"CAN I ASK you something, Kino?"
"What's that Leo?"
"Do all the women from your world dress like you?"
"The thing is I was on my way to a track meet when I was sent here. So no, most don't dress in a tracksuit jacket, athletic shirt, running briefs, and running shoes."
"What's a track meet?"
"It's a competition against other teams from different schools." Kino explains.
"She's also supposed to wear her tracksuit pants, but she doesn't." Kiyo chimes in.
"And what about you Kiyo?" Leo asks, turning his head to him.
"This is actually a pretty typical look. It's just a plain black t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans, and tennis."
"You mean it's a typical look for you." Kino retorts.
The twins begin bickering back and forth about each other's choice of wardrobe for a bit until they reach their destination.
"Welcome to Snapdragon Village. It's a small quiet place with a population of about twenty two hundred. The Snapdragon Inn is where most adventures stay. It has a great restaurant and a bar for those who are old enough to drink." Leo begins giving the twins a tour of the village.
"The Star Shop is where one goes to get equipment. From weapons to armor to an assortment of other items. Depending on the size of the shop in town their inventory will vary.
Anvil is a blacksmith shop that repairs your gear. They also do custom jobs, but depending on the size of the town, and what kind of work you want done it'll take time to complete your request.
Four Stars and Four Anvils are their sister shops. They handle gear that has been enchanted or needs to be enchanted. It can be pricey, but worth it. You can find those shops in bigger populated areas.
This is the adventurer's guild. It's one of many guilds throughout the empire. This one has an excellent reputation for helping new adventures."
"How many empires are there Leo?" asks Kiyo.
"There are eight in total."
"Which one are we in now?"
"The Britannia Empire is where we are right now. Its ruler is King Maxwell Arsenio. It's home to mostly humans."
"Any others close by?" Asks Kino.
"Yes, two others. The Netherlands Empire is to the west of us. Its ruler is Queen Elizabeth La-Tif. It's home to mostly demi humans, beast-kin, and demons. Both rulers have forged an alliance to help each other's empires prosper. That alliance has been held for the last thirty years now.
Because of that, humans can live in the Netherlands. While demi humans, beast-kin, and demons can live here in Britannia.
Lastly to the north of both empires is The Marijuana Empire. I'll tell you more about them and the other empires another time. So if there are no more questions let's go in."
Adventures Guild
"Welcome back Leo. How did the quest go?"
"Not great Rin. I ended up being taken prisoner because the two I teamed up with were in fact members of the True Believers. Luckily these two here showed up, and took them out like it was nothing."
"What about the captured demi humans?"
"No need to worry it's because of these two everyone was set free."
"I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that Leo."
"Not your fault Rin. Just send word to The Templars and have them head over to that location."
"Actually one of the Templar Lieutenants is upstairs with the Head Guild Master. I'll have Meg here take you up."
"Thanks Rin. Oh before I forget this is Kiyomaro and Kino. They need to get registered with the guild."
"Not a problem Leo. I'll take care of it."
Leo heads off with Meg.
"Alright let's get started."
"Hold on Rin, I have a question."
"What's that Kino?"
"Who are The Templars?"
"The Templars are soldiers from both The Britannia and The Netherlands Empires. Their job is to enforce the laws of both empires."
"How do you assign classes?" Asks Kiyo.
"We use the Rainbow Orb." Rin reaches under the counter and brings out a clear glass orb with a silver base. "Just place both hands on either side of this orb. Then it will read your mana level, stamina level, attack strength, defensive capabilities, speed, accuracy, stealth, and so on. It then reads what elements you are best suited to use. Once all of that is accounted for it will then display a color. The color that is displayed is the class you are best suited for. I'll then explain the colors' meaning once you both have one assigned to you."
"Alright I'll go first." Kino places her hands on the orb.
"Alright Kino, your class is.... black?"
"What class is that Rin?"
"That's not one of the colors we use. Kiyo, could you try?"
Kiyo steps forward and places his hands on the orb. It glows black as well.
"I think the Rainbow Orb is broken. Hey David can you come over here please."
"What's up Rin?"
"I think the Rainbow Orb is broken. It glowed black when these two placed their hands on it."
"Ok let me take a look… It's red, which is the class I was assigned."
"I might know the problem, Rin."
"What might that be, Kiyo?"
"My sister and I come from another world, and our status is SS rank without a class."
"That's not possible." A shocked Rin proclaims.
"Like my brother said, we came from another world. Do you have something here that can display our rank to prove to you that we are SS ranked?" Asks Kino.
"The Black Mirror is how we determine someone's rank. Every guild has one, and in the bigger cities they have them at the security gates to check for wanted criminals. It's also used for registering with the guild, party registration when you form one. This makes it easier than carrying a guild card around. It's used as a message center, keeps track of completed or uncompleted quests, any work you've had done to your equipment, and other things. So just place your hand on it so it can display your rank. Kino, would you place your hand on it." Rin asks.
Kino steps forward placing her hand on the Black Mirror.
"That's not possible, you really are SS ranked. This is all backwards; you shouldn't have a rank without a class. Kiyo, will you please give it a try?"
"Very well."
"SS ranked again. Well I'm at a loss, this is all new to me."
