The Challenger's Guild stood as the continent's indispensable nexus for warriors and mages. Like a colossal perpetual-motion machine, it thrummed with endless activity - thousands of adventurers streaming through its portals daily, countless missions cycling through its labyrinthine bureaucracy.
Kael had spent the night meditating on Flamecrest Isle before approaching the guild at dawn. Morning light gilded the guild's ostentatious brass doors, though the early hour did nothing to thin the teeming crowd. After finally squeezing through the press of bodies, Kael grimaced at the creases marring his new Starweave Robe. "Guild security's the only thing saving this investment," he muttered, brushing at the celestial patterns now distorted by the jostling.
Turning to the mission board, his eyes scanned the ever-shifting parchment:
"Capture Flame Lion cub (Tier III) in Witherwood. Reward: 200g."
"Retrieve ancestral necklace from Sunset Ridge. Reward: 300g."
The listings ranged from mundane to morally dubious - missing pets, artifact hunts, even a disturbing request for elven captives. Kael sighed. Finding a mission that balanced challenge and survivability in this den of opportunists seemed increasingly quixotic.
Across the Hall...
A mountain of muscle leaned against a marble pillar, his obsidian greatsword humming faintly with containment runes. Though built like a siege engine, the young warrior currently deployed his charms on a trio of adventuresses. His roguish eyes performed tactical sweeps of décolletages and swaying hips whenever their attention shifted - a predator assessing prey.
"Finn!" A hooded mage materialized beside him, voice tinged with exasperation. "We're not here for your harem-building exercises."
The warrior named Finn clapped the mage's shoulder with a cannonade laugh. "Patience, Griffin! I'm scouting companions for our Woma Forest expedition." His grin turned conspiratorial. "Pity the guild's talent pool's dwindling - these days you're lucky to find a swordswoman who can both fight and fill out her breastplate."
Griffin massaged his temples. "Our contract expires in five days. Unless you plan to charm the Sabertooth into surrendering its fangs..."
"Relax, I've got this." Finn's gaze suddenly sharpened across the hall. "Look at that mage - Starweave Robe, Emberroot Staff. That's at least 5,000 gold worth of arcane hardware."
The mage followed his gaze to where Kael stood examining quest scrolls. "Either a trust-fund warlock or someone with proper lineage," Griffin murmured, eyeing the intricate spellthreads weaving through Kael's garments.
Finn was already striding forward. "Seeking company, friend?" He flexed corded arms that could wrestle bears. "Fifth-tier warrior here with a third-tier mage companion. We've got a Sabertooth hunt in Woma Forest - 300g split three ways. Interested?"
Kael considered. The western woodlands held few threats above Tier VI, and a Tier V beast would test his limits without being suicidal. The warrior's brash demeanor suggested either confidence or recklessness - perhaps both.
"Done," Kael nodded.
"Korgoth Finn, at your service!" The warrior's handshake could crush walnuts. "This sourpuss is Griffin. We're Flareblade Academy students on field training."
"Kael," the mage replied simply.
"Third-tier, same as Griffin here!" Finn slung arms around both mages. "You two can compare spellbooks while I handle the heavy lifting."
As they moved toward the forest trails, Kael noted their academy insignias. Flareblade students achieving fifth-tier combat proficiency so young? Perhaps this guild rat's company might prove educational after all.