The inside of the Labyrinth Guild that I visited after three years was still messy. Explorers were fighting each other, explorers were recruiting party members, and explorers were receiving requests. On top of that, each race and clothing was different. I often saw races with their upper bodies exposed, priests wearing priestly robes, wizards wearing robes, adventurers wearing underwear...
Fortunately, the reception desks were divided into different groups depending on the visitors. Since I had already registered as an explorer three years ago, I went to the beginner explorer desk and applied for training. Fortunately, my explorer qualifications weren't canceled after three years. Thank goodness. I didn't think I would have to pay 10 silver coins again to register as an explorer.
"Here is a list of explorers who have training qualifications. Choose an explorer who wants to be trained, and I'll help you."
When I looked at the list I received from the desk, I saw that there were about 20 explorers' brief characteristics and names written down. They're all probably from the Labyrinth Guild, so there's no need to worry about their skills...
For now, magicians and priests are excluded. For now, I'm thinking of using a sword, so if possible, I'd better get trained by a vanguard. I'm also drawn to a Rogue-type explorer because of the [Stealth] skill, but it's on hold for now.
This person... is a martial artist? Since I already have a sword, if possible, I'd be a swordsman among the vanguards... Hmm?
[Alencia, senior explorer. Maximum reachable floor 35. Main weapon: Sword. Position: Vanguard. Explorer for more than 8 years.]
... Senior explorer? All the other explorers on the list are intermediate explorers who have reached around floor 20, but there's only one senior explorer. She even uses a sword in the vanguard. Even her name sounds like a woman.
Putting everything else aside, since the prices are all the same anyway, I figured it would be better to get a senior explorer than an intermediate explorer, so I asked at the counter right away.
"Ms. Alencia? She's a senior explorer, but she's been consistently providing adventurer training since she was a mid-level explorer. Of course, she's also quite skilled."
"So, I can be trained by her?"
"That's true..."
When I told her that I wanted to be trained by an explorer named Alencia, the counter staff hesitated for some reason.
"Well, she's known among the instructors for having strange... no, difficult training."
"She's not giving wrong or strange training, is she?"
"No. We wouldn't offer teaching from an instructor who teaches incorrectly."
"Then, what's that about strange training?" I asked again, but I didn't get a proper answer.
"It's difficult, but from what I heard, the results are worth it."
"Then it's fine. Aren't you saying that she'll teach me properly?"
I got beat up three years ago when I challenged the labyrinth with an empty mind, so even if it's hard, I welcome her training. And from what I've heard, it seems like her skills are solid.
"Also, before you accept. Once the training has started, refunds are not an option."
***
"Nice to meet you. I'm Alencia, and I will be in charge of your training. Are you Ian, the one who applied for the training?"
Surprisingly, an elf woman named Alencia arrived 10 minutes after applying for the training. Is she a resident of the Guild? She has long ears that tell you she's an elf and light blonde hair. Her armor and sword were luxurious, not inferior to the weapons I saw at Gram's shop. And her expressionless face matched the metal armor.
"Yes. Nice to meet you, Alencia."
"Please call me instructor during training."
As soon as I heard her tone, I had a strong feeling that the training would be tough.
Also, the word "instructor"! I didn't know I would be saying that word in another world. It reminded me of my memories of when I was on Earth and enlisted in the military.
"Yes, Instructor!"
"That's a good answer. Do you have any plans before we start this training?"
"I haven't decided on a place to stay, so I was thinking of going to look for one."
Since I quit my job and couldn't sleep at the infirmary like before, I was going to find a place to stay first. There are many places where labyrinth explorers often stay near the Labyrinth Guild.
When Alencia heard what I said, she nodded and made me a proposal.
"I'll make a proposal. If you follow everything I teach you during the training period without any doubt, I'll take responsibility for your accommodations and basic supplies."
"Are you serious?"
Of course, I was surprised. Accommodations and supplies? I'd heard that the training was difficult anyway. But I had decided to receive the training anyway. But if I just followed the training, they'd take care of my accommodations and basic supplies? Of course, the conditions were so good that I was suspicious.
"What kind of training would give me such conditions?"
"It's natural to be suspicious. However, I'm a senior explorer affiliated with the Labyrinth Guild. My status is guaranteed by the Labyrinth Guild, and I swear by the Mother Tree that I have no suspicious intentions."
An elf swearing by the Mother Tree or the World Tree? It might be hard to believe, but that oath is tantamount to swearing allegiance to an elf. Furthermore, the person who made the oath was a member of the Labyrinth Guild...
It was too good of a deal to refuse, so I accepted. There's really no way the Labyrinth Guild would introduce me to a criminal.
"Good. There's no reason to refuse."
"Okay. Then let's go straight to the labyrinth."
"?"
What did she just say?