Kovan scanned the bustling hall, brows furrowed. The music was still playing, laughter echoing off the high ceilings, but something felt off. His eyes flicked between groups of chattering hunters, scanning for a familiar face. He turned in a slow circle, the knot in his chest tightening.
"Where the hell is he?" he muttered under his breath.
Leia, nearby with a half-filled glass of wine in hand, raised an eyebrow as she caught the frustration in his tone. Her long braid shimmered under the golden chandeliers. "Lose your partner already?"
Kovan nodded, jaw tight. "He slipped out. Didn't say a word."
Leia sighed, swirling the wine in her glass before setting it down on a nearby tray. "And here I thought he might've made it through one evening without a meltdown."
Kovan didn't answer. He was already heading toward the exit, Leia falling into step beside him. Together, the two stepped into the cool night air, leaving the warmth and clamour of the celebration behind. The faint sound of music faded as the heavy doors closed behind them.
Out under the darkened sky, the compound was quiet. The distant lanterns glowed orange along the walkways, casting long shadows across the stone.
Meanwhile, Bren sat alone on a wooden bench just outside the main cabin, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped tightly. Through the cabin walls, muffled voices and bursts of laughter leaked into the night others celebrating, drinking, forming bonds that would last a lifetime.
But out here? Just the low chorus of crickets. And the voices in his head.
He stared down at his gloved hands, the black fabric stretched over his fingers. I don't belong here.
His stomach twisted, his thoughts spiralling. I'm a fake. An E-Rank among elites.
The uniform he wore felt heavier than it had all night, not in weight, but in meaning. The silver trim and the embroidered crest of the Vale Guild felt like a lie stitched into fabric. It wasn't a symbol of honour. Not to him. It was a costume. One he hadn't earned.
Then came the soft crunch of gravel under boots.
He looked up, expecting Kovan.
Instead, it was Myla Vale.
She moved with quiet purpose, her steps fluid, her posture relaxed but alert. The kind of confidence that came from both status and skill. Crimson-red hair framed her face, catching the low lantern light as it spilled down over her shoulders in waves.
Her eyes locked on him with calm curiosity.
"You always sneak out during your own celebration?" she asked, voice light but edged with genuine interest.
Bren straightened, awkward and startled. "Didn't think anyone would notice."
"I did," she replied simply, stepping closer until she stood just in front of him.
She didn't sit. Not yet. Her gaze flicked toward the cabin, where voices still floated through the walls. "Everyone's inside talking about the new recruits. My father called you… 'unusual.' That's rare for him."
Bren gave a dry, nervous laugh. "Unusual's one word for it."
Her eyes drifted to the badge on his uniform, narrowing slightly. "What's your rank?"
He hesitated for half a beat before answering. "E."
There was a pause.
"…You're joking," she said, eyes now sharp with disbelief.
He shook his head. "No joke."
Myla tilted her head. "My father doesn't take anyone under B-Rank unless there's an urgent need. Even C would be pushing it. But E?" She blinked, clearly trying to process it. "You're seriously ranked E?"
"Yeah," he said quietly, already bracing for the disappointment or laughter.
But instead of mockery, her expression changed.
She looked intrigued.
"You don't act like an E-Rank," she said after a moment.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to act," he replied, managing a small shrug.
That made her chuckle. A warm, surprisingly genuine sound.
"Fair."
A soft pause settled between them. Myla crossed her arms and leaned a little on one foot.
"My rank's B, by the way," she added, a touch of pride in her tone. "Dad's an A+. Both Sergeants are solid A-Ranks too. Powerhouse trio."
Bren blinked. "You're a B-Rank at your age?"
She smirked. "Some of us are just built different."
He let out a weak laugh. "And modest, too."
Myla finally sat down beside him, leaning her arms casually on the bench's backrest. Her body language was open, but her eyes kept studying him.
"You're nervous."
"Is it that obvious?"
"You're sweating, and you flinched when I sat down," she said without missing a beat.
Bren rubbed his hands over his face, sighing. "This whole world's new to me. Everyone's got bloodlines, histories, and ranks passed down like heirlooms. I've got… none of that."
"You've got curiosity," she said. "And guts, apparently. No one joins this guild uninvited."
Bren looked at the gravel path in front of them. "Silas said I had potential. I'm still trying to figure out if he meant that or just needed a new mascot."
Myla actually laughed at that, shaking her head. "He doesn't say things he doesn't mean. Ever."
They sat in a strangely comfortable silence.
Her expression softened, just slightly. "I'll be honest, Bren. I was sceptical. But you're… interesting."
His ears went pink. "That… means a lot. Coming from someone like you."
Myla stood, brushing her uniform off with a smooth motion. "Well, we'll see if you survive training." She gave him a playful wink. "Just try not to die before we get the chance to team up. I'm curious what an E-Rank can really do."
Before Bren could think of a reply, more footsteps crunched along the path.
Kovan emerged from the shadows, breath puffing in the cool air, with Leia striding beside him, arms crossed.
"There you are!" Kovan called. "Had me thinking you ran off and joined another guild."
Leia's gaze flicked to Myla, and she smirked. "Should've guessed you'd be here."
Myla arched a brow. "What, jealous?"
Leia rolled her eyes. "Of you? Please. You're only interesting when you're being scandalous."
Kovan leaned close to Bren, grinning. "Didn't think you'd be out here charming the Guildmaster's daughter. You move fast, man."
Bren's mouth opened to protest, but Myla beat him to it.
"He was too nervous to flirt. I think he nearly passed out when I asked his rank."
"Smooth," Kovan said, clapping Bren on the back. "Classic."
Leia crossed her arms, narrowing her gaze at Myla. "Shouldn't you be inside dazzling the elites?"
Myla shrugged. "I needed fresh air. Turns out, I found fresh meat instead."
Kovan laughed. Bren groaned. "Can we not refer to me as meat?"
Leia's grin widened. "Too late, rookie."
The girls began walking back toward the hall, Myla turning once over her shoulder. Her eyes lingered on Bren.
"Good luck with your first day of training," she said, her voice lighter now. "I'm looking forward to seeing what an E-Rank can really do."
There was no cruelty in her tone. If anything, there was curiosity. A challenge.
Then she turned and disappeared into the glow of the hall, Leia by her side.
Bren stared after her for a moment longer.
Kovan nudged him with an elbow. "You alive?"
"Barely."
"You're welcome, by the way. For saving you from total social collapse."
"I was doing fine."
"You were doing fine at failing."
Bren chuckled, shaking his head as they began the short walk back to their shared cabin. The grass whispered beneath their boots, and the night air smelled faintly of cedar and old stone.
Above, the stars hung bright and cold.
Ahead... training. Combat. Rankings. Rivalries.
And somewhere buried deep inside… a demon in disguise.
But for now, Bren took a deep breath. The night was quiet. The world wasn't ending.
Not yet.
He wasn't ready.
But he was still here.
And that had to count for something.