“You’ll get an honorary tag at the same rank as ours, after a little ceremony,” Telsa said, showing her own silver rank tag.

Theo’s eyes locked on to the silver tag. Him? An honorary adventurer? “I-I don’t know what to say, Telsa. I always wanted to be an adventurer when I was little.”

“You say yes,” Telsa said, smiling and pulling Theo into another hug. “You earned it after that display.” She held him out at arms-length. “It’s honorary, though. You probably shouldn’t actually go on dungeon delves or anything.”

Eyes widening, Theo waved his hands. “Goodness, no. I’m aware of my limits.”

Maraz cleared his throat. “I’ll be on my way. Can’t let that urchin be the first to reach the guild.” He glared through the window.

“Oh,” Theo said, staring up at the man. “Well, um, keep in touch? A-About Adam.” Why did he need to specify that?

Brow raised, Maraz chuckled. He patted Theo’s head once again. “Enjoy your adventurer status. I’m… unlikely to be the one on your case anymore.”

That wasn’t a, “no one is on your case anymore.” Theo swallowed, and nodded. “Thank you for the heads-up, Maraz. Before you leave, though. How does that ring have almost my exact formula on it?”

Maraz shook his head, and walked through the doorway. “Not something I can share with you. I have my sources.”

“Well, tell whoever that is that it’s rude to copy!” Theo said, clenching a fist.

“I’ll be sure to pass on the message,” Maraz said, waving over his shoulder. He turned around. “By the way, I’ll have your wands assessed for damage and have the guild repay for any that broke.”

Theo’s mind traveled back to the pile of splintered wands he’d left behind. Not all of them had broken, but… that was a lot of money. “That’s- thank you.”

“Won’t be too hard on the guild’s wallets,” Maraz said, grinning. “What with your prices.” He paused, and his face became serious. “Stay safe, Theo.”

That was… foreboding. “I will.”

Maraz nodded, closing the door behind him.

Turning to the room, Theo met Telsa and Pina’s eyes. Tirr made a concerned whine. “That does not bode well.”

“And he is to receive honorary silver rank status?” Guildmaster Tynvern asked, raising a brow at Theo.

“I vouch for him myself, Guildmaster,” Telsa said, placing a hand over her heart.

“He’ll need to register the zilant as a combat familiar, then,” Tynvern said, pointing off toward a reception desk. “Ascere can assist with the paperwork.”

Theo followed the guildmaster’s finger to the woman sitting at the desk. Purple eyes draped by long, pink hair stared back at him. The receptionist waved. No! She was the one who’d verbally thrown him under the wagon when he asked to advertise his services the day he arrived!

“Theo?” Telsa said, shaking his shoulder. “You in there?”

Eyes refocusing, Theo regarded Telsa. “I’m sorry, I was just um, reliving past traumas.”

Telsa raised a brow, and looked to the receptionist. “Oh, right!” She snapped her fingers. “I forgot that’s how I met you. You were so nervous giving that little advertisement.” Jabbing an elbow into his side, she gave Theo a push toward the counter.

“Telsa, I-”

“Go on now, you’re an adventurer now,” Telsa said, waving him away. “Sort of.”

“Even I have to admit, he earned it,” Deskan added, stepping away from the wall she’d been leaning against.

Nils sighed. “Deskan, you could learn to give a more direct compliment, you know. Doesn’t have to sound so forced.” He turned to Theo. “Congratulations, I’m honored to consider you a part of the Vanguard’s Grip. Just, our ah-” Pausing for a moment, he glanced to the side, and back. “Financial branch.”

“Speaking of financials, Nils,” Theo said, glancing to both sides. “There was something I was hoping to discuss with you today. When this little ceremony is over, could you meet me at my shop? It’s not something I’d want to discuss in the open here”

Brows raised, Nils nodded. “I have to admit I’m curious already, but I will be patient.”

“Thank you,” Theo said, smiling. “Now, I have important adventurer business to attend to.” He had to avoid adding a strut to his step with his excitement as he walked over to the desk.

Tirr snuffed in Theo’s ear as he made his way across the room. The zilant attracted more than a few eyes. Combat familiars weren’t uncommon per se, but he doubted one saw a dragon every day either. The zilant preened under all the attention, shifting to a bright yellow.

Theo couldn’t help but laugh at the notion, though. Tirr, a combat familiar? Those air blasts had been high-power enough to redirect the golem’s beam spells, though.

