The morning rose gray over the Tianyu Forest. Mist lingered between the trees like a veil, and the light of dawn hesitated before reaching the ground.
Borin was already awake, hammering a small anvil outside the cabin they had built. Each strike echoed through the forest—firm, rhythmic, like the beating heart of the earth itself.
Ren approached silently."Didn't sleep?"
Borin let out a small chuckle."A blacksmith who sleeps too much loses the fire in his forge."
He wiped his brow with his thick arm and looked at the boy."And a mage who thinks too much forgets he has a body to train."
Ren smiled faintly. Borin watched him for a moment before speaking again."So… today's the day?"
"Yes," Ren replied. "Today the Guild trains as one."
The dwarf grunted, plunging the hammer into a bucket of water."Then get ready, little founder. Not all heat comes from flame."
🔥 The First Training
At the center of the clearing, Draven and Lyra stood side by side. The ground around them was marked with faint runes—symbols Ren and Borin had carved the night before.
"The exercise is simple," Ren said. "Synchronize your mana flow."
Draven frowned."With her?"
"If you can't trust her," Ren replied, "you'll never trust me."
Lyra crossed her arms."And if he burns me again?"
"Then learn to dodge."
Borin burst into laughter."Finally, someone who speaks my language!"
He placed his hand on the ground; the earth trembled gently, as if the forest itself were breathing with them."Let's see if our quiet little mage actually knows what he's doing."
Ren raised his staff, and the air thickened with power.
[Guild Training Mode: Active Synchrony – Lv. 1]
A circle of light formed around them.
Draven closed his eyes, fire crackling along his arms. Lyra took a deep breath, focusing the air at her fingertips.
For a brief instant, flame and wind moved in harmony—until Draven lost control.
The fire surged sideways, nearly striking Lyra. She rolled across the ground, bow in hand, furious."I knew it!"
Draven clenched his fists."It wasn't on purpose!"
Ren didn't move. His silver eyes glowed faintly."The problem isn't the flame," he said softly. "It's the heart behind it."
Draven frowned."What does that mean?"
"Fire responds to the soul," Ren answered. "And yours still cries out for something it doesn't understand."
Borin crossed his arms, speaking low."He's afraid. Not of failing—but of being weak."
Ren stepped forward, placing a hand on Draven's shoulder."Strength isn't defeating others," he said quietly. "It's refusing to run from yourself."
For a moment, everything fell silent. The fire around Draven softened, becoming steady and warm instead of wild.
Lyra watched, eyes wide. For the first time, she saw his fire not as destruction—but as life.
Ren stepped back."Now breathe together."
The wind spun gently, feeding the flames without letting them spread. Light and air danced in unison, wrapping the clearing in shades of gold and blue.
[Synchronized Training: Success][Group Attribute +1 – Mana Synergy]
Borin smiled, satisfied."Hah! The first breath of a living body. A true Guild begins to breathe."
Ren looked at the two of them—sweaty, exhausted, but smiling. And for the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a quiet peace.
He was no longer alone.
🌫️ The Mist
As they put away their equipment, a dense mist began creeping along the ground. Ren looked up—the sun still shone, yet the mist seemed to move on its own.
For a second, he thought he saw an eye open within it, watching him. But when he blinked, it was gone.
[Anomaly Detected: Unknown Mana Source]
Ren tightened his grip on his staff. He said nothing.
Some things were better left unspoken—for now.
🕯️ Night at the Forge
As night fell, Borin returned to the anvil, sparks glowing like fireflies in the darkness. Ren entered quietly, watching the metal's glow.
"They have potential," Borin said without turning."I know," Ren replied. "They just need to believe in each other."
The dwarf snorted."That's harder than forging steel, boy."
Ren stepped closer."Nothing real is easy to build."
Borin looked at him with a mix of respect and concern."You speak like someone who's lived far too long for his age."
Ren smiled faintly."Maybe I've seen enough to know what's worth building."
Borin stayed silent for a long moment. Then he struck the metal again."Then keep building, little smelter. Just remember—every forge needs something to fight rust."
Ren left the forge, the sound of hammering echoing behind him like a heartbeat. And in that rhythm, he heard a promise.
A vow forming silently beneath the noise of the world.
📜 [Status Window – Immortal Guild]
Leader: Ren Tianyi (Human) – Age: 9 – Class: Mage*
Members:• Draven Ignis (Half-Dragon) – Age: 10 – Class: Elementalist*• Lyra Sylwen (Elf) – Age: 9 – Class: Spiritual Archer*• Borin Ironhammer (Dwarf) – Age: 47 – Class: Spiritual Blacksmith / Tank*
Guild Base: Hidden Forest of TianyuConstruction Progress: 18%Active Functions: Potential Observer, Training Log, Group Synergy (Lv. 2), Spiritual Workshop (Lv. 1)Current Mission: Guild Synergy TrainingStatus: In Progress