"I can't believe I had to wake up so early today!"

"Hey, isn't it worth it?! I didn't sleep a wink last night, waiting to be chosen in the candidate selection!"

"Bah! I already know I would be chosen!"

The chatter continued as dawn approached the dark skies of Thaeria. Within the crowded halls of the Elder guild, the white stoned walls of the halls were adorned with numerous hanging banners. Each banner was embellished with a unique symbol, each different from the others. Made with every rare fabric, the banners hanged elegantly, exposed to the eyes of anyone who walks by.

Barely a hundred candidates were summoned in the halls for selection. Unlike the Blue Fire arena with its bustling audience, the Candidate Selection was only witnessed by the guild Lords and their trusted followers.

Most candidates hurriedly proceeded to the Elder Halls as though a bath was meaningless while others took their time as lazily as possible, comfortably sighing in the comfort of a bath as though it was as important as living like how Moulin was precisely an hour ago.

Currently, the youth didn't even bother to braid his hair properly. He wanted to sleep for a whole day without anyone distracting him. If it wasn't because he was summoned, he would've slept till the sun sets in the next day.

Moulin yawned as he stretched his arms to keep himself awake. His nose caught a whiff of lavender as he shook his hands, reminding him of the scented bath he had long ago. He only wished that the Selection would end quickly.

He stood at the farthest part behind the crowd of candidates, isolating himself from the scornful gazes most candidates had given him. Their looks were of disbelief as they noticed the white band around Moulin's wrist. Who was Moulin to judge them? Most of the candidates were more superior in rank than him. Their golden bands gleamed under the light of the chandeliers, from afar the crowd was exquisite as they bands twinkled as if to show off each of their lusters.

Moulin was an exception. He knows he wasn't wanted but he didn't care. He only crossed his arms as he stood, waiting to enter the gigantic doors before them. It was entirely made of dark wood, magnificent swirls carved. Like sparkling stars, gems and gold were embedded in the upper part of the curved top of the double doors. Moulin already spent most of his time waiting by admiring the starry-like design.

A loud creak caught the attention of the candidates and they immediately silenced themselves to look sophisticated yet elegant. Moulin almost laughed.

As Moulin started walking along with the others, someone walked right past him, bumping his shoulders. The Maeruthan sneered at him, joining his snickering friends. Moulin frowned at the guy intentionally bumping him. This was the third time already. How childish...

"Hey"

Someone suddenly grasped Moulin's shoulder, making the youth glare at the person making a move at him.

Ghana grinned, "Easy there, young master."

Moulin stopped. A surprised expression shaped his face. "Ghana!"

Finally! Someone Familiar!

"Congratulations for making it to the selection, Moulin" She walked beside him as they entered the doors. Her braided platinum hair fell behind her back, swaying as she walked.

Moulin smiled as he turned his attention ahead of him, "Likewise..."

The doors opened wide and the candidates entered with awe etching their faces. Their eyes gazed at the arched balconies situated in a semi-circular arrangement. Within each of those balconies, a Guild Lord sat on their throne with their right-hand standing beside them. A hanging banner embroidered with their Guild crest was set above their balconies, completely exposed to the eyes of each candidate.

The first three balconies on the second floor caught Moulin's scrutiny.

Trylle, Phiora, and Dragor.

The Lord's sitting with their eyes looking down on them made Moulin uneasy. He glanced at each of them once, imprinting their faces in his mind. He didn't bother to glance at the third-floor balconies for his eyes grew drowsy. He started a brief conversation with Ghana instead.

Unaware to Moulin, A particular female Guild Lord started grinning as she boasted to Maiel about catching Moulin's gaze. The Trylle Guild Lord snorted as he rolled his eyes.

In the central balcony on the third floor, A pair of amused golden eyes stared at the uninterested face of Moulin.

On a stone platform, the Guild Lord of the elder Council stood alone, eyeing each of the candidates that have entered. A silver scroll floated in front of him containing the list of all the promising maeruthans that have succeeded in the trials.

With his staff in his grasp, he spoke, "When your name is called, step forward...." He gestured his staff on the vacant space of the platform before him. A place where all Guild Lords could see them.

"In accord with the rules, a candidate most favorable to two or more lords may be able to choose which guild he or she may want to join. We will start with the leading twenty ranks of the trials."

Moulin could hear the nervous murmurs of the people crowding in front of him as if anxiously about to have their sins judged. The Elder guild Lord began to name the first maeruthan letting him step on the platform.

Moulin only lowered his head as he dozed off. It was a long line anyway and the critters would probably take their time choosing which guild to join. Ghana helplessly looked at Moulin's drowsy face as he took a nap while standing beside her. She chuckled focusing her attention on the balconies.

An hour passed and the fifteenth Maeruthan was announced. The candidates that have chosen their guild have already entered the passageway behind the platform where a waiting room was prepared for them. Moulin was already nodding as sleep lures him away from his intended brief nap. Somehow he missed Snow's furry body. He should've brought his little fox even though he didn't know if it was even allowed in here. He didn't care.

