"So the first thing anyone should do is visit the guild, they'll set you up with your adventure rank and journey ID." Celeste looked back at me as we walked. "Unless you already have those things… judging by how you seem to know nothing, probably not,"
I nodded and tried to smoothly agree, only to release a sound one would only link to a goose honk. She laughed and made a joke before pointing to the massive building. We walked closer watching the building rise, it became apparent to me that maybe I was in over my head.
The crowds grew more dense, adventures filing in and out of the main doors. Groups returning who had completed their quest and groups who we're only just forming.
The inside was more open than the outside made it appear, to the left of the main desks was a job board full of onlooking adventures looking for their next adventure.
I glanced around the guild hall again, trying not to look completely out of place. Everyone moved with purpose, like they actually belonged here.
Meanwhile, I was just… here. No rank, no clue, no plan. Just vibes and a questionable system panel.
I shifted on my feet, realizing I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. There was no tutorial pop-up, no glowing arrow pointing me forward. Just a room full of people who looked like they'd been doing this a lot longer than me.
"Let me talk to Mary first, I'll get you in… don't worry," Celeste said as she walked ahead of me, greeting the woman behind the counter. "Hey Mary, surprising to find you here huh…" She let out a shy laugh, waiting for the woman's reply.
I had begun to wonder if every person in this new world was a sexy women, the guild secretary was short and thin with bright baby blue hair. Her eye's we're bright green, they slowly dropped to a more aggravated look as Celeste talked.
"Why must you yell…" The receptionist raised her gaze to me as she let out a very loud forced sigh. "... everything Celeste, I'm sitting right here. Did no one ever teach you manners?"
Acting slightly wounded Celeste playfully pouted before continuing her conversation.
"So this new guy needs to be set up with the guild…" Leaning in to where I could barely hear her. "He's loaded, Tanya said he's like stupid or something though."
Mary leaned to the side to get more of a look at me, she stared for a few seconds before returning to her natural sitting position.
"You two know I can still hear you right?" I asked, using my best angry voice. "Rich and dumb huh…" I watched as Celeste bowed, her hands held above her head asking for forgiveness. "Hahaha, I'm only playing…"
Looking toward Mary I asked her about the guild. "Can you take care of me?"
"Yes I can," She reached down grabbing a large orb, placing it on the center of the counter on an ornamental stand. "Grasp this ball until I tell you to stop, this will tell us what attribute your mana is,"
As I raised my hand, all I could think about was how this world had everything. Different races from elves to demi-humans to beast-folk, and now I know magic is real. It felt like nothing could ruin this day.
As my hand reached the ball I felt something inside me tug, the substance inside the ball in my grasp whirled. After a few moments the substance had turned into a bright pink color.
Watching the orb change, I felt that same strange pull again, like something inside me was reacting before I even understood it. Whatever this system was doing, it wasn't normal. And judging by Mary's face, neither was I.
"Huh… that's odd, the only colors I've ever seen relate to an element. Maybe fire and light, dual magic is possible but it normally splits even in the gauging glass…"
Mary continued to mutter to herself like the color was some kind of scientific breakthrough, she grabbed a stone and tapped it to the orb.
"Here, keep this on you at all times" Mary said as she handed me the stone, now branded with letters and numbers I couldn't read. "You can't get back into Lusthollow without it, I mean you can… it's just severely annoying,"
She then handed me a guild brochure. "That's the rules for members, follow those and you will fit in just fine… if you're planning on staying a while that is."
"There's a quest board over there, if you want to work for money… though most are mundane tasks there are monster hunting ones as well,"
Mary explained as she pointed. "Most raise their guild ranking through that, however you can raise your rank in other ways as well." She directed her attention to Celeste. "Some people chose to work for the guild, instead of adventuring, like her."
"Is that all?" I asked, my stomach showing signs it required food. "If so thank you… Uhhh Mary." Grabbing Celeste's attention, I nodded toward the exit. "What about food… if we walk anymore without food, I may die," My stomach joined the conversation with a loud rumble. "Where's the best place in town?"
"Back at the Inn, you sure you don't want to explore more before giving up?" Celeste asked, her voice soft and concerned. "I didn't annoy you or something did I… Tanya says I talk too much."
Moving alongside me she continued. "I haven't made many friends and people other than Tanya tend to shrug me off… your eyes are kind and I didn't feel the judgment from them, I want to continue talking with you!"
"Calm down… I'm genuinely starving," I said rubbing my gut, hunched slightly "You're great and really pretty… of course I want to come eat with me… guide."
I watched as her expression exploded, my words sinking in overtime. Her body began vibrating with excitement, as she walked over to my side with confidence. Pulling my arm toward our destination, we walked with haste.
As we entered the establishment my eyes met Tanya's, she followed that up by rushing over to our table. As she approached I took her in again, staring the whole time. Something about her drew my attention outside of her massive ass.
"Back already… I expected you would be gone all day," She said, taking a seat with us. "What happened? Did Celeste say something stupid?" Tanya followed that question with a quick glance at the girl.
"Foooood!" I said, letting out how hungry I was without holding back. "I've not eaten in so long… Tanya feed me please, Celeste says your cooking is the best,"
Her ears and expression perked up after hearing that, she quickly stood and vanished into the room in the back. After several minutes, she returned with three plates full of what looked like fried foods but nothing I'd ever seen.
I grabbed my plate and took an exploratory bite, fearing the food may be too different than what I was used to. After taking the first bite, I downed the entire meal in minutes. The food was great and hardy, filling my belly far before I quit.
Once done I leaned back, my systems panel popped into my view.
[ QUEST: DINNER AND A DATE ]
[ REWARD: BOOK ON MAGIC KNOWLEDGE ]
[ COUNTDOWN 4 HOURS ]