The guild's trial

The return to Eldermere was marked by a sense of accomplishment, but Díkē knew that his journey was far from over. The Shadowfang Alpha's defeat was a significant victory, but it was only the first step in proving himself to the Adventurer's Guild. As he and Calian approached the guild hall, the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on his mind.

The guild hall was as bustling as ever, adventurers milling about, sharing stories, and preparing for their next quests. Díkē made his way to the counter, where the stern woman from before was busy organizing papers. She looked up as he approached, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly as she recognized him.

"Back so soon?" she asked, her tone skeptical. "Did you give up on the Darkwood request?"

Díkē shook his head, reaching into his bag and pulling out the Shadowfang Alpha's fang—a trophy from their battle. "We completed the request. The Darkwood is safe."

The woman's eyebrows shot up in surprise as she took the fang, examining it closely. "This is… impressive. Not many newcomers could handle a Shadowfang Alpha. You've got some guts, kid."

Díkē felt a flicker of pride at her words, but he kept his expression neutral. "Thank you. Does this mean I can join the guild?"

The woman studied him for a moment, then nodded. "You've proven your worth in the field, but joining the guild isn't just about strength. It's about trust, teamwork, and responsibility. Before we officially accept you, you'll need to complete a trial—a test of your abilities and character."

Díkē frowned, his heart sinking slightly. "A trial? What kind of trial?"

The woman gestured to a door at the side of the hall. "Through there. You'll find out soon enough. Good luck."

Díkē glanced at Calian, who gave a slight nod of encouragement. Taking a deep breath, Díkë pushed open the door and stepped inside.

---

The room beyond was dimly lit, its walls lined with weapons and shields. In the center of the room stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with a scar running down his cheek. His arms were crossed, and his expression was stern.

"So, you're the new recruit," the man said, his voice deep and gravelly. "I'm Garrick, the guild's combat instructor. Your trial is simple: defeat me in combat."

Díkē's eyes widened in surprise. "Defeat you? But… you're the instructor. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

Garrick smirked, his scar twisting with the movement. "Life isn't fair, kid. If you want to be an adventurer, you need to be ready for anything. Now, draw your weapon."

Díkē hesitated, then nodded, drawing his sword. The ruby in his palm glowed faintly, its energy flowing through him. He glanced at Calian, who stood silently by the door, his expression unreadable.

"Remember," Calian said, his voice calm but firm. "This is your fight. Trust in your strength."

Díkē took a deep breath, his grip tightening on his sword. "Alright. Let's do this."

Garrick drew his own weapon—a massive warhammer that looked like it could crush boulders with a single swing. He swung it casually, the weight of the weapon making the air whistle. "Ready when you are, kid."

Díkē didn't wait. He lunged forward, his sword flashing in the dim light. Garrick blocked the strike with ease, his warhammer moving faster than Díkē would have thought possible. The force of the impact sent Díkē stumbling back, his arms trembling from the shock.

"Not bad," Garrick said, his smirk widening. "But you'll need more than that to beat me."

Díkē gritted his teeth, his mind racing. Garrick was strong—stronger than anything he had faced before. But he couldn't give up. Not now.

He focused on the ruby's energy, letting it flow through him. His movements became faster, more precise, his strikes more powerful. He dodged Garrick's swings, his agility and reflexes enhanced by the Knight's Heart.

But Garrick was relentless. His warhammer came down again and again, each strike forcing Díkē to retreat. The room seemed to shrink as the battle wore on, the walls closing in around them.

Finally, with a powerful swing, Garrick knocked Díkē's sword from his hand, sending it clattering to the floor. Díkē fell to his knees, his chest heaving, his body trembling with exhaustion.

Garrick lowered his warhammer, his expression unreadable. "You're strong, kid. Stronger than most. But strength alone isn't enough. You need to learn when to fight and when to retreat. You need to think, not just act."

Díkē looked up, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm not done yet."

Garrick raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. "Oh?"

Díkē clenched his fists, the ruby's glow intensifying. "Calian!"

With a burst of light, Calian materialized beside him, his greatsword at the ready. Garrick's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, his smirk returning.

"A summoner, huh? Now this is interesting."

Díkē stood, his resolve hardening. "Let's finish this."

The battle resumed, but this time, Díkē and Calian fought together, their movements synchronized as they traded blows with Garrick. The instructor was strong, but even he struggled to keep up with the combined might of the summoner and his knight.

Finally, with a powerful strike from Calian's greatsword, Garrick's warhammer was knocked from his hands, clattering to the floor. The instructor raised his hands in surrender, a grin spreading across his face.

"Alright, alright. I yield. You've proven your point."

Díkē let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding, his body trembling with exhaustion. But despite the fatigue, he felt a surge of pride. He had faced one of the guild's strongest members and emerged victorious.

Garrick clapped him on the shoulder, his grin widening. "You've got potential, kid. With the right training, you could become one of the guild's best. Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild."

Díkē smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on the ruby in his hand. Its glow was steady and reassuring, a constant reminder of the power he now wielded—and the responsibility that came with it.

"Thank you," he said, his voice firm. "I won't let you down."

Garrick nodded, his expression serious. "See that you don't. The life of an adventurer isn't easy, but it's rewarding. And with that knight of yours by your side, I think you'll do just fine."

---

As Díkë and Calian left the trial room, they were met with applause from the other adventurers. Word of their victory had spread quickly, and the guild members were eager to welcome the new recruit.

Díkē felt a sense of belonging that he had never experienced before. He was no longer the disgraced son of the Aegis family—he was an adventurer, a summoner, and a member of the guild.

But as he looked at the ruby in his hand, he knew that his journey was only just beginning. The Knight's Heart had chosen him for a reason, and he was determined to uncover its secrets—and his own destiny.

---

**End of Chapter 5**