Legacy of the Dark Sage

The moment Kyran said those words, all mercenaries nearby sneered.

They were aware of the process to become a mercenary. The first step was to register at any Mercenary Guild. The second was an actual combat examination. The third was the assessment. And the last step, based on the results of the assessment, was grading.

It might look simple, but unlike what most people knew, passing all these steps was not easy. There were some who even failed to pass because they did not meet the bare minimum of the requirements when registering.

Yes, an applicant could fail before even starting!

The reason why the Mercenary Hall had strict requirements, was because of the benefits they offer and to discourage 'casual' applicants.

Being a mercenary was not a profession for all. A lot of the requests the Mercenary Guild received were dangerous. Life or death could be the end result. Of course, these types of requests would only be given to higher grade mercenaries, but that did not mean there was no danger from easier requests. Benefits would be granted, but one had to work hard for it as well.

The woman smiled at Kyran, "I'd be happy to assist you. Please let me know if you are aware of the requirements you need to present during the registration, if not I can explain it to you and give you enough time to acquire -."

"That is okay, I have what you need," Kyran interrupted. He took out a container from under his cloak and placed it on the table in front of the woman.

The woman nodded, "Very well. Let us proceed with your registration."

"Thank you," Kyran replied.

The woman opened the container and looked inside.

Inside were three items: the black box which contained Kyran's badges from the military school, an insignia of the Regis Clan, a profile of a purple dragon with a golden crown, and last, a rolled-up parchment.

"Oh! You are from the Regis Clan," the woman said in surprise once she saw the insignia.

Even the onlookers were surprised.

What is a recluse old noble family disciple doing at Starhorn?

"Is there a problem?" Kyran asked.

Nolan warned him to observe the reaction of the person who would do his registration. If that person acted suspiciously after finding out he was from the Regis clan, they would have to proceed with plan B.

"Not at all! I'm sorry for raising my voice, it is rare to meet someone from the Regis Clan here so I was surprised," the woman answered with a hint of excitement.

Her excitement had something to do with the new high-profile bounty. Although it was only mentioned as a piece of passing information, it did say that the target was last seen near the borders of the Regis estate.

Of course, there was also the fact that it was rare for a Regis disciple to want to become a mercenary.

"I was in the area so I thought, might as well."

"A smart choice good sir," the woman smiled and checked the parchment next. "If you registered at our branch guilds you will still need to come here for the grading process."

The mercenaries nearby frowned after hearing the woman. Her tone actually hinted that the man had already passed! They were still on the first step right?

A recommendation letter presented during registration must come from a figure the Mercenary Hall recognizes. Such figures were either high-grade mercenaries, Patriarchs or Elders of a clan, Master level mages, Dean or Instructor from the military school, etc.

"A recommendation letter from the Patriarch of Regis Clan," the woman urged her magic. Faint green magic arrays appeared and circulated from her hands, then around the parchment. She nodded after a few seconds and smiled at Kyran, "I have confirmed the authenticity of the letter."

Kyran just gave a small nod.

"And last, confirming your combat attainments." The woman rolled the parchment before returning it inside the container.

'Now, this is where it all starts,' Kyran thought, feeling his heart beat faster as he watched the woman take out the black box.

"These are the proof of your combat attainments from Milfiore Military School?" The woman continued after seeing the emblem on the box. She frowned a little. The recommendation letter, clearly stated that he was a 'mage' disciple of the Regis Clan. How come he presented a 'combat' related proof instead of magic? And why would he learn combat at a different school? The Regis Clan also had a school for combat.

"Regarding that, I don't have proof of my magic attainments so I'll use the one I got from military school," Kyran explained. Technically, what he said was correct. "Will it do?"

"Well, since the recommendation letter confirms you are a mage normally we have to check your magic attainments. If you present proof of your combat attainments, then we will require a recommendation letter from an instructor at Milfiore Military School. But since you mentioned that you do not have proof of your magic attainment at the moment, we can still consider it if the proof of combat you brought is also from the Regis Clan."

The woman gave a brief explanation.

"Then, please go ahead and check the box," Kyran said. "It has a recommendation token from the Dean."

Honestly, he did not have one. But Nolan told him to say that.

"Oh, in that case, you should have informed me earlier."

Some onlookers sneered.

"I have my reasons," Kyran replied.

"Apologies, I may have sounded impertinent just now." The woman immediately apologized as she opened the box.

"I will now confirm proof of your combat attainments..."

She froze.

The onlookers noticed the woman's expression and wondered what she saw because her color changed from flushed red, bluish, then pale white. It was too vivid that it was impressive.

"G-Good sir, I will have to ask you to meet the Hall Master. May I please ask for your name?"

Kyran's eyes narrowed. 'I never expected these badges will merit this kind of reaction. My family didn't even flinch when they saw it.'

So far everything was going according to Nolan's scenario.

To be honest, when Kyran heard Nolan's plan, he commented if these badges were that impressive, why not just show it from the start. However, Nolan scolded him while explaining that they had to highlight his connection and importance to the Regis Clan first. If not, they would fail to get the intended target's attention to succeed with the plan.

After all, in Starhorn, the Regis Clan's reputation was far better compared to the Milfiore Military School who was directly under the Royal Family.

"Kyran Regis," Kyran answered shortly.

