Chapter 5: A City Awaiting the Future
Sol Aureth had not been this lively in years.
The wide stone streets overflowed with people from every corner of the continent. Colorful stalls stretched endlessly along the roads, banners fluttered between buildings, and the air buzzed with laughter, shouting, and music.
"Fresh skewers! Two silver only!""Rare dungeon crystals—freshly appraised!""Guardian memorabilia! Limited stock!"
Vendors shouted themselves hoarse, trying to attract customers before their neighbors could. Adventurers in battered armor walked openly through the crowd, some relaxed, others alert. Knights and soldiers patrolled in disciplined formations, their presence both reassuring and intimidating.
It felt less like a city preparing for trials—
And more like a festival.
People had traveled great distances to be here. Some came to watch the Trial Tournament, eager to see which young talents might one day shape the future of the world. Others came for something far rarer—
The appearance of the Guardian Families and their heirs.
Just the possibility was enough to draw crowds in the tens of thousands.
"HELLOOOOO, SOL AURETH!"
A bright, excited voice cut through the noise.
Standing in the middle of the street was a young girl with short blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She wore light armor over casual clothes—practical, flexible, clearly meant for movement rather than ceremony.
A crystal sphere floated in front of her, slowly rotating as it broadcast her image across large magical screens positioned throughout the city—and deep within the Adventurer Guild headquarters.
"I'm Charlotte, B-Class adventurer and official field reporter for the Adventurer Guild News Division!" she announced with a wide grin.
She gestured dramatically around her.
"Just look at this place! Stalls everywhere, adventurers bumping shoulders with nobles, guards working overtime—and the energy? You can practically taste it!"
She leaned closer to the crystal, eyes sparkling.
"It's been years since Sol Aureth hosted an event of this scale! The first-year trials, third-year PvP tournaments, and—of course—the long-awaited gathering of the Guardian Families!"
She spun on her heel.
"Honestly, I haven't slept properly in two days!"
As she spoke, her gaze suddenly locked onto a familiar figure nearby.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Grey-haired.
He wore a formal suit, though it struggled to hide the powerful physique beneath. A long scar ran across his face, lending him an intimidating presence. He was calmly instructing a group of adventurers, his voice steady and authoritative.
Charlotte froze.
Then vanished.
She reappeared directly in front of him.
"GUILD MASTER DAVID!"
David flinched—just slightly—then sighed deeply.
"…Charlotte," he said tiredly."How many times have I told you not to run around like that?"
He gestured vaguely to the crowd.
"You're going to cause an accident."
Charlotte bowed quickly.
"S-sorry! I got carried away!"
David rubbed his temple.
"…Every time."
Charlotte straightened, eyes shining.
"Guild Master, may I have a moment for a quick interview regarding today's events?"
He glanced at the adventurers awaiting orders, then at the sky.
"…Fine," he said."But keep it brief. I still need to make a few rounds before joining the VIP guests."
Charlotte pumped her fist.
"Yes!"
The crystal sphere floated closer.
"First question!" Charlotte said eagerly."For those watching at home—what exactly is today's tournament?"
David folded his arms.
"The Trial Tournament serves two purposes," he explained."Third-year students will participate in regulated PvP matches to assess combat readiness and tactical ability."
"And the first-years?" Charlotte asked.
"They will undergo practical trials to determine class placement," David replied."Combat, magic, support—it ensures students are assigned where they belong."
Charlotte tilted her head.
"There's been concern about safety," she said carefully."Are the students in danger?"
David shook his head.
"No," he said firmly."The battlefield will be enclosed within a specialized barrier that continuously monitors vitals."
He continued calmly.
"If a participant's condition becomes critical, they'll be instantly teleported out and treated by life mages from the Adventurer Guild and priests from the Holy Temple."
Charlotte visibly relaxed.
"So it's safe to say no fatalities?"
"Correct," David replied."This isn't a battlefield. It's an evaluation."
Charlotte hesitated, then leaned closer.
"Now… the question many visitors are asking."
Her tone softened.
"The Guardian Families—could you explain what that title truly means?"
Around them, conversations quieted.
Adventurers paused mid-step.Civilians leaned closer to nearby screens.
David exhaled slowly.
"After the Great War," he began,"The world was left in uncertainty. No one truly knew how the final battle ended."
He spoke evenly.
"What we do know is this: three Guardians—the White Tiger, Phoenix, and Black Tortoise—returned from the battlefield."
"And Pegasus?" Charlotte asked.
"Pegasus returned briefly," David replied."Alongside the three."
"The Golden Dragon and the Demon King were gone."
A murmur spread.
"The Golden Dragon did not return," David continued."The Guardians explained that it had ascended back to heaven, too gravely injured to remain in this world."
"And Pegasus?" Charlotte asked quietly.
"Pegasus followed soon after," David said."Leaving the remaining Guardians to explain the situation."
David's gaze hardened.
"Knowing they could not stay indefinitely, the three Guardians made a choice."
"They blessed their chosen champions with a portion of their true essence."
Charlotte's eyes widened.
"Blood blessings?"
"Yes," David confirmed."The descendants of those champions would inherit fragments of guardian power."
Charlotte paused.
"…But what about the Golden Dragon?"
David shook his head.
"The Golden Dragon chose a different path," he said."As did Pegasus."
"They believed their power was too great to pass down by blood."
He continued.
"Instead, the responsibility of selecting the next champion was entrusted to the current one."
Charlotte frowned slightly.
"So… the Dragon Champion isn't hereditary?"
"No," David replied."It is earned."
He added quietly,
"In truth, there are only three Guardian Families."
Charlotte gasped.
"But out of respect for the Golden Dragon," David said,"They are counted as four."
"Each year, the families hope the next Dragon Champion will emerge."
Charlotte hesitated once more.
"And the Pegasus Champion?"
David turned toward the western skyline.
"The Pegasus Shrine lies atop the western hill," he said, pointing."A place so high it's mistaken for a mountain."
"Will the Pegasus Champion appear?" Charlotte asked.
David's expression darkened.
"…Unknown."
"For the past six years," he said quietly,"Their whereabouts have been lost."
A flicker of restrained anger crossed his eyes.
"After a certain incident."
Charlotte noticed—and chose not to press.
Suddenly—
Shouting erupted near the city gates.
Raised voices.Agitated guards.
David frowned.
Charlotte turned eagerly.
"…Is something happening?"
From a distance, a silver-haired young man and a short-tempered red-haired girl came into view.
David sighed.
"…Looks like the festival's about to get interesting."
Charlotte grinned.
"Oh, this is definitely newsworthy!"