PH1RE'S P.O.V
Standing in front of the registration center I glanced at my surroundings, taking notice of the people walking around. Some weren't associated with any guild and as such were approached by people trying to recruit them, other's arrived in groups with insignia's of their affiliated guild all over their amour and clothing. There was an obvious difference in those who came to register for the first time, those who were here to renew their adventurer's liscence and those who were there to cancel them.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement and purpose. Adventurers swapped stories, gear clinked as they walked, and the occasional flash of magic sparked as some male adventurers showed off their skills trying to impress their peers and members of the opposite sex.
In Raize, guilds were an established way to gain experience easier but since there was no government and most of the player base could be likened to a group of babarians there was no need for registration in the game, speaking to the members of the guild you wished to join was enough.
"Come on, Loid! We're going inside!" Maya's voice cut through my thoughts.
I snapped out of my observations and followed her toward the large, imposing building. The registration center was more official-looking than I had expected, with tall marble pillars and a massive double door flanked by statues of armored knights. It reminded me more of a government building than a place where people came to sign up to risk their lives for money.
"I can't believe we're finally doing this!" said Maya staring ahead.
"Yeah, are you nervous?" I asked.
"Of course I am, I never planned to become an adventurer" she stated.
"Sorry for dragging you into this then" I apologized.
"It's fine, I can't have you dying on me. You're not the only one with a promise you know" she responded to my apology.
"And besides, your parents were successful merchants right? I wouldn't mind you putting a good word for me, as friends of course" she said mischeviously.
I smiled in response and simply walked forward.
As we entered the building, the noise from outside faded, replaced by a quieter hum of activity. Inside, the registration center was just as impressive, with high ceilings and walls lined with murals depicting famous adventurers and their feats. Long counters stretched across the main hall, where clerks processed forms and explained procedures to the lines of waiting adventurers.
We walked over to the nearest available counter, where a stern-looking clerk sat behind a massive stack of papers. He glanced up as we approached, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
"Names and purpose?" he asked without preamble.
"Maya Airaldii and Loid Herrett," Maya answered eagerly. "We're here to register as adventurers."
The clerk raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of us before pulling out a few forms from the stack. "First time registering?"
"Yes," I confirmed, although it was already fairly obvious from our ages.
"Alright," he said briskly, sliding the forms across the counter. "You'll need to fill these out. Basic information—name, age, guild affiliation if any, mana rank, and signature. Once you're done, we'll conduct a quick mana assessment to confirm your rank. After that, you'll receive your adventurer's license."
Maya and I grabbed the forms and scribbled away at them filling it with our information, "Done!" Maya said, sliding her form back to the clerk.
I handed mine over a moment later, and the clerk scanned both forms before nodding. "Follow me," she said, standing and leading us toward the back of the building.
We followed her down a hallway until we reached a large chamber filled with various magical devices. The center of the room held a large crystal orb, glowing faintly. A mana assessment crystal or ranking orb as it was called.
"Place your hand on the crystal," the clerk instructed, gesturing toward the orb.
Maya stepped forward first, her expression serious as she placed her hand on the crystal. A soft hum filled the room as the orb lit up, and after a moment, a faint "D" glowed within the crystal.
"Class D," the clerk said, scribbling a note on his clipboard. "Barely acceptable for entry-level adventurers. Next."
I stepped forward, placing my hand on the crystal. The familiar hum returned, and after a few seconds, the "D" symbol appeared again.
"Class D," the clerk repeated, making another note.
He then gestured to a strange device that looked like a large lamp with a gemstone embedded at its center. "Stand here, and smile."
I wasn't sure why, but I followed his instructions, standing awkwardly in front of the device. A flash of light temporarily blinded me.
"Smile!" she said as a flash of light was released from it almost blinding me.
She did the same with Maya and then tinkered with the machine for a while.
"Both of you are now registered adventurers. Congratulations. You can pick up your adventurer's licenses at the front desk."
"That's it?" Maya asked, seemingly underwhelmed. "We're in?"
The clerk gave her a thin smile. "You're in"
We were led back to the front desk and after a little bit of waiting we were given our freshly minted licenses. The cards had our pictures and all our relevant details, confirming that the mysterious lamp-like machine was, in fact, a camera.
