In the Guild's consultation room, a businesslike silence reigned, broken only by the rustle of parchment in Eina Tulle's hands and the scratching of her quill. The air here was cool and smelled of old books—a complete contrast to the bubbling chaos of the main hall. Bell sat upright, like a diligent student, his ruby eyes fixed on the elf, afraid to miss a single word. Raine, on the other hand, lounged more relaxedly, leaning back against the sofa, but his calm was deceptive; his amber eyes intently tracked every gesture of the advisor, and his mind, like a sponge, soaked up the information.
"So, let's start with the basics," Eina began, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. Her voice was even and melodic, the perfect instrument for conveying vital information to fledging newcomers. "Orario is not just a city; it is a living organism. And like any organism, it has its organs, its arteries, and its, shall we say, less healthy parts. For you, as beginning adventurers, the city is divided into safe and forbidden zones."
She unrolled a large, detailed map of Orario on the desk.
"We are currently in the Northwest District. This is the heart of commerce and order. Here are located the Guild, most of the large trading houses, smithies, and workshops. This is your main zone of activity for the near future. The Central Square and the streets adjoining it are the place where you will sell loot, repair equipment, and seek information. The streets here are wide, well-patrolled by the guard, and the risk of running into trouble is minimal."
"And where shouldn't we go?" Bell asked immediately, leaning forward.
"I'm glad you asked," a barely noticeable smile touched Eina's lips. "Your main enemy at first isn't monsters, but your own curiosity. The Southeast District, also known as the 'Entertainment District,' is strictly forbidden to you."
She pointed with her quill to a tangled web of streets on the map.
"Gambling houses, brothels, dubious taverns, and arenas for underground fights are located there. This is territory influenced by dark Familias, and a newcomer wandering in there risks losing not only their purse but their freedom, or even their life. The guard prefers not to stick their noses in there without good reason. I also strongly advise against venturing into the so-called 'Daedalus Street'—a giant labyrinth of alleys and dead ends in the city center—without an escort. By day it's a lively market, but with the onset of twilight, it turns into a trap where it's easy to get lost and fall victim to a robbery. Remember: stick to the lit main streets. A dark alley is not a shortcut, but a potential grave."
"Now about the rules," she continued, setting aside the map and picking up another document. "The Guild is not just a labor exchange; it is a regulatory body. And its rules are written in the blood of those who violated them. First and most important: any hostile actions between adventurers inside the Dungeon are strictly prohibited. No fighting, no stealing loot, no damaging someone else's equipment. The Dungeon is a dangerous enough place without creating problems for each other."
"And what happens if someone breaks the rules?" Raine inquired, his voice calm, but practical interest felt in the question.
"The punishment depends on the severity of the offense," Eina replied, her gaze becoming sterner. "From huge fines capable of bankrupting an entire Familia and a temporary ban on entering the Dungeon to blacklisting. The 'blacklist' is a brand. No legal shop will buy magic stones from you, no blacksmith will repair your weapon. You become an outcast. In particularly severe cases involving the death of other adventurers, the Guild may place a bounty on your head. Believe me, there are always plenty of people willing to collect it."
She paused, letting them grasp the seriousness of her words.
"Second rule: you are obligated to report any anomalies in the Dungeon to the Guild. The appearance of new, unknown monsters, changes in floor structure, unusual behavior of fauna—all this must be immediately reported to your advisor. That is, to me. This is a matter of the entire city's safety. And third, more mundane but no less important: the exchange of magic stones. It takes place only here, in the main hall, at special counters with the sign 'Exchange Point.' The procedure is simple: you present your adventurer license, lay out the stones, they are weighed, their purity assessed, and you are immediately paid the equivalent in Valis. Do not try to sell stones privately or in illegal shops. You will either be cheated or attract the attention of the wrong people."
Eina set aside the papers and looked at them over her glasses. Her gaze softened.
"And finally, the most important thing. That without which everything I said will be meaningless. A Familia. You must understand, Bell Cranel, Raine, that without a Falna, without the blessing of a patron god, you will remain simply strong youths. You cannot gain Excelia, cannot develop your parameters and skills. You cannot raise your level. Your primary task for the near future is to find a Familia that will accept you."
"You mentioned dark Familias that control certain districts," Raine spoke up. "Surely there are also those whose membership is, shall we say, not recommended for beginners. Since you are our advisor, could you give us some advice on whose doors we should steer clear of?"
