The carriage swayed gently on the rough dirt road. Mirai and Hikari sat in the back, watching the landscape roll by. A comfortable silence settled between them, letting their thoughts drift freely as the cool, light breeze brushed against their skin.

  The road was flanked by tall trees, their leaves rustling with every gust of wind. The rhythmic sound of the wooden wheels turning on the dirt created a steady, calming cadence. The driver, an old man in a large hat that hid parts of his wrinkled face, held the reins with slightly trembling hands, leaving his passengers to their silent contemplation.

  Hikari finally broke the silence, looking at Mirai with a faint smile that crinkled the corners of his mouth. "It’s a good thing this carriage stopped for us. Walking would have taken us extra days, and our feet would have been even sorer."

  Mirai nodded, her eyes fixed on the view stretching past the window. "Yes, the timing was perfect."

  Silence reigned for a few more moments as the terrain gradually changed. The dense forests receded, replaced by open plains dotted with distant, hazy hills that looked like faint shadows. On the horizon, the signs of a massive city began to appear. Its high walls and towering spires rose toward the sky, making their hearts beat a little faster with anticipation.

  As they drew closer, the details became clearer. The city was surrounded by enormous walls built of sturdy stone that seemed to have withstood centuries of storms, with watchtowers standing like silent guardians. Guards moved slowly atop them, monitoring the approaching roads with spears held tight. The main road to the gate was crowded with cargo-laden carts and men exchanging loud conversation with merchants. The city guards inspected newcomers with sharp eyes, a tension running through them at every suspicious movement.

  The carriage finally stopped at the gate, and they disembarked. They thanked the old driver, who waved at them with a smile that deepened the wrinkles on his face before continuing on his way, gripping the reins a little tighter.

  "Here we are. Silverine again," Hikari said in a deep tone, feeling the weight of memories press down on his chest.

  "I never expected to return to this city," Mirai said, "but the road leads where it will."

  "Since this city is on our way to the Kingdom of Lorasin, we can spend some time here," Hikari replied. "And since we're here, we should stop by the Guild to renew our licenses."

  "The Guild?" Mirai countered. "My gut tells me not to go. The memories there aren't exactly welcoming."

  "Our licenses expired a long time ago," Hikari said. "We'll just renew them. It won't take long."

  "Fine," Mirai relented. "But let's put it off for a while. The day is still young. Let's walk around the city for a bit."

  Hikari nodded. "Alright." They began to walk, their footsteps echoing on the stone ground.

  The streets were as bustling as ever. Street vendors moved about briskly, calling out their wares, while adventurers swapped stories in loud voices and merchants haggled over prices, the sun warm on their faces. The city seemed unchanged since they had left, with the scent of fresh bread filling the air.

  They continued walking toward the city center. As they wandered through the lively streets, they suddenly stopped in front of a familiar shop. Its window was filled with magical tools that radiated a faint, eye-catching glow. Hikari glanced at Mirai with a slight smile. "This shop... It's been a long time since we last visited."

  Mirai nodded in agreement. They entered the shop, a small bell ringing sharply to announce their arrival. Inside, shelves were stacked with crystals and diamonds, shimmering under the light of magical lamps.

  From behind the counter, Vinal, the shop owner, appeared. His face was full of life, despite the weariness in his eyes. Upon seeing Hikari and Mirai, he froze for a moment. Then, his eyes widened with a shock and joy that made his hands tremble. He dropped what he was holding and rushed toward Hikari, jumping on him in a sudden hug that made Hikari stagger slightly.

  "Hikari! Mirai! I can't believe my eyes!" Vinal exclaimed, his voice full of excitement as he squeezed tighter. "I haven't seen you in almost two years!" He pulled away from Hikari with a wide grin. "I'm so glad you're back. It's like the shop is brighter now."

  "We just got back," Hikari replied, "but we'll be leaving soon. The road is waiting."

  A look of disappointment crossed Vinal's face as he wiped his brow. "And here I was, excited to test my new experiments."

  He hesitated, then rubbed the back of his head nervously, his fingers fidgeting. "Listen, it might be rude of me to ask this now, but... could you at least test the diamond I made?"

