The wooden door of the Healer's Guild creaked open as Cassian stepped inside, following close behind Silvia. The interior was calm and quiet, with the gentle scent of herbs lingering in the air. Light filtered through the stained-glass windows, casting faint golden patterns on the marble floor. It felt… peaceful.
At the registration desk stood a single woman—young, with chestnut hair tied in a neat bun and wearing a pale blue robe. She looked up, her eyes widening slightly when she saw Silvia.
"Lady Silvia," the woman greeted respectfully, bowing her head.
Silvia gave a small nod. "This boy is Cassian. He wishes to join the guild."
The receptionist's gaze turned toward him, her eyes curious. "A young healer? How rare. Here, fill this form out."
Cassian took the parchment and quill, but the moment he glanced at the paper, confusion spread across his face. The letters were completely foreign—unlike anything he'd ever seen. But before he could panic, the characters on the form suddenly shifted, reforming into a script he could understand. His eyes widened in silent awe.
Magic... again. It's like the paper just translated itself. This world's full of surprises.
With shaky hands, he filled the form as best he could and handed it back. The woman—Mira, as her nameplate read—took it and pulled out a thin silver card embedded with a crystal in the center.
"Now, infuse it with your mana… or blood."
Cassian paused. He had no idea how to use magic yet. After a moment of hesitation, he bit down gently on his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the card. The moment it touched, the crystal glowed with soft light before the blood vanished into it.
Mira examined the card, her brow lifting slightly. "You have an affinity for holy magic. A pure healer."
She then turned and disappeared into the backroom.
"Where did she go?" Cassian asked Silvia.
"She's connecting your registration to the guild's magical network," Silvia explained with that same calm tone. "Once linked, your card will be valid in any city."
Moments later, Mira returned and handed the card to him. It had his name, a unique serial number, and a glowing F-rank mark on the bottom.
"Congratulations," she said flatly. "You're now an official F-rank healer."
Before Cassian could process the moment, Silvia turned to leave.
"Wait…" he mumbled under his breath. A thousand thoughts crowded his mind. I don't have money. I don't even know how to cast a basic spell… I can't let her go.
Something inside his body resisted—an instinct, a weakness, a curse. But this time, Cassian pushed through it.
No. I won't live by this body's fear.
He moved quickly, stepping in front of Silvia just as she reached the door. She blinked, slightly surprised.
"What now?" she asked, arms crossed.
Cassian scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish. "I… I come from a small village and… well… I don't know how to use magic. I don't even know where to start."
Silvia narrowed her eyes. "So you're a complete novice."
He nodded. "The only healer in our village passed away. No one taught me anything. Please, can you help me just once more? I promise to repay you someday."
She studied him quietly for a moment before responding. "You have three choices," she said flatly. "First—work as an assistant under a proper healer. Second—take a loan and enroll in an academy. Third—self-study using books and relentless effort."
Cassian thought it through. With this cursed body, working under someone would be a nightmare. Taking a loan? I'd never pay it off. The only path left…
He bowed deeply, his voice firm. "Then I'll choose the third. I'll work hard. I won't waste your kindness."
Silvia blinked in surprise. It was rare to see someone so honest and determined—especially a healer. She gave a small nod but said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Mira watched him with wide eyes, thinking, Is he serious? Self-study? Does he think magic is something you learn from a book like cooking soup?
But Cassian didn't notice—or perhaps, he chose not to care.
After leaving a few instructions for Mira regarding books and basic guidance, Silvia finally turned to leave. Cassian gave her a grateful bow.
"Thank you. Truly."
She paused at the doorway, glancing over her shoulder. "Don't disappoint me."
With that, she was gone.
Cassian stood in the quiet guild hall, holding his new card close to his chest. The road ahead was unknown, but for the first time… it felt like he had taken the first step.
Silvia's (POV)
As Silvia walked through the cobbled streets, the wind brushing against her silver cloak, her thoughts returned to the boy.
"Self-study? Hmph. Either he's brave… or foolish."
But then she paused.
"Still... he looked straight into my eyes and didn't flinch. That's rare."
She glanced up at the sky, a soft sigh escaping her lips.
"Let's see how far you can go, Cassian."
Mira's(POV)
Mira watched the boy from behind the desk as he browsed through a dusty old bookshelf.
"He really meant it, huh? Studying magic alone? With no background, no teacher… just a name on a card."
She frowned.
"F-ranks don't last long out there. But sometimes… the most broken ones shine the brightest."
To be continued…