"The registration process is really simple," Irene explains. "Through the appraisal crystal we will just check your stats and skills. It is important to know, however, that your adventurer rank will be determined independently from your stats and skills at least for the entry rank."
While explaining she walks towards the table and sits down in front of the crystal.
"That is to be sure you understand how the guild's operate and what your privileges and duties are, before gaining a high rank."
Like the last time, I am the first to get my status checked, but this time I won't hide any skills or Myrna's origin. In the guild it seems to be okay to be Demi-Human so I don't think I'll have to worry about it.
"Then let's start." I say and sit down at the other site.
Like the last time it shows my entire status. Irene's gaze is somewhat confusing and looks like a mix of disappointment and worry.
"Is everything okay, Miss Irene?" I ask.
"Yeah... it's just... your level is quite low for am adventurer. Yet you seem to have a rare skill even."
'As I thought.'
I can't change it for now and just bear it. With my appraisal done it's time for Myrna to be checked. Her appraisal isn't less confusing for Irene which I believe is because of the stats reduction.
"Your level and stats are quite good, but it seems some condition or curse is affecting your MP and HP and blocking your skills." Irene summarizes.
Our registration appraisal is done and she leads is back to the counter of the guild's main hall.
"Under normal circumstances your stats wouldn't be a problem for the lowest rank - rank F. However, as you experienced we are suffering under ambushes since weeks which makes it dangerous." she states.
She seems to hesitate and I guess it's because she's worrying about us.
"Would it be better, if my partner's restricting condition is gone?" I ask.
"Yes, definitely" Irene answers. "With a level 20 I wouldn't even have to worry about you. Even inexperienced, a lvl 20 person faces no dangers at all around Tovol."
For a moment I think about our next steps. I don't want worry such a good woman, but being to outstanding would be bad as well.
"Ryuu?" Myrna asks. "Is everything okay?"
Her question snaps me out of my thoughts.
"Yes. Miss Irene, please prepare our F-rank guild IDs. We will get rid of Myrna's status and when we're finished, we'd like to collect the IDs. Is that okay?"
"Definitely. I will prepare them and keep them until you return."
Having that handled, I take Myrna and leave the guild building. Our business here is done until we can get our membership IDs. Though I don't plan to let them wait long.
We leave the guild and take a walk through the lively streets.
"What do we do now?" Myrna asks.
"Lifting your condition, of course." I smile. "But I didn't want to do anything in the guild so let's go somewhere, where we are more undisturbed, alright?"
It doesn't even take a second till her face blushes like a tomato again.
'What is this girl thinking again...'
It takes some time of walking before we finally find a quiet alley. I don't know well how to start topics which are concerning people so I just do it the way I know - direct.
"That condition of yours.... has it something to do with the slavery background?"
"Uh-huh," she nods.
As expected the direct way is always a bit depressing. Even a social awkward like me can see that she's trying to hold back her tears right now.
"You know... you don't need to be ashamed for that at least in front of me. May I ask what the condition exactly is?"
Myrna clenches her fists. Whatever it is, it must be something that reminds her of times worse than now. I'm in this world only since one day and we just met so to speak so I guess it's difficult for her to completely let down her defense.
"It's a slave contract," she sighs. "Or rather an unfinished slave contract."
"A slave contract?"
The term itself sounds paradoxical since a contract is to ensure both party's conditions. Except the contract is more like a one-sided.
"It's a magical process in which the slave gets bound to the new owner. Ones formed, it's impossible to lift the contract until death.
"And if the owner does before the slave?"
She hesitates and her entire body is trembling. By looking at her body's reaction I can imagine what happens to a slave when their owner dies.
"We die with the owner."
As guessed. A terrible fate since you can't decide what owner you get.
"And the unfinished thing? What's with that? I ask.
"It means that everyone who knows of the contract process can enslave me right now whether I want or not and until the process is finished, I'm weakened like this. Even Ryuu could..."
"Not gonna happen." I decline. "But now I know what's exactly wrong. That helps a lot."
With a puzzled gaze Myrna looks up to me.
"What do you plan to do now?"
"Lifting the condition, of course. May I see the magic formular?"
With a nod Myrna turns away and lifts her shirt. On her back there a several lines of letters. They aren't runes but some other kind of magical letters. Thanks to my language knowledge skill, however, it seems I am able to understand them.
From what I can see it's like a safety clause to prevent the to-be slave from rash actions once the contract process started. When acting up, the victim gets restricted and will remain so until the contract is done and the owner lifts this limitation.
'So depending on the owner even after finishing it she probably wouldn't have get her stats back as punishment...'
With each passing second I understand more and more of the structure and the logic of the contract literally unfolds itself in front of me.
'I could lift it easily with my runes, I guess. However, since Myrna was about to be sold here in Tovol, I have a better idea.'
"I can remove the contract and it's limiting condition, if this is what you wish," I explain.
"You really can?" she joys. "Please! Do it!"
"Yes, however, I could also just remove the limitations of the contract, remove the contract logic itself but let it stay there visually. Nothing but a dummy."
"Huh? Why would you do that?" she asks.
"In the contract is a name mentioned. This person can detect you when within a certain range." I continue.
"When he is near, he will probably try to activate the contract, which doesn't exist anymore of course. But then we know who your planned buyer is. That is, if you trust me of course."
"I do!", she replies firmly, "please do as you want. As long as I don't need to fear to be enslaved, I'm fine with whatever."
"Thanks for trusting me." I smile.