January 24-25, 2022
Words: Bulletin
Everyday, even when the seasons change, bands of people visit an establishment where talented courageous individuals take on quests to make the world a better place. This place is called the adventurer's guild, the place where people's stench of sweat filled its unpleasant smell throughout the building. Such barbaric individuals, though I don't dislike it.
These fearless Individuals, who take on quests, called adventurers are required to register before taking any job from the bulletin. This is because quests, involve slaying monsters, exploring dungeons, finding treasures, fulfilling favors for the citizens, collection of herbs and certain body parts of monsters used as materials一 various missions that would gradually become difficult as you climb the guild's ranking system. Of course, compensation is appropriately awarded when said quest is accomplished.
The ranking system is simple. People start in rank G, where easy missions are allowed. While the highest rank is S, where various missions could be taken like herb gathering to labyrinth expeditions.
The receptionist desk, located in front of the entrance, is where adventurers hand their chosen quest for verification if the adventurer is eligible for said quest. Beside the revered desk of aspiring receptionists was the registration booth, where I waited for newcomers to register as an adventurer. The tedious task of guiding an individual to become an adventurer is much more complex than the verification of quests. Please gods above, promote me to a receptionist for quests!
Darting around the guild from my station, the back of someone of short stature wearing a steel-blue cloak browsing the bulletin board of quests caught my attention. What an adorable curious child observing the adult world. I pray you would never come to learn the struggles we have to overcome just to sustain our daily needs.
"Oh, they're going here," I thought as the child maneuvered through a crowd of adventurers. "I need to show my appeal as an adult."
The child stood in front of my post, their face hidden by the shadow of the cloak. My mouth stretched into a grin as I greeted the child good morning.
"Are you here to learn more about an adventurer's job?" I asked, expecting a cute answer from the child.
"No, I'm here to register to become an adventurer," the child said bluntly, raising their head.
The darkness which concealed the face of the child was revealed by the illumination of the guild, a beautiful face enchanted me. The gaze of her green slit eyes pierced into my heart, long silky blond hair hiding inside the clothes, and an intimidating expression which sent a chill down my spine.
"I do not mean to be mean, but may I ask for your age?"
"I'm fourteen. I'll be turning fifteen in a few months from now. "
"I-I'm afraid only those above the age of fifteen are allowed to join the guild, dear," I stuttered, disappointed in myself for fumbling my words.
"Won't you let it slide?"
"Unfortunately, there were plenty who asked the same. The guild master always refused their request."
"Is there another way to become an adventurer?" the child asked, maintaining her sharp expression.
"Well, if you are acknowledged by the supervisor of the adventurer's entrance examination you may have a chan一"
"Where can I meet this person?" the child asked, interrupting my carefully crafted explanation. This child…
The atmosphere around the guild became heavy as adventurers, who turned their heads towards the peculiar sight of a child asking for a fight against the supervisor, eavesdropped on our conversation. I have to at least teach the child a lesson on "not underestimating the adventurer's exam."
"Allow me to guide you," I said, gesturing to come inside through the registration booth. I hope the supervisor would go easy on her.
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Behind the building was an open field surrounded by the trees where the entrance examination for adventurer's guild was held. Usually tests like fighting ability, magic capacity and capability, and written tests are taken to register for a guild. However, because our client insists on becoming an adventurer despite being ineligible for registration because of her age, she has to prove her abilities to the supervisor of the examinations.
Countless onlookers gathered around behind me, interested in the results of a battle between a child and a veteran warrior. I can't tell if they were making fun of the child or were genuinely curious. Though, I still can't believe sir Alex is willing to accept the child's request to a duel. Maybe his lust for battle was the trigger? Who knows at this point.
In the middle of the field of grass was the towering figure of a legendary warrior famed as the "Unmoving Alex," famous for defeating his opponents without taking a single step. A grin was in full display as he flexed his muscles in excitement. I'm really anxious for the child.
The cloaked child beside me was eager to fight, performing light stretches as preparation before the duel. Anxiety continued to grow within me. Stop worrying, Kasandra. It's your job to guide the ones who aspire to become adventurers. Keep yourself together.
"Then, before the duel starts, shall I explain the rules to you?" I asked the child.
"Make that man acknowledge my abilities," she said, to which the audience cheered.
"Well, that is another way to interpret the rules," I said, signing at her reply. "Just one reminder before the match. Don't kill each other."
As I said those words, the child nodded, walking towards her opponent. She threw her cloak aside, revealing elegant clothes underneath. Her long silky hair fluttered, bouncing the light of the sun towards us. She wore a charcoal black coat over her white clothes, and a long pleated skirt that reached her knees.
