THE CHOSEN ONE

7 - A Guild

As I slowly digested Lai's words, a wave of realization washed over me, like a tide pulling me into the depths of an ocean filled with uncharted possibilities. I had come to understand that I was no longer in my previous world—the one I had always known, filled with its mundane routines and predictable patterns—or even in the game world I had previously inhabited, where the rules felt comfortable and familiar. Instead, I was in a real fantasy world, a place teeming with magic, adventure, and the stirring excitement of the unknown. This was a realm that deviated significantly from the tropes and conventions I had absorbed from books, films, and video games over the years. What I once believed was standard in every fantasy universe was now called into question, as I began to acknowledge that this world operated on its own unique set of rules, rules that I had yet to grasp fully.

"So you can't measure how strong you are?" I said, flopping back onto the bed, its softness contrasting sharply with the heaviness in my heart. The sheer magnitude of this newfound reality overwhelmed me. The notion that I could no longer track my progression or advancement struck at the very core of my being, sending ripples of uncertainty through my mind. In the game world, power levels and stats served as clear-cut indicators of strength, a reassuring structure that provided a sense of control and understanding. But here, everything felt entirely different and considerably more complex, leaving me grappling with an unsettling feeling of vulnerability.

Lai responded with patience, her voice steady and comforting amid my swirling thoughts. "There’s no such thing as power levels here," she explained, her expression becoming serious as she continued. "However, we can at least assess what class our opponents belong to based on their magical abilities. That is, of course, unless they intentionally conceal their true powers. In the heat of battle, especially when two magicians are fighting to the death, they often reveal their abilities early on to survive or to gain the upper hand in the first moments of confrontation. It's a high-stakes game of strategy and nerve."

She continued, her enthusiasm palpable as she animatedly described the different classes of magic wielders, her eyes sparkling as if each word ignited a new fire of excitement within her. "For instance, those in the Master Class, who have truly mastered their elements, can set intricate traps or unleash unexpected strategies right from the get-go. They are seasoned combatants, often thinking several steps ahead of their opponents, weaving complexities into their spells like a master artist with a canvas. On the other hand, King Class magicians tend to approach battles with a more calculated mindset; they assess their opponents thoroughly before making any hasty moves."

As I listened, I found myself drawn deeper into the intricate web of this world. Each class held its own mysteries and methodologies, and I was eager to unravel them, despite my initial trepidation.

Lai's voice continued, vibrant and compelling, as she outlined the dynamics of the lower classes. "Lower classes, like commoners or knights, typically throw everything they’ve got at their opponents from the outset. They do this because, if they hesitate, they stand virtually no chance against the higher-class magicians. They are often unaware of their opponents' classifications, so it’s better for them to go all out in an attempt to overpower a foe from a common or knight class before they have to face a formidable Master Class." She paused momentarily, glancing at me to gauge my reaction before resuming. "That could be disastrous if they simply bide their time, waiting for the right moment that may never come."

Taking a breath, she went on, her passion infectious. "The King Class is a league of its own, possessing immense power and knowledge. They have mastered all four elemental magics to such a degree that they've even invented a new element beyond those four. Whatever tricks or techniques a Master Class magician might employ, the King Class will already be familiar with them. That’s why their rule over kingdoms remains unchallenged; they possess both the power to dominate and the insights necessary to govern effectively. It’s a delicate balance of might and wisdom."

As Lai passionately delineated the intricacies of this fantastical world, I couldn’t help but admire her focus and enthusiasm; it was so rare to see someone speak with such fervor about their craft. Despite the intensity of the information she was imparting, I found her determination and passion quite charming, lighting a spark of inspiration within me. The complexity of this realm was daunting, certainly, but with each detail she shared, I felt a flicker of excitement stir within me, mingling seamlessly with the apprehension of what lay ahead in this extraordinary world where magic might define every encounter. With a newfound resolve, I knew I had to embrace the challenges that awaited me, ready to chart my destiny in this land of wonder and danger, a place where the rules of reality were still being written.

“Earlier, you mentioned that we shouldn’t join an existing guild, so I’m wondering—what if we create one of our own?” I asked, my gaze firmly locked onto Lai, an intensity in my eyes that reflected the seriousness behind my inquiry. The air between us pulsed with anticipation, as if the very notion of founding a guild together could reverberate through the very fabric of this world we inhabited.

In my experiences thus far, I have come to realize that guilds here were not the fluid, open entities I had once envisioned. There was a rigidity about them that quickly became apparent, a binding force that attached them closely to specific kingdoms. The thought of being constrained by the strictures and allegiances of a singular Kingdom was unsettling. Even with Lai's unwavering support, I felt the weight of limitations pressing down on my spirit. I craved the freedom to chart my own course, to create something remarkable that would defy stereotypes and conventions—similar to the innovative guilds I had crafted in countless game worlds throughout my life. The idea of us building this guild from the ground up together filled me with an electrifying sense of ambition, making my heart race at the thought of the limitless possibilities it could offer.

"You want to create a guild from scratch? That’s quite ambitious, Mr. Vin. But, if I’m being honest, I doubt there's a single Kingdom in this world devoid of some established guild,” Lai remarked thoughtfully, her brow knitting together as she processed my suggestion. “The only Kingdom I can truly speak of is my father's, which is still in its infancy, having been founded merely a decade ago. We don’t have a flourishing population of citizens skilled in magic; indeed, most of the few who do possess magical talents belong to the Common Class of magicians.”

She paused, her expression shifting as she reflected deeper on the topic at hand. “From what I’ve read in various tomes, it appears that newly formed kingdoms often depend on those wandering adventurers who’ve grown disillusioned with their own realms. Such adventurers typically hold the potential to catalyze the formation of new guilds. Alternatively, there’s another darker route—one could consider acquiring adventurers through various means, including purchasing them from slave traders. Employing individuals bound by servitude might seem like an unfortunate shortcut to secure a loyal base of members, as they wouldn’t demand the resources or continuous financial backing that free adventurers might require."

As her voice softened, a veil of sorrow wrapped around her words, revealing the burden of her thoughts. “However,” she continued, “the reality is stark. Even obtaining a single knight-class slave, someone skilled enough to fight and protect, comes at an astronomical price. Our kingdom remains so small and impoverished that we simply can't shoulder such expenses without risking total depletion of our resources. As it stands now, we don’t even possess a guild; my father is merely biding his time, hoping that a wandering adventurer might stumble upon our humble Kingdom and decide to make it their home.”

Her gaze fell out the window, and the changing light infused her long face with patches of sun-dappled illumination, framing her features in a delicate chiaroscuro. I could see how her thoughts drifted far beyond the present moment, wandering through avenues of dreams yet unfulfilled, visions of a future that seemed perpetually just out of reach. In that fleeting instant, a pang of empathy struck me, an inexplicable ache in my chest, as I became acutely aware of the hopes she carried and the weight of her dissatisfaction. It felt as if our aspirations intertwined at that moment, creating a shared understanding of the struggles we faced in a world that often seemed determined to resist our desires.