A few pyers exged knowing gnces. "If he is a hidden css," someone whispered, "he’s only going to get stronger."

  Further ba the arena, the level 90+ pyers, those who bore the highest badges and ranks, remained silent, watg with barely a flicker of emotion. These were the best pyers of this yers whose power eclipsed all others in the room. For them, Sora wasn’t yet a threat, merely an iing blip on their radar.

  "He’s got potential," one of them, a rge woman with deep green armor, ented quietly to her panion, “but we’ve seen this before. He’ll need more than that to survive the few trials. He needs someone bag him up”

  Her panion, a man draped in dark robes, shrugged. “True, but everyone will want him. The fight is going to be fierce. And that girl—Kara, was it? Together, they might bee something worth fighting for.”

  The higher-level pyers didn’t see Sora as a challenge, not yet. But there was respe the way they observed him. He had something that most pyers at his level didn’t—skill mastery. He had clearly honed his skills levels, developed a deeper uanding of his abilities, and was growing further than his peers.It was showing with how high the impact of his basic skills was.

  If he was given time, he could indeed bee a signifit force, a threat even to them. Some were already sidering the idea of pulling him and Kara into their circles, while others debated whether they should squash the potential petition before it became dangerous to their position in the war.

  Even the most powerful pyers in the room couldn’t ignore what they had seen. Sora was something different. And in this world of stant evolution, anything different could bee dangerous.

  Ba the arena, the short man who had ducted the earlier test approached Sora and Kara, holding out their newly minted Phoenix Badges. “Well, well, well... looks like you two are full of surprises.”

  He hahem the badges with a grin, though there was an edge of happiness as he watched Elena rec from her injuries. On the side, Elena ented “You’ve earhese, no doubt about that. You’ve gone far beyond what we expected today. Now, you’ll o report to the Vice-Guildmaster for your military recruitment. He will hahe steps from here.”

  S Kara, who was still glowing from her earlier success, and then back at the badge in his hand. He had aimed for a Shadow badge, but here he was, holding a Phoenix Badge—something that probably ehey would take part in the war.

  “Thanks,” Sora said, his voice calm as he pocketed the badge.

  As they left the arena, heading toward the Vice-Guildmaster’s office, the murmurs of the crowd followed them. Some pyers were still ihers whispered spiracies about hidden csses and special talents. But ohing was clear—Sora and Kara had made their mark today.

  And now, everyone was watg them.

  As Sora and Kara left the assessment ground, they headed directly back to the ter where the same clerk from earlier was still statiohe moment the clerk spotted their badges, his eyes widened in disbelief. His mouth hung slightly open as he gnced from the badges to the two young pyers standing before him.

  “Phoenix badges?!” he stammered. He had doubted their ability to even secure shadow badges, yet here they were—two newbies, wearing Phoenix badges as if it were nothing.

  The clerk posed himself quickly, giving a courteous smile. “gratutions on your promotion,” he said, bowing slightly. “How I assist you today?”

  Sora couldn’t help but notice the sudden shift in the clerk’s tone, aher could the other pyers in the room. Heads turned. His tone made them think he was talking to a high rank officer enius. Soon, whispers spread through the guild hall when people saw their badges and levels, and pyers began discreetly sending people to the assessment area to gather more information. The fact that two newers had earned Phoenix badges was enough to stir up curiosity.

  Sora, ign the otion, leaned in slightly. “We o meet the Vice Guildmaster. Elena told us to see him regarding the war recruitment.”

  The clerk blihen nodded, still in slight shock. “Of course. Follow me, please.”

  He led them up a winding staircase, the wooden steps creaking underfoot as they asded. After a few moments, they reached a door with a simple wooden pque beside it. "Vice Guildmaster," it read.

  The clerk knocked softly, but the voice that responded was anything but weling. “What is it? I’m busy.”

  Uhe clerk cleared his throat. “Two young talents wish to join the war, Vice Guildmaster. Elena told me t them to you.”

  There ause, followed by a low grumble from behind the door. “Fine. e in.”