"I was surprised when I heard a child wanted to challenge me," Alex smirked, blowing his long red hair away from his face.
"That was a misunderstanding. All I wanted was for you to acknowledge me so I can enter the guild," the child replied glaring into the blood red eyes of the supervisor. The confidence of this girl is scary.
"How interesting," Alex said, drawing his wide two-handed sword from his oversized scabbard. "Let's see how you could do that."
The child, who appeared to have not equipped her weapon, positioned herself in a unique stance. Standing sideways from Alex, she stretched her left hand towards him and her right hand closed above her wrist. She looked at him, lowering her center of gravity. Confusion filled the minds of the spectators, especially me who had seen my fair share of adventurers.
However, a rapier, with a hilt decorated with an unusual design, manifested within the grasp of her right hand. Suddenly, her stance made sense. The sword was pointed at Alex, intimidating him.
A chuckle echoed throughout the training grounds. It was Alex, overjoyed from the child's stance.
"May I know your name, child?" Alex asked, pointing the large blade towards the blond child.
Silence ensued, teasing the excitement of the spectators. As the child broke her stance and turned towards the legendary warrior, a sigh left her mouth
"Alice Blessfield, third princess of the kingdom of Blessfield."
The spectators were rendered speechless as those words reached their ears. I also cannot believe a princess of a fallen kingdom suddenly appeared before us. What's even crazier is the fact she's alive and well. The neighboring country, Blessfield, recently fell because of unknown reasons, as If a passing storm quietly slaughtered a country. Yet one of the princesses of said kingdom managed to walk on her two feet without problems. Just what exactly happened.
"Alice Blessfield of the fallen kingdom," Alex glared, grasping his sword tightly. "What is your purpose in joining the Adventurer's Guild?"
"I simply want to uncover the events of my homeland. Even I wish to know how it fell," Alice said with eyes filled with determination. "But by doing so, I need to earn money by myself. To sustain myself while following the footsteps of an elusive cause."
The eyes of Alex widened, lowering his blade. Sympathy filled my mind. The determination she displayed touched my heart. I'm sure she's trying her hardest to bottle up her childish emotions, to encourage herself to grow up faster. The others would notice this as well, especially sir Alex who made his way up to the top without his parents.
"I, Alex Everard, allow you to一"
"I refuse to become an adventurer before you truly acknowledge me," Alice interrupted, brandishing her rapier. "Let us start the duel already."
Silence ensued as her reply reached the ears of everyone.
Alex shook his head, rotating his shoulders to warm up for the fight. He cracked his neck and the notorious battle lust grin stretched his mouth, sending chills down the spine of the audience including me. Since when was the last time he activated his unique skill.
"COME!" Alex shouted at the top of his lungs, holding his sword tightly.
"Certainly," Alice whispered.
A sudden gust of wind went past us. Looking to my left, where Alice was standing, the figure of a blond beauty disappeared.
"Look! The princess is overwhelming Alex!" One of the spectators shouted.
To my disbelief, looking to my right, the rapier of Alice manifested a whirl of arcane light as it gradually made its way through the defense of Alex. "Warrior's Might," a defense skill that can defend against a dragon's breath which automatically activates when Alex senses life threatening danger.
The sound of a crack ringed, which perked the audience's attention. The face of Alex was full of struggle, using every ounce of mana to maintain "warrior's might." However, Alice kept her determined expression. An aura of mana formed around the fallen princess, strengthening the mana input of her attack.
After one crack to another, the "warrior's might" eventually gave out, allowing the attack of Alice, which contained a tremendous amount of mana, to scrape the arm of the legendary warrior. Silence ensued once again. The spectacle of a fallen princess piercing through the "warrior's might" left the jaws of the audience hanging. How can such a young girl be this powerful?
"I can't believe I missed." Alice said, tears trailed down her cheeks. "I won't be able to join the adventurer's guild. I won't be able to eat. I won't be able to一"
A tap to the shoulder interrupted the monologue of Alice. It was Alex, bleeding despite the shallowness of the cut. Alice looked over her shoulder. Her eyes stumbled upon the grin of the legendary warrior.
"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild," Alex said in a soothing voice.
Alice weeped from those words, crying until the blue sky turned into a reddish color. The adventurers who watched everything prepared a surprise for the little lady. A celebration for becoming a full fledged adventurer provided by the Guild and funded by the adventurers. I can't describe how we rushed everything. The decorations to the food, everything was tiresome. But, at the end of the day, it was worth it.