Hands growing clammy, Theo stepped up to the desk. He could still feel the embarrassment at his fumbled delivery of the advertisement of his shop. “Um, hello. I’m Theo Lukien. I’m here to register-”

“A zilant, right?” Ascere asked, looking up at Theo from her paperwork. “The guildmaster told me to organize the paperwork already.”

Glancing over the paperwork, Theo shook his head. “The um, spelling will have to be changed, if that’s okay. It’s only pronounced ‘tear,’ you know, like crying. The actual spelling is T-I-R-R.”

“I’ll have to see what the guildmaster wants me to do about that,” Ascere said, pursing her lips. “Now where is he…? Aha!” Spotting the violet-haired man, she stood up, and cupped her hands over her mouth.

Oh no.

“Hey, Guildmaster Tynvern!” the receptionist shouted, catching the attention of the man in question. “This guy’s dragon’s name is spelled wrong on the papers, what do you want me to do?”

A sea of eyes locked onto Theo at the mention of the word “dragon.” He felt the back of his shirt begin to cling to him in seconds as he broke into a sweat. Sure, a few had been staring before, but now it was everyone.

Tirr trilled, but couldn’t be more yellow than he already was. He fanned his feathers widely.

“You have interesting, and rare, taste in companions, Theo,” Tynvern said, settling down the adventurers with a stern look. Most looked away, but continued to glance back every now and again.

“He… found me,” Theo said, scratching the zilant’s head. “Sort of. I left him some food, and I guess he came looking for me after that.”

“I’m unsurprised,” Tynvern said, rifling through the paperwork for Tirr. “Zilants are far more social than most of their draconic relatives. And gluttonous.”

“I’ve never heard truer words,” Theo said, eyeing the zilant. Darn thing was going to eat him out of house and home at some point with his eating habits.

Tirr flapped his wings, chirping.

“I believe the easiest fix for this will be a name-change form, Ascere,” Tynvern said, handing the parchment back to the receptionist.

“I knew that,” Ascere said, grinning. “It’s just fun to see the newbies squirm.”

Theo glared at the receptionist. So it was intentional!

The guildmaster just shook his head, chuckling. “I’ll be preparing a small ceremony for Theo.” He turned on his heel, and headed off.

Theo held out a hand, but the guildmaster weaved his way through the crowd in moments. “Wait, ceremony?”

Laughing, the receptionist pulled out the name-change form. “Yup, ceremony. Anyway. The name was a convenient mistake, admittedly. Good opportunity, though. Just fill in here, and sign here.” She tapped two points of the form and handed Theo a quill.

Grumbling, Theo scribed Tirr’s name down. He was delighted to find out that Tirr had to sign the paperwork too. An inky claw mark stamped all the various forms that needed to be processed to register the zilant, alongside Theo’s signature.

Walking away from the devious receptionist, Theo rubbed at his wrist. He hadn’t realized just how much paperwork went into saying “I have a pet dragon.”

Telsa spotted him, and waved him over. “Theo, the guildmaster is just about ready!”

Swallowing, Theo approached his… team? His heart swelled, considering them that.

Within minutes, the four of them stepped onto a small platform. Theo’s eyes crossed a sea of faces once again. He glanced to his sides, Telsa and Nils smiled at him. Deskan, well, she did something close, at least. It was progress. News of Adam’s imminent recovery had done wonders for softening the prickly archer’s disposition toward him.

“I believe we’re all aware I’m not one for speeches,” Guildmaster Tynvern said, a glowing amulet projecting his voice across the room. “So, I will keep this short. Today we present Theo Lukien as an honorary member of the Vanguard’s Grip. The team’s captain, Telsa Preant, has vouched for his bravery and action in the face of a tier 7 golem to save the life of another man.”

The room cheered at that. Theo’s ears burned with the attention.

“Let’s hear from the man himself!” a voice shouted from across the room. Ascere sat at her desk, grinning ear to ear once again.

“Oh, no that’s-” Theo found the voice-projection amulet in his hands.

“Um,” he said, with his mouth far too close to the amulet. Numerous people slapped hands over their ears, glaring.

Distancing the gemstone, Theo felt his cheeks growing hot. “I um- I just did what was right. And, thank you to the- the Vangrip’s Guard-” The crowd erupted into laughter. His hands shook, but he firmed his resolve. “I mean, the Vanguard’s Grip, for accepting me, even if it’s only in an honorary position. Thank you.”

