Guild reception desk.
"So, you actually found a familia…"
The red-haired demi-human receptionist said it without so much as a blink, her expression carved from cold stone.
Bell wasn't sure if she was judging him, disappointed, or just incredibly done with life.
In front of the counter, Bell and Hestia stood side by side, going through the paperwork for the newly formed Hestia Familia.
"Y-yes!" Bell replied, way too nervous for someone answering a simple question.
His voice cracked a little, which didn't help.
Hestia puffed her chest out proudly, but the receptionist remained unmoved.
Off to the side, Kaelis leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, watching the whole scene unfold like it was theater.
He didn't say anything. His raised eyebrow already spoke volumes.
They'd come here to wrap up the registration process after Bell had received his falna from the tiny, overly proud goddess.
Once the questioning was done and the paperwork was mostly settled, Hestia realized she wasn't needed at the desk anymore.
With a quick nod, she shuffled over to Kaelis's side, leaving Bell to handle the rest on his own.
The receptionist flipped to another sheet and spoke in that same flat, professional tone:
"Now that you've been officially registered as one of Orario's adventurers, you'll be assigned a personal adviser—someone you can choose yourself."
After a moment of nervous thinking, Bell finally blurted out, "Um… how about… an elf? Yes—an elf!"
The receptionist didn't even blink. "Very well. Please wait while I call someone."
She didn't wait for his reply. She simply turned and walked off, leaving Bell standing upright and rigid like a soldier awaiting inspection.
"…That lady looks tough to deal with," Kaelis remarked.
"It feels like she's had… a very bad history with adventurers," Hestia added, arms folding as she puffed one cheek in mild annoyance.
Kaelis glanced at her for half a second, then turned his attention back toward Bell, who was still frozen in place.
"You could deduce that much?" Kaelis asked, one brow raised.
"Hmph! I might not look it, but I'm still a goddess, you know." Hestia lifted her chin proudly. "We gods can read mortals like an open book."
"Hmm…" Kaelis hummed in a way that made it impossible to tell whether he agreed, disagreed, or simply wasn't listening.
A few moments later, the receptionist returned—this time with another person in tow.
The newcomer stepped forward: a silver-haired elf woman with sharp, pointy ears and a professional aura strong enough to rival the receptionist's.
Her eyes were clear, focused… and already assessing Bell from head to toe.
As the two approached the desk, the red-haired receptionist, pointed straight at Bell. "This is the boy."
The white-haired elf followed her gesture… and her expression hardened instantly.
She looked Bell over—short, white hair, red eyes, clearly nervous—and her face shut down like a slammed door.
"No, Rose," she said flatly. "I'm not wasting my time on another rookie."
Before anyone could argue, the elf spun on her heel.
"You'll have to find someone else."
And she walked off briskly—so briskly it was obvious she didn't want to give Rose even two seconds to call her back.
Bell just stood there, stunned, while Kaelis raised an eyebrow and Hestia puffed up in annoyance.
Silence descended as Kaelis eyebrow raised and Hestia's fist clenched at the person's quick refusal.
"You didn't even give my child a chance!" Hestia shouted, stomping her foot as the elf disappeared around a corner.
Bell just stood there, frozen, staring into nothing like his soul briefly left his body.
Catching himself, he slowly turned to Rose.
"Did I… do something wrong?"
Rose shook her head. "No."
She didn't elaborate, didn't soften her tone—just said it and moved on.
"I'll go find someone else," she added curtly, already walking away again.
The three were left standing in awkward silence.
Kaelis glanced down at Hestia, whose face was still scrunched up in an annoyed frown.
"I'm guessing that one also had a bad history with adventurers?"
Hestia crossed her arms dramatically.
"…So that's a yes, then.".
It didn't take long before Rose returned—this time with someone far less intimidating.
Another elf, but different from the first in almost every way.
Shoulder-length brown hair, soft emerald eyes behind her glasses, and a warm smile that immediately eased the tension in the air.
