After Class
While walking toward the academy exit, Arthur overheard several students discussing a secondary Adventurer's Guild operating near the city's commercial sector. It wasn't as famous as the capital's main guild, but it received varied requests: from simple tasks for students to serious commissions for higher-rank mages.
"A guild here in Ranoa...?" Arthur thought, stopping for a moment.
That sounded perfect. He could earn money, improve his skills, and avoid depending so much on Rudeus for everything. He could even save up to get his own place; he didn't want to spend years always living in the shadow of his friends.
Rudeus noticed Arthur's expression and approached him.
"If you're interested in that guild, I can take you. I worked there for a while too," he said with a slight smile.
"You did missions here?"
—Of course. It's useful for learning to stand on your own two feet.
"Yes, I want to try, —he replied.
—Perfect. We'll go tomorrow.
Morning at the Guild
The following morning, Arthur woke up long before the sun had fully risen above Ranoa's buildings. He dressed in his most comfortable uniform and checked that he had his staff, his sword, and a small pouch of coins. He didn't know how much he would need, but he wanted to be prepared.
When he went down to the dining room, Rudeus was already waiting for him with a cup of tea in hand.
—Ready for your first day as an adventurer? —he said with a calm smile.
—Yes... though I don't know if I'm nervous or excited," Arthur replied.
Aisha and Norn appeared seconds later, their hair still slightly disheveled from waking up. But when they heard "guild," their expressions changed.
He's going on missions? Aisha asked, adjusting her hair. "Then I'm going too."
And let Aisha go alone? Don't even think about it," Norn said, crossing her arms.
Arthur sighed. This is becoming predictable.
It won't be anything dangerous, —Rudeus clarified. "But if you want to accompany us, that's fine. That way you can see what the atmosphere is like.
The walk to the commercial sector was bustling with people entering and leaving shops, food stalls, and small workshops. After a few minutes, they arrived at the guild building: it wasn't huge, but it was large enough to serve a good number of students and local adventurers. A carved wooden sign with the symbol of a book and a crossed sword hung at the entrance.
—Welcome to the Ranoa Underground Adventurers Guild,— Rudeus announced.
Arthur stepped inside, and the first thing that caught his attention was the hubbub. Tables were occupied by teams discussing missions, young adventurers checking boards covered in papers, and a couple of receptionists attending long lines. The atmosphere wasn't as rough as the capital's, but it was alive.
Aisha and Norn watched everything with bright eyes.
—It's different from how I imagined...— Norn murmured.
—Did you think there would be the smell of beer and fights?— Rudeus joked.
—...Yes,— she admitted.
Rudeus led Arthur directly to the counter, where a short-haired receptionist with glasses seemed to recognize Rudeus.
—Oh, Mr. Greyrat. Back to work?
—Not exactly," he replied. "I'm showing the place to my friend."
The receptionist's eyes moved to Arthur, who felt slightly scrutinized.
—Special student?— the woman asked, seeing his badge.
Yes,— Arthur replied.
Very well. Fill out this form, and you can accept Rank F and E missions to start. If your capabilities are superior, supervisors will evaluate you later for rank advancement.
Arthur took the sheet and began to fill it out: Name. Age. Magical Specialty. Weapon Mastery. Estimated Level.
When he reached the "current rank" section, he left the space blank.
"Put 'King-Rank'," Rudeus whispered, amused.
Arthur glared at him.
—I don't want to draw attention.
—Too late for that, —Aisha responded, pointing to a group of students who were looking at them, muttering amongst themselves.
Arthur handed over the form, and the receptionist reviewed every line with a raised eyebrow.
Finally, she handed him an adventurer's plate.
Welcome to the guild, Arthur. May your path be prosperous.
Arthur took it and felt a slight thrill of excitement.
I guess I'm officially an adventurer now.
Rudeus smiled with satisfaction.
Welcome to the chaos, then.
Aisha stepped forward and pointed at the board with a wide smile.
Arthur! Choose a simple mission to start! Maybe some gathering or bug extermination.
Norn also observed, but with more gravity.
Arthur stopped the two of them, making them look at him. "I'm going alone this time."
Aisha puffed out her cheeks upon hearing him, clearly unhappy. Norn, for her part, frowned as if Arthur had just announced he was planning to move to another country.
