Aaron frowned slightly, puzzled.
"Wait… how do you know my name? I don't think we introduced ourselves yet."
Maria chuckled softly and pointed to the glowing crystal orb still sitting on the table.
"This isn't an ordinary item," she said.
"The orb reveals the true name of anyone who touches it. It also tells us whether that person has awakened their profession or not."
She leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in front of her.
"Since the orb reacted strongly to your touch, that means you've awakened."
She reached into her satchel and pulled out a thin parchment form.
"Now that we know, you'll need to fill this out. It's your registration form for the Adventurers' Guild. Once completed, we'll issue your Adventurer Card."
Aaron took the form cautiously, still absorbing the rapid pace of events.
Maria paused, then smiled warmly.
"Oh, I should introduce myself properly too. I'm Maria, Guild assistant and part-time waitress."
She gave a small wink, playfully adding,
"Don't let the uniform fool you. I know my way around awakened folks like you."
As she handed over a pen, she pointed to the final line on the form.
"Also, keep in mind, the first Adventurer Card is free. But if you ever lose it…"
She held up one finger with a mock-stern look,
"…you'll need to pay a gold coin for a replacement. So guard it like it's part of your soul."
Aaron quietly nodded and began filling out the form. Thankfully, the body he now inhabited could read and write without difficulty, sparing him the embarrassment of asking for help.
The questions were simple, his name, his father's name, and his current address. Nothing too complicated. He filled them in one by one with a steady hand, though his heart beat a little faster. This was his first step toward something bigger.
Once he finished, he looked up at Maria and asked with a hint of hesitation,
"Sister Maria... is it okay if I call you that?"
Maria smiled warmly, her eyes soft.
"Of course you can," she said with a gentle nod.
"What would you like to know?"
Aaron leaned forward, his curiosity finally bubbling over.
"Can you tell me about the quests I can take? I want to know what kind of missions are available."
Maria chuckled lightly and stood from her chair, gathering the completed form.
"Not so fast," she said playfully.
"Let me go fetch your Adventurer Card first. Once you have that, I'll explain everything, your rank, what gear you're eligible for, how quests work, and all the important rules you need to know."
She gave him a reassuring nod before heading toward the door, leaving Aaron seated with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.
About a minute later, Maria returned, a sleek card held neatly between her fingers. It was pure white and slightly glossy, catching the light as she placed it gently on the table in front of Aaron.
"Here it is," she said with a warm smile.
"Your Adventurer Card, Aaron."
Aaron leaned forward, his eyes scanning the surface of the card. It had his name etched in elegant script along with the symbol of the guild, two crossed swords beneath a rising star.
Maria continued, her voice shifting into explanation mode.
"Now, let me tell you about the ranking system."
She pointed to the white card.
"What you've got is a White Card—the entry-level rank for new adventurers. It means you're just starting out and only eligible for low-risk quests."
She held up her fingers one by one as she listed the rest:
- Green – the next step up, given to those who've gained some experience.
- Yellow – for adventurers with a growing reputation and moderate achievements.
- Blue – signifying seasoned adventurers who've completed tougher missions.
- Purple – held by elite individuals who take on dangerous, high-stakes quests.
- Orange – rare and respected, often reserved for veterans with years of service.
- Red – the highest rank, granted only to legends. People with this rank shape history."
She lowered her hand and looked at Aaron seriously.
"Each rank unlocks new privileges, better gear, higher pay, tougher quests. But it also means facing more danger."
Then she smiled again, softening her tone.
"You've got a long road ahead, but every Red Card legend started out with a White Card just like this."
Maria paused for a moment, then continued before Aaron could ask another question, her voice warm and patient.
"Since we've already gone over the ranks of Adventurer Cards," she said, "let me now explain how items are graded."
She leaned slightly forward, tapping her finger on the table for emphasis.
"Everything you'll use as an adventurer, whether it's equipment, armor, potions, skill scrolls, weapons, rings, or tools, is sorted into specific grades. These grades reflect their quality, rarity, and power."
Maria raised her hand and began listing them with calm precision:
- White Grade – Ordinary items. Basic gear for fresh adventurers; nothing special, but they do the job.
- Green Grade – Rare items. Slightly better quality, sometimes with small enchantments or added durability.
- Yellow Grade – Set items. These come in themed sets and grant bonus effects when used together.
- Blue Grade – Unique items. Custom-crafted gear or one-of-a-kind finds with distinct traits.
- Purple Grade – Epic items. Powerful and often tied to storied quests or elite dungeons.
- Orange Grade – Legendary items. Rarely seen, infused with strong magic or ancient techniques. Most adventurers dream of owning even one.
- Red Grade – Ancient items. The highest grade known. Shrouded in mystery, often linked to historical figures or long-lost civilizations. They're priceless and incredibly dangerous to wield if you're unprepared.
Maria gave Aaron a thoughtful look.
"As you grow and rise through the ranks, you'll start to encounter items from higher grades. But for now, White Grade is your starting point."
She smiled reassuringly.
"Even legendary heroes began their journey with worn boots and rusty swords."
Aaron sat quietly, absorbing every word. As Maria explained the grading of items, he couldn't help but think, this world felt oddly familiar, almost like a game he once knew. The ranking systems, gear classifications, quests... It all clicked somewhere in his memory, even if this body hadn't lived that life.