UNLIMITED SPEED

A smile appeared on his face at that point. But he took in a moment to take in the air and feel of the city. He had only been away for about a week, but only then did he realize that he had missed it.

"I have to be honest the world outside of the city is too bright," Noah's voice rang out as he pushed the gate open and walked into the compound.

"Well, maybe one day we'll blot out the light and bathe the world in true darkness." Elder Sarah's voice reached his ears as she sipped wine.

Noah chuckled in slight amusement and went on to sit on the chair available for him.

He took the bottle of wine and poured himself some before a long silence followed.

"I heard you became the first," Elder Sarah eventually spoke, and Noah nodded in affirmation.

"Were they all that weak?" She said with a faked snort.

"Yeah. I expected more, but someone did manage to put me on my toes. It was probably the first battle with someone my level that lasted that long and was that one-sided," Noah explained recalling Madison in action.

"Oh! Who was this person?" Elder Sarah's amused voice spread out in the court.

"Her name was Madison, from the Falling ocean guild," Noah replied sipping wine from the cup.

"Hmm the supposed fourth-best guild," Elder Sarah spoke with a mocking grin. "I had a spar with one of their tier 3 elders. Fucking weak. I wiped the floor with him before the fight clocked one minute," Elder Sarah laughed reminiscing.

"Uh... I see," Noah replied unsure of what to say or do next. His awkwardness reached Elder Sarah and she shook her head and stood.

"Aiden, you did good," She said walking toward him to stand behind his chair.

Noah furrowed his brows at that point, but he limited himself to saying nothing.

"Nevertheless, I'm disappointed that you had someone that could even match you," Elder Sarah spoke with a voice dripping with her seeming displeasure about the whole ordeal.

"Can you blame me, I barely know like three of the thirteen techniques," Noah snorted trying to stand when she suddenly placed her hands on his shoulders forcing him down.

"I should sever your legs from your knees, but I don't want to see blood," She snorted squeezing his shoulders.

"Your student just got back from a tournament that he aced, and this is the best you can give him," he joked clicking his tongue while suppressing the pain that had begun to reach his mind.

"I'd rather make that student suffer than praise him. But like I said since you came back with first I'll let you go with only this much." she snorted eventually letting him go, but not after squeezing his shoulders until they were mushy.

Noah flinched after that point and flexed his shoulders while standing up He clicked his tongue and followed her movements with his eyes.

She began to walk inside and he followed her wondering what she was planning.

"You can go rest, I believe you have a lot to do." She announced walking up the balcony with him.

Noah nodded even if she didn't turn to look at him. Although he found her sudden silent behavior strange, he pushed the matter to the back of his mind.

Arriving inside his room, he jumped on his bed and closed his eyes to remain in a state of blankness. No thoughts, nothing.

He had returned to a place he would consider home, so he didn't want to worry too much.

However, although Elder Sarah had told him to rest he knew he couldn't. There was too much he needed to do.

Getting up from the bed he exited his room and began his way downstairs. He planned to give the letter of acknowledgment to those at the guild hall. He could even decide to go on a mission already.

"No rest for he who wants power," he sighed walking down the stairs and out of the compound.

Noah dashed towards the gate into the inner region, and he arrived there in no time. It had been months he had been there, but the same guards were at the post and they looked glad to see him.

He held a short conversation with them and began on his way. However, rather than run there he took a carriage ride and was there in about an hour's worth of time.

Standing outside of the incredibly beautiful guild hall made Noah feel nostalgic. I didn't feel like yesterday that he was there last, but thanks to his memory he could still gain that feeling.

Walking into the hall he ignored the flash of light that reached his body far faster than he could react and proceeded to stride toward the counter.

His figure caught many gazes as some of them were part of his set, and It had been months since they saw him last.

"How may I help you? Aiden. It's been an awfully long time since I saw you last," one of the ladies that occasionally stood behind the counter spoke garnering the attention of some others.

"Well a lot has happened Lina," Noah shrugged dropping his cold demeanor.

"I'm glad that you look as good as ever. Though you haven't updated your rank. I'm afraid all your mates have surpassed you," she said leaning against the bar and inching closer to him. She had always acted friendly to him, even if he had only been around there for less than three weeks in total.

"Oh... who has the highest rank?" Noah asked genuinely curious.

"It's a lady named Ariana. She's shot past almost all of them and his already six missions into D rank." Lina explained in a whispering tone.

Needless to say, her mention of Ariana made him recall her and he couldn't help but fall into a bit of wonder.

"I'm guessing you know her," Lina spoke at some point and could only nod slowly when he nodded.

"Unfortunately for her, I'll be the one with the highest rank in our set," Noah announced with such pride in his words he caused Lina to laugh.

"That would take even you a few months. You're still in rank E might I remind you," Lina giggled as though he told the funniest joke she had heard.

With silent pride burning within him, Noah brought out the scroll of acknowledgment and placed it on the counter.

The sight of the shiny scroll caused her to stop her laughter, and when she saw the seal she seemed to know what it was meant for.

Bending below the counter to bring something, Noah waited a few seconds before she returned with a small cylindrical object that she placed on the circular seal causing its inscriptions to blaze with brighter intensity.

The scroll suddenly unfolded by itself and began to float. By this point, the multitude of humans in the room already had their attention on the event.

The scroll continued to glow until a silver light began to emanate from its golden brown material.

Suddenly a deep voice carrying authority and radiating power erupted out of the floating scroll.

"Guild member of the Divine Lightning guild; Aiden, by the power vested in we the council; is hereby promoted to the peak of the C rank, as a reward for succeeding in the tournament of champions!" The male voice caused the ears of many to tremble, while a holographic display of Noah's face and his name with the crest of a staff surrounded by flaming torches were projected from the scroll, lighting up the place.

'They just had to do this!' An ugly expression appeared on Noah's face at that spectacular announcement.