  Hikari smiled and let out a soft laugh. "You never change. Straight to business. Alright, why not? We still have time."

  Vinal breathed a sigh of relief, a hopeful smile spreading across his face as he hurried back behind the counter. He brought out a diamond that glowed faintly with a silver light and announced proudly, his voice rising slightly, "This is the latest diamond I've made. It won't shatter, even if its energy runs out."

  Hikari took the diamond and placed his hand over it, channeling his healing magic into it. After a few moments, the diamond’s glow intensified, and he could feel its energy flowing beneath his fingers.

  "Great!" Vinal shouted with a glint in his eye. "Now I'll just cut my hand a little to see its effect." He grabbed a small knife and made a cut on his hand, wincing in pain, but he kept smiling. He then took the diamond in his hands, and the wound began to heal quickly, a gentle warmth spreading through it.

  "See!" Vinal proclaimed proudly. "The diamond works perfectly! All that effort wasn't for nothing! It will never shatter." He then looked eagerly at Mirai. "Mirai, you try it too!"

  Mirai looked hesitant, pressing her lips together. "The last time I tried one of your diamonds, it ended up shattering completely. I'm afraid it'll happen again." A nervous tension crept into her hands.

  Vinal laughed confidently, shaking his head. "Don't worry, this one is completely different! I worked on developing it for two years. It's impossible for that to happen again. The composition is much stronger now."

  After a short pause, she said, "Alright, let's try." She made a small cut on her hand and took the diamond.

  The wound began to heal slowly, and then suddenly... the diamond shattered into a thousand tiny pieces, scattering across the floor with the sound of breaking glass.

  Silence fell for a moment. Vinal froze in place, his eyes wide with a shock that made his body tremble. Then he collapsed to the floor, his body as stiff as a corpse, and began to whisper in a low, dying voice, "Two years... wasted... all for nothing..."

  As he lay on the ground, Mirai and Hikari saw a phantom image of Vinal's soul slowly drifting from his body, ascending toward the heavens as if pulled by despair.

  "Vinal! Vinal! Wake up!" Hikari shouted, his voice rising with concern as he shook him several times, feeling the coldness of his body.

  Vinal began to stir, his eyes fluttering open. He sat up, leaning on his arms, his features etched with deep sorrow.

  "I'm sorry, Vinal," Mirai said. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

  Vinal managed a faint smile, his voice soft but filled with determination. "It's alright, Mirai. I can always make more. Failure is part of the process, and I'll learn from it, even if my heart is aching right now."

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  Mirai looked at him thoughtfully, then said suddenly, as if remembering something, her eyes narrowing. "Speaking of which, aren't you mistaken about something, Vinal?"

  Vinal raised his eyebrows, tilting his head in confusion. "What is it?"

  Mirai glanced at Hikari for a moment before continuing, "Hikari is the only one in the world who can place perfect healing magic inside a diamond, isn't he?"

  Vinal nodded, the tension returning to his body.

  "Hikari won't always be here," Mirai went on. "After we leave the city, you might not see him for years." She paused. "Even if you succeed in making the perfect diamond, how would it work without Hikari?"

  "You're right," Vinal conceded. "But I'm not just developing diamonds for healing. My goal is to make them usable for longer periods. For example, a diamond containing fire magic turns to ash after a few spells. But if I succeed in my developments, a user could cast more than ten spells. That would change everything."

  Hikari smiled. "If that's your goal, then you're on the right track. I'm sure you'll succeed." He added, "We're happy to have seen you, but we have other things to do in the city, and time is running short."

  "Goodbye," Vinal replied with a sad smile. "I hope your next visit is longer, before time swallows us all."

  With that, the two left the shop and continued on their way to the Guild, their steps a little heavier with memories.

  Upon arriving, they entered the building and immediately noticed the familiar din of adventurers and the constant chatter between staff and patrons, the air thick with the smell of sweat and metal. They approached the main counter to request the renewal of their adventurer licenses. Akane looked up, and when she saw who was standing before her, her eyes widened in surprise before she smiled. "Master Hikari, Miss Mirai. It's good to see you again."

