I tried to gauge their ages but it was quite difficult, maybe because of their heights. They didn't look that much older than me even if they were quite tall. Val looked like she was the older of the two but again that could be because she was really tall.
"Umm.. thank you."
The red haired woman laughed lightly and said "Don't worry about it. Val was just teasing, she wouldn't have actually hurt you. She likes to show off since people get scared of her easily. But this time she went too far. You looked so scared, so I had to step in quickly." She gave me a broad smile and extended her right hand. "I am Janet and this is Val. We are D rank adventurers.'' I shook her hand and said "I am Ren. I am not a ranked adventurer. In fact, today was my first quest and I failed it miserably." I said while looking down. I was more embarrassed than I thought I would be. It was just that these girls didn't seem much older than me but they were already D rank. I on the other hand had failed a simple herb gather quest and couldn't read a map properly.
"Oh? What happened Ren?" asked Janet.
I hesitated a bit but finally told her the story. I didn't embellish it to try and make myself look better. I told her how I was lost and was attacked, how I was saved and healed. To my surprise, Janet started glaring at Val who started looking more and more flustered as I told my story.
"Hey I didn't know what had happened alright? It's not my fault if the little kid got lost!"
"He went through so much today and you had to make it worse for him didn't you. You just couldn't help but bully him. You had to have your fun!"
"I won't do it again alright! Just leave me alone!"
"You won't do it to him but you will do it to someone else."
"Grrrr…."
After a bit more bickering, Janet turned back towards me and asked "Aren't you a little young to be adventuring? You realize you have to be at least 15 to work as an adventurer right? Did you accept this assignment officially or did you just go off on your own?"
"Umm… I did not accept this assignment officially since I don't have the money to register as an adventurer. I just hoped that they will accept the herbs if I bring them back and then I can use that money to register. I am 17 so I can work as an adventurer" I said a bit more quietly and looked at my feet. I was a bit embarrassed about my height, especially when standing in front of two tall ladies like these.
I waited for a few seconds but I did not receive any reply so I looked up to see whats wrong. Both women were staring at me with their mouths hanging open. I started wondering what I had said wrong when finally Janet recovered and asked
"You are really 17 years old?"
"Yeah. I turned 17 last month"
"I am also 17 and Val just turned 18 years old" she said quietly.
It was my turn to stare at her with my mouth hanging open. The difference in our heights was just too big! They are the same age as me! How can the difference be so big? My face was burning with embarrassment!
"There is no way! Come with me!" Val grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the guild registration counter. I tried to pull away but there is no way I could resist her! I realized that even if I used all my strength, it had no effect on what she was doing.