The Golden Aegis Guild Academy.
A prestigious school in the heart of Luminaris City, Kingdom of Solara. Its emblem—a Sun with a Shield—radiated light, protection, and honor, a symbol revered among the five great guilds of Aethelgard.
It was the only guild that truly upheld justice, following the guidance of Goddess Aurelia.
The Guild Master, Sir Seren Aldric, the Radiant Bastion, stood on the grand balcony. A revered old man with flowing white robes, long pure-white beard, and hair that caught the sun, he watched the newly enrolled students below with a calm, fatherly smile.
A man approached and knelt before him.
"Master, forgive me. I have a report. There was a commotion outside the academy earlier. Four white spirits reportedly emerged and caused trouble for the applicants."
This was Chief Captain Cyran Valeheart—the Dawn Blade.
Age: 22
Element: Gentle/Holy Aura
Weapon: Twin longswords, blazing hot when drawn
Golden-blond hair, bright blue eyes sparkling like sunlight, armor trimmed in white and gold—the very image of justice itself.
Seren turned to him.
"Were many hurt?"
"No one, Master. But… something unusual happened."
"Hm? Unusual?"
"Well… according to reports, one applicant performed a purification using…" Cyran hesitated.
"A… kiss?"
Seren blinked. Surprised.
"A kiss? Are you sure?"
"Yes, sir. He… grabbed the Cursed Spirit and kissed it."
Seren chuckled softly, stroking his beard.
"Hm. An interesting student. Perhaps this year, we'll get someone truly unique, don't you think, Cyran?"
Cyran nodded.
"I think so, Master. However… I need to keep an eye on him. Something strange. No Mana. No Aura—yet he touched Cursed Spirits. It's baffling."
"I'm counting on you for that," Seren said.
---
Meanwhile, in the Holy Arena, applicants gathered. A colossal space suffused with Holy Mana, sealed by a massive Holy Barrier to protect against malevolent entities.
In one corner, Argus and Lilith conversed. Lilith sulked, still irked by what Argus had done to the evil spirits earlier.
"Hmph! It's so annoying, Master! No matter how hard I try to forget, I'm still irritated!" Lilith snapped.
"Sigh… Can we drop it, Lilith? Aren't we done with that already?" Argus replied, exasperated.
"Done? Master, do you think it's that easy to accept!?" She stomped her foot, eyes blazing.
A man came running toward them, waving and shouting.
"Hey!! You weaponless guy!"
He grinned.
"Bro! Sis! How are you? What you did earlier was amazing! That was so sweet!"
Lilith's fury instantly flared.
"Why, you—! You just had to bring that up again, didn't you? Do you want me to cut out your tongue, you filthy mortal!?"
A dagger glinted, pointed at his mouth.
"Woah! Woah! Calm down, Sis! I'm not trying to fight! Hehe… also, why are you calling me mortal?"
"Because you are a mortal!" she barked.
"And I don't need a reason to remove your tongue!"
"Wait a minute. Who are you again?" Argus asked.
"Huh!? You don't remember me!? Seriously, Bro!?" Arman tapped his chest proudly.
"I'm Arman Nox! The guy outside earlier!"
"Ah, yes. The one who told me to just dodge since I had no weapon, right? Where were you, by the way?"
"Ah, haha… I tried to rush in, but you beat them first, Bro… ehe…"
"Liar! You ran! You knew your rusty sword wouldn't do anything!" Lilith spat.
"So, what do you want from us now?" Argus asked.
"Ah… maybe I could join your group? Just for now? I don't know anyone else here… ehe…"
"What?? No way! I refuse to associate with a low-class creature! Get away or I'll devour your soul!" Lilith snapped.
"Lilith. Quiet down." Argus gently moved her dagger away.
"You shouldn't be like that. Arman, right? It's fine if you want to join us. But you must not be afraid to die."
"Huh?? W-what do you mean?"
---
A voice boomed from the balcony.
"Listen up, everyone! Aspiring adventurers of the future!"
All applicants looked up.
"The annual entrance test for the Golden Aegis Guild Academy is about to begin! Kill one goblin and bring back a piece of its ear—within one hour! Do that, and you pass! Use your knowledge! Your skills! And try not to die!"
The crowd erupted into chatter.
"A goblin? That's easy!"
"Even a hundred! I'll melt them with my magic!"
"Piece of cake!"
Lilith groaned.
"Boring! Goblins don't even taste good! Master! Can I just eat the souls of everyone here instead?"
"Huh!? Taste good!? We're not eating them!" Arman yelled.
"Lilith. No souls. Understood?" Argus said firmly.
A massive gate opened, revealing the Sunder-Root Taiga—a high-altitude forest of ancient black pines, thin air, and treacherous roots.
"Begin!" the teacher shouted.
Applicants surged out—some in groups, others alone. All were watched closely by Grandmaster Seren and the instructors.
---
In the forest, Lilith deliberately led Arman astray.
"Lilith, why did you lead that boy away?" Argus asked.
