XVI: Weigh ingredients for better precision.

Verscha Belova, standing at the front, clapped her hands together, drawing everyone's attention. 

"If you're finished with the tour sign-ups, please go to your respective tour guides. The sign-ups are only for the tour and not for membership, so if you plan to join Exousia, please stay until the end of the tour. If you're not interested in joining, you are free to leave anytime while on tour. Our guild master, Rieze Crestfall, and lieutenant Gaius Aurus, will lead you to the door. Cookies are free." 

Both Gaius and Rieze raised their hands in acknowledgment, earning a few murmurs from the crowd. Rieze, clad in a simple linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up and well-worn trousers, exuded an aura of confidence with his imposing height and broad build. His black hair was slightly tousled, giving him rugged but approachable air. Beside him, Gaius, seemingly equally powerful because of his broad shoulders and a scar that ran along his right cheek, gave a lazy salute with an easy grin.

The living room buzzed with anticipation as adventurers finalized their sign-ups. Some clutched their forms tightly, as if second-guessing their choices, while others exchanged eager whispers with newfound acquaintances. The air smelled of parchment and ink, mingling with the faint scent of vanilla and firewood from the grand hearth.

A handful of adventurers exchanged hesitant glances. Some whispered to each other, gauging if leaving early would brand them as cowards. A roguish young man, barely out of his teens, scoffed under his breath. "Tch. This all seems a bit dramatic, don't you think?"

An armored woman beside him, a towering figure with braided golden hair, gave a shrug. "Better than being forced into something you don't want."

With the formalities handled, Verscha nodded to the tour guides, signaling them to gather their respective groups. The crowd split into two, forming loose clusters as they prepared for the tour.

Trej Danae, leading the casters, motioned toward the stone stairwell that spiraled downward. 

"Magic users, with me. We'll start in the basement. There's something special I think you'll appreciate." He smirked at the curiosity gleaming in the eyes of his group. "And no, it's not a dungeon."

The melee adventurers, on the other hand, followed Khai Daemon and Arden Ramir toward the training grounds outside. Khai rolled his shoulders, casting a playful glance at the swords strapped to the backs of some recruits. "Hope you stretched, because we're not just showing you the facilities. We're testing your mettle."

A murmur of excitement rippled through the group, the prospect of hands-on experience immediately igniting their enthusiasm. A young beast-tamer, his tiny wyvern nestled against his shoulder, whispered to his companion, "I think I made the right choice."

Trej led his group down the spiraling staircase, torches flickering along the rough stone walls. The basement had been enchanted to have a day and night cycle, but the passage down still retained an air of mystery. As they descended, the temperature shifted—first cooler, then warmer, an indication of the different rooms they would soon explore.

The moment they stepped into the main chamber, a collective gasp escaped from the group. 

Unlike the damp, claustrophobic spaces found in other guild halls, Exousia's basement was a sprawling expanse of beautifully integrated greenery, craftsmanship, and magic. The space was illuminated as if bathed in natural daylight, the enchanted ceiling mimicking the sun's passage overhead, casting shifting beams of light across the various sections of the underground haven.

"Welcome to one of Exousia's best-kept secrets," Trej said, gesturing around. "Unlike most guilds, we believe in balance—not just in combat, but in recovery and study. This is our sanctuary."

He pointed to a set of double doors. "Through there, we have our alchemy and crafting workshops. Enchanters, potion-brewers, and artificers often work together to refine new magic-infused items. We even have an area dedicated to experimental magic, though…" He smirked. "Let's just say we've reinforced that part of the basement more than once."

Laughter rippled through the group.

He then directed their attention to the far end of the chamber, where a tranquil hot spring steamed beneath the glow of enchanted moonlight. "For those who push themselves too hard, we have our recovery area—hot springs, a sauna, and even a cold room for those who prefer frost-based recuperation."

A robed scholar stepped forward, adjusting her spectacles. "And what about research? Is there a library or a scrying chamber?"

Trej grinned. "Glad you asked." He gestured toward a corridor leading deeper into the basement. "If it's books you're after, the main library is on the first floor, which we will show later. We also have a dedicated space for divination upstairs—scrying chambers and celestial observation rooms."

The group exchanged excited murmurs, their initial hesitations forgotten as they eagerly anticipated what else lay ahead.

Meanwhile, outside, the melee adventurers found themselves in a different kind of paradise. 

The training grounds sprawled behind the mansion, bordered by tall walls with reinforced barriers—likely a necessity given how often things got destructive.

Arden clapped his hands together, gaining the attention of the group. "Alright, listen up. Anyone can own a spear or swing an axe, but what sets a good fighter apart from a great one is knowing when to strike and when to hold back."

Khai stepped forward, twirling a dagger between his fingers. "Which is why we're going to put you through a little exercise. Nothing too crazy—just a quick match to test your instincts. Don't worry, no one's dying today."

A cocky young man with dual swords smirked. "And what if we win?"

Khai's grin widened. "Then we'll consider letting you eat first at dinner."

Laughter rippled through the group as they were split into pairs. The sounds of clashing practice weapons soon filled the air, some duels lasting mere seconds while others stretched into intense exchanges. Khai and Arden moved through the crowd, offering corrections and praise in equal measures. The two also showed of their skills by dueling each other – an assassin and a spearman - which ended in a draw.

A short distance away, Rieze and Gaius watched the tours unfold. Gaius crossed his arms, his gaze flicking between the two groups. "Think any of them will stay?"

Rieze exhaled, observing the fresh adventurers push themselves. "Some will. Some won't. But the ones who matter will, and the ones who will matter."

Gaius smirked. "Cryptic as always."

"Just speaking from experience."

As the sun hung high in the sky, the adventurers of Exousia continued to test, teach, and welcome potential new members into their fold. The guild was more than a place—it was a promise. And for those willing to embrace the journey, it was a home unlike any other.