The next morning, the sky above the grand city of Solaria was a brilliant, unblemished blue. 

The carriage ride from the frontier estate was filled with a quiet, buzzing excitement. Sitting between his mother and Seki, Kaito leaned against the plush velvet window, his eyes wide as the carriage rolled through the colossal white-stone gates of the capital. The sheer scale of humanity and magic in the city was dizzying. Kaito blinked, passively activating his vision layout to scan the crowds bustling down the cobblestone avenues. 

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[CROWD ANALYSIS SPECTRUM: ACTIVE]

*   CITIZEN BAZAAR VENDOR: LEVEL 8 [Civilian Tier]

*   CAPITAL PALACE SQUIRE GUARD: LEVEL 24 [C-Rank Iron Vanguard]

*   ELITE RUNE BLACKSMITH: LEVEL 41 [B-Rank High Crafter]

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"Wow," Kaito whispered, watching a battle-hardened squad of frontier mercenaries stride past a tavern. Their leader wore a glowing griffin-feather cape, and a pulsing status box floated above his heavy iron helm.

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[TARGET PARAMETER SCAN]

*   IDENTITY: Iron-Tooth Guild Master

*   CLASS: Heavy Battle Executioner

*   CURRENT LEVEL: 58 [B-Rank Peak Combatant]

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A Level 58 veteran. The sheer pressure radiating from the man’s massive broadsword made the air ripple with a faint, crimson combat aura. Kaito felt his chest tighten with awe. So this is the capital... a playground for genuine elites. Even the ordinary street guards are twice my level.

"Frightened, Kaito?" Sazuna asked softly, her gentle, warm hands wrapping around his cold fingers. Her kind smile relaxed his shoulders instantly. 

"A little, Mother," Kaito admitted, looking over at Seki. 

His twelve-year-old brother was practically vibration-locked with excitement, his hands pressed flat against the glass pane. "Are you kidding, Brother? Look at all these high-level classes! Tomorrow, we're going to get blessings that will put us right at the top of the guild boards!"