[Panel: A young man sits on the edge of a stone wall overlooking the city. His black jacket is trimmed with crimson, his messy hair catching the morning light. His eyes—sharp and watchful—follow a group of adventurers passing below.]
Renjiro (thinking):
Another day in Selemor. Another mission from the guild. And another headache from Father if I mess this one up.
[Flashback panel: A stern man cloaked in flame-emblazoned robes stands in a grand hall.]
Father:
"You carry the name Ignisar. Act like it."
[Back to present.]
Renjiro (sighing):
Tch. Easier said than done, old man.
[Panel: Renjiro hops down from the wall and walks toward the guild building, his hand casually resting on the hilt of a curved blade. The symbol of Ignisar—a burning phoenix—is etched on his collar.]
[Narration]
He's not like his older brothers. Not the prodigy. Not the golden child.
But there's something else.
[AT THE GUILD HALL]
The wind outside howled through the narrow cobbled streets of Selemor. It was morning, but the clouds hung low, threatening rain. Inside the Adventurer's Guild, the air was warm, filled with the soft murmur of voices, clinking mugs, and the rustle of parchment being passed across counters.
Renjiro Ignisar sat near the window, gazing at the shifting clouds. The reflection of flickering lanterns on the glass reminded him of mana trails—brief flashes of energy dancing along the sky. His hand gripped the edge of a worn wooden table. He hadn't eaten yet. Not that he was hungry. His mind was elsewhere.
"…You're staring again," said a voice beside him, dry as dust.
He turned slightly. Akari Tsukishiro leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, her sword resting upright against the wall next to her. Her sharp eyes followed every movement in the room, her expression unreadable.
"Sorry," Renjiro muttered. "Just thinking."
She didn't reply. She rarely did. That was fine with him. Silence wasn't uncomfortable between them.
A chair scraped loudly from the other end of the table. Daichi Himura, the group's axe-wielding shield, dropped into the seat with a dramatic sigh.
"I swear, this city's getting more crowded by the hour. Some lizard-man nearly tail-slapped me on the way in."
From behind him, Mayu Hanabira arrived, her arms full of bread, a pot of tea, and three mugs that clinked with each step. Her bright smile brought a bit of light into the otherwise dreary morning.
"I got us food! Be grateful, Daichi—he gave me a discount when I told him you'd carry a barrel for him later."
"I never agreed to that!"
"You did now."
As they bickered, Renjiro leaned back in his seat. Despite their differences, this group—these people—felt... right. Not like family, not yet. But something close. Something that might grow into it.
Mayu hanabira
Clan: Hanabira Clan (Medicinal and spiritual lineage)
Race: Half-human, half-beastkin (rabbit lineage)
Magic: Healing and wind magic
Background: Born into a lesser-known but respected clan of herbalists and wind users. Has long ears and slightly fluffy traits, which she hides in crowded areas. Bubbly and kindhearted, she provides support magic and acts as the emotional core of the group.
Daichi Himura
Clan: None (Commoner origins)
Race: Human
Magic: None (uses enchanted weaponry and brute strength)
Background: A cheerful and loud but loyal adventurer. Born in a village ravaged by beasts, he trained his body to superhuman levels and wields a massive enchanted axe. Serves as the tank of the party. Not magically gifted, but makes up for it with strength, resilience, and charisma.
Akari Tsukishiro
Clan: Tsukishiro Lineage (minor noble bloodline)
Race: Human
Magic: Earth Magic
Background: Stoic and precise. Her family taught her swordsmanship and defensive magic, but she separated from them to explore the world. While not from a dominant bloodline like Ignisar, her earth manipulation and combat finesse make her a solid fighter.
The Selemor Guild Hall buzzed with familiar noise—clashing voices, weapon clangs, the scent of steel and stew in the air.
[A few moments later ]
Renjiro sat at the corner table of the guild lounge, arms crossed, deep in thought. A half-drunk glass of lemon ale sat untouched before him. Around him, adventurers argued over loot distribution and war stories from recent monster subjugations. He ignored all of it.
> "Still not enough..." Renjiro thought, tapping his fingers against the wooden table.
"We've cleared Class-C quests just fine, but the Guild won't let us take on anything higher without at least five active members."
His eyes flicked over to the quest board. The real money and influence lay in Class-B and above. High-risk, high-reward. And right now, they were stuck.
Daichi, their muscle and morale-boosting tank, was currently arm-wrestling some bearkin. Mayu was talking to the receptionist, trying to extend the party's mission slot for another week. Akari sat silently at the window, sharpening her blade.
Renjiro leaned back.
> "Tch. We need one more member," he muttered to himself. "Someone competent... and not a headache."
And then his eyes caught something—no, someone.
At the far end of the guild counter, a figure stood hunched slightly over the registration desk. Slender frame, dark hair that fell lazily over one eye. The man wore a long black coat with a faint blue shimmer at its edges and carried himself with a calm indifference.
> " Is he a new adventurer.. Looks like he just finished filling out his form "
The clerk asked a question, and the man replied softly, his voice carrying just enough for Renjiro to catch it.
> "Name: Kyoichi. Age: Twenty . Magic type... telekinesis."
"Experience? Let's just say I've... moved things around."
The clerk raised an eyebrow. "No previous party experience?"
Kyoichi shrugged.
> " No ... I am new to this town didn't really had a chance to get into a party - thought I could just do some solo quest and earn a dime to rent out a room in the city "
Renjiro ( thinking ) : "Bingoo !!! What are the odds ... I'll give him an invite "
Renjiro walked through the busy hall, boots clicking against the stone floor as he approached the registration desk. The air felt heavier the closer he got—not from mana or threat, but from the unreadable calm that surrounded the newcomer.
[Kyoichi noticed him coming and casually shifted his gaze. ]
"Yo," Renjiro said, offering a half-nod. "Heard you're registering. Kyoichi, right?"
Kyoichi : "Uhhh yeah... that's me " " you know eavesdropping is not a good first look you know "
Renjiro scratched the back of his neck."Sorry happened to hear your conversation i swear it wasn't on purpose ""Anyways name's Renjiro Ignisar, I lead a party—well, sort of. We're one man short to take on higher-tier jobs."
Kyoichi raised an eyebrow. "And you're telling me this because…?"
Renjiro leaned slightly closer, crossing his arms. "Because you seem capable. And we could use someone who knows how to 'move things around.'" He smirked.
Kyoichi looked down at his form, then back up. "We don't know each other. I don't join groups lightly."
"Didn't say you had to," Renjiro replied, straight-faced. "Just one job. A trial run. You come with us, get a feel for the team. If it's not your thing, walk away after. No strings."
Kyoichi tilted his head ... Let me think about it hold on ..
Finally, he spoke. "One job."
Renjiro smiled. "That's all I ask."
Just then, Akari called out from the back. "Renjiro! Did you seriously just pick up some random guy again?!"
Mayu chimed in with a teasing grin, "Don't tell me this is your recruitment strategy—offering handsome strangers trial runs!"
Daichi shouted over from the table, still arm-wrestling, "Hope he doesn't suck!"
Renjiro waved them off, then turned to Kyoichi again. "You'll get used to the noise. Or not. Either way, welcome to the squad… for now."
Kyoichi: sighs "Let's see if I regret this."
To be continued....