After lunch, Bukanami led them into Lysternia. The city gates loomed tall, built of dark stone reinforced with silver sigils that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Two guards stood at the entrance, clad in matching silver armor. Each carried a lance nearly twice their height, and their eyes were sharp beneath the visors of their helms.
"Identification?" one of them asked, voice clipped but professional.
Bukanami and the others produced their academy identification cards in one fluid motion, holding them up for inspection. The guards nodded in recognition and turned their gaze toward Itekan and Itoyea, who stood uncertainly behind the group.
"These two are first-year students," Bukanami said smoothly. "We're taking them out for their first field experience."
He lied without missing a beat, and Itekan blinked. Field experience? Itoyea shot him a side glance, clearly just as confused.
The guard frowned and stepped forward, scrutinizing the two younger boys. Itekan and Itoyea tried to remain calm, but their posture gave them away—rigid as statues, sweat running down their backs like they'd been thrown into a sauna.
The man's stare dragged on. Even Konacho and Tobi began to shift under the tension.
Then, without warning, the guard relaxed and stepped aside.
"Don't cause trouble," he said, tone still laced with warning. "Wouldn't want to toss some ID-less kids in the cells."
They passed through the gates in silence, but Itekan could still feel the guard's eyes boring into their backs. Not until they were well past the city threshold did he allow himself to breathe.
Lysternia was alive with movement—colorful banners fluttered overhead, merchants called out their wares, and the cobbled streets bustled with people and adventurers of all kinds. Yet despite the liveliness, Itekan couldn't shake the chill from earlier.
They stopped at a small pub near the southern district. It was modest but clean, with old wooden tables and a cozy fireplace crackling in the corner.
Bukanami ordered drinks for everyone: buttermilk for Itekan and Itoyea, and the same for Tobi. Konacho opted for a lime tonic cut with water.
"Alright," Bukanami said, placing a few coins on the table. "I'll be back in a bit. If you need anything, ask Tobi or Konacho."
He turned to go, but paused as Konacho gave Itekan and Itoyea a sharp side-eye.
"...Or not," he muttered, and made a quick escape.
Bukanami moved quickly through the winding streets of the city's central district, cutting through alleys and sidestreets with practiced ease. He finally stopped at a squat grey building with the crest of the Hero Academy above its arched door: Lysternia Hero Registry.
Inside, a bored-looking clerk sat behind a desk cluttered with parchment and ID tags.
"Second-year. Bukanami. Registration request for two first-years—field operation, lost their tags," Bukanami said, sliding his own ID across the table.
The clerk arched a brow but didn't ask questions. After a quick verification spell, she retrieved two blank IDs from beneath the counter and began the inscription process.
"Names?" she asked.
"Itekan. And Itoyea."
"Unique code phrases?"
Bukanami smirked. "Itekan's is 'Chajama Maximus.' Itoyea's is… 'Justice Gale.'"
The clerk didn't even blink as she inscribed the cards, then handed them back.
"Try not to get them killed."
"No promises," Bukanami muttered, pocketing the cards.
When Bukanami returned, the others were finishing their drinks. Togira had climbed onto the bar counter and was gnawing on a small SE crystal. The bartender looked on in horror, but wisely chose to say nothing.
"Got your tags," Bukanami said, tossing the two cards onto the table. "Now we can sell those stones without getting arrested."
"Wait—you got us registered?" Itoyea asked, shocked.
"Temporarily. It'll fade in three days, unless Headmaster manually confirms it."
Itekan picked up his tag, a small grin forming on his face. "You're pretty cool when you're not lying to guards."
Konacho grunted. "Let's just sell the damn stones."
***
The market was a sprawling open square filled with colorful tents and shouting traders. They made their way to the back, where a solid brick building displayed a glowing sign: "Alisran & Co. – Certified Spiritual Traders."
Inside, the merchant behind the counter examined their SE stones carefully, especially the one from the fire wolf.
"These are good quality," he said, stroking his beard. "But the market's oversaturated this week. I'll offer 20 gold coins for the lot."
"Make it 50," Konacho said instantly.
The man blinked. "I beg your pardon?"
"I'm not haggling. These aren't common stones. 30 from flame-sap Elementals, 10 from an elite wolf, and one from a fire-type with an irregular signature. Don't play me."
The merchant's face twitched. After a long pause, he relented.
"Forty. Final offer."
Konacho nodded. "Deal."
They pocketed the gold—10 each—and stepped back out into the warm sun.
Itekan stretched. "Man, I could get used to this whole dungeon-delving thing."
"Don't," Bukanami said, chuckling. "Most don't come back."
***
Just as they were about to leave through the eastern gate, a deep, thunderous chime echoed across the city—once, then twice, then three times.
The street froze.
People dropped their baskets. Merchants ducked behind counters. Children were pulled indoors.
"City-wide alert," Tobi muttered. "Three chimes. That means…"
"A Demonic Beast Overlord," Konacho finished grimly, reaching for her scythes.
Guards rushed by, shouting orders. A plume of smoke rose in the distance, beyond the northern wall. The sky dimmed as a heavy pressure pressed down on the city.
The five of them instinctively stepped toward the disturbance.
Screams for help and assistance flooded the entire city in the seconds after it's arrival, calls for reinforcement were yelled out like a child's nursery rhyme.
"There's no time to wait for reinforcements," Bukanami said, voice low. "We're the only active heroes nearby."
"You've gotta be kidding—" Itoyea began, but Itekan had already drawn his daggers.
He looked at Bukanami, eyes steady. "Lead the way."
Bukanami nodded solemnly and they ran towards the heat of the battle. The screams intensified and the blood spilled flooded the floors like rain.
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Spiritual Energy (SE)
Spiritual Sea (SS)
Spiritual Signature (SST)
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