Arriving at Lily city, the city where it was built as an artificial large tree, they were stopped at the gate which was made of marble white stone. The design were as such that the travellers that passed by always looked back on it.

“Halt, state your business” said one of the guards. There were in total 6 guards that were present at the gate.

The gate being very wide allows for more people to past through unhindered but at the same time required more guards to be stationed there. Along with them, another two groups, also travellers as it seemed with a carriage were stopped.

“We're on guild business” stated Viv flashing the guild emblem to the guard.

Even though the guard did not see the details of the emblem, the design and general shape of the emblem was enough to prove that they were in fact part of an Independent Guild and a powerful one as well.

“You may go through. Please have a pleasant stay” said the guard almost bowing to them.

This caught the eyes of the other people in the area although Viv and for the most part, the rest of the group ignored the stares that they were getting.

However Miriel had to ask, “Why did that guard seem so respectful when he saw that guild emblem?”

“Yeah, is our guild that famous?” echoed Lyndis.

“It's not the guild emblem...well it is and is not at the same time. Guild emblems are split into 7 tiers and 4 colours. They are from the bottom, White, Purple, Gold and finally Black. Only S rank Independent Guilds have a black emblem. Besides if that guard saw the actual Guild Emblem he would be so worried that the city would be destroyed that he would not be able to speak” said Viv in a matter of fact.

The S.S centre was famous for many things...though most of them were rumours that involved them inadvertently destroying anything in sight including buildings, forts and whole cities if they need to. Who would want such creatures in their city?

“Hmm...how many S rank guilds are there?” asked Shadow.

“Including our one...there are currently three though in total there were eight. The other two are the 'Wise Men' and 'Gemchi' groups.”

“What happened to the other ones?”

“Got destroyed or failed too many quests in a row and got demoted or disband in the end. Maintaining an Independent Guild is harder than you think. Other than the expectations that the Kingdom haves of you, you must also clear other conditions. The most common and hardest is a set number of Guild Quests every few months. It gets harder the higher you go and many have crumpled after moving up a rank.”

“I see then...” The group looked at Viv worried of what will happen now that they gained extra members and yet had little time to do these Guild Quests.

“Don't worry, we rarely get to do anything in the first place. Besides, I completed a few while travelling with you guys at the same time. Anyway hold on since we're going to the next level” Viv said while steering the bull forward.

The bull moved forward on the road where it tilted upwards a bit. The group looked and there were multiple layers to this city and the tree that is the core of it.

“While I said there are generally two layers” Viv explained, “There are many many more layers in between the two where it is almost a maze to figure out where everything is.”

The carriage made a left turn, went up another layer and then up another two layers and then finally came to a stop.

“We're here” said Viv getting off the carriage. The group followed suit and followed him to a building that was partly ingrain into the tree.

And on top of the building was a sign that said: INDEPENDENT GUILD ADMINISTRATION CENTRE

Looking around Miriel noticed that there weren't any other people here despite the rest of the way, there were crowds of people in the way on the road.

“Don't people visit?” she finally asked.

Viv continued to walk to the building and said, “There are some spells that keep outsiders out. Almost unbreakable to all but the strongest people you can find. Only those related to an Independent Guild can enter. If not there would be too many people here and also...”

He opened the door.

“We only deal with the most troublesome tasks.”

“Ah Viv, it's good to see you again. I got the message that you have brought some friends?” said a female voice inside the building.

The group quickly followed inside where they were surprise that the inside was...so modern looking without the computers and technology part. One way to describe the inside of the building was that it looked and felt like a clinic or part of something very clean.

There, the group found Viv talking to a young lady that was at most in her mid twenties. She had long black hair with bits of blonde at the end almost like the colour was fading away at the end, a pretty face and a slim body wearing no armour but a stylish set of clothes with a long skirt.

And in her arms was a baby.

“This is Alena, who works with the city and otherwise to make sure things are running fine” said Viv introducing her.

“Nice to meet you” said Sain bowing slightly. The others did the same as well as Viv introduced them to her.

“These guys are the new recruits that need training. Sain is the one at the front, the black haired on is Miriel, the red haired one is Lyndis, the short on is Serena, the blonde one is Raven and the one that you can sort of see and not see is Shadow.”

Alena let out a chuckle and said, “The way you explain it is too simple. It might hurt their feelings” reprimanding Viv a bit.

Then she looked around a bit peering behind where the group walked through and asked, “So...no one else came as well? Perhaps...” she looked sad asking this.

Viv shook his head and said, “Eden and Al have work to do especially right now where they are needed most. Besides six months ago, Ron destroyed half the city in his rampage while Eden was asleep...”

Alena looked amused and said, “That sounds like him...sleeping on the job. Always...”

“Anyway I have to leave as well. I'm counting on you to take care of them. I'm certain that you have some tasks for them to complete while they're here...” Viv looked at them, “Also could you design some new clothes for them? They look quite ragged from the trip.”

“Of course” replied Alena waving Viv good bye as he left the group here with her. With Viv gone, the group looked at Alena on what to do.

“Right!” she said with confidence, “First I will need your measurements” taking out some measuring tap and moving to close the door.

“You boys can move into that room over there” she pointed at a door, “While you girls stay here since I suspect you wish to discuss on the outfits you will be wearing later on” with a hint of cheek.

The males of the group did so and entered the room which looked like a waiting room with sofas and a large table at the centre. Compared to the room that they entered from the entrance, it was very small.

Meanwhile on the other side of the door, Alena moved the girls to another room just in case which was her work room. Pieces of cloths and unfinished and finished outfits were everywhere. The girls knew immediately that Alena was a pro at this.

And as such they spent the next hour on a heated discussion on not only theirs and the boys' own outfits as well.

Onwards?PreviousExitNext

Author's Notes:

- 5th Volume start! Now I can finally get to writing more interesting things since most of their training (For now) has been completed!