Orins POV
We were all walking to RavenThorn when Araki said, "So I was talking to some second years, and they said we had to save up a lot for tuition. They said it was a gold coin for the year. Is that true?"
Jack, without turning around, said, "Yep."
Araki's face dropped. "What? Why is it so expensive?!" he nearly shouted in shock.
Jack turned around, walked backward, and said, "Calm down. That is the normal fee at all the major academies. But the good thing is that it isn't due for a while, and the academy lets students work off their debts if needed, as corrupt as it is." He whispered that last bit.
Araki let out a relieved sigh but then asked, "What ways do we have to pay it off?"
"Well, you can either pay it in full one month after classes start or make monthly payments. As for working it off, you can do jobs around the academy like janitorial duty, teacher assistance, student tutoring, and so on."
"But for us, since we can all fight, being adventurers is the best option," Jack said.
Araki nodded and said, "What do you think of this, Orin?" looking up at me.
I shrugged and said, "I knew about the fees beforehand, so I'm not sure what you want me to say."
Araki gave me a look of disbelief.
I stared back at him. "What? Did you think Jack was the only one to know things?" I said.
Zek and Jack snickered as Araki looked away and grumbled to himself.
I patted him on the back and said, "Don't worry. At the pace we are going, our tuition should be paid off by the end of the month."
Araki shrugged and said, "I guess you're not wrong."
I smiled, and we continued into town.
When we reached the guild, it felt weirdly nostalgic despite us being here last night.
The smell of beer, the laughter of adventurers, the decorations of weapons and monster trophies, the smell of ink, and the joyful attitude were welcoming and surprising as it was almost three times busier than yesterday morning.
"Why is it so busy today?" Ark asked.
"Something must be happening today. Let's ask around and see what the commotion is all about," Jack said.
We all nodded, and everyone started wandering and asking questions.
As I was walking around, I heard one person say, "I can't believe an S rank is in town."
That caught my ear instantly.
I walked over and asked, "Sorry, did you say an S rank was in town?"
The man, an archer based on his bow, nodded and said, "Yeah. I saw a large man walking into town earlier. When the guards stopped him and asked for ID, he pulled out a platinum card. Those are only given out to S ranks!"
I was wide-eyed and excited. "Do you know which one it is?" I asked.
He shook his head and said, "Sorry, no. I didn't recognize him or hear his name, but I did get a good look at his gear. He carried around a crossbow and some silver-tipped arrows, a few holy symbols, and some herbs weirdly."
I thought for a second, but no S rank I had heard of came to mind from that somewhat vague description.
I thanked him and went to find the others.
Jack noticed me right away. "What's up?"
"Some S-rank adventurer is in town," I said excitedly.
Everyone was shocked.
Araki and Zek seemed excited to see who it was. Ark and Aaron didn't react much, but both showed interest. But Jack, weirdly, showed concern.
"Do you know which one?" he asked.
I shook my head. "No, the guys I asked said they didn't know him but did get a look at his gear. He has a crossbow, silver arrows, holy symbols, and herbs strapped all over himself," I explained.
Jack's face paled as he asked, "Who was it that told you that?"
Confused, I pointed at them.
Jack, not waiting for anything, walked over to them, asked a few questions, and walked back.
But he had a dark and worried expression.
"What's wrong?" Zek asked.
Jack's voice was low. "That S-rank… is Rook Belmont."
I blinked. "Wait, Rook Belmont? The Monster Hunter, Rook Belmont?"
Jack nodded.
I couldn't help but grin. "That's awesome! He's famous!"
"
"Yeah, I know, right? He is said to have hunted over 100 vampires!" Araki said. "Not to mention him finding that primogenitor last year. He saw the sign and found them the next day. He is a legend."
"Yeah, but you can't ignore his family. The Belmonts have been monster hunters for generations, but Rook is the first S rank in years." Orin added [1]
Jack gave us both a sharp look. "He might be a famous monster hunter, but if you ask me, he's a bigger monster than most monsters his family has hunted."
Shocked, we all turned to Jack.
"What do you mean? He is an S rank; they are people who fight to protect us," I said, getting a little agitated.
Jack waved his hand, and another soundproof barrier surrounded us.
Jack sighed and said, "He's ruthless to non-humans, Orin. Any time he interacts with a non-human in private, they're found dead inside."
That wiped the grin off my face.
"T-That doesn't make sense," I stammered. "If he was killing people, he'd be arrested."
Jack shook his head. "S-ranks are considered above the law in some cases. They're too powerful to deal with unless they go way too far. If the city tried to arrest him, he could wipe it out before they could subdue him."
Shocked, I stood there.
