The journey to the town was quiet. I followed Arden and Sora through the dense woods, their footsteps making soft crunching sounds on the forest floor. The air was cool, and there was an almost eerie stillness to the surroundings, as though the trees themselves were holding their breath. Why had Arden suddenly decided to bring me along? I had no real reason to be with them. He didn’t even explain anything—just said I should join his party. Maybe he was just being nice after everything that happened, or maybe it was something more practical. Maybe he just needed an extra member. Either way, I wasn’t going to complain. I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and after the chaos of my village being destroyed, being with them felt like the safest place to be.


    Sora, walking beside me, kept her head down, her face partially hidden by the veil of her long blonde hair. I wasn’t sure if she was as lost in thought as I was or if she was just naturally quiet, but she didn’t say much. She did, however, glance at me every so often, as if making sure I was still there. It was comforting in a way.


    We walked in silence for what felt like hours. The path was uneven, winding through the trees, with only the occasional bird call to break the monotony. It wasn’t until the sun started dipping behind the trees, casting long shadows on the forest floor, that I decided to speak up.


    "Your magic... how are you so strong?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. I didn’t want to sound like I was prying too much, but I was genuinely curious. Arden was unlike anyone I had ever met, and his powers... well, they were impressive to say the least.


    Arden glanced over at me, his expression as calm as ever. "Luck, mostly," he said with a shrug.


    I raised an eyebrow. "Luck? That’s it? That doesn’t explain how you—"


    I was about to press further when I caught myself. Why was I asking so many questions? It wasn’t like I knew anything about magic, really. But before I could drop it, I blurted out, almost without thinking, "You could’ve just teleported us there instead of walking."


    It was a bit sarcastic, and I wasn’t sure why I said it that way. I knew teleportation was rare and not something most people could do. But surprisingly, Arden actually stopped walking for a moment, his brow furrowing as though he was seriously considering it.


    "I would," he said, "but I haven’t been to this town before. No teleportation point set up."


    I blinked. "What does that even mean?"


    Arden gave me a look like I should’ve known. "Teleportation points. Locations where magic has been anchored, where you can warp directly to. You can’t just teleport anywhere without one. It’s not like in the stories."


    I felt a little silly not knowing that, but I didn’t let it show. "Ah, got it. So, no instant travel for us then."


    "Nope," Arden said with a smirk, resuming his pace.


    I chuckled a little, shaking my head. At least I could say I was learning something new every day.


    The day stretched on, the sun slowly sinking lower in the sky. Eventually, Sora pointed ahead. "Look, we’re almost there."


    I followed her gaze, and my breath caught in my throat when I saw it. The town. It was massive—bigger than I ever imagined. Towering walls, buildings that stretched high into the sky. People from my village had told stories about the place, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the sight. It was nothing like the small, quiet village I’d grown up in, or even the small market towns I’d heard about in passing. This town felt alive, filled with energy and bustling activity. It was a far cry from the wreckage of my village.


    My mind wandered back to those memories—of the fire, the destruction, the feeling of helplessness. I shook my head, pushing the thoughts aside. I couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Not now. Not when I was finally seeing something else, something different.


    We approached the town gates, where a group of guards stood watch. They eyed us carefully but didn’t say anything as we passed through. I tried not to look too nervous, but I could feel their gazes lingering on us. Maybe it was because of Arden. People around here seemed to recognize him, even though I wasn’t sure why. It felt like something was different about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.


    The market was the first thing we saw when we stepped into the town. It was a maze of stalls and vendors selling all kinds of goods, from fresh produce to trinkets, from weapons to magical charms. The air was thick with the smell of grilled meats, freshly baked bread, and the occasional whiff of something exotic. It was overwhelming in the best way possible.


    I couldn’t help but stare at everything around me. People haggled, children ran through the crowds, and there was a sense of urgency in the air as if everyone was rushing to get something done before nightfall. It reminded me a little of my village’s market days, but on a much larger, grander scale. My stomach growled, and I realized I hadn’t eaten properly in a while. My pack was light, and I had barely anything left, so I was counting on buying something when I could.


    We walked through the market, and I tried to take in as much as I could. It was hard to focus on anything when everything felt so new, so different. But then something caught my eye. A food stall with sizzling meat skewers. The smell was mouthwatering, and I found myself glancing over at Arden. He caught my eye and raised an eyebrow.


    "Are you feeling hungry?" he asked, his voice flat as usual.


    I nodded eagerly. "Starving."


    Without another word, he walked over and bought two skewers, handing one to me. I took it gratefully, the warmth of the meat feeling like a small comfort. The tender, smoky flavor of the meat made me realize how much I had missed food like this. It was simple, but it tasted amazing.


    Sora, who had been walking quietly beside us, smiled as she took a bite of her own skewer. "It’s good, isn’t it?" she said, her soft voice somehow carrying over the noise of the market.


