The Savior, one of the most remarkable figures of Aldranza's history.
As he stood before this statue of her, Shizaki's eyes widened and King spoke in admiration.
"Yeah. This looks magnificent, not gonna lie. I wonder what she really looked like, as her detailed features are mostly omitted.."
"...I read that her hair was a brilliant white and her hair was as smooth as silk."
"Is that so?"
King eyed Shizaki who nodded affirmatively.
"Yeah, though I'm not sure of how accurate the books are. It was a history book, though."
"Makes sense, she died like….a really, really long time ago, so it might not be accurate."
Shizaki wanted to say something else, but something a bright color had caught the corner of his eye.
A feminine figure with long, shining blue hair easily slipped past behind him.
He turned, but he couldn't see her face, only the back of her body as she left. She walked in a confident, bullish stride, and her hair swayed elegantly in the wind as passers-by were visually entrapped by her.
His eyes had also seemed to have been captured by her appearance. The only reason he stopped looking was because someone quietly approached the group and spoke.
"Hello everyone, you guys must obviously be here for the Selection, am I right?"
"Ah, yes."
King answered mildly, and the older man began to introduce himself.
"Well, I work here, and I'm one of the countless guides posted here to help newcomers with a tour of the Guild and the directions to where you will need to be. Please, just call me Ren."
He was a man with an elegantly suited appearance, and a monocle that covered his left eye. He seemed to be middle aged and he wore a relaxed smile.
"For a tour guide, you surely know how to look the part, huh?"
"K-Kamazaki-san…"
King quietly whispered at Kamazaki in a condescending tone, but the man laughed at her remark.
"Thank you for the compliment, and my apologies, dear missus. Many of my assistants are late in their assignments to guide ones like you, so I and a few others will take up the mantle in the meantime. Is that fine with everyone?"
"Oh, I see….that's fine by me, Ren-kun!"
"....Thank you very much."
"Very well."
Walking to position himself in front of the group by the sculpture display he slightly bowed.
"Let's begin. Welcome to the Northern Province Royal Guild of Aldranza, one of the subsidiaries that connects to the Royal Kingdom of Aldranza."
Shizaki gulped.
"The Selection begins at noon while the next chance for those who may miss it would be next week. We have just about one hour until you all begin, so I will try to make this quick."
While walking to the easily noticeable building on the left, the guide, Ren had notified the group about the timing of the Selection, confirming that they had all reached on time, just barely.
King breathed a sigh of relief and asked:
"Do you have an idea what we will be tested on?"
"You're asking the right questions, young man. However, I'm afraid that I have no clue what you will be tested on. The chairman and the president of the Royal Guild are always very secretive on what they aim to do with the Selection, and every year, it's always something different. Although, the Selection will always be focused on things relating to your strength, speed, survival awareness, skill and more."
"I….see…"
No chance to gain valuable info on what to prepare for, and expect the unexpected. That was basically the answer that Yukikama Kawarasuri and the group was given.
Stopping in front of the building that was spotted on the left while entering the Royal Guild, Ren spoke as he extended his arm to the site.
"This is the Weaponry Chamber."
The group's eyes lit up with excitement. The weapons on display looked extraordinary, and the blacksmiths beamed with pride as they looked on.
"This is just the entrance, the inside displays even more interesting stuff, and not just weapons and armor. I implore that you check them out when you have more time, most likely this evening after the Selection. If you do pass the Selection you will be able to buy different materials here with your money or request a personalised item. Of course, the most powerful and special items can only be accessed by completing large scale or difficult missions, or with large sums of money."
This made Shizaki think.
I should really consider using weapons or gear for quests…
Of course, he had never considered swordplay or needing extra armor for missions. But if he wanted to get stronger for what was to come then…
I'll definitely have to check this place out again if I pass the Selection. No, when I pass it.
"Next will be the Library of Magic Arts and History on the opposite end. Let's check it out and save the Guild Hall and Duel Arena for last, shall we?"
"Library….of Magic Arts and History?"
Ren smiled and nodded in response to Kamazaki.
"That's correct."
***
"So….many…..books…"
While inside the Library but just at the entrance, they stared at the very lengthy corridor containing many columns of books. Many people were present as they filed through the shelves and read while sitting on chairs.
Shizaki could hardly believe his luck of being able to read about magic and more resources, while Kamazaki…..couldn't handle even the sight of so much information.
