--- Taz and Chase
Lyel, the military instructor in charge of the young recruits, looked over the disciplined group of teenagers.
Some were determined, while others didn't have what it takes to stand strong.
At the front were Taz and Chase, who displayed great potential. The only thing the group were lacking was practical experience.
This is what the adventurer's guild excelled in providing, if only for beasts.
The adventurer's guild mainly rejected requests to provide experience against human foes, as it was an international organization focused on strengthening humanity as a whole for the predicted invasion by demons.
"Those of you in the front row, be proud! Your efforts have earned you the chance to learn the skills of seasoned adventurers! But those of you whom haven't showed progress, your opportunities here are not unlimited. You must prove yourselves worthy of them before they run out!"
Dejected, all but the front row were thrown back into training, while the ones deemed to be ready were told they would each be tagging along with a high ranked adventurer.
The pair were assigned to Raine, a swordswoman that was noticeably less flashy than the other adventurers.
Everything about her seemed to scream practicality.
The two recruits were determined to become strong enough to bring fame and prosperity to their home village.
"The others spent time planning everything down to the letter, but not me. I just grabbed the first few requests that were available. Read them carefully and choose one that resonates with you."
The adventurer gave them a choice of which request for them to take, and once they read them, they realized it wasn't a choice at all!
"Taz! The village is in trouble! This says a dragon is controlling our village!" Chase exclaimed.
"We have to go save them!" Taz replied quickly.
"Both of you best pay extra attention, then. It's not every day rising stars like you get to learn how to deal with a dragon." Raine stated.
The pair were now only focused on protecting their home, which according to the guild, was currently being threatened by a dragon of all things.
Both of them knew there were rumors of the dragon around the village, but they weren't present at the time to know that dragon was in fact the new kid that Ria became so enthralled with.
Raine was confident in her ability to fulfill the request, since the information said it was still a young dragon and there shouldn't be issue as long as the tag along didn't get in the way.
"Both of you should stay back and let me deal with it. You are only to observe unless told otherwise, got it?!" She commanded.
"Yes, ma'am!" They complied.
As they enclosed on the village, that's when they finally saw their target.
It had bright red scales and was holding a small child in its claws.
The poor boy was even pushing its nose, probably desperate to fight it off.
"No! Let him go!" Taz screamed, to the dismay of Raine, who lost the element of surprise.
All three of them became sure the child was doomed to be eaten, but instead the dragon gently placed the boy on the ground.
Instead of running or screaming, the boy was confused and stood still, and even tried to get the attention of the dragon again.
They dismissed the behavior as just being young, stupid, and in shock.
--- Lava
One of the same kids that was pulling on my tail came up to me wanting me to lift them up, so I did.
I thought it was adorable they weren't even scared at all that I can just suddenly hold them like this.
He was even making noise and pulling my snout to get me closer.
"No! Let him go!" I heard a familiar voice screaming at me.
I didn't hesitate to comply, even though the little guy whined at me when I softly let him down.
I immediately recognized Taz and Chase, though they're the only ones from the village that don't know my identity yet. There was also a light armored woman by them wielding a sword.
As far as I could tell it was just a normal sword.
Breaking out of my surprise, I try to say something, but the adventurer woman is already close and speeding towards me.
I don't even get a chance to say anything.
It's so fast! I barely get out of the way and finally get out some words.
"Stop!"
The adventurer looks slightly surprised hearing me say something.
"You know language?"
"Of course I do! This is just a misunderstanding." I declared.
"Then go away instead of eating my friends!" Chase shouts.
"What? No, no, I wasn't doing anything horrible like that. I'm Lava." I explained.
"No way! Lava was Ria's friend!" One of them tries to deny it.
"Yes, yes, that's why she never leaves me alone... See?"
I show them my transformation for a minute and they are both shocked that Ria was actually bothering a dragon constantly.
Both of you better not think I'm a pushover just because I let Ria get away with it.
And the youngest kids... And sometimes the older ones.. And sometimes Gramps.
OK I'm a pushover that lets every kid use me as a teddy dragon, so what?
The adventurer looked apprehensive, regardless of the situation, the request still existed and wasn't going away just because the fine details of the request were wrong.
But the pair behind her didn't want to slay me anymore and wanted to learn everything they were missing.
This could have been resolved easier if there was anyone around that would have helped me. Liza arrived to see the commotion, although late.
The adventurer didn't seem to care or worry at all about the black lizard, somehow the Abyssalix just roaming this village freely must be completely normal? They must be well known for adventurers.
"What is that?" Chase asked, having no idea what they were looking at since they weren't an adventurer like Raine.
"Oh, they live here too. There's also a baby one." I reply.
"Is it cute?" He asks, imagining an adorable little lizard, when it's more like a demonic scam artist with an added temper.
"Sure..." I answer partially.
Letting that little devil sleep with the children in the orphanage was the worst choice Gramps has ever made.
Every time they get food the thing tricks its way into getting a significant portion of it. I always see it literally making them pay it in food to be able to pet it.
Thankfully the adventurer this time is reasonable, but that doesn't mean the next one will be. All of this is because of that stupid lord.
"Does this mean we have a dragon as family? We're so cool!" They celebrate.
I ignore the excited ones behind the adventurer and try to inquire about getting the subjugation placed over my head canceled.
I'll never be able to live in peace with warriors coming from all around to try taking me down.
"Can't you go back and report that things weren't as it said on the request?" I ask.
"A dragon living as an orphan is already a hard to believe story. Even if I were believed, it wouldn't be canceled." Raine responded.
"Why not?! This is clearly unnecessary!"
"Your request was paid for and posted by someone themselves, the guild only lets people know and manages the rewards. There are only a few reasons they can ever just cancel a job." Raine explained.
"Like what?" I asked, disappointed.
"Jobs that sound harmful to the ecosystem or settlements are the only conditions I know of personally, besides the client canceling the job." She continued.
Is this why Saer made a request to the adventurer's guild? Does he expect me to find no way to remove the price over my head besides doing whatever he wants?
I don't want to be in hiding all the time...
"If you visit the main guild branch for this country, they might be able to do something about it. I can testify for you if needed." Raine says.
"I don't think I have much choice but to go..."
If I don't get back in time, I'm going to be suffering through vegetables again.