I Reincarnated as the Bastard Prince? Well, At least I'm OP!
Chapter 52: The adventurers Guild

Chapter 52: The adventurers Guild

I pushed open the door to my dorm, feeling exhausted. The moment I stepped inside, I froze.

Gwyneria stood there, clad in her maids’ uniform.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, closing the door behind me.

She pouted, crossing her arms. "You were attacked by a man-beast, my liege. Do you really think I wouldn’t come the moment I sensed the danger you were in?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "You shouldn’t have worried yourself. I can take care of myself, Gwyneria."

Ignoring my words, she stepped forward, her slender hands reaching out to inspect me.

Her fingers brushed over my arms, my shoulders, even tilting my chin up to check for any hidden injuries.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" she murmured, her voice laced with concern.

"I’m fine," I assured her, though I didn’t resist her examination.

After a moment, she finally sighed in relief. "Thank goodness you’re in one piece."

I walked past her and collapsed onto my bed, one arm flung over my eyes.

"There’s this guy... Richard. We got off on the wrong foot. And now he thinks I’m his mortal enemy. I believe he’s part of the Blood Jest Cult." I paused, then added, "I think someone’s gotten into his head."

Gwyneria’s expression darkened. "If he poses such a threat, why not eliminate him, my liege?"

I shot her a sharp look. "No. What he needs is help, not destruction. I think his mind’s been corrupted warped by lies and manipulation. That’s why I need your help with something."

She tilted her head, her eyes flickering with curiosity. "And what would that be?"

I sat up slightly, meeting her eyes. "I want to take away Richard’s magic."

Gwyneria went still, her lips parting slightly. "You... wish to strip him of his mana entirely?"

"I can’t let him keep using his power like this. If he’s being manipulated, cutting off his magic might be the only way to free him."

Gwyneria’s expression grew serious as she folded her hands in front of her. "Stripping a mage of their magic is not a simple matter, my liege. You see, mana is not just energy—it is intertwined with the soul. To forcibly separate them risks destroying the mage entirely. It would be like tearing out a part of their very being. It’s too dangerous."

I sat up straighter on the bed, watching her carefully. "Then what are my options?"

Gwyneria tilted her head slightly. "There is another option. Instead of stripping his magic permanently, we could dispel it temporarily. A few hours, maybe a day at most. It would be like sealing his magic away, leaving him powerless for a time, but without the risk of permanent damage."

"How does it work?" I asked.

"A dispelling spell acts as a barrier between the mage and their mana," she explained. "It simply blocks their reservoir. For someone like Richard, whose mind may be influenced by outside forces, this would be far safer. It would render him harmless while we uncover the truth behind his corruption."

I considered her words carefully.

If Richard was being manipulated, forcibly ripping away his magic could do more harm than good.

But dispelling it? That would buy us time.

"Then that’s what we’ll do," I decided. "How soon can you teach me the spell?"

Gwyneria gave a small, knowing smile. "The incantations are already within my knowledge. Whenever you’re ready, we can begin. The spell must be cast at close range else it wouldn’t be effective."

I nodded slowly. "Let’s start now. There’s no time to lose."

Just then, a sharp knock echoed through the room.

"Hey, Archer! You in there?" A boy’s voice called from the other side of the door.

I glanced at Gwyneria. "Go back to the Red Dragon’s Domain for now. I’ll call for you later."

She pouted, crossing her arms over her chest. "Must I? I’d rather stay by your side."

"This is the boys’ dorm," I reminded her. "If they find a woman in my room, it’ll cause me more troubles than you think."

She let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But I’ll be waiting for you. I’m preparing a small dinner for you and Raven."

With a wave of her hand, a swirling portal of opened beside her. She stepped through, casting one last lingering look at me before vanishing.

The portal snapped shut just as the knock came again, more impatient this time.

"I’m coming!" I called, quickly straightening my clothes before pulling the door open.

Standing in the hallway was a tall, lean young man dressed in a rugged yet stylish adventurer’s outfit.

He wore a fitted leather vest over a dark tunic, reinforced trousers tucked into sturdy boots, and a belt lined with pouches and small daggers.

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, hairs and sun-browned skin.

