A Farewell to the Friends

Days had passed since the battle with the Mudspire. The streets of Velmoria remained as lively as ever. Merchants barked their prices, adventurers bragged about their latest feats, and inns overflowed with laughter and clinking mugs. 

Inside the Adventurer’s Guild, the buzz of chatter filled the spacious hall. From the large wooden beams to the glowing lanterns lining the walls, the guild exuded warmth and camaraderie. Maps and mission boards stood tall, plastered with requests ranging from mundane herb gathering to monstrous subjugations.

But in the corner, away from the laughter and excitement, stood Jace and Nick. The air was heavy, not with grief alone, but with the unspoken understanding that life would go on  for everyone else.

Near the guild's front desk, Felix and Selena handed over their adventurer licenses. The decision had been quick, though not unexpected.

Felix’s hand lingered on the license for a moment before the guild receptionist, Claire, took it. The once mischievous glint in his eyes seemed dimmer now. Selena stood beside him, her calm demeanor barely masking the sorrow that lingered beneath.

Jace, standing a few steps away, found it difficult to speak. A part of him wanted to argue to convince them to stay, to tell them they still had a place within the Black Luminaries. But what right did he have to stop them? They had lost someone they saw as a brother. Even Nick, usually quick with a joke, remained silent, his hands tucked into his coat.

Felix finally broke the silence, his voice low.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, rubbing the back of his neck. “We’ve been thinking about it for a while. Ronan was… he was our anchor. Without him, it’s not the same.”

Selena gave a small nod, her eyes distant.

“We joined for the thrill, for the adventures. But now, it just feels… empty.”

Jace swallowed hard. He understood. Every word struck true.

“I get it,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But I can’t quit. I promised myself I’d get stronger — for him.”

Felix gave a smile.

“That’s just like you, Jace. Stubborn to the end.”

Selena stepped forward, resting a hand gently on his shoulder.

“Take care of yourself, alright? And keep that idiot healer in check.”

Nick scoffed, though a small grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Hey, I’m not the one who needs healing half the time.”

They laughed.

Later that day, Jace and Nick stood before the guild master’s desk. The massive wooden table was cluttered with reports, maps, and sealed letters. Behind it sat the Guild Master, a weathered man with a thick gray beard. His stern expression betrayed a hint of curiosity as he eyed the paper in his hands Nick’s formal recommendation.

Standing at his side was Claire, the ever-cheerful receptionist. Unlike the bustling hall outside, the office was quiet, the tension palpable.

The guild master tapped his fingers against the desk.

“Fighting a Mudspire and surviving is no small feat,” he said, his voice gruff. “Especially for a D-rank party.”

His gaze shifted to Jace. There was no malice, only the sharp assessment of a man who had seen countless adventurers rise and fall.

“They say you held your ground and even dealt a serious blow. That’s not something we see every day.”

Jace met the guild master’s gaze, his voice steady.

“I only did what I could.”

The guild master let out a low chuckle, the sound rumbling through the room.

“And that’s what makes the difference. You’re no longer the wide-eyed adventurer who stumbled through those doors. You’ve proven yourself.”

With a decisive motion, he stamped the official seal onto the parchment.

> “From today, the Black Luminaries are promoted to C-rank. And Jace Steelborn  you are also promoted to C-rank.”

Jace bowed his head, his determination unwavering.

> “Thank you, sir.”

The guild master nodded firmly.

“Don’t thank me. Thank the friends who stood by you.”

Nick clapped a hand on Jace’s shoulder, his grin returning.

“We’ve come this far, and we’re not stopping now.”

Claire, standing quietly until now, smiled warmly.

“Congratulations. You’ve earned it.”

That evening, Jace and Nick gathered outside the guild hall. The streets of Velmoria bustled as merchants closed their stalls for the day. Lanterns flickered to life, casting a golden glow across the cobblestone roads. Despite the city’s warmth, a hollow feeling gnawed at Jace’s chest.

He clenched his fists.

“I don’t care how strong the monsters are,” Jace said, his voice firm. “We’re going to keep pushing forward. Ronan wouldn’t want us to stop.”

Nick grinned, the confidence in his smile infectious.

“Damn right. And next time, maybe we won’t have to scrape by with my healing.”

Jace smirked.

“We’ll see about that.”

Whispers of the Black Luminaries

As the two of them walked down the cobbled streets, murmurs spread through the crowd. The guild was a breeding ground for rumors, and stories of the Black Luminaries had begun to stir curiosity.

“Did you hear? Someone fought a Mudspire and lived to tell the tale!”

> “No way! That’s an A-rank beast!”

> “They say his name is Jace.”

> “The Black Luminaries, huh? Maybe they’re worth keeping an eye on.”

To be continued...

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