The Extra's Rise-Chapter 405: Silver-Rank Guild (1)

"When do we return to Mythos Academy?" Cecilia asked, her question hanging in the air between us. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

I glanced at the ornate calendar displayed on one wall of the reception room. It was still winter break—the second semester wouldn't begin for another two and a half weeks.

"Soon," I replied, "but there's something I need to do first."

The realization had been building since my return. Before I was a student, before I was involved with these four remarkable women, I had accepted another responsibility.

"Ouroboros," Rose said, understanding immediately. "You've been gone almost a year."

I nodded. "As the Guildmaster, I can't just reappear and not check in. There must be a thousand issues that have built up in my absence."

"Elias has been managing things," Rose offered. "We kept an eye on the guild when we could. It's grown considerably."

"All the more reason I should go as soon as possible," I said.

Seraphina's expression remained neutral, but I could detect a hint of approval in her eyes. "Responsibility should not be neglected, regardless of personal circumstances."

Cecilia's lips curved into a small smile as she watched our exchange. Then, with a casual grace that belied the significance of her actions, she reached into a pocket of her jeans and withdrew a small object.

"You might find this useful," she said, tossing it to me.

I caught it reflexively, then opened my palm to examine what she'd given me. A guild license—but not just any license. The metallic card gleamed with a distinctive seven-star insignia.

My eyes widened. "A seven-star adventurer license? How did you—"

"Your defeat of the Bishop in Vryndall," Cecilia explained simply. "I had it processed through official channels. All quite legitimate, I assure you."

I stared at the license in disbelief. Seven-star adventurers were never given to those who hadn't ascended beyond the Wall. Of course, I was an exception in which I could beat those who had gone beyond the Wall without doing so myself, but regardless, there was no precedent.

"This is..." I trailed off, understanding the political maneuvering that must have been required.

"It wasn't easy," Cecilia admitted, a hint of her imperial authority bleeding into her tone. "The Summit of Twelve Great Guilds questioned why the Empire was going so far into guild affairs."

"And yet you did it anyway," I said, examining the license more carefully. My name, etched in official script. My identification details. And those seven stars, each representing a level of achievement and authority few ever attained.

"Use it well," Cecilia said, her eyes meeting mine. The unspoken message was clear—this was more than a gift. It was a tool, one she expected me to wield effectively.

"Thank you," I said, understanding the weight of what she'd done. The Empire rarely involved itself in Guild affairs. For the Princess to intervene personally would have caused ripples throughout the political landscape.

"It was the least I could do," she replied with a casual shrug that didn't quite mask her satisfaction.

Rachel leaned over to examine the license. "Seven stars," she murmured. "You know what this means for Ouroboros, don't you?"

I did. A guild's ranking was influenced by its highest-ranked member. With a seven-star adventurer as Guildmaster, Ouroboros would instantly qualify to become a Silver-ranked guild—opening doors to contracts, territories, and resources that had previously been beyond our reach.

"When will you go?" Rose asked practically.

"Today," I decided. The sooner I reestablished my presence at the guild, the better. "I should be back by evening."

The four girls exchanged meaningful glances before nodding in silent agreement.

"Go," Cecilia said, a hint of reluctance beneath her imperial tone. "Your guild needs you."

"We'll catch up later," Rachel added with a gentle smile. "You have responsibilities to attend to."

And so I made my way to Ouroboros alone, thoughts racing ahead to what might await me. Eleven months was a long time for any organization to function without its leader, especially one as young and ambitious as our guild.

As I approached the building, I noticed immediate changes. The modest structure I'd left behind had expanded considerably, with new wings extending from the central hall. The insignia above the entrance gleamed with fresh polish, the serpent devouring its own tail now rendered in more elaborate detail.

"No way," a familiar voice exclaimed as I neared the entrance. Elias emerged from the building, eyes widening in disbelief. He rubbed them vigorously, as if clearing a hallucination. "You're alive, boss!"

"Of course I am," I replied with a slight smile, pulling out my license. The seven stars caught the sunlight, drawing Elias's stunned gaze. "Anyway, we have work to do. Come to my office, now."

He nodded quickly, falling into step beside me. As we walked through the main hall, I noticed significantly more members than before—at least triple our previous numbers. Some wore the Ouroboros emblem proudly on their armor or clothing, while others worked at stations I didn't recognize.

"Guild Master," Elias said, his voice lowered, "we should get both Vice Guild Master and Ms. Reika."

"Reika?" I questioned, catching something in his tone.

"Yes, Guild Master," he confirmed with a grimace. "She was... affected by your absence."

I understood his meaning immediately. Reika had joined Ouroboros for one purpose alone—to serve as my sword. Not the guild's sword, but mine specifically. Her devotion had always bordered on the extreme.

"What did she do?" I asked, already dreading the answer.

"You should see for yourself," Elias sighed as we reached what was apparently still my office, despite the new furnishings and expanded floor space. We stepped inside, and he immediately sent messages to summon Kali and Reika.

They arrived within minutes—Kali first, her confident stride unchanged despite the new, more practical attire she wore. Gone were the flashy accessories, replaced by functional gear that spoke of someone who'd spent more time in the field than behind a desk.

"I was sure you died," she stated bluntly, leaning against the doorframe with calculated casualness that didn't quite mask her relief. "About time you showed up, Arthur."

"Of course not," I replied, matching her nonchalance. "Death would be too inconvenient right now."

A smile tugged at her lips. "Eleven months without a word, and that's the best you've got? I've been running this place into the ground in your absence, you know."

"Somehow I doubt that," I countered, noting the guild's obvious growth.

'She's reached the Wall,' Luna informed me privately. 'Give her a few months, and you'll have another seven-star adventurer in your ranks.'

That was excellent news. Kali had always been exceptional, but to reach the Wall in such a short time spoke volumes about her potential.

'I'm sure she could pass the advancement test now,' I thought, 'but I don't want to attract too much attention from the Twelve Great Guilds yet.'

After all, Integration-rankers with seven-star licenses were practically unheard of. And despite our growth, we were still far from being able to challenge the Diamond-rank guilds.

Our banter was interrupted by the soft click of the door. Reika entered with fluid grace, her movements economical yet elegant. She wore simple attire—black training clothes with minimal embellishments—but it was her presence that caught my attention.

This level of growth... it was beyond exceptional. It was ridiculous.

Absolutely ridiculous.

'She figured it out,' I realized with growing amazement.

She had discovered how to use her Gift to its fullest potential.

I activated Soul Vision and Seraphim's Embrace simultaneously, peering deeper into her essence. The Cursed Script written across her skin glowed in my enhanced perception—intricate patterns that rewrote the very rules of her existence.

'How ridiculous,' I thought, a smile forming despite myself.

When Reika's eyes met mine, the carefully maintained composure she normally wore cracked completely. Her lips parted in disbelief, eyes widening with an emotion so raw it was almost painful to witness.

"Arthur," she whispered, using my name instead of my title. For a heartbeat, she remained frozen, as if afraid I might vanish if she moved.