  "Hello, Akane," Hikari replied with a smile. "It's good to see you're well. We're here to renew our adventurer licenses."

  "Of course," Akane said. "Please wait a moment. This won't take long."

  Hikari and Mirai sat at a table in the corner, waiting quietly while Akane processed their renewal, a slight tension in the air around them.

  As they sat, Hikari spoke in a low voice. "I wonder if anything's changed in the Guild. Do you think they've brought in new members for the Monster Hunters division?"

  Mirai seemed uninterested. "Even if they did, they'd be weak, just like they've always been," she said dismissively.

  Then she looked directly at him. "Hikari, are there no adventurers like your parents? If I hadn't seen them, I would have thought all humans were weak. It's astonishing."

  Hikari thought for a moment before answering. "I don't blame you for thinking that. My parents trained relentlessly since they were children. My father, especially, never stopped trying to push past his limits. The problem is that when regular adventurers reach a certain level, they stop pushing themselves seriously and become content with what they have. Humans, as you know, rarely face anything truly unbelievable, which makes them comfortable."

  "So, in short," Mirai said thoughtfully, "they have no incentive to improve themselves. How boring."

  "Not exactly," Hikari countered. "We're still only in this kingdom. There are other kingdoms, many other warriors, and even different races we have yet to meet. The world is much larger than we know, hiding many things we have yet to discover. It's enough to make the heart race with anticipation."

  He then looked at her curiously. "By the way, Mirai, I've heard there are other races in the demon territories."

  Mirai's expression grew distant as she recalled something, her eyes widening slightly. "Yes. When I was at the academy, I had classmates from various races, like vampires and oni..."

  "Mirai, Hikari. It's been a long time." A voice suddenly interrupted them. They both looked up to see the Guild Master, Saito, standing beside their table, his hands pressed on the wood.

  Before they could say anything, Saito smiled. "Would you two accompany me to my office?" Mirai sighed, whispering to herself, "Yes. I knew this would happen."

  Inside the office, after they were seated, Saito spoke. "I'll get straight to the point. Mirai, your rank will be raised to S."

  Mirai showed no reaction. "And would you mind telling me why? I haven't taken a mission in over a year and a half."

  "You may not have taken many missions," Saito said, "but you did kill someone of a very high level. I'm referring to the adventurer known as Kazuha."

  Mirai thought for a moment. "Who is that? I don't recall anyone by that name."

  "She's the one who summoned the dragon, Bahamut," Hikari clarified.

  Recognition dawned on Mirai's face. "Right," she said to Saito. "And who told you that?"

  Suddenly, another man entered the office. "The driver of the carriage you were in spread the news that a girl decapitated a dragon with a single swing of her sword. The story spread, and I brought it here."

  Everyone turned to the speaker. It was Sai, the leader of the squad Kazuha and Arnato had belonged to.

  Sai moved to sit next to Saito. Hikari felt a knot of tension tighten in his chest. He took a deep breath and said to both men, "There's something I need to tell you. Kazuha attacked us. She nearly killed us."

  "Don't worry, Hikari," Sai said. "I'm fully aware of what happened. Kazuha was in the wrong, and she put you in a position where you were forced to kill her. In fact, I'm grateful to you for it. Although I'm saddened by the loss of a talent like hers, if Bahamut had lost control, it would have destroyed an entire city and killed everyone in it."

  Hikari felt a wave of relief, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "And that is precisely why your rank is being raised, Mirai," Saito added.

  "I'm afraid I have to refuse this promotion," Mirai stated. "I was only able to kill Bahamut because of my magic sword, which I lost a long time ago."

  Saito was silent for a moment, then offered a small smile. "I understand your position, Mirai. But let me clarify something: an S-rank isn't based solely on the weapon you carry. It's based on your ability and strength as an individual. Your magic sword was merely a tool. The true power came from you."

  Mirai sighed. "Spare me the platitudes. I can read you like an open book. According to Guild regulations, S-rank adventurers are obligated to accept missions issued directly by the Guild Master."

