Artificial Fantasy

Chapter 137: Sign Check

So... I might have underestimated one of the main features of my [Ancestry's] abilities. For one thing, I thought the ability to make [Signs] was a small deal when it comes to usefulness to some parts of the game. According to Yur1, Arthur, and Wind, there's some kind of "metagaming" happening within [Isekai] in that kind of gaming style, and the [Insignis Ancestry] is not much of a heavy hitter in the list. While we don't care about it, I don't mind about how strong or weak my [Ancestry] is.

But in all of that gaming lingo, I haven't considered the lore and setting of [Isekai] itself. In this case, I hadn't expected that the [Sign] supposed to represent my ambitions in the game would end up on the wanted list (and in the interview room that reminds me of those interrogation rooms on TV). At least the woman from the counter is the interrogator. I think.

[I apologize for the rough treatment, Mr. Kazu. But it's been a while since we have an [Insignis] adventurer who has a [Sign Creation] ability,] the receptionist explained. [So please bear with me for a while until a higher-up can determine if your [Sign] is dangerous or not.]

I raise my eyebrow when she mentions this "higher-up". "Wait, you're not gonna interview me like Yur1 and Wind?"

[True. But considering the circumstances regarding your abilities, it's safe than sorry if we have a veteran adventurer to determine your [Sign's] prowess.]

Just then, I hear a knock from the wooden door. [It's me, Aya. Is our latest [Sign] adventurer inside?]

[Yes! Please come in!]

The wooden door opens and to my surprise, a lean older woman enters the room. She has light aqua blue long straight hair with light tan skin and deep ocean blue eyes and wears a mix between leather armor and a white and blue robe. I don't know why, but something about her feels a bit connected to my character's [Ancestry]. I mean, she's here for my [Sign], so there's a chance she might be an [Insignis].

[Well, well... You must be the [Insignis] child Aya is raving about.] The woman smiles at me. [My name is <Annota Noto>. I'm currently the vice guild leader of the [Adventurer's Guild]. I will be taking over the next phase of your promotion qualifications examination.]

She is what?! A vice guild leader wants to meet and interview me?! That's a big twist I've never expected! At the same time, I'm a bit nervous since I know why she's meeting me in the first place.

"N-Nice to meet you, too, ma'am," I sheepishly greet her. "So when the receptionist said a "veteran", I'm guessing she meant you, right?"

[Yes. As you can tell, I'm an [Insignis] just like you. But let's save the rest of my introduction later.] The vice guild leader walks to me as she takes a closer look at me. [I see. So you're one of the new initiates from the latest [Sign Creation Ceremony]. I can see why she turns to me for a thorough examination.] She turns to the receptionist she calls "Aya". [Do you have his observation notes printed?]

Aya gives the vice guild leader a small pile of papers to the vice guild leader, which I'm guessing are the same notes from the crystal ball earlier. She then flips through the pages while the receptionist begins to speak. [According to him, he arrived along with two other adventurers from <Initio>. He, along with a hunter named Wind, are the sons of the great [Seeking Sage], Earth Dux.]

[Seeking Sage]? So Dad has other titles other than being a [Sign Sage], huh? Maybe when we're done playing, I can ask him about his time in the game during beta testing...

[Interesting... So the sons of the [Seeking Sage] started their journeys at the Town of Beginnings, huh?] She turns back to me next. [How much do know about magic, young man? Have you learned them from your father?]