Some of the adventurers apologized to Rivel for tackling him earlier and tying him up.
"Sorry man… thought you were part of the cult."
"Yea sorry for uh… tackling you."
"It's fine. Really no need to apologize. I'm not hurt or anything, so there's no need to ask either." Rivel responded in a monotone voice.
"Aren't you a bit too calm about the entire situation?" A guy asked.
"Yea, you must have nerves of steel. Especially to be integrated by the guild master, and come out unshaken." A younger guy added.
Rivel shrugged while holding out his hands. "I've dealt with worse situations."
I'll keep it to myself that I almost freaked out when he grabbed me.
"Alright I'm ready for you now sir."
Rivel turned around and Erna was standing behind the reception counter holding some papers.
As Rivel walked over towards Erna, she placed the papers down next to a crystal ball that looked similar to the one from before. "Before I start the registration process, I am required to ask you a few questions to avoid future annoyances." She said, in a more calm tone, than earlier.
Her expression was a bit softer than earlier, but enough that it didn't look like she was thinking of freezing him over.
Rivel eyes the crystal ball. "More Integration questions?"
She nods. "Though you can think of it more as an interview instead. It's just simple background questions to determine if we can allow you to be an adventurer."
"That's actually understandable, and very smart."
"Thank you. I came up with the idea myself, after an adventurer tried to come here to register after his former party kicked him for stealing drops and loot."
She takes out a pen and prepares herself to write his answers. "First off. Is it okay if we create a file for you? It's for future reference in case something happens where we are required to take action. To let you know, refusal will stop you from being able to become an adventurer."
"Why ask if it's mandatory anyway?"
"To be nice."
"...Right– You have my permission I guess."
She stamps the paper then redirects her attention to Rivel. "Now that that is settled. Let's start with the questions. I'll do them in rapid fire to get this over with quickly, I have other important matters to get to."
"Starting off, Where are you from?"
"Earth."
The crystal ball glowed green.
Erna's eyebrow raises. "Earth? I never heard of that place before? Where is it located?"
Rivel rubs the back of his neck closing his eyes pretending he's thinking very hard about it. "It's very far. My village stayed isolated, so I didn't learn much about the outside world so I'm not sure where it is."
That answer should suffice for the crystal ball right? He thinks while eyeing the crystal ball out of the corner of his eye.
The crystal ball glowed green.
She takes note of that. "I see. Must be a very closed off place. Continuing on, have you ever been an adventurer before?"
"No."
The crystal ball glowed green once again.
"Do you have any notable fighting experience? This will influence your ranking."
"His eyes widened as he smirked. "Of course I do!"
The crystal ball glowed red.
Erna stared at him in silence.
"...nothing notable besides fighting common thugs."
Erna nods and goes back to writing. "Right, and just how strongly would you personally rate yourself in combat?"
Rivel pointed at himself grinning. "Very–"
The crystal ball glowed red before he could even finish his sentence.
They both fall into silence as they glance at the crystal ball.
"Okay.. I'm somewhat–"
The crystal ball glowed red again, not allowing him to continue.
Erna looks at Rivel with judgmental eyes.
Rivel exhaled, dropping his grin."F-Fine… I'm not very–"
The crystal ball glowed red once again, cutting him off mid sentence.
Erna gaze shifted into one full of pity rather than judgment.
Rivel's head droops down as he stares at the floor in defeat. "I'm actually considerably weak."
The crystal ball glowed green.
Damn you, you stupid crystal ball.
She wrote that down quickly, returning back to her calm expression. "Alright, would you kindly touch this mana crystal so we can properly grasp your magic–"
"I have none."
"...excuse me?"
"I have no magic… I'm manaless." He responded absolutely defeated.
"None?"
"None."
"..."
"..."
Erna glanced toward the crystal ball which was already glowing green.
"..."
"..."
"Next question–"
"At least say something!"
A few minutes later Erna finally finished all the questions needed for the process.
She stacked the papers together neatly before stamping the one on top. "Thank you for your cooperation. And I would formally like to welcome you. Adventurer." She exclaimed with a smile.
"Thank you." He said with a huge grin, trying to mask his deflated pride.
"We should have your official ranking and adventurer's card ready by tomorrow morning."
