As morning arrived and the sun shone through the windows coating everything in an orangish hue, Rivel steadily rose from his slumber yawning. His hair was messed, with single strands of hair sticking out all over, and his face, which usually had a scowl, was replaced with a more groggy expression.
Yet I still persist.
After finally coming to his senses, Rivel made his way to the lounge where he was greeted by the smell of something baking, that then caused his stomach to rumble despite him trying to ignore his hunger until he left.
"Is someone cooking something?" He mumbled to himself.
Rivel headed deeper into the lounge to see where the smell was coming from. As he pushed through a door his eyes landed on the innkeeper carrying a tray of food.
Rivel came a little closer, unaware of his mouth watering as he eyes the food. "What are you making?"
The Innkeeper jolts startled from Rivel's unexpected entrance, causing her to nearly drop the food.
"Oh I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
The Innkeeper placed a hand over her chest in relief as she slowly placed the tray of food onto the table. "It's– uh fine. Just please next time try to make your presence a little known." She implored.
Rivel's gaze slowly drifted towards the food, losing his focus on the Innkeeper. "Okay, I won't try to forget that next time."
The Innkeeper caught on to his drifting eyes and followed them, which led to the tray of food that sat neatly on the table.
She moved the tray of food slightly while still focusing on Rivel's eyes that slowly moved along with the food.
She couldn't help but to giggle to herself before grabbing a plate and offering it to him. "You must be very hungry dear."
He waved his hands rapidly in refusal. "No, no, I'm fine, truly. I was only curious about what the smell was. That was all."
Soon as those words left his mouth his stomach growled loud enough that he winced, and to add on to it his mouth started to water even more without him even realizing it.
She tilted her ever so little, placing a finger on her chin as she smiled. "You say that, but your eyes– and that little bit of drool— say otherwise."
He quickly snapped his focus back onto the innkeeper who shoved the plate in his direction once again. "Please take it. You seem hungry."
"No truly it's—"
"Take it." She repeated in a more demanding tone.
"Yes Ma'am." He responded, as he grabbed the plate quickly from her hands.
"Feel free to help yourself. I was only making this to create more space in my storage for my newest batch of goods."
With those words he didn't waste time grabbing a little bit of everything off the tray in great portions.
The Innkeeper started to hum to herself as she started to place extra food onto the table, until she came to a stop when she caught a glimpse of the dark elf making her way to the entrance door.
"Ah, Sylva dear!" She called out, picking up a tray of food. "Would you like something to eat before you go? I made it myself."
Rivel stopped his eating glancing over to Sylva.
She's the dark elf from yesterday. I thought she was leaving the Inn, but it looks like I was wrong.
Sylva remained silent, then her gaze moved onto Rivel, who looked away immediately.
She then silently shook her head no before she stepped out the door.
The innkeeper lets out a defeated sigh. "One day I'll get you to try my cooking and I'll finally see a smile on that face of yours."
"Ahem, If you don't mind me asking, but who is she? I bumped into her yesterday and tried to apologize, but I was completely ignored… not that I'm not used to being ignored.
Catching her attention she turned to face Rivel, a look of shock and excitement on her face, that looked similar to someone who just had their favorite subject brought up in a conversation.
"Her name is Sylva! She's a dark elf that came here a couple months ago and has been here ever since then. She's actually such a sweet girl. One day when I was having a bit of trouble with an aggressive customer, she came in and swiftly put a stop to their actions and even paid for damages they caused despite my refusal. She doesn't speak, but she still goes out of her way to make sure I know I'm appreciated in some kind of way."
She sounds like a fan-girl talking about her newest obsession. Rivel thought as the innkeeper continued to talk his ear off about her.
She came to a sudden stop as she placed her hand over her mouth. "I'm so sorry. I just really enjoy talking about people who interest me."
"No need to apologize, it's completely fine."
"Oh, and I wanted to know your name as well if that's fine with you?"
"...My name is Rivel."
"What a lovely name. I'll try to never forget it."
"And what's yours?"
"...Huh?"
'What's your name?" he repeated himself.
" It's Morana." She replied with a warm smile.
_______________________________________
Later, Rivel stood at the reception counter of the Adventurers Guild patiently waiting with his head held in his hand.