"Why can't we have all the classes?" Kino asks.
"Because that's not how it works. Once a class is assigned to you, that's the class you have." Rin explains to the twins.
"Hold on, so you guys can't have more than one class, or change it?" Asks Kiyo.
"That's not entirely accurate young man. Once the Rainbow Orb designates a class. There are a variety of subclasses that one can choose from once they are enrolled at their respective schools."
"Kiyo, Kino allow me to introduce to you the Head Guild Master Nelliel."
"Head Guild Master? Why not just Guild Master?" Asks Kino.
"Because I'm in charge of every guild in this region. So Kiyo and Kino would you please join me upstairs in my office? I would like to hear your story. After all, I've never heard of or seen the Rainbow Orb turn black before."
"Yes ma'am."
"Yes ma'am and I'm sorry for my rudeness." Kino bows her head in apology.
"It's quite alright. Now let's go, you two."
Some time later.
"Well after hearing all that I think the best thing to do is let you two pick which class you want.
"Thank you Head Guild Master."
"You're welcome, Kiyo. Now let's head back down shall we."
"Rin, it's been decided that they will choose what class they want."
"Understood Head Guild Master."
"You two take care now."
"Goodbye Head Guild Master and thank you again." Replied the twins.
"So what class would you like?" Rin asks.
"Before we pick, I have a question."
"What's that Kiyo?"
"Can you tell us about each of the main classes?"
"Sure, and I'll tell you what color coincides with each one.
Let's start with red, which is for the Warrior Class. They're the ones out front taking the enemy head on. Their fighting skills are well rounded with offense being better than most.
Orange coincides with the Mage Class. They can cast a range of attacks. They mostly stay in the rear to help support everyone. When it comes to combat their attack and defensive spells are great.
Yellow coincides with the Healer Class. They provide rear support in healing, and stat boosting. Their magic skills are great, but their other skills are a bit lacking.
Green coincides with the Tanker Class. They can be out front fighting, or can hang back to defend the rear support team. Well rounded skills with defense being better.
Blue coincides with the Assassin Class. Another class that can be out front fighting, or can choose to hang back and wait to strike. Their speed and stealth skills are top notch.
Indigo coincides with the Hunter Class. They are medium or long range attackers. They provide cover fire for the team. Their stealth and accuracy skills are better than others.
Violet coincides with the Summoner Class. Their range of attack depends on the type of beast they summon. Only a beast they have a contract with or blood contract can be summoned. Their magic skills are greater with somewhat well rounded attack and defense skills.
As for the subclasses, that will depend on your main class. You'll get a more in-depth explanation at the school."
"Thanks for the explanation Rin."
"You're welcome, Kiyo. So who wants to go first?"
"Oh me, I'll take the Assassin Class."
"Ok, Kino, place your hand on the Black Mirror so I can register your class."
"Now for Kiyo. What's your pick?"
"I'll go with the Warrior Class."
"Alright then place your hand on the Black Mirror."
"Now will you be forming a party now, or would you like to wait on that?"
"Yeah, let's form the party now. Kiyo you in?"
"Of course I'm in."
"It's also worth considering having future party members from the other classes join you to give you a more rounded out party." Rin advises the twins.
"That's a great idea. Do you think Leo will join us?" Asks Kino.
"I know Leo was looking to start a party, and I think he's still looking." Answers Rin.
"Is he still here?"
"No Kino, he left with the Templar Lieutenant while you guys were upstairs with the Head Guild Master."
"So now what?" Kiyo mumbles to no one in particular.
"Let's go to the Star Shop, and check out what they have. Until Leo gets back.
"How are we going to pay for anything Kino?"
"Actually." Rin chimes in. "The quest Leo was on technically was completed by you two, so the quest reward goes to you guys."
"No, that wouldn't be right, that was Leo's quest." Protests Kiyo.
"Leo himself said he failed. So it goes to you guys by default." Counters Rin.
"How much is it anyways?"
"It was originally a D ranked quest worth ten copper coins. However until I get confirmation on it being a C or B rank. I can't say how much the reward is."
"That's fine. I just wanted to know because I intend to pay Leo back. Kino, are you fine with that?"
"That's fine with me Kiyo."
"Well I'm not fine with it. You two earned that reward as far as I'm concerned." Leo comments walking up to everyone.
"You got back here pretty fast Leo."
"Riding in a horse drawn carriage does help speed things up Rin."
"Leo, are you sure you won't take the reward?" Kiyo asks
"I am and as an added bonus how about I join your party. If you'll have me that is."
"Alright you have a deal." Leo and Kiyo shake on it.
"Ok guys give me a few minutes to talk with the Lieutenant."
"Sounds good Rin." Kiyo replies.
A few minutes later.
"Alright, I can confirm that this quest is in fact raised from D to B. This quest came from The Templars so I am able to reward you right away with five silvers for saving the demi-humans, and because ten of The True Believers were arrested for trafficking and forced slavery, you earned an additional two gold coins." Rin reports handing them a small pouch.
"Alright, let's go shopping!" Kino shouts, pumping her fist in the air eager to go.
"Hang on before you go, you never gave me your party's name." Rin asks them before they leave.
"I was thinking, The Rising Sun Party." Kiyo replies.