"Oh that's perfect, but uhm quick question before you go," He said, while bringing out the jewel Velmira gave him. "Could I possibly cash this in with you guys?"
Erna gaze shifted onto the jewel. "... unfortunately not, but it looks like he has magic stored within it which most nobles like, so you could possibly trade it with the merchant guild next building over."
He shoved the jewel back into his pants pocket. "That works for me."
"Well if that'll be all then I'll be on my way." Erna swiftly turns around and disappears into the back of the adventurers guild.
Rivel let out a breath of fresh air once she left, finally taking a moment to let everything that happened wash over him.
I'm finally an adventurer. All it cost me was my pride, my dignity, and nearly my life.
Totally worth it.
Hopefully I'm able to earn enough from this jewel so I can afford an inn and something proper to eat.
____________________________________
Moments later Rivel stood outside the Merchants Guild with a pouch full of coins.
Not as much as I was hoping, but it's enough to survive with some basic expenses… I think. Assuming the pouch doesn't go missing. Knowing my luck.
He stuffed the pouch of coins into his pants pocket and looked around.
Now to get directions to an inn. Hopefully. He thought as he remembered how everyone from earlier ran away from him.
Rivel looked around for someone he could possibly talk to until he spotted what seemed to be a halfling.
Is that a kid or is that a halfling… I'll just get directions first, I don't wanna ask since it might be rude.
Rivel walked over with his hand held. "Hey! Can I get directions to an Inn?"
The halfling turned around to face Rivel, listened to the question and smiled while pointing in the direction behind him. "Yea! One is just right that way. It's a fairly cheap one as well. I personally recommend it myself!"
"Thank you!" He shouted as he turned on his heel and speed walked towards the inn."
The halfling continued to smile. "No problem, happy to help."
I still couldn't tell if that was a kid or halfling even up close. And considering he didn't run away or how I didn't get tackled in the Merchants Guild, I'll say Erna's magic spell worked. He thought while walking to the inn.
_____________________________________
Once Rivel finally made it to the Inn, he slowly stepped inside and looked around.
The establishment looked fine. Nothing worn down or dusty. Everything inside looked rather new or polished. The wooden floors didn't even show any signs of chipping.
Wow, when he said this place was cheap I wasn't expecting much, but this place looks much better than what I imagined. Back on earth this place would probably be at least four stars in appearance.
Not that I ever went to one to know what one looks like in the first place.
As Rivel walked further inside, an older woman greeted him with a large smile that went from ear to ear. She wore a yellow and white outfit that looked almost similar to a servant's outfit. Her brown hair that shined in a golden color was tied back into a bun, her eyes were soft and amber-brown that could draw just about anyone in.
"Hello dear, Welcome to my Inn. How can I help you?"
"I want a room for one for a few days."
"Alright, that'll be 15 silver please."
Rivel reached into his pouch and placed 15 silver into the innkeeper's hand and exchanged it for the room key.
"Enjoy your stay. And before I forget to mention, try not to be too loud. Last adventurer who was… well, he looked quite traumatized a few mornings after.
"Noted," Rivel replied, unsure if she was joking.
After trying not to think too hard on what the innkeeper said, he went up the stairs that led to the rooms.
Ah! Forgot to grab something to eat. Whatever, I'm feeling exhausted for the day. I'll just make sure to eat before I head off to the Adventurers Guild tomorrow–
Before he could finish his thought he suddenly bumped into something soft and squishy as he rounded the corner of the stairs.
As he stepped back to take a look.
A tall and slender woman with ash-gray skin, piercing silver eyes, and long straight midnight-blue hair stood in front of him. She was wearing a dark hooded cloak with light armor beneath it, while carrying an ebony longbow on her back.
A Dark elf?
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention–"
She didn't flinch, nor react; she just walked past him with silent grace, not acknowledging his presence.
Rivel looked back at her as she walked away but decided not to call out to her and continued on his way to his room.
Once inside his room, which was a major downgrade from the once back at Velmira's castle but nevertheless a still great looking room like the lounge of the inn, he collapsed onto the stomach first.
Rivel laid there deflating as the blue moonlight washed over the room.
Despite everything… I still want to return home.