THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David glanced around the guildhall, his sharp gaze taking in the lively atmosphere. The room was packed wall-to-wall with adventurers of varying skill levels, their armor gleaming under the flickering light of enchanted lanterns. The air buzzed with energy, a mix of excitement and tension that seemed almost tangible.

"Is it always this crowded?" David asked, keeping his voice low as he adjusted the cloak draped over his shoulders.

Mariana chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Not usually," she admitted. "Most of the time, the monsters from the sea keep to themselves. They're content in their watery domain and rarely venture onto land. But right now…"

She trailed off, motioning to the throngs of adventurers around them. "Every year, around this time, something extraordinary happens. A dungeon rises from the depths of the ocean. Adventurers from across the empire flock here to take part in the event."

"A dungeon?" Luna echoed, her ears perking up beneath her hood.

Mariana nodded, her tone taking on a reverent edge. "Not just any dungeon. This one is called the Leviathan's Abyss. It's an ancient, treacherous place said to be teeming with untold treasures—and unimaginable dangers. The allure is irresistible to adventurers seeking glory and fortune."

David absorbed her words, his brow furrowing in thought. Something about the name struck a chord deep within him. Leviathan's Abyss…

His mind clicked. The memories of Salomonis flooded back, weaving together with fragments of his own knowledge. The name wasn't just a legend; it was a key. A key to something far greater. Somewhere within the depths of this dungeon lay the Codex of the Sea, a relic of immense power that both he and Salomonis had sought to understand.

His thoughts raced, the pieces of the puzzle snapping into place. If the codex was truly hidden within the abyss, then this wasn't a coincidence. This was destiny.

Before he could dwell further, a sharp voice cut through his thoughts.

"Excuse me, Lady Mariana," the male receptionist called, striding toward them with a furrowed brow. His expression was tense, his earlier confidence replaced by unease.

Mariana tilted her head, a flicker of concern crossing her face. "What is it?"

The receptionist hesitated, his gaze flicking to David and Luna before focusing on Mariana. "I'm afraid I have some bad news regarding your ranked match request."

David exchanged a glance with Luna.

The receptionist shifted uncomfortably, his hands clasped in front of him. "Lady Mariana, with all due respect, your reputation precedes you. As the Flaming Blade, your name carries weight even beyond these walls. Few A-ranked adventurers feel they can match your skill, and I'm afraid they've rejected your offer for a match."

His voice softened, and he bowed his head slightly. "I deeply apologize for not meeting your request. I understand the frustration this may cause."

Mariana sighed, crossing her arms as she leaned slightly on the counter. "Figures. I thought at least some of them would have the guts to take me on. Guess I was wrong."

Luna, who had been silently observing, smirked. "I didn't realize you were that strong around here," she teased.

Mariana shot Luna a sarcastic look, one eyebrow raised. "Oh, please. Coming from you? Don't pretend you're not a monster yourself, far beyond the likes of these adventurers."

Luna grinned but said nothing, enjoying Mariana's reaction.

David, who had been quietly watching the exchange, turned to Mariana. "No need to apologize. It's not a waste of time," he said, his voice calm. "But if none of them will fight you, then maybe I can step in."

Mariana blinked, surprised. "You? You want to request a ranked match?"

David nodded. "Why not? Might as well see what this system is all about."

The receptionist furrowed his brow, looking David up and down. "Sir, if you wish to request a ranked match, I'll need your Adventurer ID."

David tilted his head. "I don't have one."

The receptionist sighed, shaking his head. "Without an Adventurer ID, it won't be possible to arrange a ranked match. The system requires all participants to be registered and ranked accordingly."

Mariana frowned, feeling a twinge of guilt. "Sorry, David. I should've known this would happen. We're just wasting your time—"

David raised a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "Not a waste of time. Besides, there's always a way." He looked at the receptionist. "I'm an acquaintance of Mariana's. Surely there's something you can do to measure my strength."

The receptionist's eyes widened slightly, and he glanced between Mariana and David. "Well… I suppose, given your association with Lady Mariana, there is an alternative. We have a strength-assessment chamber in the guild. It's designed to gauge potential recruits and determine their suitability for certain ranks."

David smirked. "That'll do."

"Follow me, then," the receptionist said, motioning toward a side hallway.

As they walked, Luna leaned closer to Mariana, her voice low but teasing. "Looks like he's about to show off."

Mariana chuckled. "If he's anything like I think he is, this should be interesting."

The group entered a spacious room lined with polished stone and faintly glowing runes etched into the walls. At the center was a large crystal orb mounted on a pedestal, surrounded by a series of intricate glyphs. The air hummed with latent energy, giving the space an almost reverent feel.

The receptionist gestured to the orb. "This is our strength-assessment tool. Place your hand on the orb and channel your energy into it. The glyphs will react and assign a preliminary rank based on your output."

David approached the orb, his expression calm but focused. "That's it?"

"That's it," the receptionist confirmed. "But be warned, it's highly sensitive. If you push too much energy into it, the glyphs may overload."

Mariana and Luna watched with bated breath as David placed his hand on the orb. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the runes began to glow faintly, pulsating in rhythm with his energy.

The light intensified, spreading outward in a cascade of colors. The glyphs on the floor shimmered, their intricate patterns shifting and rearranging themselves as the orb absorbed David's power.

The receptionist's jaw dropped as the crystal began to hum, the sound growing louder with each passing second. "What… what kind of energy is this?" he muttered, his voice tinged with awe.

Luna simply grinned, her eyes glinting with anticipation.

The orb flashed one final time before the light dimmed, leaving the room in stunned silence.