Two years had passed since Zerthon began his solo training. He was now 18 years old, and he felt stronger and more confident than ever before. He had spent countless hours honing his skills, perfecting his technique, and building his strength.
As he walked through the streets of the kingdom, Zerthon felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had worked hard to get to where he was, and he was ready to take the next step.
Zerthon's destination was the Adventurer's Guild, a sprawling building that served as a hub for adventurers from all over the kingdom. He had heard that the guild was the place to go for anyone looking to become a professional adventurer, and he was eager to register and start his new career.
As he entered the guild, Zerthon was struck by the bustling atmosphere. There were people of all shapes and sizes, each with their own unique story and motivation. Zerthon's eyes scanned the room, taking in the sights and sounds.
He approached the reception desk, where a friendly-looking woman greeted him. "Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild!" she said, smiling. "My name is Desarae. How can I help you?"
Zerthon smiled back, feeling a sense of excitement. "I'm here to register as an adventurer," he said, his voice confident.
Desarae nodded, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Excellent! We're always happy to meet new adventurers. Let me just process your registration..."
As Desarae worked on Zerthon's registration, he took the opportunity to look around the guild. He noticed a young woman sitting at a nearby table, her eyes fixed intently on a piece of parchment. She looked up and caught Zerthon's eye, smiling briefly before returning to her work.
Zerthon felt a sense of curiosity, and he walked over to introduce himself. "Hi," he said, smiling. "My name is Zerthon. I'm new here."
The young woman looked up, her eyes sparkling with interest. "I'm Naelyria," she said, smiling. "Nice to meet you, Zerthon."
Zerthon and Naelyria chatted for a few minutes, discussing their shared interest in adventuring. Zerthon learned that Naelyria was a skilled blacksmith, and he asked her if she would be willing to craft a sword for him.
Naelyria's eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love to!" she said, smiling. "What kind of sword are you looking for?"
Zerthon thought for a moment before responding. "I'm looking for a big sword," he said, grinning. "Something that will make a statement."
Naelyria laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I think I can handle that," she said, smiling.
As they continued to chat, Zerthon learned that Naelyria was also looking for a partner to accompany her on a quest. Zerthon's ears perked up with interest, and he asked Naelyria to tell him more about the quest.
"It's a dungeon crawl," Naelyria said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We'll be exploring the Mushroom Room Dungeon, looking for treasure and fighting off monsters."
Zerthon's heart swelled with excitement. He had always loved the idea of exploring dungeons, and he couldn't wait to get started.
"I'm in," he said, grinning. "When do we leave?"
Naelyria smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "How about tomorrow morning?" she said, laughing.
Zerthon nodded, his heart racing with excitement. He couldn't wait to start his new adventure with Naelyria.
As he left the guild with Naelyria, Zerthon felt a sense of pride and accomplishment. He had taken the first step towards becoming a professional adventurer, and he was eager to see what the future held.
Meanwhile, back at the orphanage, Tessie was preparing for her first day of school. She was excited and nervous, but she knew that she was ready.
Eira, who had become like a mother to Tessie, helped her get dressed and ready for school. "You're going to do great, Tessie," she said, smiling. "Just be yourself and make lots of friends."
Tessie nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. She knew that she was going to have a great day, and she couldn't wait to get started.
As Tessie walked to school with Eira, Zerthon was busy preparing for his own adventure. He knew that he would be facing challenges and dangers, but he was ready.
With Naelyria by his side, Zerthon set off towards the Mushroom Room Dungeon, ready to face whatever lay ahead.