  Sora and Kara exged a gnce before stepping ihe office they entered acious, yet cluttered with stacks of dots and maps pio the walls. Behind the rge wooden desk sat the man they assumed to be the Vice Guildmaster. He was not what they had expected.

  The Vice Guildmaster had a ly trimmed beard with streaks of gray in his otherwise jet-bck hair. He wsses that gave him an intellectual air, yet his physique was more remi of a seasoned warrior. His muscles strained against the fabric of his sharply tailored suit—something more fitting for a high-ranking businessman than an adventurer.

  Before Sora could take in the rest of the room, an overwhelming pressure hit him. It was as though a beast had locked onto him, and every instinct screamed at him to defend himself. Without hesitatioivated all his buffs, his muscles tensing as he stepped protectively in front of Kara. Kara, reag just as quickly, cast several defensive spells, buffing them both.

  The tension hung in the air for a split sed, and then just as suddenly, it vanished.

  The Vice Guildmaster let out a booming ugh, his shoulders shaking with amusement. “Iing! Very iing!” he said, leaning ba his chair. “Still baby chicks, but you totential. No wonder Ele you here.”

  Sora remaiense, unsure of whether the danger had truly passed. He gnced around the room, only then notig a woman sitting on a sofa in the er, the se quietly.

  The clerk, still standing at the door, bowed his head slightly. “Guildmaster,” he said respectfully.

  Sora’s eyes widened. Guildmaster? This beautiful woman was the actual Guildmaster?

  She had long, flowing silver hair that shone uhe light of the office mps, casg down her ba waves. Her skin was light, and her eyes were a striking blue that seemed to see through everything. Dressed in a simple crimson armor, she exuded an air of authority and css. Her presehough silent, was captivating, and wheuro look their way, the three guests couldn't help but lose their posure.

  Sora found himself staring, mesmerized by her beauty, until he felt a sharp pin his arm. He winced, gng at Kara, who shot him a disapproving look. He quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Be respectful" she whispered to him.

  The Vice Guildmaster chuckled, seemingly aware of what had transpired. He waved his hand dismissively. “Annouhe boy as a Captain in the roop update. And the girl, Vice-Captain. The boy will lead the 10th pany of the 5th battalion, and she’ll serve as his subordinate.”

  The clerk looked stunned. "B-but sir, Top-ranked Celestial-ranked pyers barely make the cut to be given and of a pany. They’ve only just received their Phoenix badges. Won’t this cause—”

  The Vice Guildmaster raised a hand, cutting him off. “If I don’t give them these ranks, chaos will erupt. Do you really think the wolves in this guild will sit back while these two talents roam free? They’ll be fighting all over Sto to recruit them. I’m cutting the problem off before it even begins.”

  The clerk hesitated, clearly torn. “But... what about the existing of and? Won’t the higher-ranked pyers protest?”

  “The 5th battalion’s el manage his troops,” the Vice Guildmaster said with a sly smile. “And these two will earn their ranks soon enough. Not many achieve what they did in their assessment.”

  The Guildmaster, still seated on the sofa, nodded in agreement. Her smile was radiant, and for a brief moment, Sora felt like he was caught in a trance again. She was beyoiful—she was otherworldly. Sora had trouble gaining trol of his body again and thought 'What's wrong with me? Is she using a spell on me?'

  The Vice Guildmaster g the clerk, signaling that the discussion was over. “Now go, annouhe update. And take these two to the military recruitment offid give them their uniforms.”

  The clerk bowed aured for Sora and Kara to follow him. As they exited the office, Sora couldn't help but gnce back at the Guildmaster, her image still lingering in his mind.

  Ohey were outside, Kara nudged him again, shaking her head. "You're hopeless," she muttered, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

  Sora smiled, rubbing the spot where she had pinched him. "What I say? She’s got a... anding presence." He couldn't help but think that something abnormal had just happened.

  Together, they followed the clerk toward the step of their journey—military recruitment, now as Captain and Vice-Captain.

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