Eina hesitated for a moment. Direct criticism of other Familias was not part of her duties and could be construed as slander. However, the question was asked correctly, and she saw in the black-haired youth's eyes not idle curiosity, but sober calculation.
"The Guild maintains neutrality and does not give direct recommendations," she began cautiously. "However, I can draw your attention to Familias whose reputation is... ambiguous, and where newcomers might face certain difficulties. For example, the Soma Familia."
She lowered her voice.
"Their god, Soma, is a genius winemaker. He creates divine wine, one sip of which grants a mortal unearthly bliss. Unfortunately, this wine is highly addictive. Most members of his Familia are wretched, dependent people ready to do anything for another portion. They seek neither fame nor adventure, only a way to get money for drink. This is not an atmosphere in which one can grow as an adventurer."
"Another Familia to approach with caution is the Apollo Familia. Their god is handsome, talented, but incredibly vain and jealous. He gathers into his Familia only those who seem 'beautiful' to him, and treats them not as comrades, but as his collection. He is known for the fact that if someone catches his eye, he will go to any lengths to obtain them, up to declaring a 'War Game'—a full-scale battle between Familias."
"Finally," Eina hesitated, "the Ikelos Familia. Little is known for certain about them; they operate secretly. But rumors reaching the Guild link them to smuggling, kidnapping, and other dark deeds. They might offer a newcomer quick and easy money, but the price for it always turns out to be exorbitantly high. I advise you to look for Familias whose activities are transparent and whose reputation is beyond doubt."
The lesson was coming to an end. Eina saw that Bell, although he tried his best, had already begun to "swim" from the abundance of information. His eyes were drooping, and his head kept nodding onto his chest. Raine, conversely, remained focused until the very end.
"That's probably enough for today," the elf concluded. "Digesting all this at once isn't easy. Let's meet tomorrow at the same time."
"And... and the Dungeon?" Bell perked up upon hearing the word "tomorrow." "When can we go there?"
Eina's gaze became stern, but there was no malice in it—only the care with which an older sister looks at an unreasonable younger brother.
"Bell Cranel. Until a Familia emblem appears on your back, until you receive a Falna, the topic of the Dungeon is closed to you. This is not up for discussion. Our next session will be dedicated specifically to preparing for the first descent."
She was about to stand when Raine addressed her again.
"Miss Eina, forgive me for one more question. My friend is a bit... absent-minded, and I fear half your valuable instructions have already flown out of his head. Does the Guild have any printed guide for beginners? I wouldn't mind flipping through it in my spare time to refresh my knowledge."
Eina blinked in surprise. In all her practice, this was the first time a newcomer had asked for additional literature.
"Such a guide does indeed exist," she replied after a pause. "'The Adventurer's Handbook.' But... usually adventurers ignore even verbal briefings, let alone reading books. They are mostly purchased by large Familias for centralized training of their recruits. It is not part of the standard support package; you will have to buy it."
"How much?" Raine asked without hesitation.
"Five thousand Valis."
It was a substantial sum, almost a third of their remaining money. But Raine simply nodded.
"We'll take it."
Stepping out of the cool marble of the Guild onto the sun-drenched street, Bell yawned loudly, covering his mouth with his hand.
"Oof... My head is buzzing. So many rules, names..."
Raine, walking beside him, silently handed him a hefty book in a hard leather binding, which they had just bought at the information desk. Embossed in gold on the cover was: "The Adventurer's Handbook. Guild Edition."
Bell stared uncomprehendingly first at the book, then at his friend. Then it began to dawn on him. His face fell, and a look appeared in his eyes of a rabbit realizing it was in for a week of eating bitter wormwood.
"Ohhh..." he drawled. "This... this isn't for you, is it?"
Raine only nodded encouragingly in response, looking at his sour face with a slight smirk.
"You have a good memory, Bell, but you remember images and sensations. Here, you need facts and figures. You'll read a chapter before bed. I'll check."
Bell accepted the book with a resigned sigh. Arguing was useless.
The midday sun beat down mercilessly, and their stomachs, reminding them of themselves with loud rumbling, demanded food. They headed toward the central square, deciding to combine lunch with sightseeing. The main street of the Northwest District, along which they walked, was a true showcase of Orario. Luxurious carriages harnessed to griffins, obviously belonging to noble members of rich Familias, rushed past them. Weapon shop windows sparkled with polished steel and enchanted blades, the prices of which would have made their village work for years.
