Morning sunlight illuminated the bustling streets of Ardent Crossing.
Kieran left the Resting Oak Inn shortly after breakfast.
His destination today was simple.
The Wanderer's Guild.
Although he wasn't planning to become a Wanderer...
Crystal had always said,
«"If you wish to understand a city, visit the Guild before the marketplace."»
"The marketplace shows you what people want."
"The Guild shows you what people need."
---
The Guild Plaza was already crowded.
Practitioners wearing robes, leather armor, heavy plate, and even traveling cloaks filled the square.
Some hurried toward commissions.
Others had just returned from dangerous expeditions.
Unlike the lively chatter of merchants...
The conversations here carried purpose.
---
The Wanderer's Guild headquarters towered over the plaza.
Built from dark gray stone, it was sturdy rather than extravagant.
Above its entrance hung the silver compass emblem recognized throughout the Gardenia Empire.
Kieran stepped inside.
Immediately, the noise doubled.
Large commission boards lined one wall.
Receptionists worked tirelessly behind polished counters.
Groups of Wanderers discussed expeditions over breakfast.
Others celebrated successful missions.
Several injured practitioners quietly waited near a healer's station.
Everything moved with surprising order.
---
As Kieran looked around...
A familiar voice called out.
"So you really came."
He turned.
Elena approached with her silver spear resting against one shoulder.
"I thought you might."
Kieran bowed respectfully.
"Good morning."
She nodded.
"I heard you're staying in the city for a couple more days."
"I leave tomorrow."
"A wise decision."
She glanced toward one of the commission boards.
"Nearly half the applicants for the Grand Academy will be traveling over the next month."
"The roads will become crowded."
---
She led him toward a large map mounted on the wall.
"This is the safest route."
Her finger traced several roads.
"You'll pass through three towns."
"Cross the Emerald River."
"And finally reach Academy City."
Kieran carefully memorized every landmark.
He didn't write anything down.
He simply remembered.
Elena noticed.
"You have a good memory."
Kieran smiled.
"My mother made sure of it."
---
Nearby, two older Wanderers had been listening.
One whispered,
"He memorized the entire route?"
The other frowned.
"I've traveled those roads for ten years and still need a map."
---
Just then...
A commotion erupted near the entrance.
Several young men and women entered together.
Each wore expensive robes embroidered with noble insignias.
Powerful Magna fluctuations radiated from them.
"They're heading for the Academy."
Someone murmured.
"Aren't they from House Valen?"
"And that girl..."
"I heard she's already at Peak Stage Two."
"They're all monsters."
Kieran quietly observed them.
Not their cultivation.
Their behavior.
Some walked proudly.
Others remained humble despite the attention.
One young man ignored everyone entirely, his eyes fixed on a book as he walked.
Interesting...
Strength revealed character in different ways.
---
A loud laugh suddenly echoed through the hall.
"So this is the famous Guild?"
A blond youth strode confidently toward the commission boards.
Behind him followed several attendants.
Without warning...
He reached past another Wanderer and tore a high-ranking escort commission from the board.
"I'll take this."
The older Wanderer frowned.
"I was reading that."
The blond youth shrugged.
"So?"
"I touched it first."
"You hadn't accepted it."
The room grew noticeably quieter.
Several people frowned.
Elena sighed softly.
"Nobles..."
---
Before the argument could escalate...
An elderly receptionist struck the counter once with a wooden staff.
The sound wasn't loud.
Yet the entire hall fell silent.
"The Guild has rules."
Her calm voice carried effortlessly.
"No commission belongs to anyone until it is formally accepted."
"If you wish to quarrel..."
"Take it outside."
Even the arrogant noble lowered his head slightly.
"My apologies."
The tension dissolved almost instantly.
Kieran watched carefully.
No one had raised their voice.
No one had displayed overwhelming power.
Yet...
Everyone obeyed.
He quietly thought,
"So this is the authority of an organization."
Not built upon fear.
But upon trust earned over countless generations.
---
As he and Elena prepared to leave...
A notice was pinned to the central board.
Special Escort Commission
Destination: Grand Academy.
Departure: Tomorrow morning.
Applicants and travelers welcome.
Within moments, dozens of people gathered around it.
Elena smiled.
"Looks like your journey just became more interesting."
Kieran nodded.
"It seems I'll have plenty of company."
Neither of them realized...
Among those reading the same notice...
Were several young men and women whose lives would soon become forever intertwined with Kieran's.
Some would become trusted companions.
Some, fierce rivals.
And one...
Would one day stand beside him when the mysteries of the Melika Realm finally began to unfold.
End of Chapter 57