From his brother's performance, Edmund quickly grasped the situation. The machine was designed to test a mage's proficiency, and it seemed to respond only to spells of a certain rank. He realized that a second rank spell was required to to not get their cover blown.
He took a deep breath, steadying his nerves. Calmly, as if performing a well rehearsed ritual, Edmund began to chant the incantation. Flames gathered at his fingertips, swirling and growing brighter by the second. The heat radiated off him in waves, but his expression remained composed.
Then, with a sharp motion, he launched a large fireball. It shot forward, crackling loudly as it arced through the air toward the machine. The air seemed to shimmer in its wake, and the sound of roaring flames echoed through the room.
The fireball struck the machine with a resonant impact. For a moment, the flames engulfed the device, flickering wildly. Then, with a loud clang and a burst of sparks, the fireball vanished on contact. In its place, a glowing number appeared above the machine: 746.
The young woman standing nearby adjusted her glasses and took careful notes.
"A second rank mage who specializes in fire," she said without looking up. Her voice was calm but carried a note of approval.
She then turned toward Faera and handed her a sheet of paper. "You are both accepted."
Faera's eyes widened briefly with relief and excitement. The young woman continued, "Please take this paper to the reception window below. Everything will be explained there, and you will receive your Crystal Hunter's Cards."
Edmund nodded silently and took the paper, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him.
The paper was crisp and clean, the official seal embossed at the top catching the light.
He glanced at his brother. 'We made it this far,' he thought. 'Now comes the real challenge.'
Together, they began to move again, descending the staircase back to the ground floor. The hallways were brighter here, the walls adorned with banners depicting legendary Hunters of the past. Their footsteps echoed softly as they walked side by side.
At the reception window, a man in his mid-thirties glanced up as they approached. The moment he saw the paper and recognized the two young men as second rank magicians, his demeanor shifted subtly. His eyes sharpened, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
He reached beneath the counter and produced a small notebook, no larger than his palm. He slid it across the counter toward them. "This is the Hunters' rulebook," he said. His tone was serious but encouraging. "In it, you will find all the information you need about working as a Hunter."
Edmund took the notebook carefully, feeling the smooth leather cover beneath his fingers.
The man added, "Please wait a few minutes while your Crystal Hunter Cards are prepared."
Faera nodded politely and stepped back a little from the window. The brothers remained close, standing quietly as they each opened the small rulebook.
The pages were filled with concise text, organized into neat sections. Edmund scanned the opening lines:
"After a Hunter is accepted by the Hunters' Association, they become Iron Rank Hunters immediately."
He paused and looked up at his brother. The path ahead was clear, yet daunting.
The book continued, "The ranks are as follows: Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum."
Each rank represented a milestone in a Hunter's career, a testament to skill, courage, and experience.
"To advance from one rank to another," the book explained, "a Hunter must complete fifty rank missions."
Edmund's gaze lingered on those words. Fifty missions. The thought was both intimidating and thrilling.
"After completing these," the text read, "the Hunter must undertake a progression mission. Success in this mission grants promotion to the next rank."
He flipped the page, absorbing more details.
"Each rank has its own specific missions listed on the mission board at the branch that the Hunter chooses as their main branch."
It was a system designed to encourage specialization, but the book noted, "Hunters may also accept missions from any branch if they wish."
He found a section titled 'Association Rules.' It began with a stern warning:
"You must keep your Hunter's Crystal Card at all times. This card serves as your official identification."
The card granted access to all cities within the Kingdom, a privilege and a responsibility.
The rules continued, "Avoid infighting between Hunters. Those caught engaging in such behavior will be demoted one rank."
Edmund's jaw tightened at this. The Association clearly took discipline seriously.
'No room for recklessness here,' he thought. 'We must be cautious.'
---
The two brothers finished reading the entire notebook in silence. The dim light from the stainedglass window cast fragmented colors across the worn parchment, lending an almost sacred air to the moment. Their eyes traced every word, every symbol, absorbing the weight of the knowledge within.
