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*9Ether World*
*Hollie Continent*
*Rosia Kingdom*(Capital)
*Arcane Citadel Guild*
*Guild Hall*
*Morning*
Right now in the guild hall it was lively even so early in the morning, after all those times training and conditioning their body's and mind, as the new additions to the guild they were now allowed to leave.
As long as they followed the rules of the guild and it's guidelines, plus the sharing of a small percentage of the profits they were pretty much allowed to do what they wanted to.
From joining already established adventurer party's to creating their own, they were all given the class of E to begin with, it was the lowest class.
At that class they are required to complete 16 E Class guild quest a month, till they rank up to D where in that quota will be cut in half giving them more free time, but till then they will be extremely busy.
This very moment Illise, Maria, Leon and Arrilie were standing before the quest board looking at the E rank quests, of course they decided to join up as a party, it was inevitable.
."Mmm, this, what do you guys think about this one, so far this is the best one here."Maria said pointing to a quest, her face was twisted into a frown obviously not liking the quest but she had a thoughtful gaze.
*
Gather and deliver a leaf of a medicinal herb called Vorebane to Jack the Healer in the town Ceubrus.
Condition:Deliver one fresh leaf, more welcomed.
Reward:10 bronze coins per leaf, limit of rewarded leaves 10.
*
Leon had a disturbed expression."This is so not manly, but..we have no choice."He said grumpily as he fold his giant arms that were like tree trunks.
."Hmm, I have no problem with it, but isn't this far away, this is like right at the edge of the kingdom, where demon beast run wild, isn't this reward a bit too small?."Illise asked as she analyzed it from a profitable point of views."Even a bit sketchy if you ask me."
Maria rolled her eyes."So the rich little business princess can't see anything besides profit huh."She said as Illise once again appeared confused."Do I have to spell it out for you."
."Ah, Maria meant that this could be our excuse to go look for Navir, because it's so far away we could probably take a few detours without suspicious notice."Arrilie said with a spark of understanding, she then looked at Maria."Very smart, the God had a similar concept."
Illise opened her mouth but couldn't find a problem with it."But couldn't you just have mentioned that, why all the riddles."She said exasperated.
."Obviously it was not meant to be spoken out loud, otherwise nosey people with nothing better to do would listen in."Maria said sighing as she held her forehead and motioned to behind them.
.""Not nosey, just coincidentally passing by and curious"".
Illise turned around surprised to see an unexpected person."Ophelia?"She said realizing way too late, she facepalmed in disbelief."Coming here might have taken more of a toll on my mind than I thought."
."Yeah or you were just always this stupid, anyway what do you want misses temporary instructor."Maria said with a smirk as she place one hand on her waist."Want to fight again or what."
Ophelia gazed at her for a bit before sighing."What exactly have I ever done to you for you to be so guarded against me, really I'd love to know."She asked truly curious, she can't remember what she did or maybe she didn't do something.
."Did you forget that you tried to kill us, even though that's not the reason so don't take it too personal, your family and mine just have some history is all."Maria said with a playful smile, she then glanced at Illise out the corner of her eye.
Noticing it Illise felt a shiver as she recalled what Maria asked her in the library.'There's no way she could know about that, no way.'She thought as fear and panic took root in the depths of her mind.
."Anyway so what will you do, stop us from going or something cause that ain't happening."Maria said as a dangerous light glint in her eyes and her guard fortified.
Ophelia didn't make a reaction she simply gazed at her before looking up as if in thought."As an instructor, I'm probably supposed to tell you to not do anything stupid but, I'll just pretend I was never here."She said turning around and walked away.
."...Just like that?."Illise was confused, now she really wondered what was her relationship with Navir, this was getting out of hand.
Maria simply smirked."Let's go register the quest, the earlier we go the higher chance we have of finding him, he isn't one to sit still and wait on death."She said as an eager glow appeared in her eyes.
."To adventure then."Leon said excitedly, he couldn't wait to fight the actual monsters of this world, the demons, he heard they were strong.
Illise looked at him thoughtful."Yeah now that I think about it, isn't your father like the greatest martial artist on earth, what was it again now."She said in thought.
.""The Heart Felt Art, with blazing passion and Adrenaline flooding the veins of the user"".
.""They simulate a fake form of aggression and anger drawing forth immense power that which a normal human is incapable of willingly, but it's side effects are making them brash and the occasional heart failure"".
Leon was stunned hearing that, he gazed at Maria closely."How on earth do you know that, our family has never revealed our secret art to anyone."He said firmly as he gazed at her with a questioning expression.
