"Innkeeper! Are you still serving dinner at this time of night?"

  A young man stood in the flickering lantern light of the inn's entrance, his fingers deftly lifting off his ornate knight helmet. As he removed it, a handsome face emerged, framed by wild, cascading locks of red hair and fair skin. His striking green eyes sparkled as he made a confident smile, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, bestowing an air of nobility upon him.

  An old innkeeper, a burly man with a weathered face and greying beard, was sweeping the food hall with a straw broom. The rhythmic sound of bristles against the wooden floor faded as he gazed toward an open window. Two moons began their climb toward the midnight zenith. One moon, a deep shade of purple and twice the size of its counterpart, emanated an ethereal glow. The smaller, orange moon seemed to shimmer in response, both celestial bodies encircled by intricate rings that created the illusion of halo discs, casting a mesmerising light that danced across the inn's interior.

  "You are in luck! My wife cooked too much chicken and mushroom soup for the night. If you can accept a humble meal, I can serve it!" The old innkeeper answered.

  "We are the 'Summoned Ones' from another world. Not your nobles, so soup is more than fine."

  "We?"

  The knight moved to allow a bronze-skinned woman in light blue robes, long dark black hair, and crystal grey eyes to follow into the inn. She looks to be around sixteen years old and is holding two dead Rabbits with their long spiral horns poking through the skull between their long ears.

  "Would your wife be willing to butcher and cook up these rabbits? You can keep one and serve us the other. It would also be lovely if you could pair that soup with any leftover bread and cheese of the day."

  The eyes of the innkeeper widened as he inspected the horns with his fingers to feel their texture. He even tried to separate them from the skull and failed.

  "Sorry, I just had to check if they were real Horned Rabbits. Since they are genuine, each horn is worth a gold coin. Are you sure you want to give one to me?"

  "Keep both their horns as payment for making you work so late, and please prepare your best two rooms for us."

  The innkeeper bowed in thanks but nervously replied in a regretful tone.

  "Afraid I only have one good room left, though it's big and nice enough for the two of you if you are comfortable sharing."

  "We are siblings, so it shouldn't be an issue."

  The knight responded as he approached a rustic wooden table and chair in the inn's food hall. He pulled a large steel shield from his back and rested it against the table leg before sitting down and sighing.

  The innkeeper seemed confused as he couldn't find any family resemblance.

  "We're step-siblings, so it's a bit complicated. But I want to be accommodating if you're willing to sleep on the floor," the young woman in blue robes said, trying to express her concern. She noticed the annoyed look on the knight’s face and continued gently, "I understand how you feel."

  "Hey! I still see you as my older sister, no matter our family ties! How can you forget the nights when you allowed me to share your bed because Mom and Dad were fighting?"

  "That was when you were 8, and I was 15. It's been only a year since I was summoned to this new world, yet you show up at my Guild all grown up at 18. It's hard to reconcile the boy I remember with the young man before me."

  "Well... Imagine my surprise when I found my runaway, assumed dead step-sister walking around in another world looking younger than me."

  "Run away? I was summoned to this world!"

  "I get that now! It's only been ten months for you and ten years for me before I got summoned. So, how about you take a seat, and let's try to catch up to avoid being strangers to each other."

  The innkeeper could not keep up with their conversation, but he noticed that the temperature in the room had dropped by several degrees. Frost began covering the furniture and wooden floor around her as she walked over to the table to sit. A cold smile on her face seemed to spook her stepbrother.

  "A Cryomancer?" The innkeeper whispered in shock.

  "We need some privacy, if you don't mind."

  "I will go help my wife prepare the rabbits!"

  The innkeeper performed a deep bow before quickly limping towards the kitchen and shutting the door to offer the step-siblings some privacy.

  "Now that we are alone. We can finally talk about how you ended up here. But before that, how is my mom?" The Cryomancer asked.

  "She passed away a month after you disappeared."

  "Mom... died? How?" Her voice trembled with a mix of shock and grief.

  "She went into severe depression and stopped eating when Dad and the police failed to find you. She blamed herself for marrying him and forcing you to run, and the guilt eventually took her life."