All people who heard his name gasped. The woman also almost dropped the black box.

This reaction got the attention of almost all the people inside. The other mercenaries could not help but move closer to get a better understanding of what was happening.

"Y-You are a d-direct member of the Regis family?"

"I am. The son of the next patriarch."

The gasped that was heard around was greater this time.

Kyran tried not to flinch. He was never fond of attention. But he remembered Nolan's devilish grin when he told him that the more the people inside gave a look of surprise the better. So Kyran endured.

"T-Then please follow me," the woman told Kyran while returning the box to the container and giving it back.

Kyran simply gave a short nod and took the container. He hid it back inside his cloak.

The woman looked at a younger woman standing by the bounty board to the right side from the front desk. She had layered auburn hair and dark brown eyes.

"Hela, please keep watch for a while."

"Y-Yes, sis Marley." Hela answered and immediately went to the front desk. She was also flustered because she heard everything.

Marley looked at Kyran and gestured for him to follow.

She led him into a door leading at the back of the Mercenary Hall. They were greeted by two soldiers in black uniforms.

They walked down a lit long hallway with big doors on each side. After passing four doors, they stopped in front of the fifth door.

Marley faced the right door before looking at Kyran.

"Please wait a moment, while I inform the Hall Master."

Kyran simply nodded his head.

She went to the door and knocked three times, "Hall Master, this is Marley from the front desk. I have someone with me who wanted to register as a mercenary and he is from The List."

Kyran's eyes narrowed when the woman mentioned 'the list', 'What list?'

After Marley said her piece, silence ensued behind the door.

Then, a crashing sound was heard before another silence.

Kyran's face had dark lines. Just what was that?

"Ahaha... Apologies good sir, our Hall Master can be very clumsy at times." Marley looked at him apologetically.

"Come in."

A woman's voice came from behind the door.

"Yes, Hall Master." Marley opened the door and led Kyran inside.

Kyran entered the room after Marley.

He found a spacious room inside with lots of books everywhere.

And everywhere meant, the receiving area's couches and tables, the floor, the study table, even the end tables had books.

When Kyran looked at the chandelier above the receiving area, he also found few books stuck between its branches.

"Please do come in. Sorry for the little mess," the woman who spoke earlier greeted them.

Kyran lowered his gaze and looked at the woman who approached them from the messy study table.

He was surprised to find a woman who seemed to be the same age as Marley.

Half of her wavy silk black hair was tied in a very intricate yet elegant manner, while half flowed down her back. Her red robe with gold and silver accents hugged her beautiful figure. And her reddish-brown eyes were very captivating.

Kyran found this woman very beautiful.

'Never look into the eyes.'

Nolan's reminder suddenly came to Kyran's mind and immediately he lowered his gaze.

'Hoo,' a faint smile escaped the woman's lips, seeing him pull away from her searching eyes.

"Hall Master Celine," Marley bowed before gesturing over at Kyran. "This is Kyran Regis, the son of the next patriarch of the Regis Clan."

Celine's eyes narrowed upon hearing this, "Well, well. It has been a while since we had someone from the Regis come visit our Mercenary Hall."

Her voice was very sultry that Kyran found it hard not to 'listen' to her.

'Is it some kind of magic?' He wondered.

Celine waved her hand all the books lying around immediately lifted and rearranged themselves back to the bookshelves on one side of the wall. Even the books stuck on the chandelier moved.

"Please have a seat," Celine told Kyran.

Marley approached Celine and whispered something to her.

Kyran noticed a change in Celine's expression, but it was too subtle it almost seemed like he was mistaken.

Celine nodded and smiled at Marley, "I'll take it from here."

Marley bowed once again, "Then I will take my leave."

Celine gave a small nod.

Marley also bowed in Kyran's direction and left.

He watched her closed the door, before looking back at Celine, who was silently observing him. She did not even take offense when he did not take her offer to sit.

"Now then," Celine started and walked over to the couch.

Kyran followed her with his eyes.

"You want to register as a mercenary," Celine sat on the opposite couch, crossing her legs. The slit of her robe immediately exposed her long white legs.

"However, contrary to your initial recommendation letter, you presented a different proof of your attainments."

"I already explained why."

"Yes. You do not have it with you."

Kyran did not reply.

Celine just smiled and gestured at Kyran to sit. "Please be seated. I feel bad with you standing over there."

"I'd rather stand, thank you."

Celine's smile became more amused.

"Do you know what that badge meant, Mr. Regis?"

Kyran tried not to flinch when she called him by his last name. He somehow felt older.

"Is answering that part of the registration process?"

Celine chuckled, "No. I am merely curious."

"Then please don't waste my time and just tell me how to continue with the registration. If not, I'll take my leave."

"Ahahaha!" Celine suddenly laughed.

Her laughter actually sent a strange sensation all over Kyran's body.

She leaned forward and smiled seductively at him. "I cannot decide whether you are being polite or... rude."

Kyran belatedly cursed himself. Nolan told him to be firm and stoic. Then he firmly told him to refrain from saying please. But it was a little hard for him. His parents taught him well.

Suddenly, Celine's eyes turned bright red. Magic fluctuations appeared in the air.

"Now Mr. Regis, let's continue with your registration. Are you here as a Regis mage, or as the Royal Family's combat master?"