Bell was delighted. He gawked open-mouthed at everything around him: at street performers swallowing fire; at a mighty dwarf blacksmith demonstrating the strength of his shields right on the street by pounding them with a huge hammer; at an elf selling glowing flowers that bloomed in her palm.
They bought a pair of hot, crispy meat croquettes at a street stall and, walking leisurely, turned toward the fountain in the center of the square. Bell, chewing, examined with admiration the scene carved in stone of heroes battling a sea serpent.
Raine, though walking alongside, saw a different side of this celebration of life. His gaze snagged on details that escaped Bell's enthusiastic view. He saw a flock of barefoot orphan children with dirty faces looking with hungry envy at their croquettes. He saw a former adventurer sitting in the shadow of an archway, a man with empty eyes and a leg amputated at the knee, quietly begging for alms that no one paid attention to. He noticed a nimble pallum slip out of a dark alley and, a moment later, a wealthy merchant passing by grabbed his belt, discovering his purse missing.
This city was not only a city of heroes. It was a city of broken destinies. A place that devoured the weak and unlucky with the same ease as it elevated the strong.
Toward evening, satisfied with the sights of the central square, they decided to take a shortcut to their inn through less crowded streets. Passing one of the numerous alleys, they heard a friendly hail:
"Hey, guys, a minute!"
From the shadows, a man of about thirty in light leather armor walked out to meet them. He had light brown hair, a pleasant smile, and lively, darting eyes that immediately assessed their simple but good quality clothes and the absence of any Familia emblems.
"Sorry to interrupt," he began with disarming courtesy. "It's just that I'm here every day, and I haven't seen such distinctive guys as you before. Believe me, such a combination—snow-white and raven-black hair—I would definitely remember."
"We only arrived yesterday," Bell answered simply.
"Is that so? Wonderful!" the stranger rejoiced. "My name is Zenos. Welcome to Orario! Managed to find a Familia yet?"
"Not yet," Bell shook his head, feeling a surge of hope. Maybe this was fate?
"That is simply magnificent!" Zenos's eyes shone. "You see, my Familia is looking for a couple of capable newcomers right now. We aren't very big, but we're close-knit. And our god cares very much for his children. I saw you and thought—here they are, the ones we need!"
"But doesn't general recruitment into Familias only start in two weeks?" Bell asked doubtfully, remembering Eina's words.
"Ah, that's public recruitment," Zenos dismissed. "For everyone and anyone. But truly strong Familias always look for talent privately. Why wait if you see nuggets of gold? We would be glad to invite you to join us. Right now."
Raine had been silent all this time, standing slightly behind Bell. From the very beginning, he had measured this Zenos with a cold, appraising gaze. His manner of speech, too smooth and rehearsed, his darting eyes, his excessive courtesy—all this screamed deception.
"Wow! Raine, did you hear? We're being invited into a Familia!" Bell whispered enthusiastically, turning to his friend. Sincere joy shone in his eyes.
Raine allowed a slight smile to touch his lips.
"That truly is wonderful news."
He stepped forward and extended a hand to Zenos for a handshake.
"My name is Raine. This is a great honor for us."
Zenos readily shook his hand, but his smile faltered for a moment when he felt the youth's steel grip.
"Tell me, Zenos," Raine continued, not releasing his hand and looking him straight in the eyes, "why us specifically? You haven't even seen us in action. There are hundreds of newcomers in the city; why did you choose the ones who just arrived?"
"Uh... intuition!" the recruiter found an answer. "An experienced adventurer sees potential from afar. Strength is felt in you!"
"And yet, why the rush?" Raine persisted, his voice remaining polite, but curious notes appearing in it. "Why not wait for the general recruitment? That way you could choose from a larger number of candidates. Don't you think such haste might scare off truly cautious and smart recruits?"
Zenos began to get noticeably nervous. His eyes darted around, and a bead of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"Our god... doesn't like noisy gatherings. Prefers a personal approach."
"I understand," Raine nodded. His grip on Zenos's hand became slightly stronger. "Such a caring god must have a very noble name. Could you tell us what it is? We would like to know which great deity we might soon serve."
Silence fell. The question was simple, but for Zenos, it sounded like a thunderclap. His face paled. He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again, but couldn't squeeze out a sound. Any Familia member would name their god with pride and without the slightest delay. It was the foundation of their existence. Zenos's silence spoke louder than any words.