The Monk's "Balance"

Xia Lin wore a plain white shirt and dark trousers as he enjoyed the hearty breakfast Kade had prepared.

"So," Celia asked between small bites of bread, "we're going to the Adventurers Guild today?"

"Right." Xia Lin nodded. "I need to collect this month's stipend and register you as an adventurer while we're there. With Kade and me vouching for you, you can start at Black Iron rank."

"Black Iron rank..." Celia repeated thoughtfully.

Kade came over with a plate of freshly fried eggs. "Don't worry, Celia. At your current strength, Black Iron rank is only a starting point. You'll reach Silver Rank before long."

"What about Sera?" Celia looked around. "Isn't she coming with us?"

"She said no." Xia Lin shrugged. "She doesn't want the holy light blinding her first thing in the morning. She'd rather stay in your library and study those old books."

Kade smiled helplessly. "That does sound like her."

Just then, Sera's voice came from the top of the stairs. "I heard someone talking about me behind my back."

The warlock came downstairs in a dark purple dressing gown, bleary-eyed and yawning. "Could you keep it down? Some of us stayed up late studying a diary and would like to sleep peacefully until noon."

"Sorry, sorry." Xia Lin raised both hands in surrender. "We're leaving now. We won't disturb you."

Sera snorted and went straight to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of cold water.

The streets of Nirose looked especially tidy in the early morning.

The stone roads had been swept spotless, the walls of the buildings on either side were painted snow-white, and flowers adorned every window.

Flags and streamers hung everywhere in preparation for the coming Glory Day celebration.

"No wonder this is the imperial capital," Xia Lin marveled. "Even the