Evolution begins with an ant colony

Akun and his party made their way through the bustling streets, their footsteps echoing in the crowd. The weight of countless curious stares clung to them, something all of them could notice even in the sweltering heat. Hestria, usually composed and focused, shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny, her fingers twitching as they adjusted the hood of her cloak.

"I don't like being watched like this," she muttered, pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders and hunching her back slightly.

Chrono Nexus, ever the pragmatist, chuckled. "They are most likely staring at Akun. Winning the tournament and the news of him being a dragon must have spread like wildfire. People can't resist gawking at the extraordinary."

Akun, ever oblivious to the attention, scoffed and shrugged his broad shoulders. "I thought you were a knight, Hestria. How can a little attention faze you?"

Hestria's cheeks flushed a faint pink. She quickened her pace to walk beside Akun, her eyes darting to the cobblestones beneath her feet. "Everyone has their weaknesses, Master," she mumbled, embarrassed by her own fear.

Akun couldn't resist a playful jab. He lightly elbowed her side. "If this is a weakness, how do you plan to stand by my side as my knight?"

Hestria's blush deepened, her steps faltering for a moment. She took a deep breath and straightened her posture. "I… I'll try to get over it."

Azara, always the optimist, skipped alongside Akun, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. She twirled in excitement, her cloak fluttering around her. "So, where are we headed, master?"

"The adventurer's guild," Akun announced, striding confidently forward. "I have no idea where the academy is, and I'd like to gather some information before we head there."

Chrono Nexus let out a theatrical sigh, rolling her eyes. "Must everything be an adventure, darling?" She twirled a strand of her hair absentmindedly. "With your access to my skills, you could simply uncover the information you desire instead of dragging us all around on a pointless walk."

Akun grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he turned to face her, walking backward for a few steps. "It's still an adventure, Nexus! And on adventures, there's always an element of fun, and are you forgetting we can't you our skills to uncover anything about him?." He spun back around, his cloak swishing behind him.

"Besides," he added, casting a playful glance at her hooded figure, "gathering information firsthand offers a chance to experience the unknown. Isn't that part of the thrill?"

His words struck a chord with Chrono Nexus. She could hardly deny that the allure of the unknown was a significant factor in her decision to join Akun's quest. A slight blush crept up her cheeks as she realized this. She crossed her arms, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, and met Akun's gaze.

Offering a soft smile, she conceded, "Indeed it is." She matched his pace, the excitement of the unknown igniting a spark in her eyes. "The unknown holds a certain fascination."

Akun and his party came to a stop as he did, as his gaze landed on a hanging wooden signpost that had two swords on it, it was for the adventurers guild.

Akun pushed through the double doors of the adventurer's guild, the air thick with the murmur of voices and the clatter of tankards. The scene was a chaotic tapestry of weary travelers, boisterous mercenaries, and eager novices, all united by the lure of adventure and coin. Heads turned as Akun entered, whispers flitting through the room like smoke.

"There he is! The dragon who won the tournament!"

"Heard he beat the Knight Captain himself! Unbelievable."

Akun, ever oblivious to the whispers, scanned the bustling interior, overwhelmed by the sheer number of bodies and the cacophony of sounds. Where would he even begin with information gathering?

Suddenly, a booming voice cut through the din. "Master Akun? Is that truly you?"

Akun turned to see Darius, his loyal human fighter, striding towards him with a grin splitting his weathered face. Darius's once-gleaming armor bore the familiar nicks and scratches of countless battles, proof of his time on the field and experience.

A smile bloomed on Akun's face. "Darius! Long time no see. Fancy meeting you here." He gestured towards his companions. "And the rest of you. How are you all faring?"

Elara, the silver-haired elven marksman, bowed her head gracefully. "Master, we are all in good spirits, albeit a little rusty from the lack of recent adventures."

The hulking half-orc, Gromm, let out a low rumble that resonated in his chest. Unlike his usual boisterous greetings, this one held a deep respect. "Master," he rumbled. "A pleasure to see you once more."

Lyra, the fire-haired sorceress, cackled with amusement. "Don't let Gromm fool you, master. He spends more time bragging at taverns than honing his skills nowadays."

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Raela, the nimble rogue, remained a silent observer, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. Her hazel eyes flickered with warmth despite her usual stoicism at the sight of their master.

Torin, the ever-composed cleric, offered a gentle smile and a slight nod. His presence, as always, radiated a sense of calm amidst the boisterous reunion.

Akun chuckled, relishing the camaraderie. "Seems you've all been well, care to fill me in what you've been up to."

Darius pulled out a chair for Akun at their table, gesturing for him to sit. "We haven't all been idle, Master. We've all been taking on various jobs, keeping ourselves busy. But last night, we decided to regroup, catch up on old times." He gestured around the table at his companions. "And what better place to do that than the heart of adventure itself?"

Akun nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. "Glad to hear you're all staying sharp. Now, since you're all familiar with the capital, I was wondering if you could help me out with a bit of information gathering."

Intrigue flickered across their faces. Elara leaned forward, her bow resting against the table. "Always happy to help, master. What kind of information are you looking for?"