Theo couldn’t hand the stone back to the guildmaster fast enough.

“...Well said, Theo,” Tynvern said, reaching into his pocket. “While we don’t often do ceremonies like this for silver rank, I believe you all accept that these are special circumstances. So, today, Theo Lukien, I present to you, a silver rank adventurer’s tag. Wear it with honor.” The silver tag glinted in the guildmaster’s hand as he handed it over.

When Theo moved to chain the tag onto his clothing, Tirr made a noise, and gripped for it. The crowd laughed again.

Once the tag was in place, Theo faced the gathered adventurers again. “Thank you all for um, attending. Even if you were just here for a drink.”

The applause wasn’t thunderous, but that fit him just fine. Theo turned to his team, and was met with an embrace - even from Deskan. Gods, he wished Adam was here right now.

“This was nice and all but,” Theo said, scratching the back of his head. “Can we leave now?”

“So,” Nils said, palming the cup of tea Theo set in front of him. “What was it you wanted to discuss?”

“Well,” Theo said, taking a sip of his tea while he phrased it in his head. “Maraz is off my case now.”

“Is he now?” Nils said, leaning forward. “That’s good news, isn’t it?”

“It would be, if it weren’t for the fact that it only means someone new will be… dealing with me,” Theo said, watching his shop door through the kitchen. “That was the impression I got from Maraz, anyway.”

“I see,” Nils said, sipping. “That’s ah, problematic for sure.”

Theo nodded. “It is. I have a plan, however.”

Nils set his cup down, raising a brow. “Do you now?”

“I do, but um, I’ll need your help with it,” Theo said, mimicking the mage across from him and setting his own cup back on the plate.

“And ah, what is this I can help with?” Nils asked, eyes scanning around the room.

“Well, you helped me so much with organizing my shop prices, I um, figured you’re good with numbers-stuff,” Theo said, rubbing his new silver tag between his thumb and index finger.

“Numbers-stuff.” Nils lifted the cup of tea to his lips again.

“Numbers-stuff,” Theo affirmed. “I suppose I should just come out with it. I want to start my own guild.”

Nils choked on his tea, sputtering. “You what?”

“A guild,” Theo said, sitting up straighter. “I’ve been forming this plan for a while, but I think it’s too big for just me to do.”

“Theo, guilds are expensive to run, let alone start,” Nils said, wiping tea off of his robes, frowning.

Theo handed Nils a handcloth. “I know that. And that was one of the reasons I was hesitant to even bring the idea up until now. In that fight with the golem, I expended most of my best wands. I pushed a lot of them past their limits until the wood splintered. Maraz told me the Merchant’s Guild will compensate me for them.”

“Just how many wands is this?” Nils asked, leaning in closer.

Theo sat back in his seat, mentally counting. “Um, I used at least eleven wands, if I remember correctly. And two enchanted tools, a Flare Orb and my Air Lance. And some potions, too.”

“That’s- that’s quite a bit of money,” Nils said, eyes widening.

“It is,” Theo said, nodding. “But I don’t know if I ruined every single wand. I only got a quick look at a distance before I left the forest with Maraz. I was pushing all of them as hard as possible, though.”

“Which wands were they?”

“I’m glad you asked,” Theo said, producing the inventory list Nils had helped him compose. “I’ve marked all the ones I had on me with check marks.” He slid the list across the table.

Nils’ eyes darted across the parchment. He covered his mouth at one point, and uncovered it. “Theo, if it’s all of the wands you had… that’s-”

“I know,” Theo said, unable to keep the excitement from his voice. “And I have all those ingredients I picked from Relicor’s secret forest that I still haven’t made anything out of. Those will sell for a lot.”

“That could be enough, or close, at least,” Nils said, setting the list down. His fingers continued to drum on the parchment, however. “What do you want to start a guild for, though?”

“My mother always taught me, I need to fight fire with fire,” Theo said, smiling. “The Merchant’s Guild wants to pressure me into conforming to their scamming? I’ll pressure them right back.”

“Theo, I’m not sure this is a great idea,” Nils said, frowning. “Just you running a guild of your own wouldn’t do much.”

“I won’t be alone,” Theo said, growing more animated. He stood up from his chair. “On my shopping trips, I’ve talked to the street merchants - like Niistral. Many of them were happy when I stood up to Maraz. They don’t like the Merchant’s Guild. And as far as I know, for most of the other shops in this town, they depend on those street merchants for at least some of their supply. Gods know we did back in Renwurd.”