Alone?— Aisha asked, crossing her arms. —And why can't we go with you? We are strong too.
Arthur took a deep breath, already expecting that reaction. He then gently placed his hands on both sisters' heads, messing up their hair slightly.
Listen. You two are incredible,— he said with a sincere smile. "But I want to gain experience on my own. If I start relying on you or Rudeus all the time... I'll never truly grow."
Norn stared at him, as if trying to read if he was serious.
—And isn't it dangerous? —she asked quietly.
That's precisely why I'll start with low-rank missions,— Arthur replied. "I won't do anything stupid. And when I move up in rank, when I take on more difficult missions... then you can accompany me. We can even form a group, the three of us."
Aisha lowered her gaze. Her fingers gripped her skirt, as if fighting the urge to protest.
—..It's fine,— she finally murmured. —But you have to come back whole every day. If something happens to you, I'm going to cry, she blurted out, sniffling.
Arthur smiled.
—Promise.
Norn sighed, resigned.
—At least you have to come before nightfall.
Arthur couldn't help but smile, feeling the warmth of people who care about you.
Rudeus, who had observed the entire scene, blinked several times. "It's not that I was jealous... well, maybe a little."
Deep down, he wanted to receive that attention from his little sisters, to be the one who cared for them and the one they sought out first.
Without saying more, he patted Arthur softly on the back.
Well said. Independence is also part of the path. I did the exact same thing at your age. If you need help, we're here, but the advancement is yours.
Arthur nodded... and took the first step toward the enormous mission board.
The sound of the guild blended together: voices, laughter, moving scrolls, adventurers bragging about their achievements. It was a world distinct from the academy, a place where talent and effort were measured by actions, not exams.
His eyes scanned the posted sheets:
* Collection of Luminous Herbs – Rank F
* Cleaning of the Underground Canal – Rank F
* Expulsion of Blue Slime – Rank E
* Package Delivery to the West Zone – Rank F
* Elimination of Three Mutated Rats – Rank E
Arthur felt something akin to pure excitement and freedom.
It was the first step on his own path... one that did not depend on any prophecy, teaching, or family.
—Good...— he whispered. —It's time to start.
He stepped forward and picked up one of the missions from the board: the scroll for "Elimination of three mutated rats – Rank E." It was a simple task, but it involved venturing into the darkness of the city's tunnels, an environment that required more than just magic. He held it firmly.
See you at nightfall, —Arthur said, looking at the girls and Rudeus.
Mission Rango E: Immediate Upgrade
Without waiting any longer, he left the Adventurer's Guild with the mission sheet tucked into his pocket. He headed to the district of the abandoned tunnels, a dark and foul-smelling area beneath Ranoa's streets.
He stopped at the mouth of a dark alley that led to the sewers.
—Great Sage, remind me of the data on the 'Mutated Rats'?— Arthur requested, igniting a small fireball.
"The mutated rats are the result of exposure to residual Mana concentrated in the city's magical garbage. They are larger than average, have resistant claws, and slightly armored skin. Weakness: The Fire element is highly effective against them," the Great Sage replied.
—Perfect,— Arthur said.
He entered the tunnel. The air was heavy and fetid, and with the help of the fire magic, he penetrated the darkness.
After a few minutes, he heard the harsh squealing of the rats. He found them in a small vault, gnawing on bone fragments: they were the size of small dogs, and their eyes shone with unnatural malice. Three, just as the scroll indicated.
Arthur did not resort to his sword. Instead, he raised his hand. He concentrated his Mana.
He materialized a "Medium-Rank Fire Lance" at his fingertip.
He launched the first fire dart. It struck the central rat. The fire enveloped the target, reducing it to ashes in an instant. The smell of burnt flesh mixed with the stench of the sewer.
The other two mutated rats shrieked, furious and frightened, and charged at Arthur.
Arthur repeated the action, firing two more fire darts consecutively, one for each rat. The heat was so intense that the creatures' natural armor disintegrated before they could even brush against Arthur.
The tunnel fell silent. The mission, which might have taken a novice adventurer half an hour, was completed in less than a minute.
Arthur collected the rats' tails (the mission proof) and cleaned the magical residue.
—Mission complete... That was too easy... Maybe I should ask for an evaluation to get Rank S.
Back at the guild, he approached the counter.
—Excuse me, I would like to request an evaluation to move up in rank.
