Coming down to the first floor, Mirelle and I found the inn bustling with activity. Thankfully, we managed to spot a vacant table amidst the crowd and quickly took our seats. Shortly after, Ann approached us with a friendly smile, notebook in hand.
"What would you like to eat today?" she asked.
We gave her our orders, and a question came to mind. "Miss Ann, why is it so busy this morning?" I inquired, glancing at the lively room.
Ann chuckled softly. "Busy? This is actually quiet compared to earlier. The Adventurers' Guild quest board is the reason. Everyone's here early to grab a bite before taking on quests," she explained as she jotted down our order. "Is that all for now?"
"Yes, that's everything. Thank you," I replied politely. Ann nodded and headed toward the kitchen.
Taking advantage of the momentary calm, I pulled out the Adventurers' Guild handbook from my bag. The rules and regulations were written inside, but as I skimmed through, I realized the book offered much more than that.
It included a small map of the guild building, a rough map of the surrounding kingdoms, and the names of towns, cities, and empires with guild branches. My eyes lit up with excitement as I discovered there was a library on the guild's third floor, packed with various kinds of information. Even better, there was a training ground behind the guild building.
One section, however, caught my attention with its practical implications. Adventurers needed to complete quests regularly to maintain their guild cards. Failure to meet this requirement would result in the card being revoked or rendered null. The frequency depended on rank: the lowest-ranked adventurers had to complete 10 quests per month, while the highest-ranked ones needed only one per year.
I recalled Miss Syl's brief explanation of the ranking system during our registration. Curious, I flipped to the section in the handbook detailing it. The ranks ranged from SSS, the pinnacle of strength, to G-, the starting point for newcomers like Mirelle and me. Sub-ranks added further nuance, but at our current level, our options were limited.
For now, we could only take on basic tasks: herb gathering, miscellaneous town errands like finding lost pets, and, once we ranked up, low-risk subjugation quests. It was a slow start, but the system ensured fairness and safety for beginners.
"Here's your order," came Ann's cheerful voice from beside me, pulling me from my thoughts. She placed two plates of food on the table before us.
"Thank you, Miss Ann," I said, handing her the payment.
Ann smiled warmly. "Celeste, you can just call me Ann, okay? No need for formalities."
Mirelle perked up, responding with enthusiasm. "Okay, Ann!" she said cheerfully.
"Got it. Thank you, Ann," I echoed, giving her a small nod of appreciation.
With that, Ann left us to enjoy our meal, and I couldn't help but feel a little more at ease. The day had barely begun, yet it was already shaping up to be filled with discoveries and possibilities...
Emerging from the inn, Mirelle and I began our walk toward the Adventurers Guild. The morning air was crisp and refreshing, and the streets were already bustling with life.
"Lady Celeste, what are we doing today?" Mirelle asked, her golden-earth hair shimmering under the sunlight as she skipped slightly beside me.
"We're heading to the Adventurers Guild," I replied with a soft smile. "I plan to spend some time reading in the library on the third floor. Would you like to join me, Mirelle?"
Without a moment's hesitation, Mirelle beamed brightly. "Yes, Lady Witch! I'm happy to be with you anywhere!" she declared, pumping her fist against her chest with a hearty puff of enthusiasm.
Her cheerful response warmed my heart. "Thank you, Mirelle," I whispered under my breath, my face slightly turning away to hide the blush creeping onto my cheeks.
"What was that, Lady Celeste?" Mirelle tilted her head curiously.
"Nothing important. Let's hurry to the guild," I said, gently squeezing her hand as we continued our walk.
Lately, Mirelle had taken to calling me "Lady Celeste" most of the time, but in moments of unrestrained joy, she would revert to "Lady Witch." I found her slip-ups endearing—an unintentional window into her unfiltered emotions. It brought a smile to my face each time, and I treasured these little quirks of hers.
Upon arriving at the Adventurers Guild, we headed straight to the counter where Miss Syl stood, organizing papers with her usual brisk efficiency.
"Good morning, Miss Syl," I greeted, offering a polite bow.
"Oh, Celeste, Mirelle, good morning to you both! Are you here to take on a quest today?" she asked, glancing up with her usual welcoming expression.
"Not today, I'm afraid," I replied, shaking my head lightly.
"Good morning, Ela!" Mirelle suddenly chirped, her gaze shifting past me. I turned around to see Elaria approaching us, her familiar face framed with an easy smile.
"Good morning, Ela," I echoed, curious about her solitary appearance. "Where are the others?"
"Them? They're off doing a quest," Elaria explained casually.
"Are you not joining them?" I inquired.
"No, I'm not a permanent member of their party. I only team up with them occasionally. The three of them are in a permanent party together," she clarified with a small shrug.
"I see," I said thoughtfully. Before I could continue, Miss Syl chimed in.
"Celeste, there's no need to apologize for not taking a quest. Adventurers have their own pace," she said with a reassuring smile. "If you're not here for a quest, how can I help you today?"
"I was hoping to learn more about the Adventurers Guild's library," I answered.
Miss Syl's eyebrows raised slightly. "Ah, it seems you've been reading the guild handbook I gave you," she remarked, mildly impressed.
"Yes, I have. It's been incredibly helpful. Thank you for that," I replied earnestly.
"You don't need to thank me—it's standard for all adventurers to receive one. So, what do you wish to know about the library?" Miss Syl asked, leaning slightly forward.
"Can anyone access the library regardless of rank? And is there anything else I should be aware of before visiting?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.