The palm runes glowed blue as Jack logged into the Guild’s system. He scanned through the listings; the brass-and-glass interface ticked and whirred. He opened the listing for Training Room 13 and checked the special note:

  Ella and Nessa, Level 1 and Level 0 Novice Archers looking to share costs with 4 low-level archers. Non-combat classes looking to practice archery are welcome. Will set room at Novice Archer, level one. Beginner level one. Looking to have fun while training.

  “There they are,” Jack murmured. “And four spots still open… session starts in twenty minutes.”

  He drummed his fingers on the wall in thought. I enjoyed teaching the kid. He looked back at Toma, who looked dejected. And it’s only 9 coppers extra if no one else turns up… 7 if two more join. He thought about all the gold he’d gotten from the mage.

  Decision made, Jack collected two brass training tokens. He pocketed one and tossed the other in his palm. Walking back over to the table, he flicked the token towards Toma. “Catch, kid.”

  He’d decided to treat Toma to an archery session.

  Toma, caught off guard, flailed to grab it, fumbled, dropped the brass token, and fell backwards off his chair with a startled, “Ow!”

  Jack couldn’t help but laugh. Seeing that was worth the cost.

  A now red-faced Toma scrambled to his feet, clutching the brass token. “Wha… what’s this?” He blinked down at it, then up at Jack, then back to the token again.

  Jack tilted his head towards the training rooms. “Are you coming?” he asked as he made his way to Training Room 13.

  For a split second, Toma just stood there, stunned… and then his face lit up with pure delight. “Yes! Yes, Jack!” he shouted, dashing to catch up. As the boy fell into step beside him, he blurted, “Thanks, Jack! You didn’t have to… but thanks! This is going to be awesome.”

  Jack reached out, patting Toma’s shoulder. “No problem. Let’s go have some fun.” Some of the weight and fatigue from his shoulders drifted away as they turned down the corridor together, heading towards the archery training wing.

  I really need this, Jack thought as he looked forward to a fun hour of archery training with new acquaintances… maybe even new friends.

  Jack and Toma navigated the winding corridors of the Adventurers Guild, the faint hiss of spent aether-steam rising from copper pipes running along the walls. Thin blue vapour coiled upwards, vanishing into the brass ceiling vents as they passed.

  Toma bounced on his feet, his voice full of excitement. “This is going to be so much fun!” he grinned, gripping the straps of his makeshift quiver.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “Hey, Toma!” called Ella as she leaned against the doorframe of Training Room 13. “Changed your mind about training?”

  Toma sprinted forward, his excitement spilling out. “Jack paid for me!” he beamed. “It’s going to be awesome!”

  Ella raised an eyebrow, sharing a confused look with Nessa, who was crouched nearby, adjusting her quiver.

  Jack chuckled, pulling off his mask for a moment, so the two young archers could see who he was.

  Nessa tilted her head, squinting at Jack as he approached. “You look like an assassin, Jack,” she quipped. “A poor one, though.”

  Jack’s shoulders tensed. Underneath the black hooded cloak, he didn’t look the part of a killer. He wore his normal clothing, far from the sleek, shadowy attire most trained assassins would wear. But the words struck a nerve. He couldn’t help but wince, remembering how he’d killed the mage the day before in cold blood. He had to shake it off. I’m not an assassin, he told himself. “I’m just trying to avoid someone…” The mage’s bloody throat flashed in his mind, the iron-rich odour, and the way the man’s hands had scrambled at his own chest.

  “Girlfriend problems?” Nessa grinned and patted his shoulder, her tone teasing. “We understand, Jack. So many women after your…” She paused to think. “What do Novice Scribes have?”

  Ella chuckled. “Ink stains and paper cuts.”

  Jack blinked. A stable life, safety, family… He swallowed hard, forcing a hollow chuckle. “Yeah… something like that.” He didn’t elaborate as he glanced across at the training room’s display.

  Training room 13.

  Booked until 11:52am.

  Please collect any valuables before leaving.

  The Adventurers Guild is NOT responsible for any injuries or lost property.

  Session ends in 15 minutes.

  Ella clapped her hands once. “So! You two happy with the same setup as last time?” She grinned. “Individual practice, then a bit of fun at the end?”

  Toma hopped from foot to foot, bouncing with energy. “Yeah, that last bit’s great!” He shot a sideways glance at Jack. “It’s gonna be awesome, right?”

  Under the mask, Jack raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Sounds good.”

  Nessa craned her neck, glancing back down the hallway. “I hope more people show up soon,” she muttered, her fingers tapping against the doorframe.

  “Still short on coin?” Jack asked.

  Nessa and Ella nodded in sync.

  Toma gave a small, resigned nod of his own, which made Jack chuckle.

  Jack remembered the conversation he’d had with the young adventurers who showed him the forest clearing where he fought the goblin; they were in desperate need of an archer and tank for their party. He shared the memory. “I met a group of adventurers a few days ago. They were looking for an archer. I think… Mary was their leader.”

  Nessa’s eyes narrowed. “Mary, Carol, Arthur, and Ben,” she said. “I know them. Ben’s the worst.”

  Ella shook her head. “The others are fine, but Ben… He’s a liability. The type that gets you killed. We couldn’t work with him.”

  Jack nodded, recalling the young swordsman who believed he was above such things as sharpening his sword. “Yeah, he did come across as a bit of an idiot.” He frowned, shaking his head. “What sort of swordsman doesn’t sharpen his own blade?”

  Toma blinked, wide-eyed. “Wait, really? He doesn’t sharpen his sword? My dad always said you’ve gotta take care of your tools. They take care of your work… or something like that.”

  The group chuckled, but Jack was still lost in thought, replaying the encounter. In his past life, he’d seen firsthand how arrogance and laziness could ruin a budding adventurer. In their line of work, it was the little things, like maintaining gear, that kept adventurers alive.

  Jack glanced at the door’s display again. Still ten minutes. He looked over at the boy, who was adjusting his quiver again.