  "That's... horrible! Why didn't anyone help her?"

  "Dad did put her into therapy, gave her all the recommended meds and kept searching for you even after the police gave up. But none of it helped her move on, and she passed away in her sleep. The doctors thought she lost the will to live."

  Tears streamed down her face before she began to sob for several minutes, mourning the loss. The temperature in the room kept getting lower to the point it felt like the inn was turning into a refrigerator. Her stepbrother endured the cold as he studied her until she regained her composure.

  "Please know that I went to the old abandoned amusement park we used to go to as a family to escape their fighting for a day. But there was a gang using that place to hide their drugs and had turned it into their secret hideout-"

  "Did those scumbags hurt-" Her stepbrother interrupted before she interrupted him.

  "I ran into the house of mirrors before they could touch me and found a glowing white portal with a forest on the other side. I jumped into it without thinking and ended up in the 'Testing Grounds' before the portal closed behind me."

  "I am glad you didn't get hurt. I also used that same portal to get here."

  "The same one? From what the other Summoned Ones told me, I thought they appeared at random spots in every country."

  "That's true, but before I explain how I found it. Do you want to know what happened to you over the past 10 years?"

  "Yes!"

  "Dad put me in boarding school, saying that I needed a change of scenery and therapy. He also passed away before my 18th birthday. I went back home to attend his funeral and decided to visit the places we used to enjoy as a family. It led me to the same amusement park where I found that gang you mentioned."

  "Did they chase you, too?"

  "HAHA! I beat the shit out of them when I saw one wearing your old jacket that mom embroidered with your name on it in blue."

  "Oh? I remember throwing it at one of them as they chased me through the park. But when did you become a fighter capable of taking down a criminal gang?"

  "Well, I thought they did something worse to you. Something in me broke, and I went after them all without thinking about the consequences. Plus, my life at the boarding school wasn't a pleasant place to grow up if I couldn't fight back. I almost choked the life out of their boss until he told me they did nothing to you and that you disappeared somewhere in the house of mirrors. I spared his life and let his gang run away before going into that building. There was nothing unusual about it, but a portal appeared when I called out your name out of frustration."

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "It just appeared like that? Why would you dare to enter it?"

  "I am not sure. Something in me said you must have gone through it, and I wanted to see where you went. Granted, I didn't expect it to be a one-way door."

  "Do you regret going through it?"

  "Not anymore since I found you, since you are the only family I have left. Anyways, I was planning to join the army after the funeral, so it's not like my future life there was not worth losing out on."

  The Cryomancer blushed and developed a few more tears before wiping them away with a smile.

  "I'm glad you came for me... wait... how did you know which guild I was in?"

  "I was trying to get in. But I got rejected like the other ones I applied to. It was either a coincidence or fate to find you there."

  "How many guilds did you try before mine?"

  "Yours was the seventh one this week. I keep getting rejected without an explanation."

  "Did you tell them you want to be a pure melee warrior?"

  "I always saw myself as a knight while growing up. So I decided that's the only path for me. But, they recommended I join a mercenary force instead."

  "Mercenary groups have several hundred fighters skilled in close combat and ranged attacks. Guilds prefer Pure Mages or Hybrid Mages."

  "Why is that?"

  "Monsters and magical beasts are weak against elemental spells like Pyro, Hydro, Geo, Electro, or primal spells that use Solar and Lunar. So, Guilds highly value Pure Mages and Hybrid Mages. While melee fighters depend on physical strength and stamina, they are not seen as valuable because many magical beasts resist physical attacks.

  However, training a mage to become powerful takes time and money. It involves extensive education in complex magic and spending on rare materials for casting spells. On the other hand, raising a melee fighter is usually simpler and less expensive, focusing mostly on physical training and weapons.

  Guilds offer a stable mage environment, providing permanent membership, resources, and benefits like access to special spells and connections with other mages. These perks can greatly enhance a mage's skills and reputation. In contrast, Mercenary groups offer short-term contracts. While these contracts provide quick rewards, they lack the long-term benefits and security that Guilds offer."

