Chapter 4 - Meeting Eina Tulle!
Bell followed the transport team into Orario.
The team entered without any issues, but Bell got stopped.
"Hold up."
As Bell was about to step into Orario, a guard with a spear blocked him. The guy was decked out in heavy armor, and the spear in his hand gleamed with a silver light. His presence was intimidating as hell.
Bell could tell this guard was strong. Even though he had gotten stronger during his journey, Bell knew he didn't stand a chance against this guy.
The guard looked Bell over. The kid looked shy, definitely a newbie who'd been lured in by Orario's reputation.
"Newcomer?"
"Yeah," Bell nodded, trying to keep it cool. Even though his mind was racing, he wasn't great with people and it showed.
The guard, seeing Bell as some clueless newbie, shook his head slightly. He figured this kid wouldn't last long in Orario and dialed back the intimidation.
"Alright, you need to get tested to see if you've got the 'falna,' the gods' blessing."
Bell hadn't known about this before trying to enter the city.
"This is to stop any crazies from sneaking into Orario posing as newcomers," the guard added, further convinced that Bell wasn't cut out for this city.
"Okay."
Bell agreed to the test without any fuss. He didn't know who these "crazies" were, but it made sense to be tested.
He noticed the guard's slightly pitying look but didn't really get why. He just figured he should be more careful in Orario.
The test wasn't a big deal. The guards took Bell to a small stone building at the gate, where they had this translucent green gemstone for the test.
"Just put your hand on it. If it turns green, you're good. If it turns red, there's a problem."
Bell quietly placed his hand on the gem.
He felt a warm current run through his body and back out, then the gemstone glowed green.
"Alright, you're clear. Go on in."
Once they confirmed Bell was fine, the guards let him pass.
Orario might welcome newcomers, but it didn't put up with any bullshit.
The guard sighed, looking at Bell, who still seemed pretty innocent.
Kids this age didn't know any better, and the guard felt a bit sorry for him. He couldn't resist giving some advice in a low voice.
"Head straight to the guild once you're inside. Don't trust people too easily. This city isn't as nice as it looks."
Bell was a bit surprised and looked up at the guard, seeing the sympathy in his eyes.
Was he pitying him?
"Thanks."
Bell wasn't ungrateful. He could tell the guard meant well, so he muttered his thanks.
Keeping his head down to avoid drawing attention, he walked slowly into Orario.
The guard watched Bell's careful steps and chuckled to himself.
"This kid's got some sense."
It was clear that staying low-key was the best way to avoid trouble. Orario only cared about the strong; the weak didn't even register.
The guard realized he might've underestimated Bell and shook his head, no longer worried.
"Those who know how to keep a low profile might last longer than I thought."
Once inside Orario, Bell checked out his surroundings.
Vendors lined the streets, selling mostly snacks, trinkets, and maybe some enchanted pendants. The weapons and armor on display looked decent but nothing special.
Bell didn't stop to browse. He knew he didn't have the cash to blow on unnecessary stuff. He needed to save for living expenses and couldn't afford to waste money.
He headed straight for the guild.
He didn't need to ask for directions; he just aimed for the towering Babel. The guild was somewhere on the western side, so heading that way would lead him to it.
As he walked, Bell noticed people staring and overheard them talking about him.
"Another rookie. Doesn't look like he'll be worth much."
"Orario attracts all kinds of dreamers, but not many newcomers make it. The capable ones get famous quick."
"True, but getting famous here isn't easy."
"Every year, plenty of newcomers flood into Orario. How many do you think this city really needs?"
"A newbie like him isn't even worth the trouble. He's just trash until he proves otherwise."
Bell didn't let the comments get to him. In a city that only valued strength, he knew the only way to survive and thrive was through power.
Pure and simple.
...
The Guild, the biggest organization in Orario, runs the show. They manage adventurers, dungeons, and the trade of magic stones and drops.
Basically, everyone in Orario has to deal with the Guild, and any new adventurer has to register with them first thing.