A cocky grin played on his lips as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Archer, right?" he said, extending a hand. "Name’s Loki. I’m the head of the Adventurers Club here at the academy. I’ve had my eyes on you for a while now."

I shook his hand cautiously, slightly caught off guard. "Oh?"

"That duel with Richard? Damn, that was something." His grin widened. "You’ve got guts, quick thinking, raw power—exactly the kind of guy we need in the club. We could use someone like you in our club."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I’m still figuring out which club to join, honestly."

Loki’s eyes gleamed with the practiced charm of a salesman. "Okay, picture this: going on epic quests outside the city with a band of elite adventurers, slaying monsters, solving magical mysteries, uncovering lost relics... all while getting paid serious coin. And the best part? Every job ends in celebration. Good food, loud music, and—" he wiggled his eyebrows, "plenty of beautiful mage girls looking for strong partners to team up with."

I raised an eyebrow. "That last part sounds like a cheap bribe."

"Hey, I’m just listing the benefits!" He laughed, throwing his hands up. "But seriously, we’re the most exciting club in this place. No stuffy lectures, no politics—just action. And with your skills, you’d fit right in."

I hesitated, but the idea of something beyond the academy’s walls was tempting.

And if I was being honest, after everything with Richard, a distraction might be exactly what I needed.

Somehow, he managed to get through to me.

Maybe it was the way he spoke, or maybe I needed something to take my mind off Richard and Elysia and all the mess brewing beneath the surface.

"Alright," I finally said. "I’ll join."

Loki clapped his hands together. "Perfect! We’ve got a meeting tonight at the Adventurers Guild in the city. You should come—meet the team, hear about our next expedition."

I nodded. "I’ll be there."

"Great! Don’t be late." With a final grin, he turned and sauntered off down the hall, whistling to himself.

I shut the door, exhaling slowly.

* * * *

Later that night, I made my way through the winding stone paths of Luminis City.

The street lanterns glowed a warm orange colour, casting flickering shadows against the cobblestones.

My cloak swayed behind me as I walked, the air thick with the scent of roasted meat, firewood, and rain-drenched stone.

I passed merchants shutting their stalls, children running barefoot through the alleys, and guards patrolling in pairs, their armor clinking with each step.

The Adventurers Guild loomed ahead—a massive, three-story building of dark oak and iron reinforcements, its sign swinging gently in the night breeze.

The guild was more than just a meeting place; it was one of the most important places in this era.

With threats lurking beyond city walls and ancient evils stirring in forgotten ruins, adventurers were the ones who kept the world from plunging into chaos.

The guild handled requests from nobles and commoners alike—slaying beasts, retrieving magical artifacts, protecting caravans, even infiltrating cult strongholds.

If the world needed saving, odds were the Adventurers Guild was involved.

I could hear the noise from inside before I even reached the doors—raucous laughter, clinking mugs, the occasional burst of song.

I took a deep breath, pulling my cloak tighter around myself before pushing open the heavy wooden doors.

The moment I stepped inside, the noise died.

Dozens of eyes locked onto me.

The guild hall was packed—adventurers of all kinds crowded around long wooden tables, tankards of ale in hand, plates of roasted meat and bread scattered between them.

Some had weapons strapped to their backs, others wore enchanted gear that glinted in the firelight.

A few had scars marking them as veterans, while others looked fresh-faced and eager.

But now, all of them were staring.

The silence was thick, almost suffocating. Then—

"Archer! You made it!"

Loki’s voice cut through the tension as he leapt up from a table near the back.

He rushed forward, grinning, and threw an arm around my shoulders before turning to the crowd.

"Everyone, this is our newest recruit! A rookie in the Adventurers Club, but don’t let that fool you—this guy took down Richard von Eldric in a duel!"

There was a pause.

Then someone raised their mug. "Welcome to the club, rookie!"

Cheers and whistles filled the air. Tankards slammed against tables in approval.

A few adventurers called out welcomes, while others raised their drinks in salute.

Loki laughed, clapping me on the back. "See? I told you they’d love you. Come on, let’s get you a drink."

As the noise swelled around me, I couldn’t help but smirk.

Maybe this club wasn’t so bad after all.