After leaving the inn without the sisters, Bral, Idin, and Amukelo made their way to a well-reputed armorer's shop nestled among Llyn's bustling market streets. The shop was a robust building with sturdy oak doors and windows displaying various types of armor that shimmered under the soft glow of interior lighting.
Once inside, Bral led the conversation, inquiring about Amukelo's preferences in armor. With limited knowledge but clear needs, Amukelo expressed a desire for something sturdy yet flexible enough not to hinder his movement. Bral nodded thoughtfully and consulted with the armorer, eventually selecting a set of light armor that seemed to meet Amukelo's criteria.
The armor was sleek and made from reinforced leather interspersed with segments of lightweight metal, offering a balance of protection and mobility. Amukelo tried it on, feeling the initial snugness and weight. It wasn't a custom fit, but the straps and buckles allowed enough adjustment to sit comfortably without restricting his movements.
"You look much more formidable in that," Idin commented, noting Amukelo's muscular build which was previously concealed under his worn wolf skin. "Good choice." His approval was echoed by a slight chuckle from Bral.
Amukelo, adjusting to the feel of his new armor, moved around the shop, testing his range of motion. "It feels good," he concluded, only slightly aware of the armor's presence as a mild discomfort. Idin reassured him, "You'll get used to the feel of it in no time."
Their next stop was the Adventurer's Association, a prominent building in the heart of Llyn, signifying its importance to the town's economic and social structure. The building stood taller than those around it, with a facade adorned with banners and emblems that represented various guilds and famous adventurers.
Inside, the atmosphere was vibrant and lively. A portion of the space operated as a pub, filled with adventurers sharing stories or planning their next quests. The air was thick with the scent of ale and the sound of laughter and clinking glasses. Across from the pub section, a more orderly area with a long counter catered to administrative needs.
Approaching the counter designated for adventurer affairs, they were greeted by a woman with warm brown eyes and shoulder-length brown hair. Her demeanor was friendly yet efficient. "How can I help you today?" she asked with a professional smile.
Bral stepped forward, gesturing towards Amukelo, "We'd like to register this young man for his adventurer's badge and also recruit him into our guild."
The woman nodded, fetching some documents from behind the counter. "Please give me a moment," she murmured before turning her attention back to them with a clipboard in hand. "Now, I will need to ask you a few questions," she began, looking directly at Amukelo. "First, what would you like to be called? This can be your name or a nickname if you prefer."
Amukelo hesitated, his mind racing through possibilities. "Can it be changed in the future?" he asked, curious about the flexibility of the registry.
"Of course," the lady replied with an understanding nod, "but you will need to advance through the ranks to modify your registered name. It's a simple process once you meet the criteria." Her response was clear and reassuring, setting the stage for Amukelo to ponder his new identity in this expansive world.
"Ranks?' Amukelo asked. The lady seeing Amukelo's puzzled expression proceeded to detail the ranking system with patience and clarity. "As an adventurer, you will be categorized into ranks based on your proficiency and achievements," she began, her tone informative yet inviting. "These ranks are Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond. Each rank not only reflects your skill and reputation but also dictates the complexity of the quests you can undertake."
She paused, ensuring Amukelo was following along, then continued, "You can change your nickname each time you advance in rank. At the Diamond level, you're granted the flexibility to change your nickname more frequently, though a nominal fee is required each time to process the change."
The lady then elaborated on the advancement criteria, "Advancement is achieved by completing a set number of quests within certain time frames. However, should you fail a quest, it could set back your progress towards the next rank. It's important to note that while you cannot lose a rank due to failures, repeated failures may temporarily ban you from accepting higher-level quests. This measure is in place to prevent unnecessary risks, which could negatively impact our association's standing and, more importantly, the safety of our adventurers."
Amukelo listened intently, nodding as he absorbed the structured path laid out before him. He then expressed his gratitude and confirmed his choice of nickname. "Thank you for the thorough explanation. I'll stick with 'Amukelo' as my nickname for now," he decided with a newfound understanding of the system.
The lady then proceeded to ask him a few more personal details to complete his registration. Once done, she shifted her attention to Bral to discuss some formalities related to the guild's sponsorship of Amukelo's membership. Then the lady excused them for a moment.
After a brief wait, during which Amukelo discussed with Bral and Idin about what lay ahead, the lady called him over again. She handed him a freshly minted adventurer badge and a guild badge, the symbols of his new status and affiliation. "I wish you luck with your adventures," she said warmly, offering him a slight bow.
Amukelo returned the gesture, his heart swelling with pride and anticipation. "Thank you very much," he replied, his voice carrying a mixture of respect and excitement.
Returning to where Bral and Idin were waiting, they greeted him with broad smiles. "Welcome as an official guild member, brother," Bral announced, clapping Amukelo on the shoulder.
Idin chimed in with a grin, "Now the real fun begins. Let's see what we can accomplish together." The trio then left the building ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead in the vibrant and perilous life of adventurers.