Nym awoke and made his way to the familiar dining hall, a proud and arrogant fox strutting behind him, casting disdainful glances that made everyone around feel small.
"I have a question for you, Ira," Nym said. "Do you eat?"
("Of course I eat," she replied, "but I don't need to. It's more of a psychological habit. I actually feed off your unique Essence. Still…" She hesitated, then added shyly, "But I want meat, my lord… would you bring me some?")
At his feet, the fox began to nuzzle him. Nym smiled warmly. He genuinely felt more at ease around her. She made him feel like she was the closest thing he had to family in this world.
"Alright. I'll get you a huge portion," he said. "But you'll have to pay for it—by killing beasts and using their corpses."
("How disgusting, my lord!")
"Well, I'm disgusting too, but we've got a lot to do today."
"First, I'm heading to the Council of Elders to be assigned to an expedition team. I need to gain experience and improve myself. Second, I need to visit Gina and Lester and apologize—I won't be taking the graduation exam with them. But I really need the money. Too many World Essence Shards to collect. Ugh… life is hard."
("Then you'd best keep working, my lord.")
"You're too smart, Ira."
Nym approached the cook and spoke. "Give me a ton of dried meat, potato bread, and tea. I'm starving."
The cook eyed him with suspicion, scanning his frame.
"Ah, don't worry. I can pay. I'm not that poor."
"You've exceeded your breakfast quota," the cook said. "You'll have to pay in Shard fragments."
Nym reached into his coat, pulled out a pouch, and handed over a few small shards. Then he sat at a small table with the fox curled up beside his leg.
He spoke to her in his mind.
So, what do you actually know about the angels? Like you mentioned in that dream.
("Very little, my lord. But what I do know is part of my Essence. I'm what's called a 'Guardian Angel' or a spiritual companion. I'm considered a follower of a true angel. As you ascend in rank, more knowledge will flow to me through our shared Essence. All I know is this: you are a true angel in the making—at least potentially. There are lesser angels, but they don't wield real power like the true ones. They're more like retainers.")
"Good. That's good enough."
After that, Nym finished his meal and headed to the Council of Elders—a place where twenty true Sages gathered, led by a chief elder, to discuss matters of great importance.
Before him stood a building of gray stone, much larger than the white Hall of Elders. It was the foundation of the city itself. Lanterns lit up its rock-colored walls, and its massive iron gate radiated a formidable aura. A unit of twenty Enbinders stood guard, clad in magical armor and wielding sharp or crushing weapons.
Nym approached, but none of them moved. They only inspected him carefully, and once they confirmed he was indeed an Enbinder, they relaxed. Some returned to what they were doing. One of the guards stepped forward—a man perhaps seventy years old, with weathered skin and age spots. His figure wasn't especially tall, but his body bore the marks of time, and he carried a sword on his back.
"Who are you, and what business do you have?" the old man asked.
"My name is Nym. I'm a newly appointed Enbinder. I've come to receive my duties and register for upcoming campaigns."
"Ah, I see. You look awfully young. I remember my son had a daughter about your age… maybe you could marry her. You're a handsome lad."
"You damn—!"
Nym snapped his mouth shut, interrupted by a sharp bite from a certain fox.
"What was that? Speak up, I didn't hear you well—old ears, you know."
"A-ah, it's nothing. Just this creature—she sometimes bites when she's hungry. Just happened now."
"No matter. Follow me. I'll take you to Master Kilith's office."
The old guard led him past the gates, through endless corridors and halls, until they arrived at a door made of common pine, stained a rich brown. He knocked on the door.
"Master Kilith, a new Enbinder wishes to register. Shall I send him in or have him wait?"
("What a scoundrel," Ira muttered.)
A deep voice rang from beyond the door: "Send him in."
The guard opened the door, stepped aside, and said, "Good luck, boy. Remember—only a worthy man may marry my granddaughter."
Nym clenched his teeth and glared at the old man, who turned away to scratch his nose as if oblivious.
But it was too late to curse him out—Nym now found himself face-to-face with a man who looked to be in his forties. His hair was a burning red streaked with white, and lines etched his face in a way that made it unclear whether they came from frowning or laughing. The man gave a slight bow.
"This is the Enbinder Nym, from the new batch."
"Sit down. Rest," the man said. "I have some questions for you. You may refuse to answer, but people's lives may depend on your responses—as well as the classification of your abilities. Whether you're a fighter, a support, or something else."
"Very well. My name is Nym—no family name. I'm sixteen years old."
"Amazing. That young and already an Enbinder. So, what are your abilities?"
Nym wondered how the man had his information but answered without hesitation.
"My abilities relate to ice. I can shape and control it at will—but I can't make it move on its own. I also have a second ability: I can summon flying swords, and I can control them within a radius of fifteen meters."
"Hmm… a dull fighter, but decent talent. Alright."
"First, you'll guard the city's western wall, near Tower D—where the west meets the south—for a month. You'll receive a monthly stipend of ten World Essence Shards. That's all I have for you. Now go, go—you're not the only one here. I've got other matters to attend to."
As Nym left the room, Kilith followed and called over an aide.
"Listen—this boy Nym is talented. Assign him somewhere safe. I don't want him dead. Let him get hurt and learn, but don't overprotect him."
The aide nodded. "Yes, sir. As you command."
Then he exited without another word.
A future Elder, at the very least, Kilith thought to himself. That's what I see in him.