Going inside the mercenary guild with a hood might have done the trick to avoid some unnecessary stares from other people. The first time I went in without the hood, people immediately flock to me asking me where I got this color especially the women, damn they’re curious about everything, and it was just exhausting trying to get through that type crowd. This time by wearing a hood I can at least avoid most people today.

I walk towards the counter to talk to a vacant receptionist. She then noticed me and said.

“Oh it’s the newcomer from yesterday, how may I help you miss…?”

“It’s Prina, and I’ve been told to meet the guildmaster right now.” After a brief pause. “And what’s your name by the way?” I asked her as well.

“Sylia, allow me to escort you to the guildmaster Prina, I have something to do with the guildmaster as well.” She then proceeds to leave her desk and beckons me to follow her. We walk up the stairs and then the corridors when we get to the 3rd floor. She then asks me.

“So what brings you to this establishment in the first place? I doubt that you’re here to make a contract.”

“Oh I actually wanted to be a mercenary you see.”

“With a pretty hair like that I thought you were a noble from far away or something along those lines.”

“From where I come from it’s normal to have hair like these, some even have green or blue color.”

“Now that’s bizarre. I wish I had a hair color like that.”

“Well you could marry somebody from there and hope for the best in your kid if you ever plan one.” I chuckle and she follows as well. We stop at a decorated door having a sign beside it having the words “Guildmaster office”

“Here we are Prina, it’s time to meet your will-be boss.” She opens the door and inside of it lies a muscular brown haired man sitting by the window gazing outside, beside him is a desk with some papers and two chairs to receive guests, also the walls have decorations of a sword and shield.

“Sir Veron I have Miss Prina here and I have something to report to you.”

He takes notice of us and proceeds to face us with a calm demeanor. He then says.

“Ah it’s you Miss Prina have a seat, and you Sylia, tell me your report.”

“Sir it seems Santi has something urgent to do today and will be coming back tomorrow.”

“It seems that I wasted Miss Prina’s time here.”

I don’t know what he means by that but I’m going to ask.

“What do you exactly mean by that Sir Veron?”

“You see Miss Prina, Santi is going to be your mentor and party member.” Sylia steps up and says.

“Sir, I think that is a bad idea considering the times he had a party, all of them ended badly. Why not pair Prina with other rookies sir or even parties that are more capable in doing this?”

“Sylia, if you observed more closely at Prina, she has the potential to be one of our greatest mercenaries, I want her to be under a great tutor and someone near her age like Santi. And if we’re talking about Santi here let me ask you a question Sylia. Do you remember the apprentices of Santi?”

Sylia ponders for a few moments and finally answers.

“I do remember Forin, Beron, Zitinna, and Erannon. From what I remember in Forin’s case he left due to him and Santi had an argument and in the end Forin left. Beron however left because he felt that he and Santi should separate due to several reasons.” He ponders for a bit then continues speaking.

“Zitinna’s situation she left because she needs to go back to her hometown and Santi is having none of that so they kinda made a fight in the middle of the street with Santi winning but he let’ Zitinna leave in the end. Now with Erannon being the most recent out of them, he left due to him having constrasting ideals and fought in a war between the Binqueras and the Nielkoran as a mercenary.”

These people I wonder why they even leave this guy Santi in the first place. I don’t think I can handle Santi at this point.

“You are right about those Sylia but have you ever know what they are doing right now?”

“I have never heard anything from them Sir.”

“Well apparently my informants told me a lot of things about what happened after they left Winstow and did their own thing. The things I have heard from them are actually surprising.”

“What do you mean by that sir?”

“Forin is now a general of the Prentieo in the north and he’s actually good as a leader most of the battles he fought he wins.”

“But I haven’t heard that Forin did so, I would have heard it at least in the gossip of people.”

“That’s because the apprentices changed their names when they left here. Now going to the other people. Beron is now a renowned strategist for using only 100 people to fight against 10000 and emerged victorious with few casualties on his side. Now these 100 aren’t Deshars if that’s what you're thinking, this is a mix of Iristika, Quaraman, Folorn, Zaran, and Meran. They won using all sorts of things from what I heard, from traps, some heritage magic, and tactics I’ve never heard. And this isn’t defending from a fortification, this is all done in the forest. “ He pauses for a bit before continuing.

“Now Zitinna became an espionage unit back in her kingdom, and let me tell you she doesn’t disappoint when she’s doing a mission. I wouldn’t even dare cross her path, in short she became that dangerous. Now Erannon became a leader in a mercenary party known as the “Klento”.”

“Wait, you mean that Klento??????”

“There’s only one Klento in Marilt you know. One of the most fearsome groups this continent has ever known. I’m sure you’ve heard stories of them.”

“I’ve heard that they’ve finished a contract from one of the rulers and succeeded.”

Being out of the loop for 2 years really did work on me. I still hate that guy for turning me to this thing.

“You see now Sylia, Santi is a capable mentor even when he’s been a mercenary for like 10 years. He adapts pretty well into this lifestyle even as a 12 year old kid.. He wiped out a goblin army recently, I heard that he did this all alone. When he was younger he managed to catch a serial killer in town as a 16 year old. When he was 19 he managed to fend off an army of Zokun known as the undead from this town all by himself. These armies you see are in the hundreds from what I remember. I’m sure you remember some of them, Sylia. He’s one of the strongest here in Winstow.”

Wait, if this guy is so strong why is it that I haven’t heard anything like this, I’m sure I’ll hear at least something about this Santi guy. Even 2 years ago I would have heard something. I need to know more about this guy. I open my mouth to ask.

“It seems this guy is great and all, but I haven't heard anything from him at all I heard are the events sure but I didn’t hear a single thing about this guy at all.”

“That’s because he always requests that his name won’t be mentioned in any jobs he’s been in. He never likes to be known I guess. Even in this building only a few people have ever known him, including me and Sylia. I think he only has a few friends.”

“That explains that but I do wonder how he fights actually, if you don’t mind me asking.”

“Prina we have a policy here not to say anything on how our mercenary fights. It helps us not lose any mercenaries to people that want to do anything against them.”

“That makes sense, but what kind of person is he in the first place?”

Sylia then sits on the other chair and begins to speak. But at this point I could sense there’s a bit of sadness to it.

“You see Santi isn’t exactly a sociable person, he’s the type of guy that would be alone but doesn’t really want to be in the first place. Knowing him it may be due to some reasons I didn’t know. I hang out with him a couple of times but not enough to know him truly. But all I could say is this, he’s a person that you can trust, that's something I can guarantee you.” Her eyes are getting teary from where I’m sitting. What could’ve happened between them?

“I’ll trust you on your word Sylia.” As I hold her hand to make sure it’s alright.

A few moments pass as I said that, a silence then passes on then Veron interrupts the silence by saying.

“You know since Santi isn’t here yet, I suggest you go tour around Winstow, get the feel of it and know certain places.”

“I’ll take your offer. I have nothing to do as of now anyway.”

“Good now Sylia if you don’t mind can you be Prina’s guide? Don’t worry you will still have your wage today. I can promise you that.” Sylia wipes her eyes for a second, stands up and says.

“Sir Veron, it’ll be my utmost pleasure to do so.” I proceed to stand up and bow to Veron. Veron then gives us a nod as we go outside the room.

“So what is our first stop in this city Sylia?” I casually ask.

“Well you need to know where you get supplies, weapons, armor, books, and other such things first so we’re heading in the market district and show you how it works there.”

“Then show me the way Sylia, I’m sure we’re going to have a fun day.”