" Guys? What's wrong?" I asked as I glanced at them.
Edward then pushed himself off the counter and stood beside me.
I watched the adventurers whispering to each other.
Edward clapped his hands, silencing the entire building.
"Everyone, this will stay within the Guild. Are we clear?"
He asked, but then an adventurer stood up.
"Edward, think about the money!"
Edward sighed and grabbed my shoulder.
"I'll discuss this with the Guild Master, so keep this matter inside the Guild."
Without warning, Edward dragged me upstairs.
"Hey—where are you taking me?!"
"Shut up. Just follow my lead."
We stood in front of a door.
Guild Master's Office.
"Don't do anything reckless, Jean."
What?
Why? I asked myself.
Edward knocked three times, then a voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Edward slowly opened the door, but then—
SWOOOSH!
A bottle of wine came flying straight at his head.
Edward caught it effortlessly.
I was surprised, then glanced ahead and saw a woman in formal attire.
"What do you want, Edward?" she asked as she grabbed her quill and continued writing.
Edward closed the door behind us and placed the bottle on a nearby table.
"Jean, take a seat."
I took a seat slowly, my eyes glued to the woman.
"Guild Master, I would like to discuss a matter worth your time."
The woman gave Edward a look.
"A matter worth my time? Proceed."
"Last year, news spread about a Hollow attack reported by certain individuals..."
"They identified the survivor as Jean."
Edward looked at me.
"This kid is the survivor."
I swallowed hard as I watched the Guild Master's reaction.
She crossed her arms and leaned back.
"So, what do you want me to do?"
"I would like to ask for your assistance, Guild Master," Edward said calmly, concealing his nervousness with a steady breath.
Silence.
...
Then, the Guild Master laughed.
And stopped.
"Why should I, Edward?"
"I don't see any use for this kid that would warrant my assistance."
Edward was about to speak, but the Guild Master stopped him by raising her hand.
"Enough. I've seen enough."
I stood up and bowed my head.
"Please, I need all the help I can get."
"My siblings are still nowhere to be found."
"I'm oblivious to my current situation... because I've been too preoccupied with my training over the past year."
"Oblivious? Kid, do you even know what situation you're in right now?"
The Guild Master crossed her arms and leaned back.
"You're currently wanted. The government has placed a bounty on your head."
The government?
A bounty on my head?
"Fifty Hnr Gold. Do you know what that means?"
Of course, I knew.
Fifty gold Henri was enough to sustain a person's livelihood for an entire year.
"It means you're nothing more than a sack of gold in my eyes right now."
"Guild Master! Please, hear me out!"
"Edward, didn't I tell you enough was enough?!"
The Guild Master slammed her desk, splitting it in half.
"Do you realize the consequences of going against the government?!"
"But Guild Master, we could use him for the guild's sake."
"The kid has potential. You know that," Edward said, ignoring the broken desk.
"I see what you're getting at, Edward."
"I'll test him myself then."
Without warning—
No...
I couldn't even see it.
The last thing I saw was a fist rushing toward my face.
I blinked and saw Edward restraining her wrist.
I fell to the ground, creating some distance between us.
"Guild Master, calm down. Don't cause a commotion."
"Settle this at the training grounds."
The Guild Master sighed and pulled her wrist away.
"Did you just order me?"
"I must say, you've given me some logical decisions to consider..."
"But ordering me?! I, Lucia Fretzel, refuse to submit to anyone!"
Without warning, the Guild Maste—
No, Lucia kicked Edward, sending him flying into the wall.
I watched Edward hit the wall and stand up quickly as if nothing had happened.
He brushed off his clothes and wiped the blood from his lips.
"Pardon me, Guild Master. Shall we settle this at the training grounds?"
Lucia scoffed and walked past me.
"Follow me."