Snow's watery eyes flashed in his mind making Moulin smile slightly. The fox looked miserably adorable even if he was truly sad that he couldn't go with Moulin.

"The 16th standing of the Guild Trials! Moulin Sills Fraunces!" Strangely there was a delight in the Elder Lord's voice.

...

Ghana blinked. She glanced at Moulin who was mapping beside her. Without hesitation, she flicked Moulin's nose making the youth flinched.

Moulin's slowly opened his eyes, his lashes fluttering.

Murmurs sounded in the hall when no one had immediately come forward. Usually, every candidate would immediately rush forward, even almost tripping, honored with being chosen. Not to mention one of the leading twenty rank maeruthans!

Was this 16th Maeruthan even present?

Out of the blue, Moulin slipped through the crowd. With a pale hand hiding the yawn coming out of his mouth, Moulin's steps were the only ones heard as the crowd swallowed their words.

Silence descended around them.

With widened eyes, the candidates gaped. Either entranced by the way Moulin elegantly stepped on the platform or because of the disbelieving truth that the youth they have been mocking was truly the 16th standing of the Guild Trials. The white band around Moulin's wrist shined as though mocking them for their stupidity.

Moulin didn't even glance behind him as he bowed at the Elder Lord before him. "Forgive my rudeness..."

The Elder Lord smiled. What an adorable child Emlen's little brother was. He could now understand why the Fraunces Family would coddle the boy his whole life.

"The lord's will light their orbs to show their favor. If none would approve then you will go through the door at your right where the second hall of the selection will take place." He explained.

"Understood... " Moulin replied.

He wasn't expecting much. He fiddled with the button in his pocket unconsciously.

"Let's begin... " The elder Lord announced. He lifted his staff to commence the selection.

As the staff was lifted, it gestured the Guild Lord's to begin their selection.

Lowering his head, Moulin fiddled with the button in his pocket somewhat nervously. Truly, the scene feels like your being judge right after your death. It truly makes one uneasy.

Suddenly, a string of gasps drew Moulin's attention. His brows furrowed in confusion.

He looked up and realized the bright golden light of the selection orbs, floating before every balcony. The scene looked very much like a line of stars had come down from the heavens. The light emphasized every hanging banner vividly, luring one to choose.

Moulin blinked. His expression was blank yet he was aware of how childish he looked.

Even the three prominent guilds have favored him. Moulin was utterly dumbfounded.

"..."

"Young master?" The Elder Lord before him grabbed his attention back from his head.

"Please choose a guild you feel most suited for you... " The Elder Lord's work entered his ears.

'Choose wisely' was what Moulin understood. He felt like a kid only allowed to choose one type of candy out of tens of others.

"Oh, dear..." Ilona, the Phioric Guild Lord, muttered in her seat, "He looks confused... How lovely... "

Her right-hand gave her a worried look.

As Moulin's eyes observed every banner in the halls he almost wanted to blindly choose any guild out of tiredness.

Unexpectedly, His eyes stopped at one particular banner. Golden threads embellishing a dragon encircling a longsword that pierced through the magnificent... sun.

The sun...

Moulin squinted his eyes at the guild Lord sitting languidly on his throne.

...

Shit!

He nearly cursed out loud as he recognized the face irritating him even in his dreams.

The Leonile Guild Lord was none other than a particular perverted man. A man who spared no effort to infuriate him to his death.

He remembered the symbol on the button Hadrian had given him last night.

A forced smile shaped his lips as his silver eyes glared at the Lord sitting on the central balcony of the third floor. How sly...

So... this is what he meant by making the right decision? Honestly, how was this right? He chuckled to himself.

Seriously, he was afraid of regretting anything after any of this.

"Milord... " Varick whispered, which Hadrian ignored. Nonetheless, he continued, "The third young master, doesn't seem to favor you much... "

Hadrian only smiled with narrowed eyes. His fingers gently tapping on the armrest, silently waiting with a lowered gaze.

"Guild Leonile... " Moulin announced, his silver gaze locked on the Golden banner with the Leonile Crest. With a hand on his chest, he lowered his head with a bow, "To the Leonile Lord, I pledge myself as the dawn rises and as the sunset lulls. May the guild have me."

Loud murmurs echoed in the halls as Moulin finished his words.

Hidden from the eyes of the public, Moulin rolls his eyes. The Elder Lord as well as the rest of the candidates looked at him in surprise.

Only a particular man with golden eyes, grinned once the youth finished his words. He greedily stared at the bowing Moulin thinking how pure the youth was to comply with promises that can be easily broken and ignored.

Nevertheless, this way he can keep Moulin by his side. With Moulin's willingness, it will seem that Hadrian had done nothing wrong.

The Lord smiled unexpectedly, making Varick step back, terrified.