Captain Edran looked up from a stack of documents as they approached, his sharp eyes quickly assessing the pair. His silver-gray hair and a faint scar running across his jawline spoke of years of experience, and the faint aura of authority around him was unmistakable.
“You’re here for the expedition?” Edran asked, his voice steady and direct.
“Yes, Captain,” Elara said, stepping forward. “My name is Elara, and this is Cedric. We’ve come to join.”
Edran’s gaze flicked briefly to Cedric, then back to Elara. His eyes narrowed slightly as he studied her, a glimmer of curiosity evident. “A mage?”
Elara nodded. “Yes. Frost magic.”
Edran leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Interesting. We don’t see many rogue mages, especially not ones with enough nerve to come here.” His tone wasn’t dismissive, but neither was it overly welcoming. But then his eyes gleamed with a faint spark of amusement as he leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk. “I’ve heard you’ve already made an impression in the city,” he remarked, his tone casual but probing.
Elara’s shoulders stiffened immediately, the faintest flicker of unease crossing her features. She hadn’t expected anyone outside the courtyard to know about the incident so soon. Was the citizens from yesterday already spreading tales, or was it just the nature of a city as vibrant and gossipy as Stormhaven?
Noticing her reaction, Edran’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Winds are quite strong in this city, Miss Elara,” he said, his voice light with humor. “News spreads fast. I see we have quite a strong-spirited young lady here.”
Elara straightened her posture, the unease fading as her determination took hold. “I can’t stand injustice to women,” she replied simply, her tone calm but resolute.
Edran regarded her for a moment, his smile fading into something more serious. “Injustice to women? That is a rash path,” he said, his tone laced with warning.
Elara met his gaze directly, her blue eyes unwavering. “That is a path that I am willing to take.”
Edran’s expression softened slightly, though his gaze remained sharp. “Is that so? Then so be it.” He leaned back again, crossing his arms as he studied her more intently. “But words only go so far. I’ll need to see for myself what you can do. Not much—just a glimpse of your abilities. Enough to understand the foundation you’re working with.”
Elara hesitated briefly, then gave a firm nod. “Understood.”
Edran gestured toward a clear area in the center of the room, where other adventurers were undergoing physical and magical tests. The space was marked with scorch marks, cracks in the stone floor, and faint remnants of magical residue, evidence of prior demonstrations.
“Mages tend to be stingy with their spells,” Edran added, a wry smile tugging at his lips. “So don’t feel the need to go all out. A quick showcase will suffice.”
Elara stepped into the designated area, drawing her hood back slightly to give herself more freedom to move. Her hands hovered at her sides, and she drew in a steadying breath, centering herself.
Cedric watched silently from the sidelines, his posture relaxed but his eyes keenly observing. He knew Elara’s abilities well, but he also understood the importance of this moment for her. It wasn’t just about impressing Edran—it was about proving to herself that she was ready.
Elara’s mana flowed effortlessly, her body humming with the familiar sensation of frost magic. She extended her hand, and in an instant, a thin sheet of ice spread across the ground, glimmering faintly under the torchlight. The temperature in the room dropped perceptibly, and a faint mist rose from the frozen surface.
With a sharp motion, she clenched her fist. From the ice sheet erupted a series of crystalline spikes, each perfectly formed and razor-sharp. They shot upward, stopping just short of the ceiling, before shimmering and dissolving into a soft cascade of snowflakes.
The demonstration lasted mere seconds, but the precision and control were undeniable.
Edran’s eyes narrowed slightly, his analytical gaze taking in every detail. After a moment, he nodded slowly. “Efficient. Controlled. A good start. It appears that your master is quite a fine mage.”
Elara’s posture tensed almost imperceptibly as Captain Edran’s words settled over the room. Her blue eyes widened slightly, and for a split second, her calm composure faltered. How did he know about her master? Had she given herself away somehow? Was it truly that obvious?
Edran, catching the flicker of unease in her expression, broke into a hearty laugh, the deep sound filling the space. “Relax, young lady,” he said, his tone carrying a surprising warmth. “Even if it wasn’t obvious, you’ve just made it so.”
Your adventure continues at empire
Elara blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly. She opened her mouth to respond, but Edran raised a hand, still smiling. “Seeing rogue mages is a rare occasion,” he continued, his voice steady and thoughtful. “That’s especially true for someone your age—and with that level of control. It doesn’t take much to deduce that someone guided you. I’ve been doing this long enough to know the marks of good teaching when I see them.”
She ducked her head slightly, trying to compose herself. The compliment felt both validating and a little overwhelming. “I… I suppose that makes sense,” she said softly, her voice tinged with flustered humility.
