The guild building was probably the second largest building in the entire kingdom. Decorated in white, gold and purple, the guild building is a staple in this world — or so I'm told. The large brown doors were wide open and people seemed to be filing in.
"Are you here for the test?" A woman in similar colors to the guild asked me as I approached.
"Yeah," I nodded. "Why's there so many people testing today?"
"Today we're running a challenge. If any new adventurers pass the test, they can be bumped up to C-rank if you pass the test from S-rank party, Cerberus. You might even get a spot in the legendary party, too!"
"Cerberus? Who are they?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. The guild woman seemed taken aback by my response and tried to recover with a friendly smile.
"They're a legendary party that started right here fifteen years ago! They're made up of: Kai the Slayer, Janna the Saint, Mai the Prodigy, and Jorgen the Titan. These four adventurers were once like us but grew to be strong through dedication! It's even rumored they were blessed by the Goddess of Light to fulfill their duties as the Hero's party!"
The Hero's party, huh? I raised an eyebrow. If only you knew…
"I'm taking the test today, anyways, so what could a little boost in my rank be?" I shrugged.
"Great! Let's head inside together and I'll get you all filled out!" The woman smiled.
With the receptionist's help, I was able to fill out a sheet of paper that basically gave information on who I was, my age, trait, and class. Laura, the receptionist, stamped the paper and looked up with a large smile.
"And we're done, Mr. Elias. You can take this wooden emblem that signifies you're a test taker and take a seat until your group's called. Please do note that the test is altered because Cerberus is here as well." Laura finished her spiel, leaving me with a polite bow.
I gave a small bow before taking a seat in the back near a window. If I want to become an adventurer, I might as well take every shortcut there is… Not to mention, my trait will probably throw a lot of people off so it's best to establish myself quickly.
Eventually, my group was called and we all filtered into the guild's many training grounds where the S-rank party, Cerberus, stood like it was rehearsed. The crowd oozed with fangirling, squealing and screams to 'marry' them. Cerberus seemed to be used to this, waving at the group as an older man stepped forward. He was dressed in cleaner clothes and leather shoes. The guild insignia rested on his chest with a metal chain looping off it. The man was older, white hair, white beard and glasses that brought out the large scar on his face.
He's jacked. I thought as the man cleared his throat.
"Welcome everyone to the Guild. I am the Guildmaster and we're grateful you want to join our ranks of adventure. Normally, there's a written test and physical examination of what you can do, but since Cerberus is here today looking for potential recruits to train under them, we've modified the the test process to two portions: examination and a duel against one of the Cerberus members. Cerberus will be in charge of your fate with the Guild, so I hope you all put your all into it." The Guildmaster said. He motioned, turning towards the four individuals behind him and stepped out of the way.
Cerberus stood like a painting meant to inspire worship.
Kai the Slayer—red hair, blue eyes, smile sharpened by confidence—stood front and center, soaking in the crowd's attention like sunlight. Beside him was Janna the Saint, hands folded calmly, golden light faintly clinging to her like it didn't know how to leave. Mai the Prodigy leaned against her staff with bored elegance, eyes already scanning the crowd for threats—or talent. And Jorgen the Titan… well.
He didn't need to move to be intimidating. He was built like a fortress that had learned how to breathe.
I felt Rewrite stir.
Not excitement. Recognition.
These people are anchors, it whispered—not in words, but in pressure. Fixed points in the world's narrative. Strong enough that the system bent around them instead of the other way around.
Interesting.
"First portion!" Kai announced cheerfully. "Examination!"
Crystal pylons were wheeled out, runic circles carved deep into the stone floor. I recognized the structure instantly—modern magic, rigid, efficient, joyless. Mana in. Effect out. No room for interpretation.
One by one, candidates stepped forward.
Fireballs. Reinforcement. Wind blades. Clean. Predictable.
Applause followed each decent performance, louder cheers when someone exceeded expectations. The guild staff scribbled notes furiously.
Then it was my turn.
"Name?" The examiner asked.
"Elias." I answered.
"Trait?"
I hesitated. "Rewrite."
There was a moment of micro silence. Confusion. The scratching of quills paused. Mai's head tilted slightly.
"Proceed," the examiner said carefully.
I placed my hand against the crystal. Purple veins spread out in an instant. The structure of the pylon wasn't as intense as I thought it would be. It was fifteen strings of spell code put together. The runes flared to life then it stuttered.
It didn't shatter. It didn't overload.
I frowned. Boring, I thought to myself as I instincively fixed it. The runes disappeared, replaced with purple glyphs, the pylon's shape began to morph and before I knew it, a hissing noise came. I pulled away, watching as the crystal permanently took on a purple color. The crystal flashed red, chirping as it alerted everyone to something I was unaware of.
"No way." One of the trial members gasped.
"He maxed it out."
I turned, catching the glimpses of the contestants, Cerberus and the Guildmaster staring at me in shock.
"What did he just do…?" Kai asked Mai.
Mai shifted, straightening herself out. Her pure boredom was now replaced with intense curiousity.
