The guild hall was still buzzing hours after the duel. My name spread like wildfire, apparently beating the "Prodigy Mage of Eridale" was a big deal.
I leaned back at our new inn table, nursing a mug of something that was probably juice. Bran insisted it was. It tasted suspiciously fermented.
Lyra sat across from me, hands folded neatly, while Elira sprawled on a chair like she owned the place. The merchant was already flirting with the waitress, swearing he could "triple her tips" if she joined his caravan.
Typical.
"Protector," Lyra began softly, "now that you're recognized by the guild, people will expect you to take official quests. Your fame is a double-edged sword."
I sighed. "Yeah, figured."
[Observation: Probability of assassination attempts increased by 22%. Congratulations, Host.]
"Thank you, Advisor," I muttered.
[Correction: Sarcasm not detected in your gratitude. Please confirm sincerity.]
I set my mug down harder than intended. "Shut up, Advisor."
Elira smirked. "Talking to your invisible friend again?"
[Observation: Advisor wants others to hear him]
[ New skill obtained]
[ Passive: Voice of the Advisor]
[ Others are now able to hear the voice of the system]
" Wait what?!"
Elira eyebrows raised as she heard the strange voice.
" What was that "
[ This is the voice of the Advisor, the one who Yuto always talks with. The one who makes Yuto stronger]
" Hey, no fair. It's true pure hardwork"
[ Observation: Hardwork 27%]
" Really, advisor?"
Others were amazed,
" Woah, you can get stronger?!, that's cool"
They suddenly started murmuring.
" Well guess they would later figure out, after all.."
---
The inn door slammed open.
A loud, brash voice cut through the room: "Where's this so-called Protector? I heard he flattened Kael like a bug!"
Heads turned.
A beastkin youth with wild golden hair strutted in, twin daggers strapped to his belt. He was tall, confident, and radiated trouble.
Behind him trailed a pair of girls: one, a refined noble-looking type dripping with jewelry, the other… well, let's just say her bouncing steps and starry-eyed look screamed airhead trouble.
Great. A trio of headaches.
---
The beastkin grinned, spotting me. "There you are! I'm Zarek, future number one adventurer of Eridale! Since you're the current hotshot, guess we'll be rivals, eh?"
I blinked. "…Do I get a choice in this?"
"Nope!" Zarek declared proudly, plopping down at our table uninvited. The noble girl sat beside him, rolling her eyes.
"Please ignore him," she said, her tone sharp. "He's loud but not entirely useless. My name is Seraphina. My family practically funds this guild, so don't even think about offending me."
I raised a brow. "Uh-huh. And you are?"
The bubbly one beamed. "Mimi! I like food, magic, and shiny things!" She immediately reached for my juice.
I pulled it away. "Hands off."
She pouted. "Meanie."
[Observation: New party dynamics forming. High probability of chaos.]
"Don't encourage them, Advisor."
---
Bran groaned. "You've attracted more strays."
Elira smirked. "Oh, I like them. They'll make things interesting."
Lyra just smiled politely, though her eyes flicked warily between Seraphina and Mimi.
I leaned back, pinching the bridge of my nose. "So what, you're just… joining me now?"
Zarek slammed his fist on the table. "Of course! Eridale's strongest rookies gotta stick together. Besides, rumor says a big tournament's coming up, and we'll need alliances."
Seraphina sipped her wine gracefully. "Correction: he will need alliances. I simply refuse to let a country bumpkin like him drag my reputation through the mud. Traveling with you should provide… balance."
Mimi clapped happily. "Yay! More friends!"
[Observation: Host's quiet life dream has reached 0% probability.]
"…Shut. Up. Advisor."
---
As the night wore on, I learned three things:
1. Zarek was every bit the cocky idiot he looked like, but skilled enough to back it up.
2. Seraphina had coin, brains, and more attitude than I could handle.
3. Mimi ate like a dragon and somehow charmed the innkeeper into giving her free dessert.
And me? I was apparently the glue holding together a band of misfits I never signed up for.
"Eridale's strongest rookies," Zarek repeated proudly, raising his mug. "To us!"
Everyone cheered.
I groaned. "This is going to end badly, isn't it?"
[Observation: Extremely.]
---
Eh eh eh, what's coming up next?, wanna figure out, Then support me more!. Thanks for reading you all, I gladly appreciate.
2-3chapters will be released tomorrow depending on how fast I can be so watch out!.