Edran watched her closely, his sharp gaze softening. “You’re young, but you’re not lacking in spirit. I respect that.” He leaned back slightly, his arms crossing again. “And don’t worry—I’m not interested in prying into your past. You’ve got your reasons for being here, and that’s enough for me.”
Elara glanced up at him, her blush deepening. There was something unexpectedly kind in the captain’s demeanor, a sense of fairness that put her slightly at ease. Despite his earlier sternness, he carried himself with a balance of authority and approachability that felt almost paternal. For a moment, she wondered if this was why so many adventurers seemed to trust him.
“Thank you, Captain,” she managed, her voice more composed now.
Edran smiled faintly, a glint of amusement still lingering in his eyes. “Save the thanks for later. You’re just getting started. And trust me, the challenges ahead won’t care if you’ve got a good teacher or not. It’s your own strength and resolve that’ll see you through.”
Elara nodded firmly, her resolve strengthening. “I’ll remember that.”
Cedric, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward slightly, a glare on his face. He looked rather gruff and angry. “She is already proving herself; she will not stop here.”
Edran’s gaze snapped to Cedric, the warmth in his expression vanishing in an instant. His sharp, cold eyes bore into the knight, carrying an unspoken challenge. Cedric, undeterred, met Edran’s gaze head-on, his jaw tightening as he refused to back down.
For a tense moment, silence fell between them. Then, without warning, the longsword at Edran’s side hissed free of its scabbard. The blade gleamed in the torchlight as it sliced through the air in a swift, controlled arc.
CLANG!
Cedric reacted on instinct, drawing his own blade and intercepting Edran’s strike at the last possible moment. The force of the clash sent a reverberating shock down his arms, and he stumbled back a step, his balance momentarily faltering.
Edran held his stance for a beat longer, the tip of his sword pointed toward Cedric’s chest, before smoothly retracting his blade. He sheathed it in a single fluid motion, his expression unreadable.
“A knight that speaks unnecessarily is a burden,” Edran said, his voice cold and clipped. His eyes lingered on Cedric, their sharpness unwavering. “Focus on protecting your lady. That is your role.”
Cedric’s chest rose and fell with heavy breaths, a thin bead of sweat trailing down his temple. His grip on his sword tightened, but he didn’t reply, understanding the weight behind Edran’s words. Slowly, he straightened, lowering his blade.
Edran turned his back on them, his steps deliberate as he moved toward his desk. “You will be assigned to the fourth group,” he said over his shoulder, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Cedric’s knuckles whitened around the hilt of his sword, but he held his tongue. Elara, watching the exchange with wide eyes, placed a hand lightly on his arm. “Cedric,” she murmured, her voice soft but firm.
He glanced at her, his tension easing slightly as he met her gaze. With a curt nod, he sheathed his sword and stepped back, his usual composure slowly returning.
Edran didn’t look back as he addressed them one last time. “Report to the fourth station for briefing. Walk just straight, then turn right. You will see the sign for the fourth station.”
Elara and Cedric nodded curtly at Edran’s dismissal and began making their way toward the exit. Cedric’s steps were heavy, his frustration still evident, but Elara’s mind was already preoccupied with the events that had just transpired.
As they neared the threshold, movement near the entrance caught Elara’s attention. She glanced toward the recruitment desk and froze, her heart skipping a beat. There, standing before the same guard who had questioned her earlier, was a young man with pitch-black eyes and unruly dark hair.
‘That’s him… the one from the inn,’ Elara thought, her breath catching for a moment. Her memory of his wide-eyed stare resurfaced, along with the brief but curious encounter. There was something about him—something she couldn’t quite place.
Without thinking, she slowed her steps and focused her senses, honing in on the exchange at the desk. The faint hum of the room dulled around her as she tuned in on the conversation.
“ID?” the guard asked, his tone brisk.
The young man produced a small card, sliding it across the counter. “Here.”
The guard picked it up, his eyes scanning the information. “Hmm… Name: Luca. Adventurer rank: D. A swordsman.”
‘Luca,’ Elara repeated in her mind, committing the name to memory.
There was one name that came into her mind, but she would rather forget that.
‘It can’t be.’
Her gaze remained locked on him, taking in his relaxed yet confident posture. His cat, still perched on his shoulder, flicked its tail lazily, its serene demeanor contrasting with the bustling recruitment station.
Just then for a split second, their eyes met.
Pitch black eyes.
Bright blue eyes.
As they locked, Elara for some reason felt the need to avert her gaze, but she stumbled a little on the process.
Cedric noticed her stumble. “What is it?” he asked quietly.
“Ehm…Nothing. Let’s go.”
And just like that, they left.