"So, you want to be an adventurer because you need money?" I ask Lillia, watching as she hugs her knees to her chest, trying to calm herself down.
"Mhmm," she nods shakily.
"And adventuring is the only job that can pay what you need?"
"Yeah," she sniffles, wiping at her nose.
"But you're scared to do it?"
She only nods.
"Is it really your only option?"
Again, she nods, sniffling once more.
"Okay then. Stand up. Let me check your equipment."
Slowly, she stands herself up, the shakiness gone but the nerves still clearly tense.
First is armor. Being a mage means she uses different equipment in comparison to the average adventurer. She wears a white cloak that's plainly decorated, a matching set with her white pointed hat. On her feet are sturdy boots, black in color.
"Other than the boots, I don't see any armor. Are you hiding any beneath your clothing?"
Lillia shakes her head.
"No," she sniffles. "All I have is the cloak."
"That's no good. I underatand comfort is important for focus when spellcasting, but you always want to have armor, no matter what. It could be the difference between a bruise and a lethal wound."
"Mmm," she weakly replied.
"Any weapons?"
"Just my staff. It allows me to better channel my magic, shortening incantation times on more complex spells and allowing for better control of mana so that I can cast more spells."
"Any potions?"
"Three health potions and three mana," Lillia answered, showing the contents of a small pouch that was attached to her waist by a firmly tied string.
"You're choice of potions is good, but you should also invest in a backup weapon. If you happen to run out of mana, you don't want to be left completely defenseless. A simple dagger would do, something to keep you safe just in case."
"Okay," she meekly answered, struggling to control herself.
"Finally, how is your overall condition? Any soreness or aching? Cuts and bruises? Feeling tired at all?"
"No, nothing like that."
"How about mentally?"
"I'm really nervous, t-to the point of tears," she answered, stumbling over her words.
"Why?"
"B-because I really need this, and I can't afford to lose this opportunity. But also, I'm really afraid of this job," she answered honestly.
"Good, you are perfectly aware of your condition. If you were only mildly nervous, I wouldn't be too concerned. After all, this is the kind of thing that puts someone on edge. However, being nervous to the degree that you are is a problem."
She turned her head down, her legs squirming awkwardly as she stands in place, embarrassed and ashamed.
"Still, it is good that you are taking this as seriously as you are, and that you are aware of just what exactly you are setting out to do. You've made your decision, so stick by it, yeah?"
"O-okay!" Lillia answered, her will seemingly being strengthened.
Her hands tightened their grip on her staff, and a glimpse of determination appeared in her eyes.
Okay, she's as ready as she'll ever be.
"Alright then. Let's do this. You can use any spell within your abilities, just try to keep damage to the clearing to a minimum. More than anything though, just focus on doing your best."
"R-right."
"You're move then," I say, slowly stepping back and creating space between the both of us.
I don't know what she has at her disposal. For now, keeping space between us is the best move.
Lillia's eyes nervously follow me as the gap between us continues to slowly widen. Then she starts stepping back as well.
Oh? Adding to the space between us? A smart move. Getting close opens her up to attack from me just as much as it opens me up to attacks from her. Not only that, she likely has ranged spells. This is her best move. Now then, what will she do if I charge in?
My sword is drawn in an instant, and just as fast, the odd blue stone at the tip of her staff begins to glow.
She's fast to react!
My thoughts on her performance race as I dash forward to close the space between us for an attack. At the same time, Lillia begins speaking words I can't even begin to guess the meaning of.
I have no clue what she's casting, but the fact that there is an incantation implies it's a strong spell.
My choices are limited. Charge her before she can finish the incantation, taking the risk of her finishing before I can reach her, or make more space and get a glimpse at what spells she has.
The decision is made in an instant.
Without taking even a second to doubt my choice, I leap forward, closing the distance between us as fast as I can. At the same time, Lillia stops speaking, her incantation seemingly finished. She lifts her staff off of the ground, the blue stone at the tip glowing it's brightest.
"Invisible!"
The blue stone flashes for an instant before Lillia suddenly vanishes from sight completely.
Oh? Very interesting.
I don't stop even as she disappears, charging her last known spot and swinging down, the flat of my sword ready to smack into her if she hasn't moved.
But it doesn't land. Instead, it collides roughly into the ground with a dull clang.
She moved then, but where?
My eyes dart all around, looking for the faintest sign of movement. My ears listen for even the slightest sound of a footstep.
But nothing catches my attention.
No sign of her at all. In that case, I just need to make her visible!
With my sword still on the ground, I spin in a circle, the sword scraping the ground as I rotate, flinging grass and dirt all around me as far as I can. As I do, a figure becomes visible, one that blocks all of the debris I fling towards it.
Aha!
Without even a single moment being wasted, I dash towards the figure, swinging at the figure with the flat of my blade once more, only this time...
"Ack!"
Lillia suddenly appears right in front of me, seemingly materializing from nothing at all. My sword is struck against her arm as her other arm holds the staff away.
"Jet-Shot!"
An instant spell!
A jet of water shoots from her hand directly at my face, forcing me to block with my spare hand, but I don't stop at that. Kicking out, my foot solidly connects with her stomach, causing a dull thud to ring out.
"Urgh..!"
Lillia drop to her knees, her staff falling to the side as she clutches at her stomach, gasping.
Taking a moment, I wipe the water off of my face.
This fight is over.
"Are you alright?" I ask, lending my hand.
Lillia reluctantly takes it, allowing me to help her back up while still clutching her stomach with her other hand.
"I... Lost..." Lillia says, sounding utterly defeated. "Is... Is that it then? Do I fail?"
"Not at all. That was incredibly well fought. You were very clever with your choice of spells in each given situation, sticking to your choices instead of fumbling, unable to decide. Though you may have lost, you passed," I say, holding my hand out to her.
She takes it, and I firmly shake it.
"You're now an adventurer."
The tension on her face immediately clears up, and for a moment she even smiles, gasping with relief as she barely holds herself up. She had done it.
But it was only a moment.
The realization was quick to dawn on her. Yes she passed, just like she needed to, but that means that she's really doing this. She's really going to be an adventurer, as scary as that is.
She takes a deep breath at the thought.
"What now?" she asks.
"Now, we go back to the Guild building and finalize your successful application. Come now, let's go."
And with that, we took the short journey back the the village of Klumix and into the Guild building where Rosalie was working, about a quarter of the way through all of the paperwork on the counter.
"Got one more pass for you Rosalie," I say as we walked in, guiding Lillia to the counter.
"Oh yeah?" she looks up, the bags under her eyes even more noticeable than before. "Congratulations! It's not often we have a mage applying. We expect great things from you."
Even with the clear exhaustion, she smiles big as she speaks.
"T-thank you," Lillia replies, her cheeks turning slightly red at the compliment. "I'll do my best!"
"As you should. Take this here," Rosalie says, holding out a small chain necklace with Lillia's name on it, and Lillia grabs it. "This is your Adventurers identification. This is proof of your status as an Adventurer so that you can take on quests from any Guild building and receive rewards for successfully completed quests."
Rosalie then turns to me.
"As for you, let me see your ID," Rosalie says, and I pull my own out from underneath my shirt. "Perfect! ID confirmed and quest completed, here's your reward."
As she said that, she sets a small pouch on the counter, and inside the pouch, the sound of rattling coins can be heard.
"Five-hundred koin, as promised. Please be sure to check and make sure everything is there."
Doing as she said, I open the pouch and count the money. Exactly five-hundred koin.
"Looks good to me. Thanks for the business."