The Frugal Mage

Rayven was obviously happy with the promotion…

Soon, Guildmaster Warren gave him his new Silver Plate, the token that would identify him with his new rank.

"Thank you, Guildmaster." Rayven said as he accepted the silver token with some markings that should probably link to his information.

Rayven wanted to celebrate a little once he returned, since he had just been granted a leap in rank… However, as he thought that he should be leaving now, Warren seemed to have other things to discuss.

Warren leaned forward in his chair as he spoke seriously this time.

"There's something else, Rayven. You didn't just catch my attention with your duel… I think you'll solve a problem for me as well."

Rayven tilted his head. "A problem?"

The Guildmaster smiled, and this time, it seemed like a smile coming from a businessman.

"Yes. A team of Silver-ranked adventurers has been waiting for a replacement. They're a balanced unit, but their Tier 1 Mage suffered a severe injury in their last raid. Ahem… That Tier 1 is outstanding since he had two Spells, Magic Missile and Mana Shield…"

'Two spells… and that's already outstanding?' Rayven thought as he just nodded for now.

"The healers say he'll need at least a month before he's fit to join the field again. Until then, they're down a key member."

Rayven immediately understood what was happening.

"And you're suggesting me?"

Warren smiled faintly. "You're more than just a suggestion, Rayven. You're my recommendation. After all, you proved yourself capable of taking down Cedric. The team is short an initiate mage, and you happen to be a promising one."

Rayven hesitated. He had only been adventuring for a short while, and the thought of suddenly joining a team already accustomed to Silver-rank dangers gave him pause.

"I don't know them. Wouldn't they question taking in someone like me so suddenly?"

"They're pragmatic," Warren said smoothly. "Silver-ranked adventurers understand necessity. And you should know, their standards are higher. It won't be like copper or iron missions where teamwork is loose. In dungeon raids, discipline and coordination are everything. You'll have to prove that I didn't make a mistake promoting your rank..."

Rayven gently nodded as he considered this matter for a moment.

Even if he was only a temporary member, the chance to join a real team, one recognized by the Guild, wasn't something he could dismiss lightly. After all, it may also give him decent experience.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then you can continue alone. Take missions at your own pace. But you'd be missing out on connections, experience… and rewards." Warren said, as he also knew about Rayven's position in the Golden Coast Trading.

"Dungeon raiders earn more than coin. They find relics, rare materials, and gain recognition. This is especially true in this new dungeon. You'll need those if you truly intend to build the future you spoke of."

Rayven nodded as he also felt that this was a good idea.

Indeed, Warren's words hit closer than he liked. This wasn't just about adventuring, it was about securing the resources he would eventually need for his business and beyond.

After all, Dennis and the others were still Copper-Rank Adventurers, and he couldn't ask for their help just yet.

"I'll meet them…" Rayven finally said after some time.

"But I'll decide for myself if I'll join after seeing them in person."

Warren chuckled lightly. It was a warm, approving sound. "That's the spirit. Adventurers shouldn't accept blindly. Good. I'll arrange the meeting. They're due back from a scouting assignment tomorrow. You'll know soon enough if they're the right companions for you."

Rayven inclined his head, then rose from his seat. "Understood. Thank you, Guildmaster."

As he left the Guildmaster's office, Rayven felt excited, but he also knew that he had to be cautious in front of these Adventurers.

***

In the meantime, the five Silver-ranked adventurers that the Guildmaster was keeping an eye on sat together near the edge of the Adventurer's Guild outpost outside the 17th Dungeon…

They had just finished their mission for the day. It was earlier than they thought, because they didn't dare to go further…

Though they looked calm to onlookers, their conversation was filled with disappointment.

The group's leader, Drosk, a swordsman with short brown hair, couldn't help but feel dissatisfied with their current progress…

"Five days in, and we're still stuck scouting. If this keeps up, we'll be overtaken by the other Silver teams. Hell, even the newly promoted ones are moving faster than us."

Beside him sat another warrior. It was Hale. Though she had the same combat style as Drosk, she was faster than he and was quite respected within the group...

She had cropped black hair and a scar running along her shoulder, and was known for her dual blades…

"Not our fault. The Skitterfangs are everywhere. Even the healers say Josen won't be back for at least another month. Without him, we've got no long-range firepower worth speaking of."

The mention of their missing mage weighed heavily on them all.

Josen, their injured companion, had been the backbone of their formation. With his Magic Missile suppressing enemies at range and his Mana Shield protecting the frontline in crucial moments, they had been able to take risks that few other Silver teams dared.

Now, the remaining four were forced to play it safe.

"Safe…" however, was not how Victor felt.

He was the team's scout and had been doing most of the tasks they were accepting right now.

"Do you know how humiliating it feels? I laid out a full trap line… Pitfalls, snares, my newly bought mana-thread alarms, and still, those damn Skitterfangs shredded right through. If Josen were here, he'd have blasted them apart after getting caught with those wires."

Finally, there was Emma, the hunter within the group.

She had long red hair tied into a braid… The most noticeable thing about her was the quiver strapped to her back and a bow resting across her knees.

Archers weren't common adventurers after all.

"We're bleeding energy just to get by. Even with my arrows, I can't hold off swarms the way Josen's spells did. Skitterfangs are too fast…"

"I hope the guildmaster found us a decent Mage… Our weapons aren't suited for skitterfangs. This dungeon is a nightmare for us."