"Hmph! It's what he deserves! He'll die faster if he's with us. I might not hold myself back!"
Argus stopped, eyes narrowing.
"Something's not right about this forest… the air smells rotten. Familiar."
"You're right, Master. Looks like fate found a way to bring the Abyss to you again."
"You sound excited. Nostalgic?"
"Hmph! Not at all! Just… remembering when you wiped them all out."
"We did. But forget that. We're in a new world now—try to be happy."
"Oh, happy? Sure. Like kissing random things happy?!"
"Sigh. Here we go again…"
---
Meanwhile, Arman trudged through the forest alone.
"Ah, bro, sis… why'd you leave me?" he muttered, sword trembling.
Rustling.
"Who's there!? Show yourself!"
Two girls emerged:
Elara, 17 — a healer with braided auburn hair woven with vines and tiny flowers. Moss-green eyes radiated warmth.
Anya, 17 — a Light Mage with long silver-white hair tipped in gold, pale amber eyes glowing with inner light.
"Ah, I'm sorry! We got separated from the others." Elara said.
"Same here. I'm Arman. You?"
"Elara, healer."
"Anya, Light Magic. Want to team up?"
"Sure thing!"
Then — Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions echoed. They ran toward the sound. Bodies—applicants and goblins—lay bloody and broken. Trees shattered. The air thickened with black mana.
"Oh my god!! What happened!?" Arman shouted.
"This is too much…!" Elara hurried to heal an injured student.
Another boom—closer this time.
"Elara! Handle this! Come on, Arman!" Anya shouted.
They sprinted toward the next blast—
—and froze.
A colossal black goblin towered before them. Its skin oozed darkness. Crimson eyes burned. Its aura reeked of corruption.
"That's not normal!" Arman yelled.
"It's Cursed! Normal goblins don't grow that large!" Anya cried.
Arman charged.
"Anya, cover me!"
She summoned a Light Spear—
—but the goblin caught it with one hand.
"Impossible!!" Arman shouted.
"It stopped a Light Spear!?" Anya's voice trembled.
The goblin struck. Arman blocked—then CRASH! He was thrown into a tree, bleeding.
"Arman!!" Anya yelled. She formed a barrier.
"Are you okay?"
"My shoulder's dislocated—but I'm fine!" he grunted.
The barrier cracked. The goblin advanced.
Elara appeared, trembling.
"Anya!"
"Call for help! Now!"
Back at the academy, Seren stroked his beard, watching through the Mana Crystal.
"Master! Requesting permission to assist!" Cyran shouted.
"Wait." Seren's voice was calm.
"It's not necessary."
Elara turned to run—but the goblin swung, sending a shockwave of earth toward her.
"Elara!!!" Anya screamed.
Boom! Dust. Silence.
Then—Arman appeared, shielding Elara with his sword. His right arm hung broken, blood dripping.
"What are you doing!? You're insane!" Anya cried.
"I won't let anyone die!" Arman roared.
He struggled to stand.
"Come on!! Attack me!"
A dark barrier erupted, trapping them.
"We're going to die…" Elara whispered.
"Don't give up! Someone will save us!" Anya shouted.
The goblin raised both fists—
"I won't die here!!" Arman bellowed.
Anya and Elara poured all their remaining mana—Light and Healing—into a desperate defense.
CRACK! The barrier broke.
Another strike—
—and then—
"Lilith." Argus's voice rang out.
Schwing!
A flash. Blood rain.
The goblin's head rolled across the ground.
A girl stood above it—hair in a bun, dual daggers in hand, licking blood from the blade.
"Hmph. Your scream was pretty ugly before you died," she teased.
Argus stepped forward, holding the goblin's head.
"Well done. You've proven you're not afraid to die. You're in the group."
"Master?! No! I refuse that smelly thing!" Lilith yelled.
"I guess this counts as passing, huh?" Argus muttered.
The three injured students stared, speechless.
"Impossible… they killed it with one strike…" Elara whispered.
"Who are they?" Anya asked.
"You're the one who kissed the Cursed Spirit earlier, right?"
"Huh!? You weed-looking girl! Say that again and I'll sever your head next!" Lilith snapped.
"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't know you were his girlfriend!" Elara stammered.
"Hm. Since you called me that… apology accepted," Lilith said smugly.
"Oh, seriously…" Argus groaned.
Arman, sniffling:
"Bro… Sis… I thought I'd never see you again… Thank you…"
They all laughed, relieved and exhausted.
---
Back at the academy, Seren smiled at the crystal.
"Excellent. Interesting children. Especially those two… Cyran, prepare to meet them when they return."
"Yes, Master!" Cyran replied.
"And don't forget the other three. Heal the warrior's wounds. All five have passed."
As Cyran left, the old man murmured:
"Hm. I hope my intuition isn't wrong… Those two, especially the girl. If the tales are true… perhaps the legend wasn't just a children's story after all."
He smiled, stroking his beard thoughtfully.
That incident once again raised a question—what and who were Argus and Lilith truly?
A question that would soon be answered.
To be continued…