….Too many books.
"The Library is the go-to for many adventurers here who need information on practically everything. From the history of the Three-Headed Continent right down to the many different herbs used for specialised medicine, it helps those who are in the Royal Guild for information for their missions, Affinities, and much, much more."
Both King and Shizaki had the same response to this incredible sight.
"This is incredible-"
"Yeah, yeah, let's check out the Guild Hall next. This many books are already hurting my brain."
Shizaki's mouth nearly dropped as Kamazaki's words cut them both off
"You don't like reading, Kamazaki-san?"
"Never!"
King gave her a look of disgust and immediately retorted.
"Of course you wouldn't like it, your only two brain cells can't take the sight of that much info anyway."
"D-Damn you…you son of a-"
***
"I present to you the Guild Hall."
"Oooooooo…."
It looked just as spectacular as it did from the outside.
Inside was a cheerful woman who seemed to be the receptionist at the front desk, and beside her was an open room with a large light-wooden board on the wall with many different sheets on it with writings.
Shizaki's eyes lit up.
That must be….
The tour guide, Ren, confirmed his thoughts.
"These are the mission postings. They recently were posted at the beginning of this month, and although there are many eager adventuring parties willing to accept the missions and take the postings, still quite a few remain after seven days. They are usually categorized into three sections based on the difficulty and riskiness of the quest, namely: Low–Tier Adventurer Level, Middle-Tier-Adventurer, and High-Tier Adventurer Level. If you pass the selection, you will naturally become a Low-Tier Adventurer and get a specific Adventurer's Licence for that tier."
Aya's brows furrowed.
"And how do we move up the ranks?"
"Good question, young missus. It's simple, based on your continuous success with quests and with spontaneous tests from the Royal Guild to test your improvement in strength and other areas, you will gain a higher rank."
"Very well."
"And on our right…"
An even bigger room was on display. Many seats were there while being seated with persons, and dark wooden tables laid beside them. At the back of the room was a small posted area where five persons were busy preparing food.
"The cafeteria."
As soon as she heard 'cafeteria', the red-haired figure of Bella Kamazaki rushed towards Ren with a joyous smile.
"So cool, so cool! Hey, mister, is the food fre-"
"Not free, young lady."
Her smile immediately turned into a frown.
"Awwww! Must everything in this complex come with a price even when some become adventurers here?"
"I'm afraid so."
Although Kamazaki posed a seemingly childish question, the guide showed an expression of sympathy for her along with an apologetical attitude. The former narrowed her right eye, but sighed quickly after.
"Fine, I guess it makes sense. Wait, that sign over there says 'Recruitment Room.'"
She pointed to the left side of the cafeteria where a large, orange door was stationed. The sign was poised right above it as the letters were in big, black letters while the background was white.
"As it says, that outdoor place is the Recruitment Room, where members without a party will aim to approach those who would want a new party member. The maximum number of members allowed in a group is four, although some missions allow more than one party to team up together, called Joint Quests."
"That sounds wayyyy too awesome!"
Kamazaki expressed delight, and the level-headed Aya interjected.
"So, all new members who passed the Selection will be asked to enter that room and find a party, I'm guessing?"
"You are correct, although you will be given much more details of what will happen after the Selection is done, so don't worry too much. Well, the last place to check out is the Duel Arena behind the Guild Hall, and this is where you will do the Selection tests."
A slight nervousness once again kicked inside of Shizaki as the group started to head out of the Guild Hall.
After closing the main doors behind them, the guide took back the lead and began to walk.
This would be the last stop for the tour, and right after that will be the Selection.
Shizaki couldn't help but feel anxious. He tried to think about what Yukino said about people cheering him on back home, but the nervousness still lingered on. As a small bead of sweat trickled down the side of his face, Daizen Shizaki slowly fell behind in the group, at dead last with just Neo slightly in front of him.
Shizaki took a deep breath and closed his eyes, reciting his childhood quote that he always kept with him.
Lend me your strength, Gariah, my friend.
He opened his eyes once more and hoped for the best.
That was when a person was moving with a crowd opposite to the direction of Shizaki's group and passed by him.
At once, the figure's expression changed. From one of calmness, it shot into one of fear.
Swiftly turning his body to meet Shizaki, he grasped the golden hilt of the sword that lay next to his leather belt and pulled it out from its sheath.
-----------------------------------------
(Chapter 22: Scope of The Complex.)