For a newcomer, the top priority is to register with the Guild and then start looking for a Familia to join.
But finding a Familia isn't easy. For a rookie adventurer, it's one of the toughest decisions.
However, it's not the rookie adventurers who do the choosing when it comes to Familias.
Anyone with half a brain aims for the better Familias.
If you get the chance to join one, you don't have to worry about your future.
The stronger Familias have way more resources than the smaller ones, so picking the right Familia is a big deal for any new adventurer.
But these powerful Familias are never short on skilled newcomers. So, to get into one, you have to prove yourself.
When it comes to these top Familias, it's not the rookies who pick; it's the Familias that pick the talented ones.
For a rookie adventurer, getting into a great Familia depends on their natural talent.
Having special skills or innate magic can make all the difference.
These gifted adventurers are the ones the powerful Familias go for.
Ordinary adventurers with no special talents shouldn't even dream about joining a top Familia. Even getting into a small Familia can be tough.
Innate talent is what really matters for rookie adventurers and decides whether they can join a great Familia.
Bell had the qualifications to join a great Familia, but he wasn't interested.
Partly because of who he was, and partly because of his goddess, Hestia.
Joining a great Familia meant showing off your abilities, which could attract unwanted attention in Orario. Bell preferred to stay under the radar until he was stronger.
So, when he spoke to the Guild receptionist, Bell asked the question that had been on his mind.
"Excuse me, do all gods register with the Guild when they start a Familia?"
The receptionist was a half-elf girl, wearing oval glasses, with a cute face that made her easy to approach. Her voice was gentle, probably a job requirement.
Through their brief conversation, Bell learned her name was Eina Tulle. She was the same receptionist who helped the protagonist in the original story, which is why she seemed familiar.
Eina's serious and responsible nature came through right away.
"Yes. The Guild acts as a link between gods and adventurers. Each god registers with the Guild when they establish a Familia. The Guild can recommend certain adventurers to certain Familias, but these are just recommendations, not assignments."
Eina's words were straightforward, showing why she was the ace receptionist.
"I get it. I also know a rookie like me can't just walk into a top Familia, and I'm not going to bother you with that. I'm looking for a regular Familia, preferably one that doesn't have any members yet. Gods shouldn't be too picky about a weak adventurer like me."
Bell's words were clear, and Eina realized she'd misunderstood him. She blushed slightly, surprised that this new adventurer was so realistic.
It wasn't her fault; lots of rookies had big dreams. Some aimed to join top Familias like the "Loki Familia" or "Freya Familia," thinking way too highly of themselves.
Eina often wanted to tell them to stop being so full of themselves since the Familias judged based on ability.
Dealing with someone like Bell, who was aware of his situation, was a bit of a surprise for Eina.
"Sorry, I assumed you were one of those kinds of adventurers."
"Miss Eina, you must deal with a lot of people like that. Don't worry about it. If you don't mind, could you help me find a suitable Familia?"
"Sure, just a moment."
Eina started looking for a Familia that fit Bell's conditions. He wasn't asking for much, but most Familias already had members.
"Well... Bell-kun, your requirements are pretty basic, but most Familias already have people."
"Is that so?"
Bell thought about it for a moment. He remembered that Hestia had been looking for members for a long time after arriving in Orario and wondered if now was the right time.
Bell stayed quiet, realizing that Hestia was the best fit for him, but she was still without members.
So, he made a quick decision.
"I'm not going to join any Familia for now."
Bell thanked Eina.
"Miss Eina, I won't join a Familia for the time being. It's hard under my conditions, and I'm broke. So, could you keep an eye out for any new Familias?"
Seeing Bell's decision, Eina agreed. It was her job, after all.
"I will. If a suitable Familia shows up, I'll let you know, Bell-kun."
"Thanks a lot."
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Think of that guard as me! Because only I can give such 'profound' advice to a stranger ...
[IMG of Eina]