Chapter 14: Guildmaster Xander

"Halt! You can't pass without inspection." The guard on the stone wall furiously waved at Zephyr's group. "Wait there."

He wanted to ask what the inspection entailed, but he feared that his curiosity could be mistaken for suspicion. He kept his silence, knowing that someone with knowledge of the usual procedures wouldn't need to question them.

Sherine took his hand, showing an apologetic smile. "It's all because of my selfishness."

Zephyr dismissed her apology by gripping her hand tighter. They both were at fault. After settling down at the inn, his first course of action would be reading some books at the library. He could forcefully read thoughts of those below his rank—a skill suitable for interrogating and getting information.

Eric gave him a wry smile. "A sorcerer will come to check on you. We don't usually have new visitors. It's better to be cautious than letting a brood spy slip into the town."

"Brood spy?"

"You didn't know?" Eric cocked his head with a frown. "The high-ranking demons in the brood army can impersonate almost anyone. In fact, many kingdoms fell because of their lax rules. We have Lady Achmea's support or we too would've fallen."

Zephyr goaded the soldier into answering more questions. Apparently, Lady Achmea Flora was the ruler of this town and the tower belonged to her, not some ugly bastard. The tower acted as an alchemy shop on normal days and a killing machine when the sea monsters attacked them.

Soon, the small gate beside the main door opened, and a woman in skin-tight violet robes made her appearance. She carried a thick archaic book with a pale blue cover.

Slowly, she pulled back her hood, revealing a youthful face, the left side marred by a long, jagged scar. Her gaze lingered on each of the town's new arrivals, eyes widening just a bit when they arrived at the blue-haired woman. Sherine looked almost as if she had stepped out of one of the Theranhad Academy's ancient paintings, a rare beauty that the girl had only seen in a handful of other women.

'A Ryukhan girl? She could be the star item of any dark auction.'

She wasn't so deep in trenches that she'd sell people. Not yet, at least.

"Senior Veronica," Eric greeted the brunette with a flattering smile. "They are so awful to send you after you returned from an exhausting journey."

"Thanks for your concerns, but I am fine."

Veronica walked up to Zephyr. She reached out and touched Zephyr's chest. "I'll send a wave of mana to check if you are infected by a brood parasite. It might feel strange."

Nothing happened on the surface but Zephyr sensed it. An icy feeling that whizzed past him, which lasted a moment like Drake's sneaky inspection.

"Your mana is greater than apprentice sorcerers. What is your level?"

"Six."

"This quantity of mana at level 6?" Veronica rubbed her chin as she gave Zephyr another look over. "Not bad. Why don't you join the Theranhad Academy? You'll have greater success as a sorcerer than a warrior. It won't take for you to reach the Enchanter rank with your mana."

She quietly took a jab at his underachievement as a warrior. She puffed her chest while doing so.

Eric and others threw envious glances at him. Sorcerers received the highest honor in all kingdoms.

Anyone could become a sorcerer after receiving Goddess Hecate's blessing. Not many could go beyond the apprentice rank.

"I don't have any plans to become a sorcerer at this moment."

Zephyr didn't go deep into the talk with Veronica even though the topic of sorcery interested him. Throwing fireballs and freezing rivers, that type of power would fit right with his high magic stat.

Veronica just shrugged at the rejection and moved on to Sherine. The half dragoness smiled mischievously and covered herself in a thin layer of divinity.

'You do not insult my champion and get away with it.'

Her divinity repelled Veronica's mana. The sorceress tried again, receiving the same result.

"You have an anti-magic body!" Veronica's voice shook. "What's your name?"

"What's going on here, Veronica? Why the ruckus?"

Veronica's eyes lit up. She whirled around and let loose a smile.

The man towered above the crowd, his bulging biceps, chiseled chest and abdomen, and powerful legs all working in concert with one another. Three jagged scars ran along his arms, a reminder of battles fought and won. His tanned skin glistened in the sun, while his long silver hair brushed against his broad shoulders. He carried himself with a sense of strength and danger, as if he'd just come off of a battlefield.

"Guildmaster Xander, this young lady here has a natural anti-magic constitution."

"What?!" Guildmaster Xander observed Sherine, almost losing himself in her blue eyes. "What's your name?"

Zephyr had a bad feeling about this Guildmaster. Xander looked at Sherine differently, like a thief eyeing a wallet from a distance. The offer to recruit will come any moment now. And the worst part, Zephyr couldn't antagonize this bigshot guildmaster with his current strength.

"Her name's Sherine," Zephyr said. "She can't speak."

"Ah, that's alright. Look here, Sherine," Xander said as he crossed his arms on his chest, shamelessly flexing his body. "Did anyone ever tell you anything about your anti-magic constitution?"

Sherine regretted playing a prank on Veronica. Now she made a mess and involved some guildmaster, all for this non-existent anti-magic body.

"She doesn't know," Zephyr answered, feeling a headache from standing in this heat. "Guildmaster Xander, don't run around in circles. Get to the point already."

Xander looked in his direction, dark eyes flaring with a fierce emotion. His friendly smile returned instantaneously as if he never gave a death glare. "Sherine is very suited for being a guardian and frontline fighter. I'll be frank here. Join my guild, and I'll get you a Tier 1 armor and shield from the Dragon Smith of the Altissia."

A gasp came from Veronica. She had been in the Ferocious Wolves Guild with Xander for six months. She was a level 19 Enchanter and held the Hawk rank in the Hunter's Society. One would think a sorcerer of her caliber would be rich enough to afford Tier 1 items. Unfortunately, she couldn't. Not with the expensive sorcerer catalysts and study materials.

Now a greenhorn girl got the privilege of receiving two Tier 1 items. She gritted her teeth. Jealousy burned her heart.

"What do you think?" Xander flashed a smile, ignoring his seething guild member. "Agreed?"

His offer was unrejectable, or he surmised. What kind of newbie would let go of an opportunity to get two Tier 1 items?

'Sherine then Achmea, I'll have them both.'

One of the greatest alchemists in Theranhad Kingdom and a shielder with the potential to surpass the Shield Guardian Myrina—he will have both of them in his guild. His party would mow through the Blessing Towers with their help.

Zephyr could see the greed in Xander's eyes. The Guildmaster had lost himself in his ambitions. "Guildmaster Xander, give us time to think about it."

"Oh. What's your relationship with her?" Xander narrowed his eyes at Zephyr like a hawk. "I need to think about your contract."

"She is my fiancée."

Sherine slowly nodded to back up his claim. She realized how close Zephyr's statement was to reality. They were already holding hands, sleeping together, and living under a roof like couples.

A glance at Zephyr's calm face left Sherine in disappointment. He didn't share her happiness. 'Am I not good for him?'

"She trusts you a lot," Xander said with a smile. "I wish Achmea looked at me like that. Hahaha, sorry for bringing up my sad love life here."

Apparently, he held desires for the ruler of this town. Zephyr applauded him for having big ambitions.

Eric laughed. "Guildmaster, you can't rush. Lady Achmea is still dealing with her previous loss."

"I know. I know. Dammit." Xander sighed and looked at Zephyr. "You have a week to decide."

Zephyr nodded absentmindedly and took Sherine through the small gate, leaving the probing eyesof Xander.

"By the way, Guildmaster. How was your expedition to Osrik this time around?"

"Eh, we got to the 5th floor with Achmea's potions."

"Wow!"

The conversation between Xander and Eric was interesting, to say the least.

'What's Osrik?'