Fast forward to Lucianna and I standing before a towering edifice that dominated the skyline of Tarvernia, second only to the royal castle in grandeur. However, my heart felt heavy; Illyanna and Matterinna were back at the Snow Fairy's Tavern.
"What is this building?" I asked, unable to contain my curiosity.
With a sigh, Lucianna replied, "This is the Guild Hall of Tarvernia."
My eyes sparkled with excitement, a grin etching its way onto my face.
"Why do you look like a kid who just got his first candy?" Lucianna asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
I was too engrossed in my surroundings to answer her. The grandeur and prestige of the building pulled me in, and without waiting for her, I bolted inside, leaving Lucianna to follow.
Inside the hall, the sight was even more awe-inspiring. Adventurers of all classes roamed, from knights clad in their shining armors to mages whispering incantations, from archers with their quivers of arrows to clerics muttering prayers under their breath. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement.
"So, what was my class?" I asked Lucianna, still taking in the scene.
Lucianna looked perplexed for a moment, but then said, "You're a Chimera."
A wave of confusion washed over me. "Can you explain how the guild works?" I requested.
Rather than explaining, she nudged me toward the guild receptionist, saying she could offer a more detailed explanation. I found myself in a queue of adventurers, all awaiting their turn to interact with the receptionist—a succubus with an alluring charm.
As I waited my turn, my eyes were drawn to a group of mages in the corner, their fingers weaving intricate patterns in the air as they practiced various forms of magic. The sight further stoked the fire of anticipation in my heart. I couldn't wait to learn more about my role as a Chimera in this grand guild.
As I stood in line, I turned to engage Lucianna in conversation. "What's your status?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
She straightened up, her chest swelling with pride. "Silver Fairy," she declared.
I nodded in understanding. "So, the ranks are bronze, silver, gold?"
"Bronze, silver, gold, diamond, and obsidian," she elaborated. Then she looked at me with concern etched on her features. "Are you sure you don't want someone to take a look at you? This memory loss of yours is a serious issue."
I dismissed her worry with a wave of my hand, "I think it's interesting to learn everything anew. It's like rebooting my brain."
She shrugged at my response, and began to walk towards a massive notice board that caught my attention. I figured that it must be where guild quests were posted, given the number of adventurers flocking towards it.
As Lucianna was about to depart, I reached out, touched her arm lightly, and stuttered out, "Thanks... for teaching me." My cheeks warmed with a blush.
Dropping her usual aloof demeanor, she flashed a rare, gentle smile, a blush creeping on her cheeks, before nodding in acknowledgment.
My heart thumped in my chest at the sight. I'd always been attracted to blondes with pale complexions, and Lucianna, with her long golden locks, was no exception. The idea of growing closer to her added another layer of excitement to this new adventure of mine. I could spend time with my family, go on thrilling quests, and possibly even win a girl's heart.
Unbeknownst to me, my face was contorting into various expressions as I daydreamed, earning me weird glances from the adventurers queuing behind me. I was too lost in my thoughts to notice them, however, excited for all the possibilities that awaited me in this new, enchanting world.
Not long after, my turn to meet the guild receptionist finally arrived. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest as the anxiety bubbled up. What if she recognized me? What if she was familiar with my supposed identity?
The receptionist, a voluptuous woman with a captivating aura, introduced herself as Elaira Pinkheart, a succubus. To my relief, she mentioned she was new to the guild and might not recognize a familiar face. Exhaling a sigh of relief, I dared to ask her about the receptionist who worked before her.
"He got fired," she explained, "for stealing one of the Avatars of Life."
"Avatars of Life?" I asked, the term sounding completely alien.
She looked me over, and inquired, "Are you new here? Would you like to register as a guild member?"
I nodded with enthusiastic fervor.
"Your full name, please," she asked next.
My enthusiasm halted at her question. I realized I didn't know my dream world's full name. That was one detail Matterinna hadn't shared.
Elaira tilted her head at my silence, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Having trouble remembering your name?" she purred, "I could help you with that."
"And how could you do that?" I asked, a little intrigued and a lot nervous.
Elaira leaned in, her lips close to my ear, a blush colouring her cheeks. "You know what succubi do, right?"
My face heated up at her insinuation. But, before I could entertain that idea, I remembered the other adventurers behind me, and Lucianna, who was waiting for me. This was neither the time nor the place.
"Perhaps another time," I quickly suggested, pulling away from her.
She let out a melodic laugh, and nodded.
In the wake of that little encounter, a name dawned on me. "Maximilian Antrodosa Fiora," I announced, "I'm human."
Elaira looked genuinely surprised. "Antrodos has a son?" She mused. "I would have never guessed that the stoic Antrodos is a family man."
"Never judge a book by its cover," I replied, chuckling, "He's actually quite fun and friendly at home. Almost child-like, really."
Elaira laughed again, the sound infectious, causing me to join in. The guild felt less intimidating now, more welcoming, and I was eager to explore this new world even more.