Kyle Harness stood before dozens of newly recruited members inside the main hall of the Nightglass Covenant. The room was completely silent as everyone listened to him with full attention.
He folded his arms and spoke in a calm but authoritative voice.
"Becoming an adventurer is not as easy as many people believe."
The recruits immediately focused on every word.
"Many people think they can simply register themselves and become official adventurers overnight."
Kyle slowly shook his head.
"That is no longer possible."
He continued,
"From today onward, every person who wishes to become an official adventurer of the Nightglass Covenant must first graduate from our academy."
A large magical screen behind him displayed the academy's name.
Louf Magnian Academy
Kyle pointed toward it.
"This academy was established only five years ago."
"Back then, it was nothing more than an empty building."
"No teachers."
"No students."
"No proper facilities."
"But now..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"It has become one of the greatest educational institutions in the Ancient Realms."
"The academy possesses experienced instructors, advanced training grounds, libraries filled with ancient knowledge, combat arenas, magical laboratories, and countless facilities designed to create capable adventurers."
He paused before continuing.
"For five years, every student will be trained in every essential field."
"Your physical strength."
"Your endurance."
"Weapon mastery."
"Battle tactics."
"Survival techniques."
"And most importantly..."
Kyle looked around the room.
"You will learn how to sense, control, and utilize Sage Aura and Mage Aura."
"The purpose of Louf Magnian Academy is simple."
"To make sure that no unprepared adventurer loses their life because of ignorance."
Several recruits quietly nodded.
Kyle continued.
"Admission to the academy requires five gold coins."
"The monthly academy fee is also five gold coins."
"If you successfully graduate after completing the five-year program, only then will you be eligible to join the Nightglass Covenant."
He raised one finger.
"However..."
"Graduation alone is not enough."
"When you officially register as a Covenant Adventurer, you must pay an entrance fee of ten gold coins and one hundred silver coins."
"After becoming a member, every adventurer contributes five gold coins each month to support the Covenant."
One recruit nervously raised his hand.
"Sir... why does the Covenant require so much money?"
Kyle answered without hesitation.
"Because protecting humanity is expensive."
"Weapons."
"Medicine."
"Food."
"Academies."
"Research."
"Construction."
"Emergency rescue missions."
"Everything costs money."
"The Covenant does not survive on heroism alone."
"It survives through proper management."
The recruits finally understood.
Kyle continued explaining.
"Our organization also collects taxes from merchants and wealthy noble families."
He paused briefly.
"Many of those wealthy families are officially known as the Luxurers."
"However..."
He smiled slightly.
"Most people simply call them the Rolists."
"The name Rolist has become far more common than Luxurer."
Several recruits quietly wrote the information inside their notebooks.
Kyle nodded with satisfaction.
"I expect every one of you to remember these rules."
"Discipline creates survival."
"Carelessness creates graves."
The hall once again became silent.
Elsewhere...
Inside the capital city.
Bustling streets stretched endlessly beneath the afternoon sky.
Merchants shouted while advertising their products.
Children laughed as they chased one another through crowded roads.
Carriages moved back and forth.
Restaurants overflowed with customers.
The city looked peaceful.
Yet...
Among the crowd walked a young woman whose eyes carefully observed every direction.
She wore simple travelling clothes, making her appear like an ordinary tourist.
Her name was...
Miyuki Hanado.
She slowly looked around the city with genuine curiosity.
"Huh..."
"So this is one of humanity's largest cities."
She quietly examined every building, every marketplace, and every street.
"It has been a long time since I entered a city this crowded."
She placed one hand inside her pocket while continuing to walk.
"Honestly..."
"Hunting and assassination have started to become boring."
She sighed.
"My next target is..."
She unfolded a small paper.
Kimmy Leortson.
"My client confirmed that Kimmy is protected by excellent security."
"So rushing in would be foolish."
"I should observe first."
As she continued walking, several teenage boys noticed her.
Their hairstyles, clothing, and attitudes resembled local street gangsters.
One of them whistled.
Another smirked.
The boys began making vulgar gestures toward her while laughing among themselves.
Miyuki simply glanced at them once.
Inside her mind...
Calm down.
They're just children.
Although, in reality, they looked closer to young gang members than innocent kids.
The boys wanted to provoke her even more.
However...
Because they were standing in the middle of a crowded street filled with witnesses, none of them dared to approach her directly.
Miyuki ignored them completely.
"They're not worth my time."
She continued searching for information.
After walking a short distance, she noticed a small boy carrying a basket of fruit.
The child looked around eight years old.
Miyuki stopped beside him.
"Hey, kid."
The boy frowned immediately.
"Hey!"
"I'm not 'kid.'"
"My name is Kupo."
Miyuki blinked.
"...Huh."
Inside her mind she sighed.
Stay calm, Miyuki.
You only need information.
She gave a small apologetic smile.
"Alright."
"Sorry, Kupo."
"I'd like to ask you a few questions."
"If you don't mind, could you answer them?"
Kupo crossed his arms proudly.
"Hmm..."
"That depends."
"What kind of questions?"
Miyuki smiled slightly.
"Nothing dangerous."
"I'm simply looking for someone."
"Can you help me?"
Kupo looked at her for several seconds before grinning confidently.
"Sure."
"I'll help."