This is the Emblem Guild

I blinked a few times, trying to take in what had just happened. 

Other than feeling a little fuzzy, it wasn't that bad. So that was how it felt to teleport. When I was just playing on my computer, I didn't even give it much thought. Experiencing everything first-hand is so exciting! 

And to think this is just the beginning!

"Stop spacing out already." Nero pinched both my cheeks.

"Aw!" I swatted his hands away and tried to soothe my sore cheeks.

Nero just smirked. "I'm going to look for Jeila now. I suggest you get to your room as soon as you can and get changed before you get any unwanted attention."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I pouted in dissatisfaction. There he goes again about my get-up. Seriously, I'm a grown woman. I've long passed the stage when I worried about how others would react to what I wear!

Before Nero could retort, though, one of our guildmates already noticed us and made his way in our direction.

"Oh, Nero's back! Congratulations on changing job classes. Is Avyzhia with you? Teiran's been in a bad mood for a while now. You better not let him see you." The newcomer chuckled. 

Hah! What's with him? Am I invisible or something? Or is this some form of bullying? But as far as I can remember, I'm pretty friendly with everyone in the guild. Oh, wait. Right~ this is a real-life alternate universe.

Nero rolled his eyes as he turned to the dude. "You don't have to worry about that. Who would want to see him anyway? Also, are you on something? Why are you asking where Avy is when she's right in front of you?"

"Huh?"

"Hey, Keith!" I waved cheerfully at him.

"A-Avyzhia?" His eyes widened in surprise, looking at my appearance from head to toe. "Wow! Is that really you?"

"I should say 'long time no see', right?"

"W-Whoah! You're looking great!"

"I know, right?" I grinned at him and then smirked at Nero. 

Heh! Told you I looked good in this.

"Whatever. Just don't let Teiran see you looking at her like that, or you'll have your eyes gauged out." Nero said, annoyedly. "And you, get changed. I'll go report to the guild master for the both of us."

And with that, Nero took off on his own while grumbling about how he's surrounded with people with some screws loose, and leaving me with an uneasy Keith who is now struggling to keep a direct eye contact with me.

"H-He's right. You better get to your room now, Avyzhia. We don't know what Teiran's gonna do if he sees you like this. Plus I'm sure you're tired." 

"Sure. Whatever you say. See you around, Keith." I waved goodbye to him and took off myself.

"Y-Yeah. See you..."

Why are they making such a fuss about Teiran and my outfit? From what I could tell, he's being overprotective of me. But why? Are we in a relationship or something? Augh! I sure hope it's not romantic. That would be super awkward!

Well, anyway~ let's just forget about it for now. There's no point pondering about it.

I looked around the guild to distract myself from such thoughts and gasped. It's way better than I had imagined and fantasized before. True, I rarely spent time at the guild. I usually just come for the daily contribution and weekly dungeon runs, but I still know it like the back of my hand. 

That's the hallway leading to the guild dungeons… That one to the guild common room... Oh! And those stairs lead to the Hall of Fame chamber. I wonder what the legendary weapons looked like in person. Should I go and check it out now?

"Hey, beautiful. Are you a new recruit? If you're looking for the guild manager I can show you the way."

I turned my head to the man approaching me from behind. That way of speaking… it could only be that person. 

"Sir Rim?" I beamed at him. Yup, it's him, alright. Emblem's vice guild master and most powerful Elemental Warlock. A shameless flirt who always targets newcomers. "It's so good to see you again!"

"Huh? Do we know each other? Wait… now that I get a good look at yo- "

"Back off, gigolo." Someone growled from behind me as a cape covered me from neck down. "I suggest you leave now before I dig out your eyes. And that applies to all of you." This someone glared at everyone around us. Turns out we were gaining some audience. Although everyone cowered in front of the man behind me and just did as they were told.

"H-Hey... So it was Avyzhia." Sir Rim's flirtatious smile turned to a nervous laugh. "Wow. I didn't recognize you there. Congratulations on the class advancement."

"Uh, thank you."

I looked at the man beside me, still glaring daggers in Sir Rim's direction. Isn't this Teiran?

"W-Well that's it for me. I remembered I still have to do something... somewhere..." He chuckled uneasily as he walked away. "See you around, Avyzhia..."

"See you!"

"I thought I told you to come see me as soon as you get back." Teiran said beside me as he looked at me, clearly upset.

"Sorry?"

He shook his head, fastened the cape I was wearing and started pushing me towards the hallway to the girls' dormitory. 

"Let's get you to your room first so you can rest. By the way, what the heck are you wearing anyway? Walking around the guild without a care too. Did you forget that most of the members are guys? Everybody was staring at you! Those shameless dogs, I'll dig out their eyes and feed it to Savage Hounds."

"B-But I like what I'm wearing." I protested. 

Nothing's wrong with what I'm wearing. What's the big deal?

"Well, I don't. I can't let those dogs lust over my sister."

"S-Sister?"

He's my brother? Huh?

"What is that fucker Nero even thinking, leaving you looking like this. I'm going to give that little shit a good beating."

Wait- What!?

Just then, we stopped in front of the double door leading to the dorms.

He patted my head and smiled affectionately. "Get some rest for now. Let's talk tomorrow morning, and you can tell me about the trials over breakfast. Then, we can try out your new skills while sparring. It's been a while, isn't it?"

"Uh, um… Okay?"

"Good. And don't even think about wearing that again tomorrow." He glared at my clothes underneath his cape. "I'll have Rheal get you something decent to wear. Since you probably don't have anything in your closet anyway... so wait for her in your room."

"W-What?" I blushed at his words. "What are you talking about?"

"We both know how much of a cheapskate you are with everything else besides your gear and equipment. I can only blame myself for that. Not that I'm saying it's a bad thing, of course."

What the hell- !

"Anyway, don't worry about it. Your big brother will take care of everything else, just like how it's always been." 

Suddenly, Teiran hugged me. And although I'm not really used to getting hugs, especially from guys, for some reason, I didn't feel uncomfortable at all. 

"I can't believe my little sister is a Demon Blade now. Seems like just yesterday when you were still a novice struggling to kill a level 1 Moonbeast."

"Hey, cut it out." I pouted as I blushed furiously. "All novices go through that."

There was indeed a time like that, huh? I've come a long way since then, but I still cringe at the memory. And to think I was just playing back then.

Teiran chuckled and let me go. "Alright, I'll stop teasing. I already asked Merideth to bring up some supper. Eat then rest. I'll see you tomorrow."

"F-Fine."

I watched until he turned to the corner to the main hall before turning to the double door behind me.

Well, I guess it's not so bad to do as he said. What if he really pushes through with his threats and gets most of Emblem's members blind? It would mean Emblem's disbandment. Who would want that? Surely not her. 

I slowly touched the spot where we patted earlier and blushed. A brother, huh? This alternate universe isn't so bad, after all.

And with that, I pushed the double door to the girls' dorm open.