“Not all of the shops do, but… that could work,” Nils said, his own lips firming into a line. “But, how will you get them all to join you?”

Theo leaned on the table with his hands. “That’s the hard part. I’ll need to negotiate with most of them. That’s where your help will come in. Do you think you could handle the… administrative side of things? Perhaps run my shop sometimes when I’m out convincing people? You’d be a partial owner of the guild, of course.”

“I ah, I won’t say no, but it’s not something I can just give you an immediate ‘yes’ on either,” Nils said, tapping on the table once more.

“I didn’t expect you to,” Theo said, sliding into his seat again. He took another sip of his tea, the calming effects of it settling his nerves. “Take your time. Maybe not a lot of time, it seems I don’t have much. But take time.”

“I’ll give myself a night to think on it, at least,” Nils said, running a hand through his hair. “A guild… That’s- it’s quite the idea. What would your goals of this guild be, anyway?”

“Fair trade prices, mostly,” Theo said, running his finger around the rim of his cup. “We can work out the details together, hopefully. You’re good at keeping my ideas in line. But I hope to work on communications between the supplies and the production shops such as my own to standardize prices more.”

“The prices do vary quite a bit,” Nils said, glancing toward Theo’s shop. “Yours is becoming popular, and I’ve already heard some other shops are lowering their prices too. You ah, might have made some enemies on that front.”

“Nothing a partnership with the new guild might be able to patch over, though,” Theo said, smirking. “I’m hoping to gather more funds for the guild, as well as make it more controlled, by having some people with monetary stakes in the guild be able to help with the decision making.”

“It’d be better to have some more perspective too,” Nils said, raising his hands. “No offense, but you’re pretty green to the city.”

Theo shrugged. “No offense taken. We’d still be the heads of the guild, though. I don’t want it to just turn into another Merchant’s Guild where we’re overpricing our products to the point that adventurers are getting hurt because they can’t afford better - or any - supplies.”

Nils chuckled. “You do love your adventurers, don’t you?”

Theo’s eyes darted to his bedroom where Adam remained. Soon. He noticed Nils staring, and blushed. “Um, y-yeah.”

“It’s not a bad idea at all,” Nils said, finishing his cup of tea. “If more adventurers can go out and hunt, they can bring in more monster parts. That’ll help a number of professions, yours included, lower their prices too.”

“That’s a good point,” Theo said. “I hadn’t thought about that. If more adventurers can hunt monsters, then eventually the prices should go down more and we can charge less. I assume there’s a plateau at some point, but it’ll help.”

“Did you ever end up using those gilgafrog parts we sold you?” Nils asked, eyeing the door to Theo’s workshop.

“Between the Snap and… everything else?” Theo said, tracing a groove in the table with a finger. “Not at all. I have them preserved in some jars, but I just haven’t had the time. Or magical capability for a while.”

“Not being able to cast certainly makes things more difficult,” Nils said, nodding.

Letting mana flow through himself, Theo reveled in the lack of pain. “I think I’m recovered enough now. I’ll do some practice potions, but my control should be… better.”

“Good thing,” Nils said, pointing to Theo’s sparse shelves. “Your supplies are running low. I’d know, I priced them.”

Theo couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, I’ll get on that. Thank you, though, Nils. For listening.”

“I have to say I’m interested, Theo,” Nils said, smiling. “I still need to give myself some time to think about it, but I’ll get back to you. Soon. But, for now, I should get going. Thank you for the tea.” He stood up, and stretched.

“You are most welcome,” Theo said, standing as well. “I’ll just… follow you and um, lock the door for now.”

“Probably a wise choice, considering you may have someone new on your case,” Nils said, stepping into Theo’s shop. He shifted a few objects on the shelves, centering or straightening them as he passed by.

“Have a nice day, Nils,” Theo said, waving the man off.

“You too, Theo,” Nils said, turning around. “Stay safe.”

“Will do,” Theo said, closing the door and locking it.

Moving into his workshop, Theo began to shift ingredients around, organizing them for a long alchemy session.

The day passed by hour by hour as he measured ingredients, tested how much mana to push into his spells now, and stopped Tirr from eating all the supplies.

However, Theo broke out of his alchemic flow when rapid knocking sounded out from his shop door.