Every Story Has Two Sides

(P.O.V Guildmaster)

I watch as the young catkin scrambles from the room, clutching the gold I gave her as if worried that I'll try to snatch them back.

Once she's out of sight, I rise from my chair with a groan.

'I'm starting to get old.' I can't help but think to myself.

I stand at my window that overlooks the front of the adventurers guild. There I wait. It doesn't take long before I see the same catkin that just left my office rushing out. She looks around quickly, then skips down an alley and out of sight.

I watch that alley for a few moments before a tentative knock draws my attention to the open door. There I see Tesk, head bowed.

"You wished to see me, guildmaster?" Her voice is quiet.

I examine her for a moment.

A pure human, age eighteen. Black hair in a high ponytail. Height is five seven. Minimal physical protection, but my eyes note that her dress is inlaid with several enchantments. I'd heard that she usually carries her wand with her wherever she goes, a decent enhancement for her magic, being made out of darkwood. My sight lingers for a moment on the empty strap on her forearm.

Glancing up for a moment and seeing where my eyes rest, she speaks up. "My brother confiscated my wand. Said he didn't want me doing anything stupid during our meeting." She still doesn't meet my gaze.

Wordlessly I gesture for her to sit. She does so, but I remain standing.

I watch her squirm for a minute, then I tell her to explain her side of the story.

She does so. She talks about how during Seka's examination, her tail reacted strangely when she used mana. She talked about how she asked Seka if she could examine her tail, and her positive response. She blushes a bit when she talks about the actual examination, but I don't mention it. Then we get to the heart of the problem.

"I admit, I might have gotten... overexcited when I learned about the potential her tail has. But who wouldn't? With a regeneration potion, she could easily regrow a new one! And of course I wasn't planning on making her pay for it herself." Seeming to realize that she started rambling, she stops and takes a deep breath. She lets it out slowly and continues on in a calmer tone of voice.

"I should not have tried to push the issue once she refused. Or at the very least, I should have tried to convince her calmly. Instead I acted like a madwoman, which I sorely regret."

I stare, noting that her body language has supported her words as far as I can tell. I gesture at the truth orb. "Do you know what this is?"

She looks at it and confirms that she does. "A truth orb."

Without prompting she places her hand on it. "Everything that I have said since I've entered this room has been the truth."

The orb lights up a bright green and she shoots me a small smile.

My face remains expressionless. "And where exactly did the sexual assault come into play?"

Tesk nearly falls from her chair in surprise, and I have to smother the smirk that tries to rise up.

Her face flushed, Tesk fervently denies the accusation. "There was nothing sexual occurring! Sure she has a nice butt, but I certainly didn't try to force myself on her! What happened was simply a series of unfortunate events!" The orb, that's still under her hand, retains its green glow.

I stare at her for a moment before giving her a nod. "Very well, you are cleared of suspicion." Her sigh of relief is interrupted by my next words. "Please get your brother, as well as the receptionist that conducted Seka's examination, and return here with them."

Sweat beads on her brow, but she nods her head and goes to get them. She closes the door behind her.

I stare at the door, contemplating the two young women I've talked to.

'Since when has the guild been recruiting such openly perverted women?'

First, Seka openly stares at my chest, then admits to staring as if she's proud.

Then we have Tesk, who took advantage of Seka's unusual tail to feel up her ass. She at least has the decency to not openly admit it, but her blush attests to the fact that she enjoyed the benefit.

I let out a deep sigh. 'Hopefully the men we've been recruiting are different. If not, we might have to think of having headquarters do an inquiry. Don't want any bad eggs squeezing their way in and trying to take advantage of their position.'

While I'm lost in my wondering if I should call for an inquiry, the three I called enter.

Tesk, a skilled earth mage. Nicknamed Coffin for her favored method of burying her opponents alive.

Trel, a brawler. Nicknamed Boxer for his powerful punches.

And lastly... "Niece?"

"Um, hello Aunt Zelanar." The supposed receptionist who gave Seka her exam is my niece.

My niece who isn't licensed to give adventurers there exams.

I place a hand over my face and sigh.

"...Considering that Tesk and Trel are both B-Ranks, I suppose they found your decision regarding Seka's rank adequate. As such I'm not going to ask why you were the one to give her exam, but don't let it happen again."

She rapidly nods her head. "Yes Aunt Zelanar."

If only the guildmaster could hear her niece's thoughts.

'It's not as if the guild usually gets people wanting to sign up as adventurers a couple hours before it closes. That's why we have designated times for it! How was I supposed to know someone would show up to interrupt my reading? Usually I can slack off for most of my shift if I sit there!'

Seeing her unrepentant face, I sigh and look at the brother sister pair. Immediately Trel bows down to me, grabbing his sister by her neck to force her to bow as well.

"We are deeply sorry for the problems that Tesk has caused! We are willing to accept our demotion with grace!" He shouts some more about how sorry the two of them are, meanwhile Tesk's face is flushed again and she's failing to get out of Trel's hand.

"You aren't getting demoted." My voice breaks him out of his apologetic rambling, and he looks up in confusion. Tesk manages to free herself due to his sudden inattention.

"Then why are we here, guildmaster?" I see his question mirrored on the girls' faces as well. With a sigh I sit down heavily in my chair. The only good thing about being guildmaster.

I make sure to meet each of their eyes one by one to ensure they understand the seriousness of what I am about to say.

"I believe that miss Seka is the missing heiress of the Socram family."