Just as Logan picked up his fork and was about to take the first bite of his long-awaited lunch, a familiar voice interrupted him from the side.
"Aiden," Elizabeth said, her tone a bit more formal than usual. "The guildmaster wants to see you."
Logan raised his head slowly. He t her eyes, then glanced down at the food.
Elizabeth noticed his hesitation and smiled. "Don’t worry. You can finish your al first. Once you are done, co to the receptionist desk." With that she returned to her position.
Logan focused on his food for the mont. But he didn’t take much ti. As he was a bit hungry, he gulped it down. After he was full, he used a napkin to wipe his mouth clean and stood up slowly. Then he walked toward the receptionist desk.
The nearby hunters who had been watching him till now turned to each other, whispering again.
Elizabeth led the way, weaving through the guild halls smoothly. Logan followed silently. The sound of boots on the floor echoed faintly in the quiet corridor until they finally reached a heavy double door at the end of the hallway.
She turned to him.
"He’s waiting inside," she said. "I’ll head back to the front."
Logan gave a slight nod.
As Elizabeth walked away, Logan pushed the door open and stepped in.
Behind a table sat a tall man in his forties, sharp-eyed and broad-shouldered.
Ali Arkman.
"Take a seat," Noticing Logan’s entrance, Ali said, pointing to the chair across from him.
Logan complied without a word.
Ali studied him for a few seconds. He didn’t know why, but for so reason it felt like Logan had grown a lot within these last few days. Like, the very air surrounding his body was vibrating with confidence.
He cleared his throat before speaking again. "I heard you faced so difficulties while clearing a dungeon today. Can you brief about what actually happened?"
Logan leaned back in his chair. "There were more monsters than usual. Stronger, too. So showed signs of group coordination. The boss was also stronger and smarter....it had been waiting for ."
Ali narrowed his eyes. "Waiting for you?"
Logan nodded once. "Yes. And it didn’t strike right away. Instead it was trying to read first."
Ali stayed silent for a mont, fingers drumming on the table.
"This isn’t the first report we’ve gotten about strange monster behavior," he finally said. "And your record makes things even more concerning."
Logan stayed still.
Ali continued, "You’ve cleared ten dungeons solo in just over a week. That’s really praiseworthy. You had been working hard. But....."
He paused.
"Don’t go alone next ti."
Logan kept listening instead of reacting.
Ali’s voice remained firm. "You may feel you’re untouchable right now. But if monsters are changing... then even an E-class dungeon can turn into sothing dangerous. It’s wise not to take any unnecessary risk. So you better join a party as soon as possible before your next raid."
Logan didn’t argue. He simply gave a nod.
Ali leaned back, clearly watching for a reaction, but Logan didn’t offer one. He knew what Ali said was true.
After a few monts, Ali waved a hand. "You can leave now. But rember, from tomorrow, your training will start with ."
Logan stood up and bowed respectfully. "Sure master." With that he turned around and left.
_________
At that sa ti in Solvane’s Royal Palace....
Sowhere on the upper floor, a twelve-year-old girl sat by the window, legs tucked beneath her as she stared out toward the palace garden. Her light blue eyes looked distant. Her expression was calm but empty.
It was Daliah.
It had been more than two weeks since Logan left the palace. She was happy beyond words knowing he was still alive. But she kind of missed him. Those two or three days when Logan was in the royal palace had been full of events.
She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice that soone actually had co and sat beside her.
"Oh ho! Missing soone, are you?!" It was Rowan. He teased Daliah with a playful smile.
Daliah snapped out of her trance.
"Don’t you have any manners?! Entering a girl’s room without knocking?" Glaring at Rowan, she scolded, trying to hide the fact that she really had been missing soone.
"Didn’t knock, huh? I’ve been knocking for the past half hour," Rowan smirked playfully. Of course, he had just arrived. He was only testing the waters. He knew his sister very well....so he could tell why she seed off.
"Huh! You must think I’m a fool," Daliah said, refusing to fall for Rowan’s trap. She gave him a playful punch, and both of them shared a small laugh.
After the laughter settled, Rowan said, "Anyway, whatever. We’re cultivating again after sunset. So don’t forget, and don’t be late."
"Alright." Daliah nodded.
With that, Rowan walked out.
Daliah kept staring in his retreating direction for a mont. Then while stretching lightly, she slowly stood up. "I should get stronger soon and beco a hunter." She whispered.
__________
At evening in Aerundale – Smith Family Villa
Alice stood by the balcony of her room, a cup of tea in her hand that had long gone cold. The wind brushed through her long hair as she stared into the distance, but her eyes weren’t really seeing anything.
She missed him. No matter how many tis Rudeous assured her that Logan was safe and alive...
The mother in her still worried.
She could still rember the night. When she had lost her all hopes and felt like dying. But right then, Logan suddenly ca back.
Alive!
But then said he had to leave again. She wanted to stop him but knew, it was for the best.
Behind her, the door creaked slightly. A maid peeked in.
"Madam, the tea is getting cold."
Alice didn’t respond.
She was still staring at the sky. Still waiting. Still hoping.
Being lost in her thoughts, she whispered—
"Be safe, honey."
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