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Zarin stood at the edge of the bustling Guildhall, turning the bronze badge over in his hands. The intricate lion’s head on the badge gleamed in the low light, and he felt the weight of expectations that came with it. Thrust into this new world with no fundamental knowledge, he knew he had to figure out how the Guild worked—how to survive and, hopefully, succeed.

Determined, Zarin approached Guild Master Ordan, who had started chatting with a few adventurers near the large bulletin board that displayed available quests. Clearing his throat, Zarin caught the older man’s attention.

“Guild Master,” Zarin began cautiously, “I was wondering… I’ve got this bronze badge, but are there other ranks? And how does the ranking system in the Guild actually work?”

Ordan gave Zarin a puzzled look, his eyebrows raising in mild surprise. “You don’t know about the Guild’s ranks and how promotions work?” He scratched his beard thoughtfully. “That’s public knowledge, lad. Most adventurers know this before they even step foot in a Guildhall. Where’ve you been hiding?”

Zarin hesitated momentarily, realizing his lack of knowledge might seem strange. ‘Stick to the story,’ he reminded himself. “Well… I didn’t exactly have a normal upbringing,” he explained. “I got raised in a secret prison, hidden from the world. I’ve only recently escaped, and I’m still trying to figure things out.”

Ordan’s eyes narrowed slightly, curiosity piqued, but he didn’t push for further details. Instead, he gave a slight nod, accepting Zarin’s explanation. “I see. That explains a bit. Fair enough, lad.”

Zarin felt a wave of relief wash over him. ‘Good, he will not press me on it.’

“Right,” Ordan said, motioning for Zarin to follow him to a quieter corner of the Guildhall, away from the hustle and noise. Once they reached a more private area, Ordan leaned against a sturdy post, crossing his arms over his chest. “Let’s start with the basics. You’ve got a bronze badge now, which is the starting rank for most new recruits.”

Zarin nodded, listening closely.

Ordan continued, his voice steady and instructive. “The Guild ranks go: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Obsidian, and finally Adamantium. Each rank represents your skill, experience, and reputation within the Guild. Bronze is where most adventurers start, and they learn the ropes—proving themselves by completing quests and honing their abilities.”

Zarin nodded again, absorbing the information. “So how do I rise through the ranks?” he asked, eager to understand how the system worked.

Ordan smiled, clearly pleased by Zarin’s curiosity. “To move up in rank, lad, you’ll need to complete quests of the rank above yours. For example, to move from Bronze to Silver, you must complete a Silver-ranked quest to prove you can handle more challenging jobs.”

Zarin furrowed his brow, thinking it over. “So, I just need to complete one higher-ranked quest?”

Ordan shook his head, chuckling softly. “It’s not quite that simple. To even get the chance to take on a higher-ranked quest, you first have to prove yourself by completing several quests at your current rank. As a Bronze-ranked adventurer, you must complete many Bronze-tier quests first. Once you’ve done that, and the Guild thinks you’re ready, you’ll be allowed to take on a Silver-ranked quest.”

Zarin felt a little overwhelmed but nodded, trying to keep up. “And after I complete a Silver-ranked quest?”

“Then you’ll be tested,” Ordan replied. “Each rank has a test you must pass to advance. The test could be a specific mission, a challenge, or even a dangerous task. Still, it’s always appropriate for the rank you’re trying to reach.”

Zarin rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “So, to summarize: I complete a bunch of quests at my current rank, then I get a chance to undertake a quest of a higher rank, and if I succeed, I take a test to advance in rank officially?”

“That’s about the gist of it,” Ordan said, nodding. “Of course, it gets more complicated the higher you go. Silver’s the highest rank you can achieve here in Brellin.”

Zarin blinked in surprise. “Wait, Silver’s the highest?”

“Aye,” Ordan confirmed. “If you want to rise beyond Silver, you’ll have to move to one of the larger cities—specifically the capital, the Citadel. That’s where they handle the more dangerous quests, and you’ll find adventurers of higher ranks. Gold, Obsidian, and Adamantium are restricted for those who can handle the threats that put entire regions at risk.

Zarin nodded, feeling the weight of what Ordan was saying. “And how common are those higher ranks?”

Ordan’s expression grew more serious. “Not common at all. Gold ranks are rare across the kingdom—only a few dozen Guild-registered Gold-rank adventurers in the entire realm. As for Obsidian… well, there are only three Obsidian-ranked adventurers in the kingdom. They’re the elites who can single-handedly stop armies or take down beasts of legend.”

Zarin’s eyes widened. “And Adamantium?”

Ordan’s gaze darkened slightly. “There hasn’t been an Adamantium-ranked adventurer in over a few decades. The last one left behind a legend, and most adventurers still talk about him to this day. An Adamantium rank is practically mythic—a hero who can change the course of history. They don’t come around often, and none have risen to that level in quite some time.”

Zarin swallowed hard, feeling the enormity of what Ordan was describing. “So, you don’t just rise through the ranks by completing quests?”

“No,” Ordan said, shaking his head. “It’s not just about completing tasks. You need to have a reputation for the higher ranks—something that makes you stand out. Whether slaying a mighty monster, saving a village, or completing a near-impossible quest, you need deeds to your name that make you worthy of the next rank. Especially if you’re aiming for Gold or higher.”

Zarin thought back to his “victory” over Darin and couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. He’d barely survived that by luck alone, and now people expected more of him. “So… what about here, in Brellin?”

“Here,” Ordan grinned, “you can reach Silver rank. It’s the highest most adventurers get to in smaller towns like this. Once you hit Silver, you’re ready for tougher challenges. But if you’re aiming for Gold, you must head to the Citadel or other large cities. The Lionheads, our Guild, are one of the top five in the kingdom, you know,” Ordan added with pride. “People know our adventurers for their strength and cleverness,” Ordan added with pride.

Zarin nodded, still processing the information. “And the Guild itself? Is it just for this kingdom?”

Ordan shook his head. “No, lad. The Guild has branches all over the continent, but each region has its reputation. Here in the kingdom, we’re well-respected. And being a member of the Lionheads Guild puts you among some of the best. You’re officially part of us now that you’ve got that badge. But don’t forget,” Ordan said, giving Zarin a serious look, “you’ve got to prove yourself at every step. Don’t expect things to get any easier.”

Zarin looked down at the bronze badge in his hand, its weight feeling more significant with each word. “I understand, Guild Master. Thanks for explaining all of this.”

Ordan clapped him on the shoulder. “Good lad. Now get to work. You’ve got a long road ahead of you.”