As the group traveled home, Rethrus remained unusually quiet, his mind clouded by confusion. He stared blankly ahead, as if lost in thought, the clatter of the chariot wheels barely registering in his ears.
"Are you okay?" Takashi's voice broke the silence, his gaze steady but filled with concern.
"He's been like that since this morning," Kaide chimed in, his usual playful tone laced with mild worry.
Rethrus blinked, snapping out of his daze. "No... it's just..." He hesitated, his brow furrowing. "I can't remember what I did yesterday."
"Eh?" Kaide raised an eyebrow. "Huh... that might be the result of memorizing too many spells," he teased with a smirk.
Rethrus gave a weak chuckle, but his eyes remained distant.
"Maybe... but it's different. It's not just forgetting—I feel like... something's missing."
"Maybe you're just tired," Taiju suggested, his tone calm as always.
Rethrus nodded absently, but the unease gnawed at him.
As the chariot rumbled along, the conversation drifted, but Rethrus barely paid attention. He tried not to think about the void in his memory, but the harder he tried, the more the emptiness gnawed at him.
"Anyway, what did you do yesterday, Kaide?" Rethrus asked, trying to shift the focus.
"Me?" Kaide grinned. "Oh, I was just in my room, sleeping... and learning some new spells."
"Ahh... how about you, Taiju?" Rethrus asked.
"Just helping some Avalorian civilians," Taiju replied, his voice as steady as ever.
"And you, Sir Takashi?"
"Me?" Takashi glanced at him with mild curiosity. "I had a meeting with Lord Fring. Ended quickly due to... an emergency. So, I just rested in the guest room."
"Ahhh..." Rethrus murmured, his mind still distracted.
'Why can't I remember? I just walked... and then... what happened?'
His eyes drifted toward the passing scenery—and then, he saw it.
A dwarf knight. His armor bore the hammer sigil.
Rethrus's breath hitched, his eyes widening.
In an instant, a fragmented memory flashed before his eyes. He saw himself... standing over that very knight. The man was on the ground, defeated.
'What... is this?' His heart pounded in his ears. 'Did I... do that?'
Rethrus gasped, his body tensing as the vivid image vanished.
"Rethrus?" Takashi's voice was sharper now, sensing something was off. "Are you okay?"
"Uhm... yes, I'm fine, sir," Rethrus lied, his voice barely steady.
But his mind screamed otherwise.
'What was that? Was that... the future? Or... something else?'
Panic swirled within him.
'What is happening to me?!'
At the gate of the city…
"Are you sure you want to stay here?" Takashi asked.
"Uhm... it's just... I think something's off," Rethrus answered, his tone uncertain.
"The king might not be okay with this, but knowing you, you'll be fine. Besides, this city loves their future hero," Takashi teased, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"Haha... okay, sir," Rethrus said with a chuckle.
"And make sure to get back early to the main city," Takashi added. "So we can say farewell properly."
"I will, sir. Goodbye, everyone. Take care," Rethrus waved.
"Goodbye, Rethrus!" Kaide and Taiju waved back, their voices filled with warmth.
"What's he up to now?" Kevin asked, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance.
"You're really envious of him, huh?" his companion teased.
With his bag slung over his shoulder and his staff in hand, Rethrus walked back into the city.
As usual, eyes followed him. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, but he had grown used to it.
'Is this the right decision? Should I have let it go? This city is so big...' Rethrus thought, his gaze drifting through the bustling streets.
'First, I need a room.'
"Good day, sir! Thank you for choosing our inn!" The innkeeper greeted him with a bright smile.
"Ah, eh... how much for a regular room?" Rethrus asked.
"Oh no way, you're getting a deluxe," the landlord said with a grin.
"Ah, but I don't have enough money for that," Rethrus replied, shifting uncomfortably.
"No, no. It'll be free for a week," the landlord said.
"But... in one condition," he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
'Knew it...' Rethrus sighed internally.
"Can we take a picture outside and inside the inn? Just for... advertising purposes," the landlord said with a wide grin.
Rethrus blinked, his lips curling into a wry smile. "That's it?"
"Of course! I mean... with the future hero staying here, our inn will be famous," the landlord said proudly.
"Alright... fine," Rethrus sighed.
"Great! Right this way!" The landlord gestured enthusiastically.
After a few pictures and a quick tour, Rethrus finally settled into his room.
'Alright... time to figure things out.'
He sat by the window, staring out at the city.
'What happened earlier? That memory... was it real? Or...'
His mind raced, trying to piece together fragments of what felt like a dream.