  "Actually, that rule was changed a whole year ago," Saito said. "Adventurers of A-rank and higher are now obligated to accept such missions."

  "The reason for the change," Sai interjected, "was the appearance of a demoness about two years ago. That demoness used a single spell to kill a large number of adventurers. A state of emergency was declared, and the royal knights from this kingdom, as well as the kingdoms of Lorasin and Yanhai, assembled to hunt her. But despite all their efforts, they couldn't find her. After those adventurers were killed, many cities faced a shortage, which led to the rule change. I am the commander of this city's division and its only S-rank."

  He sighed, a heavy weight seeming to press on his chest. "Now, we're facing a new problem. A few days ago, a powerful vampire appeared in a remote province. No one has been able to face him. I barely managed to injure him. His power is unnatural, something the Guild hasn't seen in a very long time. That is why we need you, Mirai."

  "A vampire?" Mirai asked. "Is there something special about him? If he gave you trouble, he must not be an ordinary vampire."

  Sai nodded. "Yes, he was incredibly strong. He uses real blood in combat, turning it into swords to attack."

  Mirai's eyes widened in shock for a single instant before her expression returned to normal. She began to think. Inwardly, she couldn't deny that the idea of facing this vampire stirred a familiar feeling—a mix of excitement and challenge that made her blood flow faster. But she calmed herself and said, "I refuse this request."

  A heavy silence filled the room after Mirai’s refusal. The words hung in the air, her clear rejection stunning everyone, especially Hikari. He stared at her, shocked, having expected her to agree immediately.

  Before Hikari could say anything, Saito spoke. "Mirai, perhaps you don't realize the scale of the threat we're talking about. This vampire isn't just a passing menace. He poses a danger to the entire kingdom. We cannot ignore him." His tone grew sharper. "Refusal is not an option."

  "The primary purpose of being an adventurer is to protect people," Sai added.

  "Such a cliché, Sai," Mirai replied flatly. "I don't care about protecting people. I will only protect those I care about. The lives of people I don't know don't concern me. Besides, I'm leaving this kingdom."

  Saito looked at Mirai gravely. "Mirai, if you refuse this mission, I will be forced to take drastic measures. The Guild is not just a local organization; we operate under a global charter. You signed the papers before you became an adventurer. If you abandon your duty now, I will enact a permanent ban. This means you won't be able to work as an adventurer—not just in this kingdom, but in any kingdom that recognizes the charter."

  The air grew frigid. Hikari's eyebrows shot up, while Mirai continued to stare at Saito, her expression unwavering, though an internal tension made her muscles contract.

  "A permanent ban?" Hikari asked, his voice trembling slightly as he tried to grasp the severity of the threat.

  Saito nodded slowly. "Exactly. The ban would be comprehensive. The Guild operates under a global charter among all major kingdoms. Any adventurer placed on the blacklist will not be permitted to participate in any legal adventuring in those kingdoms. They will lose their license and be treated as an outcast."

  "I have no interest in being an adventurer," Mirai said with an air of indifference. "So your threat is useless against me. Find another adventurer."

  Hikari began to think. Mirai's refusal had a reason, but he didn't know what it was. He looked at her and suggested, "Mirai, I personally see this as a good opportunity. At least to test yourself, to see the results of your training."

  Mirai looked at Hikari for a moment, as if considering his words. She closed her eyes and whispered to herself. I can rely on Hikari for protection. But there's still a high degree of risk.

  Her thoughts raced until she came to a decision. She opened her eyes and said, "I accept. I'll take the mission."

  Saito and Sai nodded.

  Afterward, she and Hikari left the office. As they walked down the corridor, Hikari spoke quietly. "I'm sorry if I forced you into this. But I sort of saw it as a good chance to test your new strength."

  "There's no need to apologize," Mirai said. "I already had a desire to fight the vampire."

  "Speaking of which," Hikari said, "I didn't expect you to refuse. I thought you'd agree enthusiastically."

  Mirai offered a faint smile. "You could say I learned a lot while I was training. I've become more cautious."

  They continued in silence down the long corridor, each lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the outside, the city wind cooling their faces.

  (To be continued.)