When the explosion cleared, Aresando found himself flat on his back, blinking up at a ceiling that was, miraculously, still intact.
"I'm… not dead?" he mumbled, coughing up a puff of sparkling dust.
Around him, adventurers gawked. Some had ducked under tables, others were staring at him like he'd just grown a second head. The giant crystal — or what remained of it — was shattered into a thousand glittering shards that floated gently in the air, suspended by thin threads of magic.
Valkyria strode into view, unfazed.
She didn't look angry.
She looked… intrigued.
"Impressive," she muttered, crouching beside him. Her golden armor clinked softly as she leaned in, sharp amber eyes narrowing. "Most people barely light up the crystal. You blew it to pieces. Either you're a disaster magnet, or you're more powerful than you realize."
"Can I vote for disaster magnet?" Aresando croaked, sitting up. His hair was a mess, face smudged with dust, but somehow he was grinning. "I swear this happens in anime all the time."
Before Valkyria could reply, an all-too-familiar voice rang out across the hall.
"HEEEEY! YOU FORGOT ABOUT ME!"
Jade barreled through the guild doors, silver hair flying, nearly knocking over two beastfolk in her path. She skidded to a halt next to Aresando, planting her hands on her hips, tail swishing impatiently.
"You explode a crystal and don't even invite me? Rude."
"Trust me," Aresando coughed, "I didn't exactly plan it."
Valkyria stood up, brushing dust from her gauntlets. "Both of you. On your feet. We need to get you registered and…" she cast a long, thoughtful glance at Aresando, "…probably have a mage check you out before you accidentally vaporize something bigger."
"Like the guild?" Jade grinned.
"Like the city," Valkyria shot back flatly.
She turned on her heel and marched off toward a counter at the far end of the hall. Aresando scrambled to his feet, still wobbling slightly, and Jade fell into step beside him, flashing a mischievous smile.
"So, newbie… you're strong, cute and clueless. Dangerous combination."
Aresando choked. "c-c-cute?"
He was pretty sure his face had gone bright red. Okay. New world. Magic powers. Wolf girls calling him cute.
Stay calm, man.
Stay calm.
At the counter, an older elf with sleek silver hair and narrow glasses peered at them, quill poised above a stack of parchment. Without looking up, she spoke in a clipped tone.
"Name?"
"Aresando," he managed.
"Age?"
"Seventeen."
"City of origin?"
He hesitated. Valkyria gave him a sharp nudge in the ribs.
"Ah—E-Estaria?" he blurted.
It sounded fantasy-ish enough, right?
The elf's quill flicked across the page. "Occupation?"
"Uh… high school student?"
That made her glance up, eyebrows raised.
Valkyria sighed loudly.
"Put 'adventurer in training,' Lira."
"As you wish." The elf—Lira—scribbled the note, then slid a small badge across the counter. A shimmering insignia of the guild spun lazily within its center. "Welcome to the Guild of the Skies, Aresando. From this point forward, you are officially an adventurer of Solarnis."
He reached out, carefully taking the badge. It was warm to the touch, and as his fingers closed around it, a tiny pulse of energy ran up his arm.
"Whoa."
"Consider it your identification, license, and survival pass all in one," Valkyria explained. "Don't lose it."
"Especially not to thieves, gamblers, or charming wolf-girls," Jade added innocently.
"HEY."
"Just saying."
Aresando couldn't help but laugh. Despite everything — the confusion, the chaos, the exploding crystal — a weird, giddy excitement bubbled in his chest.
He was in another world.
He was an adventurer.
_________
Friend or Threat?
Once the paperwork was finished, Valkyria led Aresando and Jade to a quieter corner of the guild — a small lounge with velvet couches and tall windows overlooking the sprawling city. The afternoon light poured through, golden and warm.
Aresando sank into one of the couches, badge still clutched in his hand.
His mind was racing.
A whole new world… and so many questions.
Valkyria stood by the window, arms crossed over her chest, expression serious now.
