In the country of Luminarche, there existed three main bodies of power.

  The first, of course, was the Adventurer’s Guild. They were a collection of high-tier adventurers that controlled and regulated quests, missions, and expeditions, amongst other responsibilities. Most adventurers in Luminarche answered to them in some way or another. Their power was further bolstered by their close ties with the Institute of Ascension – whose main purpose, contrary to most people’s assumption, wasn’t to act as an adventuring academy but rather to function as the premier magical research institution in all of Koxus. Indeed, it was often joked that the Institute only offered adventuring lessons on the side for extra research funds.

  The second was the Holy Church of the Goddess. Priests, Clerics, Paladins were amongst the Classes that belonged to the Church. They were feared far and wide by all manners of dark creatures such as vampires, liches, evil spirits, daemons, and so on, though they rarely entangled themselves with human affairs unless the person was extraordinarily corrupted, such as in the case of Hollow cultists or mass murderers. Channeling the Goddess’s powers herself, members of the Church were formidable foes, the strongest of them being capable of standing toe-to-toe against Mythmakers and even Ascendants.

  The third was the Royal Sentinels. To prevent upstart adventurers from staging a rebellion and overthrowing the crown, the royal government had established the Royal Sentinels, a force of elite soldiers. With access to an entire kingdom’s resources, they were immensely powerful, easily rivaling even top adventurers. The Royal Sentinels governed and often suppressed the adventuring population. They were the tool that the nobility employed to control the adventurers.

  That fact had never been more clear until now, as Levi calmly met the gaze of Royal Sentinel Vincent while firmly gripping his wrist.

  With dark brown hair, light blue eyes, and a few inches of height on Levi, the Royal Sentinel cut an imposing figure. He wore a set of expensive silver armor enchanted with so much defensive magic, Levi could sense it even without his True Sight. The armor could likely withstand a point-blank fireball from an Elder Wyvern and not even be lightly singed afterward. Evidently, as a Royal Sentinel, Vincent had access to the highest-tier armor and magical artifacts one could get.

  Vincent seemed to be puzzled as he looked down at Levi. “You are… Levi Ironwood,” he said, his voice gruff and deep. “The disinherited heir of Marquis Ironwood.”

  “I am,” Levi said.

  “You have been held back twice in the Institute of Ascension, you’re ranked last in your graduating class, and you’ve yet to reach even level 25 and attain your Class.”

  Levi nodded. “That sounds about right.”

  “And you think…” Vincent said slowly, as if he was talking to a particularly dimwitted child, “that you can lay your hand on me?”

  Levi simply nodded again.

  Vincent stared at him for several long moments. Then, he gave a derisive scoff and ripped his arm out of Levi’s grasp – or rather, he tried to. The Royal Sentinel’s eyes flickered, first in confusion, then in growing alarm as he was unable to break Levi’s grip on his arm. Indeed, even as he strained his muscles, it was as though all the momentum was being drained from his movements. He stared at Levi. “How are you…”

  “You said Liliya committed fraud,” Levi said. “How? She completed the Ascension Trials fair and square, clearing the entire silver-tier dungeon on her own.”

  “Perhaps,” Oliver said from the side. “Quite commendable on her part – especially since she had to drag around your worthless hide the entire time. However…” He smiled. “She activated the emergency beacon, didn’t she? That’s grounds for instant disqualification.”

  There was a long moment of silence.

  Then, Levi’s stomach dropped. He let go of Vincent’s arm; the man quickly drew his hand back, examining his wrist for a second before looking at Levi with suspicion. Levi ignored him as he processed this new information.

  Shit. Liliya had activated the emergency beacon, hadn’t she? He exchanged a glance with Liliya; she looked back at him with a mixture of confusion and worry.

  “But Professor Merriweather said…” she began.

  “Ah, your on-site proctor?” Oliver interjected. “Right, I already received verbal verification from him that you activated your emergency beacon. Of course, he then went on to talk about extenuating circumstances and justified exceptions… But that isn’t for him to decide. He did raise quite the racket when he heard about how we planned to disbar you, but as it so happens, the Royal Sentinels are above the opinions of a single old washed-up adventurer.” He shrugged. “Unfortunately, he didn’t listen to our warnings to back down, so we did have to make an example out of him.”