."Ha, of course I wouldn't know, if your style was original at least, but whatever, I like you so I'll keep my mouth shut for now, just know that earth was not always about martial arts and power, so the ones your families has access to must come from somewhere."Maria said mysteriously as she smirked, she took the quest of the board and began walking to the receptionist.
Arrilie followed, Leon stood watching her seriously as he heavily contemplated her accusations, while Illise on the other hand was as pale as paper.'Who are you really, how do you have such high clearance information.'She thought looking at Maria legitimately growing scared of her.
."What are you two waiting on, don't dwell on it too much, our party leader is waiting for us to find him."Maria said glancing back at them with her usual playfulness.
Illise sighed but decided to push it to the back of her mind, right now the most important thing was finding Navir, Leon nodded also following.
With that they went up to the receptionist and officially registered their party, the receptionist was a nice looking lady from earth, she was dressed in a business suit, her black hair was placed in a bun and her blue eyes observed them gently.
Her name was Grace, a former member of a powerful B Class Adventurer's party but she retired long ago, though no one knows the reason.
."So your party's name is Ninefold Niflihiem, pretty Interesting name, any notable reason for why you've chosen it?."Receptionist Grace asked curiously as she wrote down on the registration form.
The other's were also curious as they looked at Maria who came up with it, she smiled mysteriously."Who knows, maybe something important, maybe not."She said with a finger over her lips.
."Agg why do you always have to be so difficult, *sigh* miss just forget her, she's missing some screws."Illise said rolling her eyes as she twirled her finger by her head.
Grace chuckled shaking her head."Well it's alright, so am I to assume you are the party leader?."She said motioning to Maria, she glanced at the other's.
."As much as I would love to be, no, I'm afraid someone much more suitable has already taken that spot, though he is unable to make it you can still put down his name."Maria said playfully as her eyes sparkled."Navir Blackthorn."
With a nod Grace placed it down without much thought about it."And who should we list as the second in command, I think we already know who our tank is."She said taking a peek at Leon, he was really impressive, as big as an Orc but handsome and muscularly.
."Haha I know right, place down Illise as the second in command, I'll be rare guard, Maria, then place Arrilie as support don't think she'll mind."Maria said calmly and confidently.
While Leon just flexed his muscles with a smile and Arrilie gave a thumbs up, Illise was stunned."Wait wait what, me as right hand, but me-I'm n-not strong...enough."She said going down in a lower tone.
."Don't worry about it, I'm perfectly fine being off to the side, not really a light kind of person you know, the shadows are my home."Maria said as a creepy smile appeared on her face that quickly disappeared becoming playful again.
Grace gazed at Maria strangely."Ok then, just give me a minute I'll get your guild cards to you shortly, also."She said, then she reached under her desk and pulled out a card, she gave it to Maria.
."Hm....ha..hahahaha."Maria burst out into laughter as she read the card, it was a one time visit to a psychiatrist."I'm not mentally ill you know, but that was pretty funny."
Grace smiled before getting up and going into the back, quickly she returned with five cards."Here you go, you are now officially an E Class adventurer party."She said giving out the cards including Navir's.
."Thank you very much."Illise said as she bowed in gratitude taking both hers and Navir's adventurer cards.
Grace nodded as she clapped once."No problem, now go on, fulfill the dream."She said then placed her hand on her chest."From a former adventurer, to adventurers....Adventure to create your path and take control of Ether, only then would you see the Nine and gain the infinite power of the source."
Hearing those familiar words again, without exception every single one of them felt a chill go up and down their spine, Maria smiled as she shivered.
With that the group was off, Ninefold Niflihiem, officially took to the scene to search for Navir under the guise of completing their first quest, they didn't waste no time, they were on the first carriage headed for that side of the kingdom.
But maybe it was just a moment of carelessness especially on Maria's part but if they were keeping and eye out they might have spotted the "eye" scoping them out from the shadows.
In the streets seamlessly blending in with the passing masses was what appeared to be a thin hooded man, all that could be seen was his strange swirling pink eye, one single.
.""Look at this, some weak fresh meat, they look like valuable specimen and easy prey, professor will be so proud of me Kakaka"".
The strange hooded reached into his coat and pulled out a small Pyramid."Fresh meet coming your way in 45."The man said before he turned around and fell into the sea of people disappearing without a trace.
Even the people in the street seemed to not acknowledge his existence, almost like he wasn't even actually there...