Minutes stretched quietly between them, the only sound the soft rustling of pages settling. Neither spoke, both lost in thought, until the man standing by the window raised his hand, signaling with a subtle nod.
"Come," he said softly.
Without a word, they gathered the notebook and rose. Their footsteps echoed faintly on the wooden floor as they approached the man. He held out two shimmering crystal cards, their surfaces catching the light and refracting it like tiny prisms.
"This is the Hunter's Crystal Card," the man explained, his voice steady but gentle. "It will contain the number of completed tasks, your rank, and your name."
He paused for emphasis, then continued, "Please put a drop of blood on it so that it will identify you as the owner."
The weight of his words hung in the air. The brothers exchanged a glance, understanding the gravity of this ritual. Faera carefully pricked his finger with a small dagger he produced from his belt. A single bead of blood welled on the tip, which he pressed lightly against the smooth crystal surface.
Edmund followed, his hand steadier than he felt. As the blood touched the card, a faint glow pulsed from within the crystal, confirming the bond.
The man nodded approvingly. "The card will now recognize you. Carry it with you at all times."
Faera inclined his head. "Then we thank you, Mister."
The brothers turned and left the quiet chamber, their footsteps softened by the thick carpet as they slipped into the street. The city noises outside seemed distant, muted by the heavy stone walls of the Hunters' Association headquarters.
"So, brother," Edmund said once they were alone in the street, the evening air cool against their faces, "shall we stay in the capital or return to the Red City?"
Faera shook his head slowly, his gaze thoughtful. "Let's first go to an inn. Rent a room and rest for a bit."
He ran a hand through his dark hair, the weight of their recent trials settling on his shoulders. "Even with our strengthened bodies, it's still stressful."
Edmund nodded, grateful for Faera's sensible advice. He looked around and spotted a towering inn just a short walk from the headquarters. Its wooden sign creaked gently in the night breeze, and warm light spilled from the windows.
They entered the bustling place, the scent of roasting meat and spilled ale greeting them like an old friend. The inn's main room buzzed with quiet conversations and the clatter of tankards.
A burly innkeeper waved them over. "Rooms available for the night," he said gruffly.
The brothers rented a modest chamber upstairs, its window overlooking the lively street below. They settled at a sturdy oak table in the main room and ordered food and drinks, roasted lamb, fresh bread, and honey mead.
"If we stay in the capital," Edmund said between bites, swallowing a piece of lamb, "I think we'll be dragged into matters of the nobility and royal family all the way to Hunters."
Faera nodded slightly, chewing thoughtfully. "That's true."
He glanced around the room briefly before continuing, "But there are also more rewards here. The more important missions will be in the capital for us, which means greater gains."
Edmund shook his head as he sipped his mead, the amber liquid catching the candlelight. "Don't forget that there is Derosin's dungeon near the Red City."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. "It has greater opportunities than the capital's missions."
Faera sighed and looked into his cup, swirling the mead absentmindedly. "I haven't forgotten about it."
He set the cup down with a soft clink. "But it is a big danger."
His eyes darkened with memory. "There are powerful rank three mutant monsters on the slightly deeper floors."
He waved a hand as if dismissing the thought. "The upper floors have already been explored, so the gains won't be great unless we focus on finding the secret rooms."
Edmund nodded in understanding but pressed on. "With the killer moves Father left us, you and I together have the battle strength of the an early fourth rank."
He smiled faintly, pride flickering in his gaze. "So there is no need to worry about a group of rank three monsters."
He tapped the table lightly. "And remember, there are a lot of resources as floor clearing rewards, even if they are the upper floors and not the deep floors."
Faera sighed again, the weight of decisions pressing down. "Let me think about it."
His gaze drifted toward the window beside him, where the street below bustled with life, merchants calling out prices, children darting between legs, and lanterns swinging in the wind.
'What would my father do if he were in my place?' he thought, the question echoing in his mind like a distant drumbeat.
Edmund watched his brother quietly, understanding how much this choice meant. "Whatever we decide," he said softly, "we will face it together."
Faera met his brother's eyes and nodded. "Yes, together..."