Hopefully I don't need to answer any more questions. It's starting to get old really fast.
Finally after what felt like forever, Erna came from the back of the Adventurers Guild waving holding a small card. "Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long. I had to deal with some other paperwork first."
Rivel stood up straight as she passed him the card which looked more like an ID up close. It had his picture, his name and his rank as an adventurer with a little bar under it that said was labeled as level.
I guess it must be magic. It says 0/100 so I'm guessing the max level is 100, and as I get stronger the bar fills up until I reach a new level. Similar to games. And my Rank–
His thought came to an abrupt stop when he glared at his rank that stated him as [Rank: F].
His hands shook as he slowly lifted up his card to show Erna. "Uhm Erna… it seems there is some kind of mistake. I seem to be labeled as an F rank." He said with a shaky voice.
"There's no mistake. I did it myself."
Rivel slammed his hands down. "That doesn't make any sense! I have combat experience! There's no way I'm a crappy F rank!"
She tilted her head confused.
"You have zero magic," She began.
"limited combat experience– that is only centered on lowly thugs."
"Zero knowledge of the outside of your mysterious village."
"You're cursed."
"And you don't have a party."
"May I need to explain further?" She explained harmlessly, yet very bluntly.
Rivel held a hand over his chest. "N-no need."
So brutal.
"Don't worry though. It doesn't take long for adventurers to climb their way out of F rank… But then again we never had someone as pat– interesting as your case."
"You were about to call me pathetic weren't you?"
She stared at him silently before diverting her attention, signaling out towards a different direction with her hand. "...Now that you're an adventurer, feel free to pick a quest from the F rank quest board."
"At least deny it!"
______________________________
Rivel was strolling the forest groaning each second. "Of course I get stuck with the most hated quest known to all. Picking herbs."
He leans down to grab a herb he spotted next to a rock and shoves them into a bag he received from Erna. "And I was so prepared to buy a cool adventuring outfit."
Unaware a bush suddenly rustled behind him.
Then a voice came.
"Well you just need to work hard and eventually you'll rank up if I'm correct." A mysterious voice added.
"Tsk, whenever that'll be." Rivel scoffed.
"..."
"..."
He then picked up another herb until he came to a stop and then quickly shuffled away on the ground from the voice right next to him. "Who the hell–"
Velmira stood right in front of him with a smile that went from ear to ear. "Heya, Rivel!" She beamed, waving.
Rivel sat there stunned before he stood onto his feet quickly in disbelief. "V-Velmira!?"
"The one and only! Did ya miss me?!" She asked excitedly, leaning in.
Rivel felt too stunned to talk, rubbing his head as he tried to rack his brain in what he should say. "W-why are you here?"
"Well– I got bored. So I decided to come visit you!"
Rivel blinked.
"Velmira." He said calmly, stepping forward.
"Yes?"
Soon as he got close enough he bonked her straight on the head.
Velmira yelped, crouching down rubbing her head in pain. "Oww! What was that for?!"
"Why?! You shouldn't be here! I am already suspicious enough with the horns! Adding the fact that someone could possibly report me talking to a demon would not help my case!" Rivel snapped, while glaring down at her arms crossed.
"B-but!"
"No! And another thing! Aren't you the demon queen? Shouldn't you be… I don't know… ordering or directing your subjects, convincing them to shift into an era of peace?"
Velmira looked down while drawing little swirls in the dirt under her. "Well… I was for a bit, but some of them refused to listen to reason, so I beat them up."
Rivel stared at her in silence.
Probably the most queenish thing I heard her say since I've met her.
Rivel exhaled, "Velmira, Go home."
Velmira stood quickly panicking. "Wait! No! Don't send me away just yet," She pleaded with heads put together. "You said that you need to pick herbs right?! I can help you! Two is better than one right?!"
Rivel was about to refuse but he stopped, took a sec to ponder about her words, and then let out a huge breath of air looking at her puppy dog eyes. "Fine. But! You only get one chance. Screw up and you're leaving! Do I make myself clear?!"
Velmira saluted and stood very straight, similar to a soldier would. "Yes sir!"
"..."
I am already regretting this.
And we haven't even started yet.