Heart of a Hero: Somehow I've become the Vampire Queen?!

Chapter 50 - Shatter

Hidden in the depths of a narrow alleyway, Ambra took a cautious glance over her shoulder. Satisfied that she was alone, she carefully unfastened the temporary cloak she'd been given. She folded it neatly and stowed it in her bag. Her fingers tingled with anticipation as she reached for her new cloak, its fabric shimmering with an intricate dance of gold, wine red, and white.

Slipping her arms into its embrace, she felt an instant rush of warmth, as if the cloak itself was eager to join her. The fabric felt like an extension of her, an enchanted second skin.

"Ah, this is perfect," she murmured to herself, relishing the fuzzy comfort around her. Its soft texture was a stark contrast to the rough exterior of her old cloak. Intrigued by the elaborate gold and red patterns woven through the material, she couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship.

Securing the silver half-moon fastener—the keepsake from her old cloak—she finally pulled the hood over her head. A feeling of completeness washed over her. She twirled, the fabric of the cloak fanning out like the wings of a mythical creature.

Ambra emerged from the narrow alleyway, feeling the enchanted warmth of her new cloak envelop her like a comforting embrace. With each step toward the Adventurers' Guild, the magical conductors in the fabric seemed to pulse in sync with her own energy. "This is really refreshing," she thought, a sly grin spreading across her face.

As she walked, she noticed a few passersby doing double-takes. Their eyes changed into funny shapes, their expressions a mix of curiosity and surprise. No longer were the gazes filled with wariness or disdain, and this subtle shift made her heart swell even if a bit slightly.

As she approached the sturdy door of the guild, she paused for a moment to revel in her flickering confidence. "Let's give them something to talk about," she thought, feeling the cloak billow gently behind her.

With a spark of mischief lighting up her eyes, she gathered a modest whirl of magical energy around her hand. Then, pushing it outward, she used it to fling the doors open with a grand, albeit controlled, force.

The hefty doors burst open as if announcing royalty, crashing against the walls with a thud. The conversations inside came to an abrupt halt, tankards froze mid-lift, and cards hovered in the air. All eyes turned toward the door, drawn by the sudden spectacle.

Taking advantage of the dramatic pause, Ambra strode in. Her new cloak fanned out around her, its intricate patterns of gold, red, and white glowing subtly as if reflecting her inner excitement. The silver half-moon fastener sparkled, catching the eye of more than one onlooker.

Feeling her new cloak billow behind her, Ambra took confident strides toward the counter, ready to finally register with the guild. She couldn't help but feel a bit giddy, eager to meet with Guild Master Baz and formalize her adventurer status.

Just as she was about to reach the counter, she heard a voice call out uncertainly, "Cloak girl?"

She turned around to find Ian squinting at her, as if he was solving a puzzle. Beside him stood Allen, a wry smile on his face as he watched Ian's befuddled expression.

"You're Cloak Girl, right?" Ian inquired, still unsure. "Just...fancier cloak?"

Suppressing a sigh, Ambra greeted them both. "Hello Ian, Allen. Yes, it's still me. I have a meeting with Guild Master Baz about registering, so if you'll excuse me..." Ambra had already seen how Ian behaved, and Ian's lack of tact was something she preferred to keep at arm's length.

Turning back to the counter, she greeted the guild receptionist—a young woman with brown hair who had seen her before and knew about her amulet of passing. "Is Guild Master Baz available? I'd like to go ahead and get my registration sorted."