'No... it wasn't a dream.'
As he replayed the memory in his mind, his eyes narrowed.
'The dwarf knight... the hammer sigil... I remember fighting him. But... when did that happen?'
Rethrus's hand unconsciously tightened around his staff.
'Something's wrong... and I need to find out what.'
His gaze hardened, a wave of determination washing over him.
'I won't leave this city until I get answers.'
Arghhh… but I need to hurry. I have to get back to the main city too.
In the morning…
"Good morning, Sir Rethrus! How was your sleep?" Eddie greeted cheerfully as Rethrus stepped out of his room.
"It's great, actually," Rethrus replied, stretching slightly.
"Did you eat already? Come here, we prepared food for you."
"Thank you," Rethrus said, his stomach already growling.
At the large wooden table, Hilda placed a steaming plate in front of him, her warm smile almost motherly.
"Eat, eat," she urged.
"Thank you," Rethrus murmured, taking a bite.
"Anything I can do in return? You're being too good to me."
Eddie chuckled. "No need. Since you stayed here, many adventurers started choosing this place."
"That fast?" Rethrus raised an eyebrow.
"Well… I sent the pictures to the newspaper right after we took them," Eddie said with a grin.
"Huh… that's quick."
"Now eat," Hilda added, her tone leaving no room for refusal.
"By the way," Eddie leaned back, eyes curious, "not to pry, but what are you doing here anyway?"
"I just wanted to check out the guilds," Rethrus replied between bites. "I might join one."
"Ah, that reminds me… where are the guilds here?"
"Mercenary Guild, to be exact?"
"Oh, there's a famous one here. The Black Dragon Mercenary Guild," Eddie said casually.
Rethrus's mind immediately went to Cassius Jorin, one of the king's guests during the ceremony.
'I know that guild…'
"Anyway, thanks for breakfast!" Rethrus stood, bowing politely before grabbing his things.
"Where are you going, boy?" the charioteer asked as Rethrus approached the carriage.
"To the Black Dragon Guild, sir," Rethrus replied, climbing in.
'On the road…'
Rethrus stared at the passing scenery, lost in thought.
'What am I even doing? Why am I going there?'
But something deep inside told him he had to.
The charioteer broke the silence. "What's a mage like you doing in a dangerous guild like that?"
'Nice, he doesn't know me.' Rethrus hid his smirk.
"I just… wanna see what their guild looks like," he replied casually. "By the way, do you know anything about them?"
"Not much," the charioteer said, his tone dropping slightly. "But from what I hear… those people will do anything if the price is right. Especially killing."
Rethrus frowned. "And the government allows that?"
"Of course not," the man scoffed. "But they 'follow the guidelines' on the surface. We all know they're doing things beyond the law. But… as long as there's no evidence, it's not a crime, right?"
'Huh… so that's what mercenary guilds really are,' Rethrus thought, his curiosity mixed with unease.
"Anyway, we're here." The charioteer pulled the reins, stopping in front of a massive building.
A towering black building loomed before Rethrus, with a dragon's head statue snarling above the entrance. The walls were carved with intricate patterns resembling dragon scales, giving off an oppressive aura.
As Rethrus entered, the heavy wooden doors creaked, and the thick scent of ale, sweat, and smoke hit him. The hall was dimly lit, filled with long wooden tables where mercenaries feasted, drank, and argued. Some sharpened their weapons while others exchanged crude jokes.
The moment Rethrus stepped inside, all noise died. Conversations halted, mugs paused mid-air, and a hundred pairs of eyes locked onto him.
'Damn… I can feel how strong they are,' Rethrus thought as he forced himself to move toward the counter.
Behind the counter stood a woman with piercing eyes, black lipstick, and a look that screamed trouble.
"Oh, you're the hotshot," she smirked. "What brings you here?"
"I'm here to see your guild master."
"What business do you have with the master?" she asked, her tone suddenly more serious.
"Oh, I just wanna see him," Rethrus replied casually.
A brief silence followed… then laughter exploded across the hall.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" someone scoffed.
"Just because you're famous doesn't mean you can waltz in and demand to meet him," another added.
'Ackck… that's kinda embarrassing,' Rethrus thought, feeling the weight of their mockery.
A large, bald man with a scar running down his left eye stood up, towering over the others. His muscles strained against his armor, and his presence alone silenced the laughter.
"Ahhh… how about a duel?" the bald man smirked, his voice echoing through the hall.
Rethrus blinked, slightly caught off guard. "Uhm… I don't do duels," he replied, trying to keep his tone polite.
