Chapter 54 : Farewell to the Guild
Elias had always imagined that, when he finally left the guild, it would be because of some glorious, triumphant event—like singlehandedly saving a noble's life from wyverns while also curing the village's goat plague. Not... slipping out before dawn with a crumpled resignation letter in hand and a faint dread clinging to his shoulders.
"Couldn't even make it to goat plague," he muttered to himself.
The guild building stood solid and welcoming against the early morning light. The sign above the door swung gently in the breeze, as if waving him in for one last shift. Its warm golden wood, always polished by one of the junior healers, glinted like a farewell banner.
Elias hesitated, then took a breath and stepped inside.
It was quiet—too early for the midday rush of adventurers with sprained ankles, singed eyebrows, or full-on curses involving fish. But the front desk was already manned.
And of course, it was Gracie.
The receptionist looked up from her tea, her short silver hair still in sleep-rumpled curls. She blinked at him. "You're early. Or late. Depends on how guilty your face is."
"I brought breakfast?" Elias held up a paper bag containing two lemon scones.
Gracie narrowed her eyes. "You're either quitting or confessing a war crime."
He winced. "Both is a stretch, but... yeah. Kind of the first one."
She was silent. Then stood, walked over, and took the scones without ceremony. "Okay. Let's go to the back."