, in Nine years working this desk, you're the first Unique I've registered."
Kaelen felt heat rise to his face. "Could we keep that relatively quiet? I'd prefer not to make it a scene."
"Of course." The receptionist's fingers resumed moving, though her expression still carried faint wonder. "Unique classes are extremely rare. Less than point-one percent of the awakened population. Your registration will be flagged automatically for special consideration on certain missions."
"Understood."
The form continued. Next was equipment documentation. The receptionist explained this was for insurance purposes, in case equipment was damaged or lost during guild missions.
"Not required," she added quickly. "But recommended. The guild can provide basic coverage if registered."
"I'll pass," Kaelen said. He wasn't about to document his cursed C-rank gauntlets or the Cinder Serpent Chain. Too many questions.
Lira pulled her bow forward. "F-rank bow and arrows. Standard reinforced construction."
The receptionist recorded the information without comment.
"The guild also provides equipment lending services," she explained as she worked. "Basic weapons and armor up to C-rank can be borrowed for missions, with rental fees based on rank and duration. We also maintain a shop that sells potions, consumables, and various supplies. Pricing is competitive with market rates."
"Good to know," Lira said.
"Emergency contacts?" the receptionist asked.
Kaelen provided his mother's information. Lira did the same, but provided a name he didn't recognize. Probably a friend from her scavenging network.
The receptionist finished the basic intake, then rotated her terminal to show them a chart. "Guild ranking system operates separately from cultivation levels. You're probably familiar with the structure, but I'll review it anyway."
The chart displayed eleven tiers: F, E, D, C, B, A, AA, AAA, S, SS, SSS.
"New adventurers start at F-rank regardless of cultivation level," she explained. "Advancement comes through completed missions, verified hunts, and periodic assessments. Cultivation helps, obviously, but rank reflects actual field performance and reliability."
She tapped the chart. "F and E-rank are considered novice levels. Most missions at this tier involve basic beast hunting, material gathering, simple escort work. D and C-rank is where serious field work begins. Higher tiers are reserved for those who've proven exceptional capability."
"How long does advancement typically take?" Lira asked.
"Varies significantly. Some reach E-rank in a month. Others take six. Depends on how active you are and how well you perform." The receptionist's expression was neutral. "The guild tracks everything. Completion rates, efficiency, safety records, team coordination if applicable. All of it factors into advancement decisions."
She closed the chart and stood. "Final step is the competency assessment. Follow me."
They walked through the reception area, heading toward a corridor marked "Training Facilities." Other adventurers watched their passage with mild curiosity. New registrations were probably common enough not to generate real interest, though Kaelen noticed a few eyes tracking them that suggested experienced hunters sizing up potential competition.
The corridor opened into a larger space. Training chambers lined both sides, each one sealed behind reinforced doors with observation windows. Through one window, Kaelen glimpsed a team of adventurers fighting what looked like a D-rank beast, their coordination fluid as they wore it down.
The receptionist led them to chamber seven, unsealing the door with her access chip. Inside, the space was maybe thirty meters square. The floor was a reinforced stone, scarred with impact marks and burn patterns from previous assessments. The walls carried protective formations that shimmered faintly with contained energy.
"Competency assessment is straightforward," the receptionist explained. "You fight an F-rank beast under controlled conditions. The guild uses standardized types for fairness. Your goal is simple: kill it. We're not looking for flashy techniques or unnecessary risks."
She gestured to a control panel near the entrance. "I'll be observing from the booth. If something goes wrong, the formations will activate automatically to protect you. Ready?"
Lira stepped forward. "I'll go first."
"Understood." The receptionist moved to the observation booth, her voice coming through speakers now. "Deploying your assessment beast."
A section of the far wall slid open. What emerged made Kaelen's skin crawl despite his experience.
The beast scuttled into the chamber on eight legs, each one moving with disturbing coordination. Its body was segmented, covered in metallic looking chitin that caught the overhead lights. The creature was massive, body about ten meters long, leg span easily five meters. Its spinnerets were visible at the rear, already producing threads that looked like thin copper wire. Eight eyes glowed dull amber as they fixed on Lira.
The beast's appearance was unsettling. Black and hairy, with legs that looked unnaturally strong. The chitin had a slight sheen to it, suggesting durability beyond its appearance.
