"Good morning, you two! Ready to become official adventurers?"
She led them up a spiraling stone staircase, past floors of towering bookshelves that made Eira’s eyes widen with every step. As they passed the second-floor library—a labyrinth of leather-bound tomes and ancient scrolls—Eira couldn't contain herself.
"Wait, do registered adventurers get to read all these?" she asked, her fingers itching to touch the weathered spines.
“They do,” Enya said, smiling at the girl's enthusiasm. “But you’ll need to build a reputation first. The guild uses a ranking system based on reputation. There are seven ranks: Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, and Mythril.”
Enya paused by a notice board to point out the progression. “Copper is for provisionary members who haven’t awakened a special gift. Since both of you are clearly gifted, you’ll start at Bronze once we’re finished.”
“What rank do we need to access the library?” Eira asked, her eyes already scanning the higher floors.
“Gold for the second floor, Platinum for the third, and Diamond for the fourth,” Enya explained. She handed Eira a small, thick booklet. “Here’s your beginner’s handbook. It covers basic monsters, herbs, and minerals. There’s a reputation chart in the back.”
“Ms. Enya,” Eira noted, “I don’t see the points required for Mythril rank.”
“There are none,” Enya replied, her voice turning serious. “To reach Mythril, you must defeat a Catastrophe-class monster.”
“The Black Dragon…” Eira whispered.
“Yes. It’s the only known Catastrophe-class monster today. However, history records one other that was successfully subjugated: The Great Serpent of the East.”
Eira’s eyes lit up. “So the legends are true!”
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
“They did defeat one, yes. Though stories have a way of growing taller over time.”
At the top floor, the Guild Master’s quarters smelled richly of wood polish and pipe smoke. The door swung open to reveal Zeth Grimward—a bear of a man with a beard like frosted steel. He practically leaped from his chair the moment they entered.
"You!" he bellowed, jabbing a thick finger at Dain. "You’re strong. Let's spar!"
"Master, please." Enya groaned, rubbing her temples.
“He is always like that but he is a capable man.” Enya apologetically said.
“Just kidding, just kidding!” the man laughed boisterously, his voice shaking the windows. “Hahaha!”
“Master, this is Eira and Dain, our recruits.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m Zeth Grimward. Welcome to the guild, recruits!”
“Nice to meet you, Master,” they replied in unison.
“Let’s start with your oath,” Zeth said, his face suddenly solemn. “Raise your right hands and repeat after me.”
Eira felt her heart pounding against her ribs. She raised her hand, Dain standing like a pillar beside her.
“I, in the presence of the gods and this kingdom…”
“…swear my blade, my magic, and my life…”
“…to the protection of the people, and to uphold the honor of this Guild.”
“I shall not seek glory for myself…”
“…but serve as sword and shield for those who cannot fight.”
“This I vow, as an adventurer of the kingdom.”
The room remained still for a moment as the weight of the words settled. Then, the Guild Master slammed a fist onto his desk. “WELCOME, ADVENTURERS!”
Enya stepped forward, holding a large slab of obsidian-like crystal that hummed with internal light. “The Soul’s Mirror,” she whispered. “Eira, you first. Place your hand on the base and hold steady.”
Glowing letters began to bleed onto the dark surface.
- STRENGTH: 35
- ENDURANCE: 20
- DEXTERITY: 106
- MIND: 375
- MAGIC: 289
- SKILL: Soul Spring
“Wow! Amazing!” Enya gasped. “Look at that Mind stat! You have incredible potential, Eira.”
“We’re definitely going to have to work on your stamina,” Dain teased, looking at her low Endurance.
“…Sure,” Eira replied shyly.
Enya flipped through a heavy registry. “‘Soul Spring’... let’s see. Ah! It grants accelerated mana and mental recovery based on your Magic stat. You’ll recover from mental exhaustion faster than almost anyone.” She paused, frowning at the book. “Previous wielders: Loren Alfmaiden, and—that’s strange.”
“What’s wrong?” Zeth asked.
“There’s an erasure here. A name was scratched out.”
Zeth waved a hand dismissively. "Probably some retired fossil. It happens! Alright, boy, your turn."
Dain stepped up. The mirror flared much brighter this time.
- STRENGTH: 486
- ENDURANCE: 452
- DEXTERITY: 266
- MIND: 139
- MAGIC: 1
- SKILL: Battle Fury
“One Magic?” Eira blinked. “Can you even use magic, Dain?”
“No,” he said bluntly.
“Hehe… It might be a reading error,” Enya suggested. “The usual magic stat of awakened sorcerers is twenty-five, and even the weakest magic users who can barely light a candle start at ten. If you can’t sense mana at all, the mirror might just be picking up ambient energy.” She looked back at the book. “‘Battle Fury’... there’s no entry for this skill at all.”
“You’ve got a unique one, boy!” Zeth laughed. “Tell us what it does.”
“Can you describe your skill? Is it passive or active? What do you feel when it triggers?” Enya added.
Dain’s jaw tightened “Sorry, I can’t give details yet,”
“You haven’t activated it?”
“Hmm.”
“Alright. Let us know when you figure it out.”
“‘Kay”
“Fair enough,” Enya said, handing them two bronze emblems. “Congratulations. You are now full-pledged Bronze-rank adventurers.”
Eira smiled in delight.
“That will be 500 Peri for the registration… each.” Enya added.
“What?! Registration Fee?!” Dain’s voice cracked. “You didn’t say anything about it yesterday!”
“Don’t worry,” Enya said smoothly. “If you can’t pay now, we’ll deduct 10% on top of 15% tax from your quest rewards until the fee is covered. Oh, and there’s a 5% interest charge.”
“Wait—25% of our earnings?!”
As they walked back down to the lobby, Eira patted his arm. "It'll be worth it," she whispered. Then she leaned in closer. "Dain... about your skill. Do you really not know what it does?"
Dain stared straight ahead, his jaw set in a stubborn line. "Not here," he muttered. "I'll tell you next time.