Freedom's Heart

Chapter 34

"Lady Lamonia, it is a pleasure to see you again,"

"And you as well,"

On our next free day, I took Ellis to the capital's adventurer's guild. I have used this guild a few times now since my grandfather cut me off. It is larger than the guild back home, but the receptionist was just as friendly.

"Have you finally started working in a party?" The receptionist asks curiously, looking at Ellis.

"She's a friend from school who wants to sign up as an adventurer,"

"Okay then, I will be happy to help her through the process," The receptionist smiles, taking out a form and a quill. As she prepares the ink, the receptionist asks. "Do you know how to read and write?"

"Yes," Ellis nods.

"Good, many adventurers can't and those who are able to read and write have the leg up on the others. Now I just need you to fill out this form," It is a simple form with just a handful of questions about a person's experience and skills. "While you do, allow me to explain the ranking system and guild rules."

The ranking system is simple. Adventurers start out at F Rank and can move all the way up to S Rank. The higher the rank, the more powerful monsters you are allowed to take on. But most people only make it to becoming a C Rank adventurer. The strongest adventurers in any guild are either only B or, in some rare cases, A Rank. Only a handful of people have become S Ranked adventurers like me.

As for the guild rules, there are only three. First. Don't take quests not approved by the guild. This protects adventurers from any shady deals that would put them on the wrong side of the law. Second. You can only accept one quest at a time. This rule was implemented because, at some point, people would take on too many quests and never finish them all. The final rule is, Disputes among adventurers are to be sorted out by themselves. The guild will step in if things go too far, but for the most part, we have to sort out our own problems.

"Everything looks good," The receptionist nods. "Please wait a moment while I prepare your guild card."

Ellis fidgeted nervously as she waited for her guild card to be prepared. She glanced around the bustling room and tried to take in as much as possible.

"I remember being in your shoes a few years ago, waiting for my card. It feels incredible, doesn't it?"

"It sure does. But I'm still so nervous. What should I expect?"

"It'll be tough at first. Once you get your guild card, you can only take F Ranked quests, but it shouldn't take long to rank up," I tell her. "But F Rank is mainly for children, so people over fifteen usually have to complete only three or four quests to rank up. You should reach C Rank in a few months. It is only after that that raising rank becomes a challenge."

"So I will be doing boring gathering quests first, then?"

"There's fishing, deliveries and sometimes part-time work in restaurants and stores as well as the gathering quests,"

"Sorry for the wait, but your card is ready now,"

The receptionist returns with Ellis's card. They are simple things. A simple white card with Ellis's name and rank on it. But the back of the card has a magic seal that will only show up when Ellis holds it. An anti-theft measure.

<0>

"This isn't what I was expecting..."

I can't fault Ellis for being disappointed, but this isn't so bad. The weather is nice, and this spot in the river is quiet, with few other people in sight.