The receptionist's explained to kaelen noticing his focus on the beast."Lesser Wire Weaver. Arachnid classification. F-rank threat. It produces conductive webbing that disrupts Aether flow, though not strong enough to trap awakened humans, it causes disorientation instead. Spits paralyzing venom. The legs have titanium-grade durability. It's more of a nuisance than genuine threat, but it'll hurt you if you're careless."
Lira didn't hesitate. Aether flowed into her legs, visible as faint silver light that coated her feet and lower calves. Her movement speed increased immediately, her body shifting into a ready stance as the Wire Weaver assessed her.
The beast struck first. One leg lashed out with surprising speed for something its size, aiming to impale. Lira moved, her enhanced speed allowing clean evasion. She circled right, keeping mobile, maintaining distance.
The Wire Weaver followed, its eight legs carrying it smoothly across the chamber floor. It struck again, this time with two legs simultaneously. Lira dodged both, her movement was fluid. She wasn't attacking yet. Just observing and reading its patterns.
The Wire Weaver shifted tactics. Its spinnerets activated, shooting webs toward her in a wide spread. Lira ducked under the first volley, rolled left to avoid the second, came up running. The webs hit the floor and walls behind her, the threads adhering with surprising strength.
Lira continued moving, maintaining her circle around the beast. The Wire Weaver tracked her, its amber eyes glowing brighter. It opened its mandibles and spat something. Venom balls, three of them, launched with accuracy.
Lira's enhanced speed saved her. She dodged the first cleanly, twisted to avoid the second, ducked under the third. The venom hit the floor behind her, sizzling slightly on contact.
Lira's hand went to her bow. She drew it smoothly, her other hand moving as if to pull an arrow from her quiver. But instead of physical ammunition, she focused. Aether condensed in her palm, shaping itself into arrow form. Three of them, each one glowing with silver light that matched her eyes.
She nocked the first, drawing the bowstring back. Her aim settled and she released.
The arrow flew. The Wire Weaver saw it coming, began to dodge. Lira released the second and third arrows in rapid succession, their trajectories calculated. The beast tried to evade, its legs carrying it left.
The first arrow appeared to miss, sailing past the beast's head. The second and third were on target, aimed at the creature's legs. The Wire Weaver committed to its dodge, moving away from the approaching projectiles.
Then the first arrow curved back.
Kaelen's eyes widened. The arrow he'd thought missed had been intentional misdirection. It came back around in a tight arc, striking the Wire Weaver in the head just as the beast dodged into its path. The impact drove the creature's body down, forcing it back toward where the other two arrows were already arriving.
Both arrows hit. The Wire Weaver's front left leg shattered under the first impact. Its front right leg broke under the second. The beast screamed, the sound high pitched and rage filled. It tried to rear back on its remaining six legs, but the damage had thrown off its balance.
It fired webs desperately, a wild spray that lacked the precision of its earlier attacks. Lira moved through them, her enhanced speed and practiced footwork keeping her clear. She was already drawing the bow again, forming two more aether arrows.
The first arrow launched. It struck the Wire Weaver in the face, the impact cratering the chitin around its eyes. The beast's scream cut off mid sound as the second arrow followed immediately, punching through the exact same spot the first had weakened.
The Wire Weaver dropped. Its legs curled inward reflexively, the massive body hitting the floor with a heavy thud.
Silence filled the chamber for a moment.
"Assessment complete," the receptionist's voice said, carrying faint approval. "Well executed. Return to the entrance."
Lira lowered her bow. She walked back calmly, her breathing slightly elevated but not labored. When she reached the entrance, she smiled and mouthed to Kaelen.
"Your turn."
Kaelen nodded, impressed despite himself. He'd known Lira was capable. He had seen her handle threats before. But watching her fight with full focus and no distractions drove home just how skilled she'd become. The precision with those aether arrows, the misdirection with the first one curving back, the way she'd ended it with two clean strikes to the same weak point.
"She's impressive," he muttered.
"Very," the receptionist agreed. "Adept level cultivation with excellent aether manipulation control. Her technique is refined beyond what i expected." A pause. "Are you ready, Mr. Burn?"
Kaelen stepped into the chamber, his mind already shifting to combat mode. "Ready."
"Deploying your assessment beast."
The far wall opened again.