Down Time

Nothing major happened after we headed back to Pontia. I did manage to get my rapier's tip sharpened, but apart from that we had free time to look around. We didn't have too much time yesterday to look around but I did see that there was a wide variety of food stalls and restaurants, a lot more than what I had seen in Maemont, which is what Luna and I plan to do today.

Today was a free day while Kendal figures out what we will do tomorrow, so for the most part, we'll be checking out Pontia in more detail.

Leon: "Mind if I join you?"

Ellen: "Sure"

Over the past couple days, Leon has started to become closer to us, however Luna was still fidgety whenever Leon would join as she still wasn't comfortable being around someone of his status, but she's gotten better.

We started browsing the shops together as we notice many other students also doing the same in their own groups.

Luna: "So much food~"

Ellen: "Still amazes me how much you eat Luna. You sure love your food haha"

Luna: "I can't help it. Plus I still have room to grow so it's important"

Looking at her again, I doubt she needs to grow anymore. Me personally, I don't think I could handle having that much weight on my chest.

Ellen: "Just be careful when you're older. All of that eating will come back to bite you"

Luna: "If that happens then I'll just exercise!"

Ellen: "Yeah I was going to bring that up one of these days. We need to work on your stamina when we get back"

Luna: "Unfair~"

Leon: "You two sure are fun to watch."

I almost forgot Leon was here to be honest before he appeared at my left side with Luna on my right. He was much taller than me now as I was up to his shoulders, making Luna the smallest.

Ellen: "So how's the life of a prince?"

Leon: "Boring, but my father said that I'll have to get ready for the crowning ceremony at the end of the year, after our first year at the academy."

Ellen: "You weren't already crowned?"

Leon: "Legally I need to be 15, so no I'm not crowned yet."

Luna: "That's amazing though. Being able to be the next king right?"

Leon: "I'm not that thrilled about it if I'm honest. If I had a brother, I'd just give the crown to him."

Ellen: "Is that why you like it when I act casual around you?"

Leon: "Yeah. It's always refreshing when I talk with you, not having to deal with formalities."

It was one thing that he and I had in common, we both hated formalities. I remember when I first met Luna when she was being formal and polite, but I'm glad she quickly became used to talking with me like she would with any other.

We finally stop at one of the local restaurants. We hadn't eaten yet so the 3 of us decide to head inside, sitting at one of the available tables. Leon offered to pay for us so I accepted his generosity, with Luna seeming to be waiting for me to decide before accepting as well. I ordered the spiced, lemon duck. Leon ordered the same as me... Luna however ordered cake once again.

Ellen: "You and your cakes. I swear"

Luna: "It's yum! How about we go half and half?"

Ellen: "Sure"

We divide up our meal, as we begin to eat. The spices used on this duck was mouth watering that I completely forgot about Luna's cake. Wanting to save a bit of the duck for last, I go to eat the cake as it melts in my mouth. It tasted like a mix of different berries were inside it as many different flavors popped in my mouth. Both the duck and cake was good as I found it difficult to choose which to eat last, so I decide to take the last bit of each of them together... which was a mistake. The combination of the duck and cake made it worse somehow. Luna and Leon giggling away at my displeasure as they also finish up their meal.

After eating our meal, we continued to look around a bit more before Leon split of from us.

Leon: "I'll leave you two for now. I promised a few of the girls I'd join up with them later. I'll see you later, Ellen"

Ellen: "Sure! Have fun~"

Watching him walk off, Luna and I made our way to the central area of Pontia.

Ellen: "I want to check out what the guild is like here. Also Fleur might've sent a reply here as well, so I want to see if anything has arrived."

Luna: "Sure! Maybe we could do our first job together while we're at it"

It's true that Luna and I are now registered adventurers, so I guess we could look for a job for us.

Ellen: "Sound good to me"

We head out in search of the Pontia guild, asking around for directions from people nearby. It took us some time but after a while of walking, we found our way to the guild. Looking at the outside of the building, it looked similar to the one in Maemont, maybe a little narrower as we make our way inside. There weren't many people inside like in Inasdale or Maemont, but was still reasonably busy.

Lady at Desk: "Welcome~"

I had noticed a trend in guilds from the ones I've seen. All the guild receptionists are women. I'm curious as to why, but I'll save that question for another day. I had a more important question instead.

Ellen: "Hi is there any letters sent to Ell- I mean Yui?"

Lady: "Is that your adventurer name? If so I'll need your guild card"

It was then that I realized... I left it back at the dorm room. "Fuck."

Ellen: "Err, Sorry I don't have it with me."

Lady: "Then you'll have to give some of your blood on this card. If you're already registered then It should display your name. It'll basically act as a replacement guild card so it will cost you the registration fee."

Ellen: "That's fine"

Thankfully I did have some coins on me as I pay the fee. I go to stab my finger with the pin she gave me before pressing my finger onto the card. She puts the card into the same magical device I saw back in Inasdale before taking it out.

Lady: "Yup. It checks out. Here you go, I'll see if there are any letters for you."

She goes into the back room, leaving Luna and I to wait before she returns moments later.

Lady: "Sorry, nothing seems to have arrived. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

Luna: "Yes! We'd like a job please"

Bursting out from my side, Luna slams her guild card on the counter.

Lady: "For E rank adventurers all we can offer are small gathering jobs."

Luna: "We'll take one!"

Lady: "Sure thing"

I give her my guild card as she proceeds to register us for a job.

Lady: "Right. I've put you two down for poison berries. Collecting 30 of them will complete the job"

Luna: "Great! Thank you~"

Ellen: "Thanks"

We take our guild cards back before leaving the guild. We might not have the time to do this job, and there was also the fact that I have no clue what poison berries looked like or where to find them.

Ellen: "Hey, Do you know how to find the berries?"

Luna: "I... I was hoping you would know."

Great, our first job and we have not a single idea on how to do it. After going back inside to ask information regarding poison berries, all I got from the lady was that they are mostly found on the east side of Pontia, and that they look similar to black berries. Shortly after, I walk back out to join Luna.

Ellen: "Well I got some info, but it might still be tricky. We'll have to go east."

Luna: "Lets hope that tomorrows class will be east then and we can complete our job during class."

Ellen: "Mmm I hope so."

We continue to look around some more before joining back with the others, following other groups of students as we get accustomed to the town. I'm getting a little impatient regarding Kaede, I desperately want to return to the city and see if there has been a letter sent to me. Just a few more days...