Chapter 3 - 3: Adventurers
There we stood. In front of the guild. It was unexpectedly quiet. Usually you'd expect people to be making noise everywhere and hear cheers, but that wasn't the case.
Ariel who stood behind me while she grabbed on to my clothes. Looked like a younger sister. It was very adorable..
"Are you nervous?" I asked.
"Mn.. a bit.." She replied
"Don't worry, if anything happens i'll protect you" I proudly declared.
"Mn.." She nodded with a smile formed on her face.
We walked inside and headed towards the receptionist. I could feel quite a few gazes on my back. but it was expected. It was most likely unusual for kids to be in adventurer guilds.. .
But man this sure got me excited. It was as if it were a scene that came straight out of a fantasy novel. There were wooden tables and chairs around the guild. People were drinking and sitting in groups. Are they what you would call a party? Ah.. im so curious.
Naturally when you think of adventurers, you think of a party. Forming a party and conquering quests and going on an adventurer with your comrades.. That's what an actual Fantasy world is like.
After we reached the receptionist. I curiously gazed at Ariel to see how she was acting, but she was calm. She's putting up a great front that's for sure. I stroke her head as i said "Thanks".
"Mn" She replied as she nodded her head
She seemed happy that I acknowledged her efforts.
The receptionist stared at me and Ariel before she asked. "How may i help you?"
"We'd like to register as adventurers within the guild."
"You are aware of the risks right? The guild holds no responsibilities for death of the members" she coldly declared
"Yes, would you please give me a list of the rules and how the ranking system works?" I asked.
She let our a short sigh before her expression changed from a cold one to a soft one. "Are you sure you want to be adventurers?"
It appears she was trying to scare us away as worry for our lives since we're kids. She's a pretty kind person.
"Yes, besides, we don't have a choice." I replied.
Realising what i meant. The receptionist gave up on changing my mind.
"Alright, Fill this form in.."
The lady handed me the form and in an instant i froze up. I hadn't considered the possibility that i wouldn't be able to read. I thought that since we managed to communicate, the language writing would be the same as the one in my previous life. c.r.a.p.
"Um.. I haven't been taught to read or write so could you write the details down on my behalf?" I nervously asked.
"Of course. How old are you?"
I'm not sure how old this new me is after reincarnating but i look like i'm around my tens So..
Ariel who had been quiet this whole time replied.
"We're twelve"
"Okay"
After She wrote that down, the receptionist asked other personal questions which i answered to the best of my ability. She repeated this process with Ariel.
"Alright. That's all i needed. Your form has been submitted, your guild cards will be ready in 2 days, however, before that, you are allowed to do quests. As long as they aren't above F rank. I'll explain the rules."
If we're able to start doing quests then it will save us a lot of trouble.
"Please do"
"As an adventure you are required to complete quests. If you don't complete the certain number of quests within the time frame. Your guild members.h.i.+p is revoked."
That makes sense.. There's no point in having inactive members within the records
"The quests you are limited to are dependant are your ranks. For example. The lowest rank is currently G and the Highest is S. Someone of Rank G is only able to do quests up to rank E in difficulty. In other words. Only 2 Ranks higher at max."
I guess it's so that newbies won't try accepting a quest which is impossible for them to complete.
"And lastly, fighting between members are prohibited. They are only allowed with the consent of both parties. For example, a duel. However, self-defence is another thing. If you're attacked you're allowed to fight back."
Tsk. That means it's possible to get framed. As long as the attacker knows how to control the evidence.
"I see. Thank you for the explanation"
"I'm only doing my job. You're quite a well-mannered"
"Thank you.. Um, if you don't mind.. i have a few questions..."
"Sure what are they?"
"Does magic exist in this world? And if possible how does one use it?"
If i was going to survive in this world. Then something like magic would be a necessity. In most books that I've read. Fantasy-type worlds tend to have magic in them. This is due to existence of monsters which manipulate elements. Therefore it's only natural that humans would have adapted to such an ability to counterattack.
"Yes, but it's strange.. Even if you haven't received an education you should have heard about the existence of magic.." She said with a worried expression.
"Haha... I actually lost my memories and have no idea of who i am.."
Ariel looked at me with a confused expression after my claim, but i did my best to act like i didn't notice. I'll explain it to her later.
I'm still not sure if this excuse is believable, but it's better than not saying anything and being suspected, i am asking ignorant questions after all...
She let out a brief sigh before explaining "Magic is the foundation of this world. It's everywhere. Those with an apt.i.tude are able to feel it as long as they concentrate. I'm not able to use magic so i'm not to sure about the details. but from what I've heard magicians gather the mana within their body, imagine the spell that they want to cast and complete a chant for a specific spell before casting it. That is what people refer to as magic."
"Mana is a person's life force and the magical energy that is found within them. Each person's amount differs and it can be trained."
