Accidental Ascendance

As Cedric, Oliver, and Lily entered the bustling city of Ravencrest, they were met with a mesmerizing sight. Tall spires and ornate buildings loomed overhead, each adorned with intricate carvings and magical symbols. The air was filled with the mingling scents of various cuisines, and the streets were crowded with people from all walks of life.

"This is Ravencrest, the city of wonders," Cedric announced, a hint of pride in his voice.

Oliver marveled at the grandeur around them. "It's incredible. I've never seen anything like it."

Lily nodded in agreement. "Indeed, the architecture is breathtaking."

Cedric led them through the bustling streets until they arrived at the heart of the city, where the Wanderer's Guild stood tall. The guild was a massive structure with marble pillars and stained glass windows depicting legendary adventurers and magical creatures. Above the entrance, a golden sign read, "The Wanderer's Guild: Where Journeys Begin."

As they entered, the interior was equally impressive. The guild hall was filled with adventurers of all kinds, gathered around notice boards, sharing stories, and making preparations for their next quests. A cacophony of voices filled the air, creating an atmosphere of excitement and anticipation.

Cedric approached the reception desk, where a friendly-looking woman greeted them. "Welcome to the Wanderer's Guild! How can I assist you today?"

Cedric smiled confidently. "We're here to register for an adventure. Specifically, we're interested in locating a Night Salamander nest."

The woman's eyes widened in surprise. "A Night Salamander nest? That's quite the undertaking. Are you sure you're up for it?"

Oliver chimed in, determination in his voice. "Absolutely. We're a capable team, and we're prepared for the challenge."

Lily nodded, her face resolute. "Indeed. We're not afraid of a little adventure."

The woman smiled approvingly. "Very well. Let me get you the necessary paperwork to register your quest." She handed them a set of forms and explained the process. "First, we must gauge your abilities...."

As the women prepared, a big round orb, another woman appeared from the back room. "Oh, newcomers?"

The woman behind the counter nodded respectfully. "Yes, Lady Elara."

Elara walked up to the counter. "Hello there, young ones. I am Elara Goldford, the Guild master here."

Cedric's eyes narrowed. "Is that so? What is that orb for, Miss Guild Master?"

Elara grinned softly. "This is a Seer Stone. It is a magical device that will let us get some idea of what rank you are. Of course, it's not the rank we will give you. Your rank will be given as soon as you complete 5 quests."

Cedric's face became dead serious. "What is the average rank of those who touch the stone?"

Elara leaned over the counter. "That would be C-rank, my dear...."

Cedric chuckled in astonishment. "That's a little disappointing..."

"Well, we'll see about that, my dear. Now, who's first?" Master Elara said.

Oliver was the first to step forward, placing his hand on the smooth surface of the stone. It glowed softly, and a gentle hum filled the room. Master Elara observed closely and then spoke with a hint of admiration, "Impressive, young man. You are an A-rank adventurer."

Oliver beamed with pride, knowing that he had earned a respectable rank within the guild. Next, Lily approached the Seer Stone, her hand trembling slightly as she touched it. The stone reacted, glowing more intensely than with Oliver.

Master Elara smiled encouragingly. "You are a B-rank adventurer, my dear."

Lily let out a heavy sigh. "That's it?"

Elara chuckled softly. "Don't be disheartened; B-rank is an impressive achievement for one so young. Especially since we get plenty of grown adults who get C-rank at most."

Lily nodded, feeling a sense of pride in her rank as well. She knew that with hard work and dedication, she could continue to grow as a wanderer.

Finally, it was Cedric's turn. As he placed his hand on the Seer Stone, an electric surge rippled through the chamber, causing the runes to shimmer with an intense brilliance. The entire guild seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.

Master Elara's eyes widened in astonishment, and the murmurs from the guild members grew louder. "S-rank... You have the capabilities of an S-rank!" she announced, her voice tinged with disbelief.

The guild erupted into an uproar of amazement and astonishment. The reputation of S-rank adventurers was legendary, and the fact that a young newcomer possessed such extraordinary abilities was unprecedented.

Cedric's usual confident smirk widened into a grin. "I guess it can't be helped," he said nonchalantly.

As they filled out the paperwork, Cedric couldn't help but admire the vibrant atmosphere of the guild. It was a place where adventurers from all over the world gathered, sharing their stories and seeking the next great quest. It was a place of dreams and ambitions, and Cedric felt a sense of belonging among these like-minded individuals.

"So what quest are you taking on?" Elara asked.

Lily spoke up with confidence. "We are hunting a Night Salamander!"

The guild watched in astonishment. "The Night Salamander huh? Usually I would caution against it, but with your capabilities, you'll probably be fine."

Oliver laughed nervously. "That's the hope."

After registering their quest, Cedric, Oliver, and Lily explored the guild further. They wandered through the various halls, each dedicated to a different aspect of adventuring. There was a hall of weaponry, where skilled blacksmiths crafted magical weapons. Another hall was dedicated to magical research, with scholars poring over ancient tomes and enchanted artifacts.

They also visited the training grounds, where adventurers sparred with each other and honed their skills. Cedric couldn't resist joining in, and soon, he found himself engaged in friendly combat with some of the guild's members. His confidence and intelligence shone through in his fighting style, earning him respect among his newfound peers.

As the day went on, the trio gathered in the guild's tavern to discuss their plans. "So, we need to find the location of the Night Salamander nest," Oliver said, studying a map of the surrounding area.

Lily nodded. "Yes, we should talk to some of the seasoned wanderers here. They might have some valuable information."

Cedric leaned back in his chair, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "And who knows, we might even stumble upon some legendary artifacts or rare magical creatures during our search."

Oliver looked at Cedric and thought to himself. "He was ranked S-rank? I'm still not sure what happened to him, but at the very least, I don't have to worry about the Night Salamander."

Lily smiled at Cedric. "You seem way more confident than you were at the castle, Montclair."

Cedric grinned mischievously. "What can I say, Miss Cornale? Life is too short to pass up on opportunities."

As they continued planning their expedition, a seasoned adventurer overheard their conversation and approached them. "I couldn't help but overhear. You're searching for the Night Salamander nest?"

Cedric nodded. "Indeed, we are. Do you have any information that could help us?"

The adventurer grinned. "I might just have what you need. You see, I encountered a Night Salamander once during my travels, and I managed to mark the location on my map."

Lily's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's incredible! Would you be willing to share that information with us?"

The adventurer nodded. "Of course. But be warned, the Night Salamander nest is a dangerous place. It's filled with traps and powerful guardians. Only the strongest and most skilled adventurers stand a chance of surviving."

Cedric's confidence didn't waver. "Thank you for sharing this with us."

Oliver looked out the window. "It's already dark out. We should rest and check out the location tomorrow."

Cedric nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a plan. Miss Cornale, would you like to share a room with me?"

Lily's face turned bright red as she stood up. "No!"

Cedric chuckled softly. "Just kidding...." He stood up and walked off. "Well, let's meet up here tomorrow."

Oliver let out a sigh as he thought to himself. "Honestly, I'm more worried about this Dark Cedric than the Night Salamander..."

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