Rose stepped aside, letting the newcomer approach the counter.
"This is Eina Tulle," she said. "She's an elf—well, half-elf. And she's the only other option if you specifically want an elf adviser."
The half-elf gave Bell a polite bow, her warm smile never faltering.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Cranel. I'll be your adviser—if you'll have me."
Bell's eyes widened. "A half-elf…?"
He wasn't disappointed at all—just surprised.
His gaze flicked to Hestia, then to Kaelis, as if checking whether he should say more.
Hestia leaned in close to whisper loudly, "Take her. Take her before another one runs away."
Kaelis didn't even look down at her. "She seems competent. More so than the last one. She was a little unprofessional."
Bell straightened himself, saluting as if he was a soldier. Courtesy of Kaelis of course.
"N-no problems here! I mean—yes, please, I'd like you to be my adviser!"
A small, relieved breath escaped Eina as she folded her hands in front of her.
"I'm glad. In that case, Mr. Cranel, we can move to one of the consultation rooms to begin your initial orientation."
She gestured down the hall.
Bell swallowed, but nodded. "Right!"
Hestia bounced forward cheerfully. "I'll come too! I'm his goddess, so I should know what my child is being taught!"
Kaelis pushed off the wall and followed without a word.
Bell blinked at him. "Master… you're coming too?"
Kaelis shrugged. "You're not the only one learning something today. I want to see how the Guild coaches their adventurers."
Bell smiled—he always appreciated how Kaelis never left him completely alone in these things.
Eina led the four of them through the Guild corridor until they reached a modest consultation room—small, clean, and lined with shelves containing maps, notebooks, and manuals.
"Please, take a seat."
Eina moved behind a wooden desk, sorting through documents swiftly.
Hestia plopped herself in the seat beside Bell as bell sat in the center.
Kaelis didn't sit.
Instead, he remained standing at the back of the room, arms crossed lightly, eyes narrowed with subtle interest as he scanned the charts pinned to the wall—floor layouts, monster listings, danger zones.
Eina set down her papers and offered Bell her full attention.
"Mr. Cranel, before we begin, let me formally congratulate you for becoming an Adventurer. From today onward, your safety is our priority."
Bell nodded quickly, sitting shyly as he was complimented. "Th-thank you!"
Eina glanced at his adventurer documents with his level and sorts.
"You're Level 1 and newly registered. That means there are several rules, dungeon restrictions, and survival basics you must understand before stepping foot inside."
Hestia grinned proudly. "Don't worry, Eina! I'm not letting Bell go into the Dungeon unprepared—his familia has standards!"
Eina stared at her flatly.
"…Lady Hestia, your familia was created two hours ago."
From Bell and Kaelis meeting hestia, going to the church, then Bell receiving the falna and now getting an adviser. It all happened in the span of three hours.
Hestia deflated instantly. "S-so what!? We can still have standards…"
Bell tried not to laugh nervously.
Eina then cleared her throat and adjusted her glasses before continuing.
"Well then, let's start with the basics of dungeon etiquette and the importance of proper equipment, teamwork, and retreat protocols."
Bell leaned forward attentively.
Kaelis also drew closer, saying nothing making Eina's gaze flicked to him for a moment.
She clearly wasn't used to someone watching silently with that much focus.
Bell noticed her look and quickly said, "U-um! He's not an adventurer like me. He's… actually the one training me. My master."
Eina blinked.
"Oh. I see."
Her eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "Then it's good you're here too, Mr… Kaelis, correct?"
Kaelis nodded.
"Good. If you're overseeing Bell's growth, then you need to be aware of the Guild's safety policies as well."
Kaelis hummed noncommittally. "I'm listening."
Eina nodded, relieved he wasn't going to be difficult, and opened the first booklet.
"Then let's begin—because if Bell plans to survive the Dungeon, the things we cover today will matter more than anything else."
The orientation officially began.
Chapter 58 end.