We were officially adventurers.
"We did it Loid! And it only took a year and two months."
"Yeah, we did."
"Would you both like recommendations for guilds to join?" asked the clerk, lifting a clipboard with an almost routine gesture.
"No, we're good. We're already part of a guild," I replied, raising my hand slightly.
"Really? What guild?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Red Ravens," I said without hesitation.
As soon as the words left my lips, the clerk's expression shifted. The casual professionalism on his face gave way to something more solemn, even a bit uncomfortable. He glanced away for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully.
"My condolences," he muttered finally.
"Huh?" I responded, confusion evident in my voice. I glanced over at Maya, who had the same perplexed look on her face.
The clerk leaned in a bit closer, lowering his voice as if sharing some dark secret. "Listen, kid. You should know… the Red Ravens have a reputation."
"What kind of reputation?" I asked, a pit forming in my stomach
The clerk straightened up, his gaze shifting between Maya and me. "See for yourself," he said cryptically, gesturing toward the adventurers milling about in the lobby.
He was specifically gesturing toward a group of adventurers who had started to stare and point at us, whispering among themselves. Some sneered; others turned away. I noticed their armor bore the insignia of a boar, likely representing their guild.
Maya nudged me. "What do you think that's about?"
"I have no idea," I whispered back.
"I apologize," the clerk said, his tone apologetic. "I didn't realize Edmund and his group would be here."
"Who?" I asked.
Before the clerk could respond, the group of adventurers he'd referred to started making their way toward us. Edmund, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a square jaw and a heavy brow, led the pack. Beside him was Benedict, a small, wiry man with sharp eyes and twitchy ears. He must have overheard our conversation.
"That's Edmund," the clerk whispered quickly. "And the small one is Benedict. His spell series grants him enhanced hearing, and I suspect he overheard everything."
Edmund swaggered up to us, sizing both of us up before stopping just a few inches away. He looked like the kind of guy who enjoyed intimidating people—muscles bulging beneath his armor, his expression smug and disdainful.
"So," Edmund shouted, loud enough for the entire registration hall to hear. "I hear the both of you are with the Red Ravens."
The room went quiet as all eyes turned to us, scanning Maya and me with curiosity, disdain, and even some pity.
"Is there a reason you joined a guild full of cowards and bastards?" Edmund sneered. "It's hilarious! They didn't even have the guts to follow their new recruits here to get their licenses."
I stared at him blankly, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. He was completely wrong. The real reason we were alone was because Lydia had made the others stay back and tend to her flower garden after I'd picked a single flower the day before. Apparently, she does that every time something happens to even one flower. Maya, of course, had been banned from even approaching the garden after yesterday's antics.
"Hey!" Edmund barked, breaking my thoughts. "I'm talking to you. Do you even know what that guild you joined is guilty of?"
"No," I responded evenly.
"Of course you don't," Edmund said, his voice softening slightly, as if he pitied us. "Well, don't worry. You couldn't have known. But here's the thing—you don't have to stay with them. Join us instead. I'll put in a good word for you both with the Boar Battalion."
Maya stifled a laugh at the name, her shoulders shaking. She quickly composed herself, but Edmund caught the slip.
"Something funny?" he asked, glaring at her.
"No, nothing at all," Maya replied, barely containing her amusement.
"Well, what do you say?" Edmund asked, turning back to me, his earlier aggression replaced by false warmth.
"I'm afraid we have to decline," I said calmly.
"Huh? And why's that?" Edmund's eyes narrowed, his voice darkening again.
"No particular reason. I don't know what the Red Ravens have done, but to tell you the truth, I don't care. I appreciate the offer, though," I added with a shrug.
Edmund's face darkened, the tension between us thickening. "You don't care?" he repeated slowly, his voice low and dangerous.
Before I could respond, Edmund drew a massive axe from his back and swung it down toward us. Maya and I barely managed to leap out of the way as the axe slammed into the ground, sending shards of tile flying.
"Is he insane?" I said, my heart racing.
"Don't worry, kid," Edmund growled, his eyes wild. "I'm just going to make sure you're too broken to work for those Red Raven bastards."
"Yep. He's definitely insane," Maya muttered, her hand instinctively moving toward her knife.
Edmund advanced, raising his axe for another swing.