  Levi, Liliya, and Qorbin all tensed up. So true to his word, Professor Merriweather had attempted to defend Liliya like he said he would, and the Royal Sentinels had punished him for it… Levi needed to find out what they did to him later. Depending on the answer, heads would roll. For now, though…

  “I see,” Levi said, a certain calmness settling over his voice. “If that’s the case, then I should’ve also been disbarred from becoming an adventurer, no? Why only focus on Liliya?”

  “You’re not important enough for the brass to notice,” Oliver said dismissively.

  “Right,” Levi said. “And I’m sure it’s just a coincidence that she’s being required to undergo correctional training overseen by her fiance-to-be, Theodore Montague.”

  The fact that only she was being singled out instead of both of them being punished made it perfectly obvious that this was an entirely corrupt action. If the ruling had been legitimate, then Levi would’ve been disbarred as well.

  Oliver narrowed his eyes. “The Royal Sentinels need not justify their actions, certainly not to a reprehensible disgrace like you. Our actions are the will of the Crown.”

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  “How noble,” Qorbin drawled. “Why don’t we drop the facade and just say it like how it is? The only reason why this whole thing is happening is because our friend Montague got jealous that his future fiance is spending time with other people – people far more handsome and cooler than him, might I add – so he decided to kick up a fuss and pull some strings. A classic case of corruption, really. That’s why you two are here, to carry out his agenda like the good dogs you are.”

  Oliver bristled and Vincent glared at Qorbin.

  “Watch yourself, Ravenbane,” Vincent said dangerously. “Those are fighting words.”

  “What?” Qorbin frowned. “Really? I’d personally say the fighting words are more along the lines of me saying that it’s blatantly obvious you two are just sucking Montague off at this point… but I understand if you’re more sensitive than I’d thought. I do recommend you guys stop, though. I mean,” he tsked, shaking his head, “don’t your mouths ever get tired?”

  In a flash, Vincent’s sword – a massive double-sided longsword – was out and pointed at Qorbin’s face.

  “What was that?”

  Qorbin gave a lazy smile. “You heard me.”

  “Hand us the girl, Ravenbane,” Vincent said softly. “I will not ask again. Refusal to comply will be treated as treason against the Crown and punished accordingly.” He smiled thinly. “Then again… you have been a thorn in our sides for far too long, Mythmaker Ravenbane. On second thought, feel free to not comply. I look forward to finally cutting you down.”

  Qorbin laughed. “Similarly, you arrogant twats have been on my case for far too long. I’ve been eagerly waiting for this day to come for a long time. Besides, you think you can defeat me? Really? Do let me know what elixirs you’re on, I have to get my hands on them.”

  “It’s two against one,” Oliver said. “You may be a Mythmaker, but Montague sent us to confront you for a reason. Stand down, Qorbin. Is a single girl, not even a high-tier adventurer yet, really worth it? I mean, let’s be reasonable here for a moment. Her father will sell her off to Montague either way; we both know how Marquis Volkov is. It was always going to end up this way, one way or another.” He turned to Liliya. “What do you say, Lady Volkov? Tell your mentor to back off and cooperate with us.”

  Liliya hesitated, her eyes flickering between them. “I…”

  “Alright, that’s enough,” Levi said. He stepped forward, Oliver and Vincent looking at him. “Here’s my counteroffer. First, you are going to apologize to Liliya. Then, you are going to leave and not come back. If you do so, then you’ll retain control over your continued bodily integrity. You have fifteen seconds to agree. What do you say?”

  Oliver stared at him. “Hey, Vincent? Is this kid threatening us?”

  “I think he is.”

  Oliver snickered. “By the Goddess… he has gumption, I’ll give him that.”

  “Five seconds,” Levi said, his tone light even as his magic swirled within him, his vision becoming True. In the corner of his eye, he could see Qorbin shift his stance slightly; he seemed to have sensed that Levi was about to make a move. A faint breeze began blowing through the air. “Four. Three. Two. One–”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  Levi froze at the voice, his magic abruptly dying down. Whirling around, he turned to look at Liliya. “What?” Qorbin furrowed his brow as well as he glanced at her.