"And he's famous, sure, but that allows him to get away with a lot," Jack added, his voice bitter. "If he kills someone, he can just claim they were helping a monster, and no one will question it. And if he sees a pretty girl, he could... do things to her and claim a monster wanted her and to take their innocence away, and him doing that was the best way to stop it."
"Most other S ranks know how he is and will stop him, but he knows that and works alone and avoids cities with S ranks unless he is already hired."
Silence hung between us. The others looked just as unsettled.
Then, the doors to the guild swung open.
A man stepped inside.
He was tall, about 6'3", and looked to be in his mid to late 30s. His sharp features and cold, piercing eyes gave him an imposing look. His dark brown hair was slicked back, and a thin beard framed his jaw. His black leather armour was well-worn but high quality, lined with silver accents.
A long, reinforced coat draped over his shoulders, and across his back was a steel crossbow, its bolts gleaming silver. His belt was lined with stakes, vials and potions, and several pouches filled with who knows what. He moved with the confidence of someone who knew he was the most dangerous man in the room, as far as he knew anyway.
At first glance, he looked noble. But something about his eyes felt… wrong.
"Shit," Jack mumbled. "That's him."
Jack shifted immediately, quietly moving himself and Ark to the side, out of sight.
I caught the movement and gave him a confused look.
Jack motioned for me to stay quiet.
I glanced at Ark; his face was pale, his body stiff.
Although I didn't know why Ark was acting like this, I stepped forward slightly, blocking them from Rook's view.
Rook walked straight to the receptionist's desk. And now that I knew, it wasn't lost on me that he picked the only 'human' receptionist available.
"I need information," Rook said, his voice firm. "Anything on a white wolf-like creature in the area?"
Ark tensed. His breath caught. His hands trembled slightly.
I saw Jack grab Ark's wrist, his grip firm but reassuring. He murmured something, voice too low for me to hear, but it seemed to help, and Ark's breathing slowed.
I frowned, confused.
Why was Ark so scared?
~~~~~~~~
Jack's POV
'Ugh, why did he have to appear now?' I thought as I hid myself and Ark away from Rook's sight.
'I'm not sure if he can actually tell I am a primogenitor or not, but I don't want to take the risk. Plus, if I'm right about Ark, he isn't a documented race, so Rook can kill him instantly with no repercussions.'
I stayed calm and comforted Ark as he started to get worried, not because I was hiding him but because he knew what could happen.
I watched from between arms and bodies as he walked over to the only human receptionist working today and said, "I need information, anything on a white wolf-like creature in the area."
My face paled.
'Is he after Ark?' I thought as I looked at Ark and got my confirmation.
Ark paled, stiffened, and started hyperventilating.
I whispered to him, "Calm down. I won't let him hurt you."
Ark flinched as he glanced at me, confused and worried.
*Sigh* "I know more than you think. Please trust me," I said.
Scared, he nodded.
Focusing, I pulled out an old medallion on a chain I found a few years ago and some magic chalk.
I turned the medallion over to the flat side and drew a magic circle on it.
I had been perfecting this myself for years as a cautionary solution in case my appearance changed during my evolution.
'I'm not an illusion mage so it isn't perfect but it should work.' I thought
I leaned over and whispered to Ark, "Ark, I know you wanted to hide your ears and tail, but if he learns you are a beastman who can hide their animal traits, he might claim you are a monster and kill you. I need you to put this on and show your ears and tail."
Ark was wide-eyed as he looked at me in shock.
My gaze was firm, as I had a plan.
Ark hesitated for a second, then nodded and put on the medallion.
I nodded and infused some magic into the circle hidden on the back.
When I finished, I pulled my hand back and said, "Show them."
He nodded and did so.
Instantly, the magic from the circle activated and cast an illusion on Ark.
His real appearance was himself with his ears and tail, but to everyone else, he looked like a human, thanks to the illusion I put him in.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Ark looked at himself in confusion, as he could feel his tail but not see it.
Before he could go and touch it, I caught his hand. "They're still there. I will explain later, but for now, just try not to touch them."
Ark nodded, and I helped him stand back up. But suddenly-
*Thwung*
"AHH!"
*Thunk* *Thud*
Ark was suddenly stuck to the wall with a crossbow bolt stuck in his shirt and a panicked expression as he looked behind me in horror.
I turned around and pulled out my spear.
The sight I saw was expected but infuriating all the same.
Rook was pointing his crossbow at Ark and had a smile on his face.
"May not be my target, but you will do," he said with an evil smirk.
[1] The Belmont family have been monster hunters for generations and works alongside the Hellsing family, who have the same profession but deal with darker things rather than public monster hunts like the Belmonts.
Both families come from different kingdoms, neither family are from Rumia.
Most members of the families are B or A rank at most but occasionally an S rank will show themselves.