Controlling the uncontrollable?

The Guild Master's office was a vast but sober space, with stone walls lined with maps and scrolls. A large stone fireplace emitted a gentle warmth, and the only palpable luxury was a massive, polished dark wood desk.

"......"

There, Shija Retsu was seated in a chair, facing the imposing desk, with the Guild Master occupying the main seat.

(This man... Is strong)

Even sitting down, Shija could feel the aura emanating from the man: a mixture of combat experience and the heavy authority of one who makes life-or-death decisions.

"Young Retsu, allow me to be frank."

At that moment, interrupting his thoughts, the Guild Master rested his clasped hands on the desk and looked at Shija with a serious and direct expression.

"While it is the policy of the Adventurers' Guild not to inquire into the past of adventurers or the reasons for their actions, I must also reveal to you that this is only partially true."

He paused, letting the implication sink in.

"There are cases where a minimum amount of knowledge is required to avoid problems. Things like supporting criminals, or intervening in situations that are not related to our main mandate. The Adventurers' Guild was created to provide support to the world's adventurers. We have different branches and facilities, each with its own operational Master to administer adventurers in their respective regions."

After saying that, the Guild Master slid a wooden tablet with hierarchical engravings.

"The division of ranks allows us to classify an adventurer's skills and qualities for professional assignment. Ranks F to E are adventurers without effective combat capabilities or novices. They are mainly responsible for collecting common materials, cleaning, and daily tasks."

Then he pointed to the next section of the tablet.

"Ranks D to C are experienced adventurers with combat or survival skills, capable of facing a variety of situations, such as monster extermination or the exploration of dangerous territories."

The Guild Master leaned forward, his voice growing deeper.

"However, Ranks B and A are ranks accessed with three unavoidable requirements: Merit, Power, and Attitude. That is why, even though we occasionally receive a novice adventurer with great power or potential, they only reach Rank C as a maximum upon joining. Even if they have the necessary power to climb more ranks."

After saying that, the Guild Master paused, looking at the ceiling before focusing his gaze on Shija.

"For example, the 'kid' you brought with you, despite having more than enough power, lacks the necessary merit or attitude, which are evaluated as he completes the missions assigned to him by the Guild."

The message was clear: no matter the situation, the Guild's rules stand.

"Now, young Retsu, it's not every day something like what happened today occurs, so tell me what kind of 'problem' has just forced you and your... companion to appear, and... What is so urgent that it has caused this destruction?"

"...."

Shija clenched his fists, feeling the obligation to reveal the threat looming over them, but the events were so complicated, and his Master's situation was so deeply personal, that the words stuck in his throat.

"It's a... it's a personal matter, sir. Something that only I must resolve."

The truth seemed impossible for him to relate to a stranger.

"...."

The Guild Master, a man of great experience in reading people, observed Shija's clenched fist and the expression of internal struggle on his face.

"So... Something personal..."

Understanding that the matter did not seem easy to discuss, the Guild Master nodded, although he did not stop looking at Shija.

"If that's the case, who is the person traveling with you? The one who vaporized our Obsidian Golem and... poked a hole in the sky."

Hearing the question, Shija unclenched his fist. His expression turned to one of pure, honest confusion.

"That... Not even I know... I don't know who he is or where he came from."

"You don't know who he is or where he came from?"

Hearing that answer, the Guild Master blinked, a sardonic smile drawing across his weathered face as he asked with a tone full of sarcastic skepticism.

"And yet, you travel with 'that'. Honestly, I'm surprised by your cautious attitude about telling me your 'personal matters' when you are accompanied by something thousands of times worse."

"There are circumstances!"

Briefly losing his composure, Shija exclaimed in defense against the mockery.

(Tap, tap)

"Circumstances or not, I have a position."

To which the Guild Master replied, tapping the table rhythmically with one finger.

"My position is to lead the adventurers who are in charge of resolving dangerous problems in exchange for rewards. That is why adventurers are neutral and are given so much freedom."

The Guild Master then leaned back, his gaze turning somber.

"However, the world is currently in a turbulent era. There are tensions between kingdoms, movements of cults, and the emergence of monsters we haven't seen in a long time. Therefore, adventurers must be careful in their actions to avoid further shaking the existing delicate balance."

Then, his expression turned grim. He pointed towards the ceiling, where Shija knew the hole leading to the open sky was.

"And yet, what happened recently not only had the capacity to shake the board, young Retsu, but instead to overturn or even destroy the entire board. An exhibition of power of that magnitude, without control, is a declaration of war against stability."

"But... is it really that extreme? Despite what he did, there should be beings or people capable of doing similar things. There are always heroes, Masters..."

Shija, even though he had seen the destroyed mountain and the hole in the sky, felt a pang of disbelief at the severity of the words.

"That is your mistake"

However, the Guild Master cut in with a firm tone.