... So... It does exist.. Magic exists... I Wonder if i'll be able to master it..
"Hehehe..."
"Um.. are you okay?"
"Hm? Ah i'm fine, sorry imagining how fun it would be be to use magic."
"About that.. You shouldn't get your hopes up. Having an apt.i.tude for magic is quite rare. You'll also need a tutor to teach you the chants and that's also quite expensive.. That's why it's usually only n.o.bles who are able to succeed in the profession of magic.."
Chances huh.. I guess i'll leave it to that. Besides, did she just say n.o.ble? n.o.bility is a social cla.s.s ranked directly under royalty meaning this is a kingdom. Ah, so i'm living in a monarchy.. interesting..
"However, Most Swordsman and adventurers who do have an apt.i.tude. Use mana to strengthen themselves. It's basic and anyone can do it with practice. You just need to imagine your mana enveloping your body.
Hmm So strengthening myself through the use of magic is possible. If i'm able to do that, i'll be able to fight monsters despite having such a small body.
"There are 6 types of elements. Light, Darkness, Water, Fire, Wind, Earth. Most people can only use 1 element, let alone 2. There's also exists unique types of magic but those are Very, Very Rare."
Hm.. I'd like to know more about that and about this kingdom but that would be too many questions.. I'm sure she's getting tired of explaining.. I guess i'll just find out on my own.
"I see.. Thank you very much for spending your time to explain this all to me."
"You're very welcome. if you look to your right you'll see a board at the end of the building. That's the quest board. If you're interested you can search for a quest you'd like to complete. Since you can't read just Search for anyone containing These letters on the top"
The receptionist showed me 2 different letters which appeared to represent F and G in writing.
"Thank you" I said to her showing a face of deep grat.i.tude.
So i'm finally an adventurer... I didn't expect it to be this easy. Honestly, i thought i'd be discriminated or wouldn't be allowed to become an adventurer due to my age and clothes but i'm guessing there's no restrictions. If you're talented. You're talented. But that's only if, you're talented.
After it finally sunk it. My adrenaline started to get to me. Just the thought of the many adventures that i'd be able to go on made my heart beat faster.
"And i won't be alone" I quietly said as i gave a short look towards Ariel
"What?" She embarra.s.singly asked
"Ah. N-nothing..." I replied while feeling slightly fl.u.s.tered
We headed towards the board and i took this chance to look around. The adventurers are sitting in tables with what appears to be members of their party. Most of these parties were pretty balanced. They had each had at least one person full body armour and carried a s.h.i.+eld, most likely a tank. others were swordsmen.
I guess it's to be expected that they would have a balanced party like this.. they're adventurers after all. So far i have treated everything as an exciting adventure but i'm still aware of the risks. and i can't afford exposing Ariel to these which is why i need to get stronger.
We don't have a party and from the looks of it, no one wants to trust their backs to kids. have a particularly strong build since i'm a kid, so i'm betting my chances on being able to use magic
I know i'm taking things lightly. But i'm in another world. i want to enjoy it as much as possible..
After we arrived at the board i looked around for sheets which had the letters which i was shown and picked a random one.
I brought it over to the receptionist and she showed a relieved look. Shortly after she recomposed herself.
"This quest is to go collect medicinal herbs on the forest outside of the Kingdom"
Sounds simple enough. Despite being big it was quite easy to find your way around this kingdom. And most likely after i exit i'll get to see new things. This is so exciting... I can't wait to start using magic.
As if she had read my mind the receptionist said "The quest may be simple, but the reason why it's a quest is because there are monsters in the forest. Don't drop your guard and stay alert."
"Yes. I'll take these warnings seriously" I rea.s.sured her.
"The reward for this quest is 1 Silver Per Herb. This is a drawing of what they look like and they're pretty common throughout the forest. The reason the reward is high is because of the danger.. don't forget!"
"Yes... Thank you.." I Replied
Ariel nodded and we took the sheet which had the drawing.
"Well then, let's go complete our first quest."
"Mn" She nodded.
I've realised this but she doesn't really talk much... I don't mind but it feels kind of distant... Well we literally met a few hours ago so i'm guessing she's just shy. Over time she'll talk more, probably.
It's good that she appears resolved... However heading into a forest without a weapon is suicide.. What do i do..
As i turned around to head to exit the building. I was stopped by the receptionist.
"Take this.. I'm sure it'll be of use.."
She handed me a Short dagger. it appeared to be made out of Iron and was light so i had no trouble holding it. She gave one to me and one to Ariel.
"Are you sure?" I asked
"Yes, it's just a few daggers. They're cheap and easy to find at any blacksmith' inn.
"Very well.. I am very grateful and i'll pay you back one day."
"Make sure you do" She said with a bright smile on her face.
I guess this was her way of telling me to come back safely? I guess I have no choice.
Well... Once more.. let's start ourquest.