"Something different." Mai replied.
"Alright," Kai snapped out of it. "I guess it's time for the second portion — a duel! You'll be randomly fighting one of us." He announced to the group.
I watched as contestant after contestant fought against one of the members of the Cerberus group. Soon, I was the last one climbing up onto the steps of the dueling platform.
"I'll take this one." Mai climbed up the steps. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're the only one who's probably peaked my interest today. I am Mai the Prodigy."
"Mai's fighting him?"
"After that display? He'll surely get a beating from the Prodigy."
"When you're ready." The Guildmaster spoke up.
Mai traced her fingers along her staff, lighting up the runes as she lashed outwards without a chant. I instinctively moved backwards, feeling the space around me distort as chains lashed out.
An attack from below me? I raised an eyebrow.
"Not an attack." Mai answered my thoughts. She twirled her staff, brushing the staff's top as she looked to me. "You analyze at a quick rate, so stopping you in your place should suffice."
I couldn't help but let a smile out. This was thrilling. I never had this happen before and yet it was thrilling.
I lifted a finger and plucked the chain in front of me.
"What are you—" Mai began when the rewrite happened. It hummed to life, thrilled to be let out as I rewrote the spell. It caved in on itself as I stepped backwards. She whipped her staff, pointing it at me as space distorted even more.
A pressure pushed down on me. I snapped my fingers, letting the spell go as mana sapped itself off me. I spun my hand around, pulling simplified code of magic together and canceling the attack in an instant.
"Oho, that's how it works." Mai's voice laced with poison as a shimmer of defensive magic appeared before her. She blinked forward, encasing herself in crystal.
"Mai!" The Guildmaster shouted, lowering his clipboard. "That spell is too—"
I swung my staff, purple glyphs shimmering off them. The two staves collided and in an instant, a wave of purple glyphs washed over Mei, canceling whatever she was about to do in an instant.
"Tch!" Mei jumped backwards, gently tapping her staff to the floor. "I can't beat that. I give."
"Did… we see that correctly?"
"He canceled out her Crystalline Battering Ram."
Her what? I wondered.
The entire group erupted in claps.
The applause didn't stop.
It rolled over the training grounds in waves—confused at first, then louder, sharper, edged with disbelief. I lowered my staff slowly, purple glyphs dissolving into nothing as if they'd never existed.
Mai straightened, brushing dust from her coat like the duel had been an inconvenience rather than a loss. Her eyes stayed on me the entire time.
The Guildmaster was the first to speak.
"…Very well," he said slowly, voice carrying authority sharpened by restraint. "The duel is concluded. With that, Elias will be a C-rank adventurer.."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Mai exhaled through her nose, then gave a small, genuine smile. "You didn't overpower my magic," she said quietly, for my ears alone. "You corrected it."
I shrugged. "It was inefficient."
Her smile widened, sharp and dangerous. "I like you."
She stepped back, raising her staff. "Cerberus acknowledges your strength."
That did it. The training grounds exploded. Cheers. Shouts. People standing on benches just to get a better look at me. I felt eyes burning into my back from every direction—adventurers, staff, nobles who had wandered in just to watch the spectacle.
The Guildmaster lifted a hand, and silence followed.
"By the authority of the Adventurer's Guild," he announced, "Elias Voyer is hereby granted immediate promotion to C-rank, effective today."
A guild assistant rushed forward, replacing the wooden test emblem in my hand with a polished bronze insignia etched with the guild's crest. The metal was warm—reactive.
So it's official now, huh? Before I could step back, Kai the Slayer strode forward, grin bright enough to blind.
"Well," he said, clapping a hand on my shoulder like we were old friends, "That was something. You don't fight like anyone I've ever seen."
Janna nodded beside him, studying me with unsettling calm. Jorgen simply crossed his arms, eyes heavy, measuring. Mai stepped up last.
"Elias," she said, voice carrying just enough for everyone to hear. "Cerberus would like to formally invite you to train under us."
The noise vanished. Every breath in the room seemed to pause.
Train under Cerberus.
The Hero's party.
The fastest path to fame, power, safety.
I felt Rewrite hum faintly.
Not agreement.
Warning.
I met Mai's gaze and shook my head.
"No," I said simply.
Kai blinked. "Huh?"
"I appreciate the offer," I continued, calm, steady. "But I already have obligations. And honestly?" I glanced at the four of them. "You're… a bit much for me."
A stunned silence.
Then—laughter.
Kai burst out laughing, throwing his head back. "Wow. Turned down by a C-rank on day one."
Mai stared at me for a long moment, then smirked. "You're going to regret that."
"Maybe," I replied. "But not today."
The Guildmaster cleared his throat, hiding a smile behind his hand. "Very well. Elias Voyer—welcome to the Guild."
As I turned to leave, bronze emblem warm against my chest, I could feel it.
Eyes following me.
Names being whispered.
Curiosity sharpening into something more dangerous.
I had come here for a shortcut.
Looks like I took one.
And the world had noticed.