"That is precisely why it is so serious. Those who can do something similar know they shouldn't. Heroes, Masters, S-Rank Mages... they know the cost, the repercussion, and the collateral damage of using such power. They have control, and if they use it, it is out of absolute necessity, not for a 'skills test' in the middle of the day. What we saw was the uncontrolled release of a force without purpose or understanding of the rules of this world."

After saying that, the Guild Master gave him a warning look.

"And that, young Retsu, is a threat of an entirely different order."

"What do you mean?"

"Let me ask you, how does malice differ from innocence, young Retsu?"

Faced with Shija's incredulous question, the Guild Master did not reply and instead threw a question back at him.

"....."

Shija was confused. The sudden shift in the conversation forced him to take a moment to reflect, searching for an answer based on his martial training and moral code.

"The main difference is intent. Malice is the deliberate desire to cause harm or break the rules for personal gain. Innocence, on the other hand, lacks that knowledge or intent. If someone with malice destroys something, it is for a goal; if someone with innocence does it, it is out of ignorance of the consequences."

"You are right in your observation, young Retsu. But you misunderstand something fundamental."

The Guild Master nodded, acknowledging the validity of his observation, and at the same time leaned over the desk, his eyes fixed on Shija.

"Despite their differences in intent, deep down, they are similar. Both concepts represent a boundless force; a force that disregards the restraints of responsibility or understanding of the world. Malice uses force to dominate; innocence releases it without conscience. The result is the same. What just destroyed the Golem and poked a hole in the sky was a power that acted with the innocence of a child playing, and that absence of intent was more terrifying than the attack of any Dark Lord acting with calculated malice."

Saying that, the Guild Master rested his hand on a scroll on the desk.

"Intentional evil can be tracked, negotiated with, or fought. But destruction without reason is a chaos that cannot be foreseen or controlled. And your companion, young Retsu, embodies that innocent destruction."

"....."

In response to those words, Shija recalled the erratic behavior of Mireya he had witnessed before arriving at the Guild: the mania for adventure, the casual way he destroyed the mountain, and his own inability to deny him anything.

"Despite that, Master..."

Shija was unable to deny the Guild Master's words. However, he did not surrender to despair, raising his voice with conviction.

"... Innocence can be 'guided' or 'molded' to be used. For good."

"Don't be arrogant!"

"?!"

In response, the Guild Master gave him a severe look of reprimand, a look that cut like a whip.

"That is the innocence speaking in you, young Retsu. And that is the problem."

The Guild Master corrected himself, speaking with a didactic coldness.

"That would be possible if it weren't for the risk. Depending on how it's done, the result can end up very well or very badly. It can create a hero, or it can create an unprecedented calamity."

Emphasizing the last part with an authoritative tone that left no room for discussion, the Guild Master continued.

"And the opponent in this case, that power, definitely won't be easily influenced. It will resist being boxed in. No, rather I doubt it's even possible to box it in in the first place."

"....."

Shija remained silent, unable to refute the logic, seeing the unwavering seriousness of the Guild Master.

"Listen to me, young Retsu. Throughout my life, I have encountered many adventurers, all with great potential and talent. And even you, sitting opposite me, possess enough potential to be an S-Rank in the near future, if you focus."

The Master paused, his eyes experienced and deep.

"But what I saw when I observed that boy was... different. I felt as if I were looking into a bottomless pit. Not something like Mana that depletes, but an 'unknown,' boundless source that has no edges or restrictions, just chaos."

The Guild Master flinched, an expression of cold shiver crossing his face.

"And I saw it, young Retsu. I saw how a madness about to overflow was reflected in his gaze. A madness that is only contained by a façade of innocence. Guiding that is not the task of an adventurer; it is the job of a god or a lunatic."

The Guild Master fell silent, letting the weight of his words fall upon Shija.

"...."

Despair and the immensity of the task seized the young man.

"Even so, I need that power."

Despite that, Shija broke the silence, clenching his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and then, from the force of the grip, his own blood began to spill.

"I have a goal to achieve. And I will do it no matter what!"

Raising his gaze toward the Guild Master, his eyes burning with absolute determination.

"....."

The Guild Master observed him. He saw the fear, the pain, the shame of his own weakness, but above all, he saw the unyielding will that distinguished him from any other novice.

"Haaa... You have chosen a difficult path, young Retsu. One where the line between success and destruction is terrifyingly thin."

Then, the Master leaned over and took two rank identifications from a drawer.

"Even with all that has been said, the Adventurers' Guild would never pass up the opportunity to use raw diamonds. Therefore, and despite the risk or attention you will receive for that 'demonstration' of power..."

They were two thick cards, made of a simple metal, and engraved with the letter "C."

"You are welcome to become adventurers."

"...."

The Guild Master slid the two cards across the desk toward Shija, who took them with his trembling, bloodied hands.

"Now, young Retsu, give your best effort to control the uncontrollable. It is your task from now on."