"But you wanna see the Master, right?" The man cracked his knuckles, his grin widening. "Prove you're worth his time."
Murmurs filled the air as the mercenaries leaned in, eager for a show.
"Should we stop it?" a red-haired girl with clawed gauntlets whispered to a dark-skinned, blue-haired man standing beside her. His double daggers rested on his back, giving him a dangerous aura.
"Let them be," the man replied, his lips curling into a smirk. "Besides, it'll be fun watching the 'future strongest' of our country."
"Ah… eh… where?" Rethrus asked, confused.
"Woohoo! You really have guts, kid!" The bald man grinned, twirling a pair of tiny nunchucks in his hand. "Let's go to the battle dome!"
Before Rethrus could protest, the mercenaries lifted him and carried him toward the back of the guild, cheering and jeering.
'What the hell is this?' Rethrus thought, his eyes widening as they descended into a massive underground arena.
The battle dome was enormous, with worn-out stone pillars and a cracked floor that had seen countless battles. Bloodstains marked the ground, and the stench of sweat and death lingered in the air.
'I don't like this… but I have to see Mr. Cassius. I don't even know what I'll say, but… I just know I have to meet him.'
"Okay, kid, wanna place a bet?" A guy with spiky hair grinned, flashing a handful of gold coins.
"Uh… no, thank you," Rethrus muttered, trying not to draw more attention.
"Hey, Rethrus, right?" The red-haired girl approached him, her eyes scanning him with curiosity.
"Ah, yes," Rethrus replied. "Can you hold my sling bag, please?"
"Ah, sure, sure," she said, taking it with a slight nod.
"And now… for today's match! We present to you… Grob the Killing Ogre versus Rethrus the Chosen One!" The announcer's voice echoed through the arena.
The crowd roared with excitement, shaking the dome.
'What's with all this noise?' Cassius Jorin raised an eyebrow in his chamber, sipping a mug of beer.
"A duel, sir," his assistant answered.
"This early?" Cassius sighed, standing up. "Huh… might as well watch."
"Start!"
The match began, and it was like David and Goliath—except Goliath was bald and wielding nunchucks, while David held a staff.
Grob wasted no time, covering his nunchucks with flames and launching a fire blast toward Rethrus.
Rethrus easily sidestepped the attack.
'The heck… I need to finish this fast,' he thought, keeping his distance.
Grob lunged at him with surprising speed for his size, throwing a punch that Rethrus dodged effortlessly.
'Kinda slo—'
Before he could finish his thought, Grob folded his arm mid-swing, catching Rethrus off guard and smashing him in the nose.
Rethrus staggered back, feeling the sting and seeing blood on his hand.
The crowd erupted with laughter as Grob arrogantly stood, waiting for Rethrus to get up.
'Blood? From me?'
Rethrus's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening.
'How dare this… this average, middle-tier guy hit someone like me!'
His anger surged as a small, dense orb of dark energy formed in his palm.
He launched it at Grob, who barely dodged, only to realize the attack had obliterated part of the cage and shattered the protective barrier between the audience and the arena.
For the first time, Grob's arrogance wavered.
A sliver of fear crept into his eyes as he noticed the raw, uncontrolled mana surging from Rethrus's body.
"Oka… kay… I think we're done here," Grob muttered, backing away.
But before he could blink, a giant shadowy hand materialized, smashing into his face.
Rethrus didn't stop. He leaped forward, slamming a brutal kick into Grob's stomach, sending him flying across the arena.
"Uh… I think we should stop him," someone in the crowd muttered, noticing the dark aura surrounding Rethrus.
Rethrus's expression had twisted into something feral. Dark magic crackled around his hands, and two shadowy fists pounded Grob's face repeatedly.
"Take these… you big piece of shi—"
"Splash!"
Water surged around his wrists, binding them together tightly.
"Enough," a familiar voice echoed through the arena.
Rethrus's wild expression faded as he heard it.
"Long time no see… wild one."
Cassius Jorin stood at the edge of the arena, a grin playing on his lips as he looked down at Rethrus.
Fring's mansion.
"What is he still doing here?!" Lord Fring growled, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the newspaper in his hands. The innkeeper had been far too eager to publicize Rethrus's stay.
"We still don't know, sir," Mergoth, his Curse Master, replied, his tone cautious. "But I assure you... it has nothing to do with that incident."
"Hmph. You're the expert," Fring muttered, his gaze still locked on the page. "But we can't ignore this. Other families will be watching him too."