  Liliya stepped forward, a defeated look in her eyes. “They’re right,” she said. “We shouldn’t resist. I… I’ll surrender into their custody.”

  “Ha!” Oliver asked. “Figures the girl has the most sense out of you all. Well, go on, you heard her.”

  Levi ignored him. “Liliya?” he said quietly. “You don’t have to do this. We have other options.”

  Qorbin nodded in agreement. “If you’re worried about the consequences, don’t be. I’ll never say no to kicking in the teeth of a Royal Sentinel.”

  “I’m sorry,” Liliya said, her voice heavy with resignation, “but… I have to do this. As much as I hate to say it, Sentinel Oliver is right – it was always going to end up this way. Even before I took the Ascension Trials, I already knew that my fate was to be married to Montague. This is just happening… sooner than expected, I suppose. But ultimately, first and foremost, I am a daughter of House Volkov. If my father wishes for this, then I must fulfill my duty.”

  “Fuck that noise,” Qorbin snapped. “You realize that once you end up under Montague’s control, he’s never going to let you free, right? I know his type. You’ll never be able to be an adventurer again.”

  Liliya was silent for a long moment. Then, she smiled a humorless smile. “Well. I had a good run, didn’t I?” She turned to Levi. “The Ascension Trials we took together… It was one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. Thank you for that.”

  Levi watched her with an unreadable gaze. “You remember the talk we had in the cavern? Before Phantasm appeared? I told you to break those chains, didn’t I?”

  “You did,” Liliya said. “And I responded that I couldn’t.”

  “Alone, perhaps not,” Levi said. “But as a party of three, I’d say your odds are pretty good. Very good, in fact. Just say the word, Liliya.” He paused. “Please say the word.”

  But even as he said that, he already knew from the look of resolve in her eyes that she wasn’t going to be swayed. Liliya shook her head.

  “Thank you, Levi, but… I’m sorry.”

  For a long time, Levi looked at her. Liliya met his gaze evenly, not backing down.

  In the end, it was Levi that inclined his head.

  “Very well,” he said. “Then… Good luck, Liliya. It was an honor.”

  Liliya smiled. “I should be saying that to you.” Then she hesitated, pain flickering across her eyes, though she suppressed it a moment later. “Please make sure Professor Merriweather is okay… and extend my apologies to him.” She looked at Qorbin. “Oh, and you can dissolve the apprenticeship link – I doubt I’ll have much need of it anymore.”

  Qorbin grunted, clearly not liking the development of events, but he too seemed to have seen that there was no point in going scorched earth if the person they were defending didn’t want to do so. “If you ever need an extraction, just say the word,” he said. “Doesn’t matter when or where. Don’t worry, I’ll hear about it.”

  Liliya nodded. “I’ll keep it in mind.” The way she said it made it clear that she wouldn’t.

  Qorbin’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t say anything. He and Levi just watched from the side as the two Royal Sentinels hurriedly escorted her away; for all their gloating, they seemed to be a bit wary of Qorbin changing his mind and attacking them after all.

  Even after she was long gone, neither of them spoke. A heavy silence hung over them.

  “Well,” Levi said. “Fuck.”

  Qorbin nodded. “Tell me about it…” He sighed. “I suppose it’s to be expected.”

  Levi nodded silently. He knew that Liliya had never actually planned on escaping the arranged marriage her father had organized with Montague. Even her efforts in soloing the Ascension Trials had only been done so that she could prove herself as an adventurer before her time ran out. Levi thought that he could’ve changed her mind, but… In the end, she was still bound by her duties as a noble.

  It was aggravating. Perhaps once upon a time, he would’ve ignored her wishes and fought off the Royal Sentinels anyhow. But now…

  His fists clenched.

  "Well," Qorbin said. "I realize it's still daytime, but I feel like this calls for a trip to the taverns.” Levi nearly objected were it not for the fully serious expression on his face. “It's been a long time coming, but I think it's time we talked about some things.”

  Levi let out a long exhale. "I agree. Let's go."

  6 chapters ahead!