The doors of the adventurer's guild swung open with a soft creak, and Celina stepped into the blinding daylight, her black guild card now tucked deep into the folds of her cloak. The murmurs of the guild hall still echoed in her ears... whispers about her shattered testing orb, the unregistered black rank, and the young boy who named himself Nightmare.
Rowan, waiting by the lamp post outside, straightened when he saw her. His sharp eyes flicked briefly to the black glint in her hand before she hid it away.
"I knew there was something different about you," he said, pushing off the post with an easy grace. "That card... was that black crystal?"
Celina said nothing.
"I didn't mean to pry. But I do have a proposition," Rowan continued, stepping into pace beside her. "You've drawn attention now. No doubt, eyes are already watching you. Staying alone in the commoners' district isn't safe anymore."
She raised a brow.
"Is this your way of asking me to move in with you?"
