Another world, Celeste

Chapter Nine, pt 3

The following day, we head out into town. Kif is taking us to the Commercial Guild which is located in the central point of the business street. It's after the morning rush but the place is packed with merchants coming and going out of the building. Jilko and the apprentices are lining up at the registration counter while Kif is meeting with a guild staff. Under normal circumstances, an apprentice would register on their own if they bring their master's letter of approval with their card, but for some reason, Chief is tagging along as well.

"Iris, an acquaintance of mine will be registering you. Follow me."

I obediently follow Chief up the stairs to the third floor. The floor is less noisy and empty.

"Is the guild master inside?" Chief asks a woman sitting behind the desk.

"Yes. He's been expecting you, Chief." She replies. "Please, follow me."

The female guild staff leads us towards an office room. She knocks on the door to announce our arrival and open it.

"Guild master, Chief is here to see you."

A man in his fifties with eyes that hasn't lost his youth is sitting on a large desk with piles of neatly stacked documents. He stands up from his chair and walks over to us.

"Thank you, Mei."

The guild staff leaves the room to give us privacy.

"Please have a seat. I heard from Master Hovel. In all my years, I have never had the privilege of handling Chief's apprentice membership to our guild."

"It has been some time since I've taken another apprentice," Chief recalls, sitting down on the sofa.

"Luck must have not abandoned me yet." Guild master praises his fortune.

"Guild master has an eye that distinguishes genuine from forgery. Your skill is necessary for this town. That is why I recommended you to be the guild master here. My instinct is never wrong."

"I am grateful my ability is recognised by you, Chief." Guild master humbly accepts the praise.

Guild master focuses his attention on me. He greets me with a professional smile.

"Is this young lady, might be your apprentice?"

I introduce myself to him. "Nice to meet you, guild master. My name is Iris. I'm sorry to bother a busy person such as yourself."

"Not at all. I'm curious to see what kind of person Chief has taken a liking to. Although it might be presumptuous of me to say, for as long as I've known him, Chief rarely shows an interest towards any humans aside from me." Guild master says with straightforward honesty.

This person is not exuding arrogance, but he takes pride in his accomplishments of being recognised by Chief. I understand it's something to boast about but to do so in front of the said person himself is... how should I put this, the guild master has high self-esteem.