"So this is the Adventurers Guild…"
Luna Belle tilted her head back to study the building, anticipation coloring her voice. "The other-world version of the HIA…"
Ellen yawned, plainly unimpressed by the guild's grandeur. "Let's get this over with—I want to go back to bed."
Just then, a receptionist girl standing by the door with a notice board spotted them, her face lighting up with an enthusiastic smile. She hurried over, her bright voice ringing clear.
"By the twin moons and the abyss, welcome to the Adventurers Guild! I'm Lina, your receptionist. Are you here to post a commission or to register as adventurers?"
The girl looked about sixteen or seventeen, vivid orange curls tied into perky twin tails, green eyes sparkling with warmth. She wore a fitted guild uniform dress, a tiny sword-and-staff badge pinned over her heart. Caught off guard by the sudden warmth, Luna Belle answered quickly.
"Hello, we just wanted to look around."
Lina's smile widened even further. "First time? May I give you a quick tour? Our White Thorn City branch is one of the largest in eastern Silver Moon Duchy, offering full services—commissions, registration, intel swap, gear purchase, everything!"
Her words tumbled out like rapid fire, full of energy, a stark contrast to Ellen's languid air. Ellen flicked a glance at the receptionist, twirling the lollipop in her mouth.
"Can you get a meal here?"
Lina blinked, then beamed even brighter. "Of course! The tavern upstairs serves the city's best-value lunch—beef stew with black bread, only three coppers. Today's special! Though it's meant for adventurers…"
Three coppers—cheap indeed. Luna Belle compared it with her last meal, then smiled at Lina.
"In that case… we'd like to know how to become adventurers and what starter commissions are available."
Lina's eyes lit up at once. "You want to register? Wonderful! The guild's short-handed right now. This way, please—I'll take you to the registry desk!"
She gestured brightly and led the way; Luna Belle and Ellen followed her into the bustling hall. From the roof, Sayu dropped lightly as a feather, landing without a sound. Pulling her hood lower, she merged with the crowd and slipped inside…
Lina threaded them through the noisy hall to a quieter counter in the corner. Behind it sat an elderly, spectacled man, head down as he scribbled busily.
"Mr. Hans!" Lina chirped, waving at him. "Newcomers wanting to register as adventurers!"
The old man—Mr. Hans—looked up, adjusted his glasses, and swept his gaze over Luna Belle and Ellen, pausing a moment on Ellen's conspicuous shark tail. He asked nothing, merely nodded and pulled two forms and a thick booklet from a drawer.
"Fill in the basics—name, age, specialities… Oh, and here's the adventurer rank explanation; read it first."
His voice was level and slightly hoarse as he slid the booklet across the counter. Lina flipped it open eagerly, pointing to the illustrated pages.
"Our ranks run seven tiers! You start at Bronze, then Silver, Gold, Black Steel, Jade, Starlight, and the top—Luminous Moon! Higher ranks unlock tougher commissions and bigger rewards!"
Luna Belle leaned in; the booklet laid out each rank's rights and duties in concise text and diagrams. Bronze level was limited to the simplest jobs. Ellen gave it a glance, yawned again, nostrils drifting toward the smell of food from across the hall. With Lina's help, Luna Belle soon completed both forms.
Mr. Hans took them, copied the data into a heavy ledger, then produced two dull-metal circular badges from beneath the counter. Each bore a crossed sword-and-staff emblem, a plain patterned rim, and a small gray-green stone at the center.
"These are your provisional badges—also magitech devices for comms and merit tracking. Once bonded, you'll use them to take commissions, hand in tasks, and rank up." He smiled. "Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. From this moment, you're Bronze-rank adventurers."
They picked up the badges and pressed a finger to each stone; it flashed faintly, then dimmed, and Luna Belle felt a faint link form.
"All set. You may now browse the Bronze commission boards." Mr. Hans gestured toward several tall wooden boards plastered with parchment.
They walked over; the boards were packed with notices.
"Find the lost pet cat 'Ball-Ball,' reward five coppers."
"Clear silt from the eastern sewer entrance, reward ten coppers."
"Gather ten Calming Flowers, one copper each."
"Help move cargo to the docks, reward fifteen coppers."
…Ellen took one look and yawned hugely, eyes watering. "…That's it? Find cats? Shovel muck? How boring…" She grumbled, tail drooping listlessly.
Luna Belle was equally dismayed; a day on these jobs wouldn't even cover the inn bill, let alone save for land. She turned to Lina.
"Miss Lina, can't we accept higher commissions? Ellen's far stronger than Bronze."
Lina gave an apologetic smile and shook her head. "Sorry, Miss Belle. Guild rules are strict—ranks must match commissions. It's for everyone's safety; high-tier jobs carry unknown dangers, and without proven skill, accidents happen."
She paused, glanced at the drowsy Ellen, and added, "Still… if you can show solid proof—like a slain beast's core or a letter of recommendation from a high-rank adventurer or notable figure—the guild can raise your rank by exception."
"Proof of strength, huh…"