Aldoria: Am I a hero...or not?

{{Duskban}}

Kael stepped into the Royal Capital of Duskban, the heart of the Duskbane Kingdom.

The sheer scale of the city was enough to make even seasoned travelers stop and stare.

Towering walls loomed over the landscape, adorned with massive banners bearing the sigil of the Duskbane lineage.. a silver sword piercing a black sun. Soldiers clad in dark crimson armor patrolled the streets, their disciplined march echoing against the well-maintained stone roads.

Everything about this kingdom screamed power.

Kael had read much about Aldric Duskbane, the legendary warrior who had forged this empire from chaos, uniting warring clans under one rule. Even now, centuries later, the people still revered him as a god of war.

But Kael had no interest in the kingdom's history.

His goal was clear.

He reached into his infinite storage pouch, feeling the familiar texture of the mask he had crafted.

It was black with jagged white cracks running across it, a reflection of his journey, a swordsman reborn yet still flawed, ever striving for strength.

With a deep breath, he placed it over his face.

At this moment, Kael Valor ceased to exist.

And Jin was born.

{{Ironclad Adventurer's Guild – Main Hall}}

The Ironclad Adventurer's Guild main branch was not just any guild, it was the strongest guild on the entire continent. A place where only the most elite warriors, mages, and mercenaries gathered.

And Kael, now Jin, was about to walk straight into it.

As he stepped through the grand entrance, a heavy silence fell upon the hall.

Conversations halted.

Tankards of ale were left half-raised.

All eyes turned toward the masked newcomer.

"Who's that?" someone murmured.

"A high-ranking adventurer?" another guessed.

"His presence… it's unsettling."

Jin ignored the whispers, his gaze locked on the reception desk. He approached with measured steps, his aura deliberately restrained yet still sending ripples through the atmosphere.

Behind the desk, a young receptionist with bright hazel eyes and auburn hair met his gaze. There was caution in her expression, but also curiosity.

"I'd like to apply as an adventurer," Jin stated.

The receptionist hesitated before nodding. "New applicants must pass an evaluation test. It includes a mock battle to determine your combat capabilities. Also, we need your name."

"Jin," he said without hesitation.

She scribbled it down before motioning him to wait.

Jin turned, scanning the room for a seat when—

Thud.

He had bumped into someone.

A large, broad-shouldered man with a Gold-Rank medallion hanging from his chest scowled down at him.

"You blind, rookie?" the man growled.

Jin remained silent.

The man's sneer deepened. "Hmph. No response? Either you're scared or just plain rude."

He crossed his arms, trying to exert his presence.

But instead of fear, all he received was an eerie, silent stare.

A chill ran down his spine.

Trying to shake it off, he scoffed. "Tch. Just my luck to run into a creep."

Jin merely smirked behind his mask before walking past him, leaving the man unnerved

{{Training Grounds – Adventurer Evaluation Test}}

The training grounds were an open-air coliseum, designed to test an adventurer's strength, skill, and adaptability. Stone platforms for duels lined the arena, with reinforced dummies set up for magic users.

An instructor stood at the center, a woman with a commanding presence. A scar ran down her left cheek, and the sharpness in her eyes suggested years of battle experience.

"First candidate, Tristan," she called.

A young woman with fiery red hair stepped forward. The moment she did, Jin sensed strong mana fluctuations from her.

A mage from a magic-focused kingdom.

The instructor wasted no time. "Begin!"

Tristan raised her hand, chanting a spell. Flames coiled around her fingertips before launching toward the instructor.

It was a precisely controlled attack.. powerful, but intentionally restrained.

However.

Sching!

The instructor moved with lightning speed, her sword stopping just inches from Tristan's throat.

"Never hesitate," she warned. "Monsters and enemies won't hold back."

Then.

With a loud voice.

She declared..

"Silver Rank!"

Tristan exhaled in relief, stepping back.

Then, the next name was called.

"Jin!"

{{Training Grounds}}

Jin stepped forward.

Watching from the sidelines, the Gold-Rank adventurer from earlier, Leo, grinned.

"This masked guy's a swordsman, huh?" he muttered. "Let's see if he's any good."

Jin's opponent?

Leo himself.

The instructor gave the signal.

"You make the first move, rookie," Leo said, grinning.

Jin obliged.

Without even unsheathing his sword.

WHOOSH!

Jin moved so fast that Leo barely had time to react, his instincts screaming at him to dodge.

CRACK!

Jin's sheath slammed into Leo's side, sending him stumbling backward.

A hush fell over the watching adventurers.

Did he just land a hit without even drawing his weapon?!

Leo gritted his teeth. "Tch. Don't underestimate me!"

With a burst of energy, red aura ignited around Leo's sword.

Jin tilted his head.

"Stop holding back!" Leo snarled. "Unsheathe your weapon!"

Jin smirked.

"If you insist."

He drew his weapon.

And the arena fell silent.

There was no blade.

Only a hilt.

Then..

FWOOOM!

A vibrant Light Red Aura erupted from the hilt, solidifying into a sword of pure energy.

Leo instinctively stepped back.

"What… the hell?"

But he quickly masked his shock, charging forward with a battle roar.

"Let's see who's stronger!"

{{Within the Clash}}

Time slowed.

Jin activated System's Perception Ability, analyzing every shift in Leo's stance, every twitch of his muscles.

At the last moment, he sidestepped.

Leo's sword missed completely.

Before Leo could recover.

THUD!

Jin's palm struck his chest.

Leo was sent flying.

He crashed into the ground, coughing.

But instead of anger..

He laughed.

"You're… strong," he admitted, catching his breath.

Then, with a smirk, he tried to save face. "He's strong, but obviously just a Bronze Ran—"

Before he could finish.

A booming voice cut through the air.

"Platinum!"

{{Training Grounds}}

The entire training ground turned toward the source.

Even Jin looked up.

On the guild's upper balcony, a towering figure clad in black and silver armor watched the battle unfold.

Leo's jaw dropped. "Platinum?! You mean this gu—"

The instructor nodded. "His movements, aura control, and overwhelming combat ability… He deserves it."

Murmurs spread among the adventurers.

"A newcomer reaching Platinum on day one?"

"This Jin guy… who is he?"

Tristan, standing at the side, stared in awe and intrigue.

Leo, still sitting on the ground, ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. "Well, damn."

As for Kael, or rather, Jin.

He simply adjusted his mask.

And smirked.

"Platinum, huh?"