    I smiled back. "Yeah, it really is."


    As we continued through the market, I noticed more and more people staring at Arden. At first, I thought maybe they were just curious, but there was something different about the way they looked at him. It wasn’t just the usual passing interest; it was admiration. Respect. Maybe even awe. I couldn’t tell, but it made me wonder just who Arden really was. He didn’t seem like a big shot. He didn’t act like a king or nobleman. But there was something about him that made people take notice. I tried not to think too much about it—maybe I was just overanalyzing everything.


    Eventually, we made our way to the Adventurers'' Guild. The building was impressive, towering above the surrounding buildings, with banners hanging from its walls and adventurers milling about outside. The atmosphere inside was just as lively. There were adventurers everywhere—some talking about their latest quests, some laughing, others drinking or arguing. The clatter of cups and the murmur of voices filled the air.


    A receptionist with short auburn hair stood behind the desk, greeting us with a smile that looked practiced but friendly. She eyed me for a moment before her gaze shifted to Arden.


    "New adventurer?" she asked, her tone polite but not overly curious.


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    I nodded, trying to sound confident. "Yeah. I’m joining the guild."


    She raised an eyebrow, looking me over. "I see. Well, we’ll get you set up."


    I wasn’t sure what to expect from the registration process, but it turned out to be pretty straightforward. She handed me a clipboard with a series of questions: name, age, magic abilities, previous experience, and so on. It wasn’t much, but I still felt a bit out of place. I hadn’t really done anything adventuring-related before, and I didn’t exactly have a ton of experience to fill out the form.


    When it came time to test my magic, the receptionist led me to a large crystal orb sitting on a pedestal. "Place your hand on the orb," she instructed. I did as she said, my hand trembling slightly as I pressed my palm against the cool surface of the crystal.


    For a moment, nothing happened. I held my breath, wondering if I had done something wrong. But then the orb began to glow—softly at first, then brighter. A golden light began to pulse from within, filling the room with a warm, radiant glow. I jumped back in surprise, nearly stumbling over my own feet.


    "Light magic," the receptionist said, her voice a mix of surprise and approval. "That’s rare."


    I blinked, trying to process what was happening. Light magic? I hadn’t even realized I had magic until a few days ago. But it had been there, something I could feel deep inside, like a dormant spark that had just now been awakened.


    The receptionist looked impressed. "You have a strong connection with it. Not many adventurers can claim that. You should train it—it has a lot of potential."


    I was stunned. Light magic. Me, of all people. I hadn’t really thought about it before, but now it seemed like maybe I had something special. Something worth fighting for. I could feel the excitement building in me, and for the first time since everything happened, I felt like I had a future. A chance to make something of myself.


    Sora, who had been quietly watching the exchange, smiled at me. "See? You’re not so bad after all."


    I gave her a small smile in return, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe this was just the beginning.


    The receptionist handed me a small bronze plate with a glowing emblem. "This is your adventurer rank," she explained. "You’re a bronze rank. It’s where most adventurers start."


    I glanced down at the plate. Bronze. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. I could feel the weight of it in my hand, a tangible reminder of what I had just accomplished. It wasn’t the top rank, but it was a beginning. And beginnings were all I had right now.


    Sora and Arden both had higher ranks, though. Arden had a platinum plate, and Sora had a gold one. I tried not to let it bother me, but it was hard. Bronze was the lowest rank. The starting point. But maybe that was okay. I could work my way up.


    After completing the registration, the receptionist directed us to a bulletin board filled with quest listings. "Feel free to browse when you’re ready," she said. "There are inns nearby where you can rest up before your first job."


    I nodded, my mind already racing with thoughts of the quests. There were so many of them, all with different levels of difficulty. Some were simple, like gathering herbs or hunting small creatures, while others seemed much more dangerous. I wasn’t sure what kind of quest I’d be ready for, but the thought of actually doing something filled me with a sense of purpose.


    Before we left, the receptionist gave us directions. "Just head down the street, and you''ll find the closest inn on the left.”


    I nodded, my mind already turning toward the rest we’d need before we got started. When we reached the inn, the innkeeper greeted us and took care of our payment without hesitation. Afterward, he handed me the key to my room.


    “Take a bath first if you want,” Arden suggested, his expression unchanged. “You’ve had a long day.”


    I nodded, grateful for the opportunity. The thought of soaking in a warm bath after such a long and grueling day sounded like heaven. My shoulders sagged in relief at the mere idea of getting clean and finally unwinding.


    Sora, who had been practically glued to Arden’s side since we entered, looked up at him with her usual soft, kind smile. "Master, can I share the bath with you later?" Her voice was almost a whisper, and her face was tinted with a faint, almost shy blush. It was clear that her affection for him was not something that needed to be pointed out, but still, it made the air between us a little thick, a bit heavier.


