The next morning, sunlight slice through the narrow gaps between Elmsreach's towering buildings, but inside the hidden guild's dim chambers, the light was faint. Aiden followed Korin through winding stone halls lined with weapons, training gear, and muffled voices. The air smelled of sweat, metal, and quiet determination.Korin stopped in front of a large wooden door. "We're here," he said, knocking twice. The door creaked open, revealing a room filled with rough-looking men and women, their eyes glinting with wariness and opportunity."Everyone, this is Aiden Cross," Korin announced. "A null-born who's got guts. Let's see if he's worth the risk."Aiden felt dozens of eyes on him—some curious, others skeptical. He stood tall despite his ragged clothes and tired legs.One burly fighter with scars crossing his arms stepped forward. "We don't take charity here. You fight, you earn your place. You ready?"Aiden nodded. "I'm ready."The room shifted, and a rough mat was cleared in the center. Korin handed Aiden a worn wooden sword. "Show us what you've got. No bloodline magic, just skill."Aiden gripped the handle tightly and stepped into the circle. His muscles ached from weeks of hunger and cold nights, but his will burned hot. The scarred fighter lunged, and they began a fierce spar.The clash of wood echoed through the hall. Aiden moved with a mixture of raw desperation and hard-learned street fighting. Despite his lack of formal training, his instincts were sharp. With every near hit, he learned and adjusted.Minutes felt like hours until, finally, Aiden swept the leg of his opponent and pinned him down. The room fell silent."Not bad," the fighter grunted, breathing hard. "You've got something. Maybe more than some nobles with their bright bloodlines."The tension eased, and a few others nodded. The guild wasn't a place of nobles, but it was a place where strength and courage mattered.Later, Korin led Aiden to a small table. "This is where you can earn coin. Small jobs, courier work, guarding, and sometimes... less legal things. We survive outside the Bureau's eyes."Aiden listened carefully, the possibility of earning enough to feed Lila and himself waking a flicker of hope.Over the weeks that followed, Aiden worked hard, taking every job Korin offered. He learned to move unseen in crowded marketplaces, carry secret messages, and fight when needed. Each day grew tougher, but with every challenge, Aiden grew stronger.Meanwhile, news of a boy defying his null-born status spread quietly through the city. Some whispered of rebellion; others warned against hope. The Bureau, wrapped in its routines, had no immediate reaction yet. They remained distant, watching but not acting. At night, when the city fell into uneasy sleep, Aiden often thought of his family. Lila's faith fueled him, and the memory of his parents propelled him forward.One evening, after a successful run, Aiden found Korin waiting in a narrow alley, a strange look in his eyes."There's something you should know," Korin said, lowering his voice. "Not everyone here likes change. The Bureau's influence goes deeper than you think. Some guild members have vanished without trace."A cold shiver ran down Aiden's spine. "Why?" "Because power fears what it cannot control," Korin replied. "And they see you as a threat."Aiden clenched his fists. The fight was bigger than he imagined.From that moment, every step Aiden took was shadowed by danger—not just from the city's streets but from forces hidden and watching. Yet, with each challenge, the mysterious power within him stirred, waiting for the day it would rise.