  "That's all? Why didn't anyone tell me this?"

  "Did you read the 'Newbie Guidebook' sold in the market?"

  "There is a Guidebook? I only went to the Blacksmith shop in the market to pay for gear with the Horned Rabbits I hunted. Since I arrived, I have been hunting alone in the forest for Soul Cores to get to Soul Rank 10 as fast as possible."

  "Alone in the forest?"

  "Yes, is that a problem?"

  "Battling a Magical Beast, an Ancient Beast, or creatures like Goblins, Orcs, and Trolls can be too much for one person. Summoned Ones lack combat and survival skills, so they team up in groups when they first enter the forest through the portal. This teamwork helps them face the dangers in the Testing Grounds.

  These groups usually stay together until they reach Soul Rank 10. Afterwards, they join guilds and mercenary groups or form an adventuring party to stick together. That’s why it seems unusual to meet someone alone, since they don’t survive long unless they choose a summoner or tamer class to fight with them."

  "Well, I was strong enough to survive alone!" He thumped his chest with pride.

  "That is certainly amazing, but also stupid and risky. What if you got injured and couldn't run away? You would have died alone, and I would never have known you were here."

  "Oh, your sisterly instincts kicking in? I'm touched."

  "Cool it with the sister nonsense. So what do you plan to pick for your second Class at Soul Rank 50?"

  "Like I said, I want to be a pure knight. So I will pick something that complements it."

  "What about the Tamer Class?"

  "To tame and ride a horse? Can't I buy one from the stables?"

  "Why is your imagination limited to a Horse? With all the magical beasts in this world, why not aim to ride a Dragon?"

  The knight gulped when it dawned on him the possibilities a tamer class could open for him.

  "Are you asking me to hunt down a Dragon and tame it? Sounds like you are trying to get me killed."

  "Geez, a wild Dragon egg is almost impossible since their parents will turn you into ash if you enter their den. I recommend you get a dragon egg, hatch it, and raise it till you can ride on its back."

  "Oh? That sounds easy. Can I get one in the market?"

  "Hahaha! No, they are too precious to be sold there. Fortunately, my Guild has a Dragon Tamer who sells their eggs to our members. I will buy one for you."

  "Hold on, Dragon Eggs sound expensive. What's the cost to you?"

  "1000 gold coins and clearing 5fivequests reserved for those who reach Soul Rank 50 and unlock their second Combat Class."

  "Woah! Are you that rich and strong?"

  "No, I only have 120 gold coins and am still at Soul Rank 30. But I have time since you can only combine your classes into Dragon Knight at Soul Rank 100."

  "What's the difference between riding a Dragon and the Dragon Knight Class?"

  "I can see why you are confused. Technically, a knight who rides a Dragon should be considered a Dragon Knight. But does not mean its power becomes yours."

  "Meaning, unlocking the class lets me get Dragon abilities?"

  "As long as you tame a dragon and achieve 100% affinity with it before Soul Rank 100, you can unlock the blessing to the Dragon Knight Skill Tree, which will allow you to harness the mana in your Dragon."

  "What kind of Mana does a Dragon have?"

  "It's a strength and elemental damage multiplier. All your physical attacks will get a boost, and any elemental spells you use will also boost damage power."

  "Woah! Wait... but I can't use Elemental Spells."

  "Suppose you bond with a Pyro Dragon. Then, you can harness its power to use Pyro Spells, and all the mana will come from your Dragon instead of your body. You can also absorb its Draconic Mana to grow Dragon Scales over your skin, get their sight, and the ability to speak to other Dragons."

  "Damn! Then, it's worth pursuing. But I can not let you spend 1000 Gold Coins for me. Won't you need it for your development as a Mage?"

  "Look, if you are willing to be my Dragon Knight, I will get you that egg."

  "As in, I become your knight? Like a bodyguard?"

  "The Dragon Knight serves as a devoted bodyguard on the battlefield, but their role goes even further. The bond between the Mage and the Dragon Knight is truly special, as it connects their souls. This allows the Mage to draw mana from the Dragon, enhancing the power of their elemental spells. While this capability might appear quite strong, establishing a Soulbond requires the Mage and the Knight to be compatible and to communicate openly without any mental barriers."