The receptionist blinked twice. —You already completed the commission?"
Arthur showed the rat tails.
—Well, haha... it was to be expected from a special student... or are you deceiving me, and you truly have a much higher rank?— The receptionist narrowed her eyes.
—Well, I guess just a little, hehe, —he said, a bead of sweat running down his temple.
—Mr. Arthur, I assure you that the guild is very confidential. So,— she pulled out another form, "please write your true data again, and we will verify it with a guild evaluator."
Arthur wrote his data and his ranks again. —Just please don't make too much of a fuss,— he handed her the sheet.
The receptionist looked mechanically at Arthur upon seeing the data. —Don't tell me that...— Arthur nodded.
I will go with the guild master to request an evaluator.
The receptionist returned after a few minutes, looking pale, with rigid steps and cold sweat that she didn't try to hide.
Mr. Arthur...—he tried to maintain her composure. —The guild master accepted your request. The evaluator is ready to attend to you.
Arthur approached calmly, as if he hadn't just requested an exam that normally only adventurers seeking to advance to Rank A or higher would take.
The receptionist swallowed.
Please follow me.
She led him down a quieter corridor, away from the typical adventurer bustle. They passed several doors protected with magical seals, an area that almost no novice ever set foot in.
The room was reinforced with anti-Mana stones and protective runes. In the center, a middle-aged man with broad shoulders, a short beard, and a golden symbol on his shoulder: a High-Rank Guild Evaluator. He was someone who could, by himself, destroy most adventurers with a snap of his fingers.
The man observed him with professional calm... though a certain curiosity was noticeable.
Arthur, right?— he said, crossing his arms. "It says here you want an evaluation to move up in rank. Normally, this is only allowed for those who are already in the final stages of Rank C... but your request comes signed directly by the receptionist and the guild master.
He paused.
Before we begin, let me clarify something: I don't tolerate lies. If you claim a rank and cannot prove it..." his eyes sharpened, "you will leave here crawling.
Arthur tilted his head.
Understood.
Good. We'll start with an elemental control evaluation. Attack me with the best technique you can perform without killing anyone within a twenty-meter radius,— the evaluator ordered, activating a protective circle beneath his feet. —And don't hold back too much. I need to measure your real level.
Arthur breathed deeply, closing his eyes for an instant. He extended his palm forward, concentrating a massive amount of Mana. The air trembled around him.
He concentrated his Mana, forcing an advanced combination of elements: Wind and Water. At that moment, the temperature in the field began to drop drastically, making the evaluator able to see his own breath in the air.
"I'll only use an Emperor-Rank control demonstration in a low area," Arthur thought, making sure the power was maximum, but the area of effect controlled.
"Absolute Ice..."
In that instant, a massive, crystalline layer of ice expanded from Arthur's palm. The ground, the surrounding walls, and the air froze rapidly into a dense formation. The evaluator was not frozen because Arthur stopped the expansion of the ice right at the perimeter of the protective circle beneath his feet. It was as if a perfectly sculpted dome of ice had emerged, leaving the man in its center, completely unharmed.
When everything finished, the man stood motionless, looking around. He was completely surprised, swallowing hard. The entire test field was covered by a layer of ice so dense and pure that it looked like giant glass.
"And this boy... is only thirteen years old," the evaluator muttered, his eyes fixed on the layer of frost surrounding his boots.
"That level... is above Rank A. This is... Rank S?"
The evaluator slowly lowered his arms, sweating.
That's enough...— he swallowed. —I don't need to see more. Your real rank exceeds the standards. I will speak with the guild master to make it official.
The door opened behind them.
The receptionist was there, trembling.
S-so, Mr. Evaluator...?
The man glared, a drop of sweat on his brow.
Girl, mark him as provisional Rank A. We can't put S yet without an official exam from the capital... but this monster," he pointed at Arthur, "will achieve it whenever he wants.
The receptionist looked at Arthur, almost as if she were seeing a dragon disguised as a child.
Y-yes... sir.
Arthur took a deep breath. His first day as an adventurer... and he was already far above the average level.
The evaluator looked at him one last time.
Arthur... welcome to the true world of adventurers. I'll try not to lose sight of you.
"It's best if I don't say anything to either of them; I want to do some missions on my own," Arthur thought.
....
End of Chapter