    Arden glanced down at her, his expression as neutral as always. "Sure. We’ll share later."


    Sora smiled brighter than I’d seen her smile all day, her eyes sparkling with a mix of relief and happiness that was hard to ignore. Her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer than necessary, before turning to me with an apologetic expression. I caught the tiniest hint of embarrassment on her face too, though I couldn’t quite understand why. Still, it made the atmosphere feel a little lighter, and I appreciated her kind gesture.


    The bath was an unexpected luxury. It had been so long since I’d had access to something this simple, yet indulgent. I hadn’t realized just how tense my body had been until I sank into the warm water. The heat instantly worked to ease the knots in my muscles, and the soft, fragrant steam filled the air, calming my thoughts. For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to simply be still. The quiet, the warmth—it was everything I hadn’t known I needed.


    Just as I was starting to relax fully, the door to the bathing room creaked open.


    "Sora, didn’t you say you wanted to take a bath toget—"


    Before I could even process what was happening, instinct took over. I immediately curled up in the water, clutching at the edges of the tub, trying desperately to cover myself. My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a rush of heat flood my face. My entire body went tense with embarrassment. Arden froze at the doorway, his glasses reflecting the faint light, catching the surprise in his expression before he composed himself. For a brief moment, our eyes met, and I could have sworn I saw a flicker of... something in his gaze. Maybe regret? Or maybe just sheer awkwardness. It was impossible to tell.


    "Excuse me," he muttered, his voice soft and slightly surprised, stepping back out as quickly as he’d entered.


    I sat there in stunned silence, trying to calm my racing heart. I could hear the door gently click shut behind him, and the sound of my own breathing was the only thing that filled the room. Mortification weighed heavily on me, and I felt my face burning with a flush that wouldn''t go away.


    What just happened? Why did that have to happen?


    I buried my face in my hands, groaning softly into my palms. This was beyond awkward. I hadn’t exactly prepared for being so exposed in front of people I barely knew. And the worst part? It wasn’t even my fault!


    I stayed curled up for a few moments longer, hoping the awkwardness would dissipate, but it didn’t. Slowly, I regained my composure, finishing my bath in silence. The warm water helped soothe my frazzled nerves, but the silence in the room felt almost suffocating. Every few seconds, my thoughts would drift back to that moment—my heart lurching at the sheer embarrassment.


    Later that evening, we sat in the inn’s dining hall, the atmosphere tense in a way I couldn’t shake off. Arden had apologized again, his tone as calm and collected as ever. His expression remained unchanged, his face giving away none of the awkwardness I felt. His calmness only made the situation feel even more strained. I tried to focus on my food, on the warmth of the room, but the tension from earlier still hung in the air like a thick fog.


    Sora, ever the kind and gentle soul, came to my rescue. She began telling me stories of their past adventures—tales of dangerous encounters and miraculous escapes. Her voice was soft, like a lullaby, and it was impossible not to listen intently. She had this way of making everything sound captivating, almost magical. I found myself laughing at her jokes and listening with more attention than I ever expected to give.


    But even as I tried to immerse myself in her stories, my mind kept drifting back to that dreaded bath incident. It was as if my brain was determined to torture me, playing it over and over again. Even now, I couldn’t escape the feeling of embarrassment that had latched itself to me.


    As the evening wore on, the awkwardness between me and Arden slowly began to fade, but not entirely. His presence, though still silent, no longer felt as uncomfortable. There was something strangely comforting about his quiet nature. Sora, with her warm smile and gentle demeanor, seemed to know exactly how to fill the gaps in conversation, and with her leading us into lighter topics, the tension between Arden and me seemed to loosen, if just a little.


    By the time we finished our meal, the silence that had once been suffocating was now a manageable companion. There was still that strange, quiet tension, but I no longer felt as though I would choke on it.


    When we made our way back to our rooms, the exhaustion of the day hit me like a tidal wave. My body was sore from all the traveling, and my mind was still reeling from everything that had happened. The overwhelming sense of embarrassment refused to leave me, but I had to let it go, at least for tonight.


    I collapsed onto the bed, pulling the blankets tightly around me. The softness of the sheets was a welcome relief, and I sank into them like I had been starved of comfort for years. It didn’t take long for my eyelids to feel heavy, and before I knew it, I was drifting into the kind of sleep that could only come after a day like today.


    But even as I lay there, my thoughts wandered. The town, the guild, the strange but fascinating people I’d met... and, of course, Arden’s strength. How he’d easily defeated that beast earlier in the day was still fresh in my mind. His power, his calmness in battle, it was hard not to be impressed. But there was still something that kept creeping back into my mind—the bath incident. The sheer awkwardness of it. How could I possibly face him tomorrow? How could I even look him in the eye after that?


    I buried my face in my pillow, groaning softly.


    Tomorrow was going to be awkward, wasn’t it?