  "It sounds like a marriage vow to me. I can't see you in that way."

  "Friends can also create a Soulbond, but they must have high trust. If it is insufficient, the connection may not form or could even break, causing harm to their souls. Therefore, it's crucial to select a partner carefully."

  "But why go through all the trouble of raising me as a Dragon Knight? Wouldn't it be easier to find a boyfriend or husband who is already one?"

  "That was the plan... but knowing that you came to this world to find me after 10 years is a good reason to choose you."

  The knight perked up at that.

  "So, how do I go about explaining our relationship?"

  "Huh? Why bring that up?"

  "You were pretty clear to the innkeeper that I am not even a sibling in your eyes. So what exactly are we to each other if we have to share a room like tonight or bind our souls to each other in the future?"

  "I am fine with referring to you as my brother in front of others, alright?"

  "Sounds like I was bro zoned."

  "Then what do you want exactly?"

  "I want to be a real brother to you."

  "Sheesh! Don't get weird on me. You are my real brother from now on, happy?"

  "Very... now that's out of the way. My future Dragon will be a living mana battery for your spells. Right?"

  "It's a symbiotic relationship since the Dragon Knight can also access my elemental affinity. Your armour and weapons become deadly to monsters and magical beasts weak to Cryo and Lunar magic, which I plan to choose as my Second Class. But to gain the benefits, we need to be near each other. However, we must rely on our class skills when we are far apart."

  "Oh, that's great! But I insist on paying at least half for the Dragon egg."

  "All the missions or quests at your level will reward you only with copper or silver coins at best. You need those coins to upgrade your gear and pay rent, since you can no longer stay in the towns for free, since you got your first blessing."

  "Wait a minute! I could crash at an inn for free this whole time?"

  "Seriously? Where have you been sleeping and eating, then?"

  "I set up a camp just outside town using scrap I scavenged from the forest and caves. I’ve been hunting wild game for meals and trading bits of meat for fresh veggies and sweets from passing merchants. But, hey, what's done is done. Is the free room and board some charity for the newbies?"

  "Absolutely! The royal treasury covers the rent and meals for all newly summoned folks until they unlock their first blessing. It’s pretty easy for the native to spot whether you’ve got one. We release an aura that marks us as foreigners to this world."

  "I didn't know that. But I'm now used to living rough. I can't see myself spending on lodging and food when I can hunt and sleep anywhere."

  "You don’t have to live life on the edge anymore. I will speak with my guild master about renting a house to share."

  "That’s a generous offer, but you don’t need to go to such lengths for me, especially when you need the money for the Dragon Egg. I will join a mercenary group that provides free lodging and meals."

  "You won’t find one that provides that for free. Every mercenary pays through the rewards from completed contracts. However, I found a new guild open to anyone who can pass their test, regardless of class. They offer free food and shelter if you swear loyalty through an 'Oath Contract.'"

  "And what’s the name of this guild?"

  "Smiling Devils. Their members don Oni masks, so the theme makes sense. They're located at the base of Mount Terror."

  "Can’t say I’ve heard of it. What’s the story behind that name?"

  "Legends say the mountain transforms every fresh corpse into a zombie or spirit. Luckily, an invisible barrier keeps the undead from wandering off the mountain."

  "Oh? So the Smiling Devils don’t have to worry about them?"

  "They have a Dragon Summoner among their founding members who uses primal magic to keep the undead at bay."

  "Primal, as in the spells that control Solar and Lunar power?"

  "Maybe. All I know is that this magic is merciless against the undead."

  "They sound interesting... I’ll visit them tomorrow morning and see if they’re the real deal."

  The heavy kitchen door opened with a creak. The innkeeper and his wife entered, carrying wooden plates and bowls. They placed down warm dishes filled with tender roasted rabbit meat, shining in savoury juices. Another bowl held rich chicken and mushroom soup, swirled with fragrant herbs. Alongside the hearty meal are old loaves of rustic bread and wedges of dark yellow cheese.