Akari: Welcome to Heaven's Edge!
Akari said this with her arms wide open as she turned toward Shiro and Arien. Seeing that neither of them was moving or showing much emotion, Akari pouted.
Akari: Big sis will be sad if you didn't say anything.
And then Shiro broke the ice.
Shiro: So the place we are going is—
Akari, not giving Shiro a chance to finish.
Akari: Yes! And now you two, follow me.
Arien was purely excited by this, and the same went for Shiro, but he didn't show it. Well, of course, they were in Heaven's Edge.
Heaven's Edge. There was not a single person on the four continents who didn't know that name. Located in the Kingdom of Valtheria, the city was filled with adventurers and known as the safest place in all five kingdoms.
Arien: Are we really going to the—
Akari cut in again, her voice playful.
Akari: Yes-we-are!
The way she responded to what Arien was asking felt a little personal to her, but Shiro didn't care about that one bit. As long as he was with Akari, Shiro didn't care about anything.
Shiro sped up a little and gave Arien a small push to catch up with Akari.
Arien: Do you ever come here, Shiro?
She asked that of Shiro. Well, the way Akari walked around the city meant she knew the place well, and Arien thought that Shiro might have come with her often.
Shiro: No. Akiaki became an S-Class adventurer the same month I got to the academy. Around three months ago.
Arien: Oh. Is that so.
A broad, steep avenue of dark granite slabs called Contractor's Way cut through the bustling market district of Heaven's Edge. The stones were worn smooth in the center by centuries of booted feet. On either side, stalls sold everything an adventurer could need: hardened leather, pre-packed healing poultices, maps marked with recent sightings, and taverns where rumors were the main currency. The air smelled of forge-smoke, spiced meat, and raw ambition. As they climbed, the crowds got thicker, the gear got more expensive, and the faces got sharper. The noise of the city began to fall away, replaced by a new, heavier sound.
Then they saw it. A building bigger than the academy itself. Akari turned around to face Shiro and Arien once more, a proud smile on her face.
Akari: Again, welcome to Heaven's Edge. And welcome to The Adamant Vanguard.
The Adamant Vanguard. The place that spoke for itself by name alone.
As the three walked inside the building, the first thing Arien realized was the fact that they hadn't met a single guard on their way here. Well, of course not. Who would dare to attack a place filled with adventurers?
Akari came close to Shiro, grabbed his hand, and walked inside. Arien, somehow feeling left alone, quickly followed them like a lost tail.
The guild building was a three-story structure with twelve-foot-tall, bronze-clad doors that made the entrance look like it was built for giants. The building was made from blocks of blue-gray storm granite, fused together so seamlessly the walls looked like a single, carved cliff face.
That was just the exterior. The interior was way cooler than anything Arien or Shiro had ever seen.
The first thing any person entering the grand hall noticed was the floor: a polished, intricate world map covering the entire first story. The ceiling was a domed mosaic of legendary constellations that seemed to shimmer with a light of their own. The air thrummed with controlled chaos. Dozens of massive quest boards, glowing with magical runes, lined the walls, updating in real-time. The sound was a constant roar of negotiations, clinking coin, and the heavy tread of armored boots.
At the center of the hall stood a massive circular counter made from a single slab of black ironwood, manned by twenty no-nonsense clerks. To the left, an open pathway led to the armory—a labyrinth of vaults and forges where legendary weapons were held. To the right, another path led to the archives, a library containing every piece of knowledge an adventurer might need.
Akari: Let's go.
That line caught both Arien and Shiro off guard.
Shiro: Where?
Akari: To the next floor, where else? This is the low-tier adventurer's area. We're not meant for this place.
Both Arien and Shiro thought at the same moment,
Shiro & Arien: Wow. What a pride.
Then Arien pointed her finger at a far corner of the hall.
Arien: What is that?
She was pointing at a little chamber-like thing that could only fit one person at a time. No one was using it at the moment she pointed.
Akari: Oh, that? That's a one-way transport to the next floor. But we'll use the stairs so you two can look around a little more.
Shiro: Heh heh heh.
And with that, they walked into the stair space to the next floor. As soon as they arrived, the first thing Shiro and Arien noticed was that this floor was just like the first, but there was almost no traffic. The place was silent, but still busy.
Akari: Remember what was said? The first floor was for low-class adventurers: D, C, and B. This floor was for A, AA, and S-Class.
And that answered Arien's question about why the place was almost empty.
Akari: Well, we have nothing to do here. So let's go to the next floor.
Shiro: There's more?
Before Akari could answer Shiro's question, Arien asked another.
Arien: But isn't it that normal people can't enter the third floor?
And then Akari answered their questions.
Akari: First, for Haku: Yes, there is one more floor, and that's where we are going. And now for Arien: As long as you two stay with me, you'll be okay.
Arien: So you have permission to go there?
As Arien asked that question, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
Akari: Well, only a few individuals can enter the place, but all S-Class can.
Shiro: Wow.
Akari looked happy that she managed to get a reaction out of Shiro for that.
Akari: Praise me more.
Shiro: Wow. That's my sister. Second to no one.
Akari looked super happy after hearing that. She grabbed both Shiro's and Arien's hands and walked toward the third floor. As she walked, she said,
Akari: Remember. The third floor is full of the strongest people from all across the nations. So make sure to stay close to me, okay?
The way she described it made it more terrifying than the Stormclaw Monarch itself. Well, for real—the people inside were the kind who ate Stormclaws for dinner. So the warning was valid.
Just as the three got near the third-floor door, they encountered their first guard on their entire journey so far. A stern-looking man wearing silver-colored armor, with a katana at his waist. The man looked serious. He walked near Akari, who was in front of Shiro and Arien.
Guard: Well, if it isn't Asahina. The newest S-Class. So, here to hang out with them again?
The guard looked scary, but he actually wasn't, both Shiro and Arien thought.
The guard peeked behind Akari.
Guard: is this him?
Akari: Yes, this is my little brother, Shiro, and his friend, Arien.
The way Akari was talking now was nowhere near the way she was speaking a moment ago; it was more formal, respectful.
With that, the guard opened the heavy door for them to enter. As the door swung open, the sight inside was something neither Shiro nor Arien had ever expected.