"I suppose you deserve some answers," she began. "You're in Solarnis, the capital city of this realm. It sits at the heart of a continent called Aerathis — a land of kingdoms, ancient magic, and creatures beyond imagining."
She glanced at him, sharp eyes measuring.
"And someone like you… someone summoned by the Coin of Fate… You won't go unnoticed."
Aresando swallowed hard. "What do you mean?"
She turned fully, boots clicking against the marble floor.
"In this world, being from another realm is rare. Very rare. And people summoned that way? They're called Worldwalkers. Legends say they possess unique powers — abilities that can tip the balance of nations."
Her jaw tightened.
"The King of Solarnis is no fool. If word spreads that a Worldwalker arrived… you'll be seen in one of two ways:"
She raised two gloved fingers.
"One — as a hero. Someone to honor, reward, and use as a champion for the kingdom."
Her gaze hardened.
"Or two — as a threat. Someone dangerous, someone the throne might want… eliminated."
The weight of her words hit Aresando like a punch to the chest.
"Wait—hold on. You're saying I could get knighted or assassinated? That escalated fast."
"Welcome to Aerathis," Valkyria said dryly.
Aresando scrubbed a hand through his hair, heart pounding. Okay okay okay. Don't panic. This is fine. Totally fine. He'd just have to…
Stay under the radar?
Or make powerful friends fast?
Across from him, Jade shifted on the couch, tail flicking nervously. Her usual smirk was gone, replaced by something softer… shyer.
She cleared her throat, ears twitching slightly. "For what it's worth… I don't think you're dangerous."
He blinked. "You don't?"
She shook her head, silver hair cascading over her shoulder.
"I've seen dangerous men. Mercenaries, warlocks, power-hungry nobles. You're… different. Kind. Confused, sure. A bit clueless." Her lips quirked upward. "But not cruel."
For a split second, her golden eyes locked onto his, warm and bright. Then she quickly looked away, ears twitching harder, a soft pink dusting her cheeks.
"I mean—not that it matters what I think," she muttered, fiddling with a lock of hair.
Aresando's chest warmed.
Okay… that was definitely flirting.
Right?
Valkyria didn't seem to notice — or maybe she just ignored it.
Instead, she moved closer, her tone lower.
"For now, you need allies. The Guild can offer you some protection, but the royal court… they're a different beast." She paused, then added, "Lucky for you, you've already caught the eye of one of the Sky Knights."
"Wait—you?" Aresando asked, surprised.
"Exactly. My rank carries weight. As long as you stay under my watch, no royal lapdog will lay a hand on you without going through me first."
Her lips twitched, almost like she was enjoying the challenge.
Aresando blinked, then smiled.
"Thanks… Valkyria."
"Don't thank me yet," she warned. "You'll have to prove you're worth protecting."
"I can try not blowing up any more crystals?"
"That's a start."
Behind them, Jade's tail curled neatly around her legs as she sat quietly, golden eyes watching Aresando with a gentle intensity. Her earlier bravado had faded into something more… devoted. Subtle, but unmistakable.
She wasn't just intrigued anymore.
She was hooked.
And as Aresando looked back at her, smiling awkwardly but warmly, her ears perked and her cheeks flushed deeper.
"Jade, right?" he asked, voice soft. "I'm glad you're here too. Honestly… I don't know what I'm doing."
She smiled shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Well… I'll help you. Whatever happens."
Her words were simple. But there was a weight behind them — a quiet vow.
Loyalty.
And maybe something more.
Before the moment could stretch too long, Valkyria clapped her hands.
"Alright. Enough bonding. If you want to survive here, you'll need coin, equipment… and training. And lucky for you, I know just the place to start."
She turned sharply on her heel, golden cape flaring behind her.
"Come on. Your first mission awaits."
Aresando exchanged a look with Jade — who gave him a small, encouraging nod — and then hurried after Valkyria, heart pounding with excitement and nerves.
New world.
New friends.
New dangers.
And maybe…
A destiny far bigger than he ever imagined