Chapter 48 – Part 3 – First Adventurers of Wooda’s Adventurers’ Guild

Lloyd's POV

 I hoped this investment would worth our time and resources. We even ordered a crystal ball from Kalelis in exchange for some furniture. In just 5 days, the first adventurers' guild in Wooda was built, established, and opened for business. I also commissioned flyers advertising it and spread it everywhere, this time, including Langton.

 But, a few weeks later, one rainy afternoon, me and Zeke went there to see its progress, only see Westlan slouching at the receptionist desk, looking bored.

 "Hey, Westlan-kun," I greeted.

Upon hearing that, Westlan quickly straightened up. "Oh! Sir, hi there."

 "Come on, you don't have to address me like that. We're friends. Just call me by my name, okay?"

 "Okay then."

Then, Zeke said to him, "So, how's the guild?"

 "Not a single adventurer went here," answered Westlan while looking sad and down. "I think it's a bad idea."

 "Why?" me and Zeke replied back.

 "It's a waste of your time and resources."

Westlan then bowed his head deeply. "I'm so sorry!"

But, we don't consider that as a waste, so I just responded, "You don't have to apologize, Westlan."

Westlan then rose his head from bowing and looked at us. "Really?"

 "Yes, like what master said, we wanted our country to be in the maps of adventurers and explorers," Zeke positively replied in response while gesturing to explain it. "It's not a waste at all."

Because of that, Westlan became happy and confident again. "Thanks. I'll do my best to manage this then."

I then smiled. "Okay."

After that, I asked Westlan, "By the way, would you mind if me and Zeke-kun become the first adventurers in this guild?"

Westlan was surprised to hear that. "Really? Is that okay?"

 "We wanted to take a break from work," replied Zeke back, "and go on a quest or two."

Taking this as a request from me, the village chieftain, Westlan responded, "Oh, okay then. If that's an order, sure, why not. I would love to." 

He then hurried get some registration forms for us to fill in.

After that, me and Zeke registered in, and Westlan get them. "Come with me to the crystal ball room to identify your level."

 And so, we went to the guild's crystal ball room to do so. There Westlan explained to us about it, its purpose, and how we can do it. We were listening to him attentively. So, once all that explanation and instruction was done, I went first and touched the crystal ball with both hands, causing the crystal ball to glow brightly.

 "Woah, that means your level might be high," Westlan commented.

I then glanced at him. "Woah, really?"

 "Yes, depending on your level, the crystal ball's brightness may vary."

Then, the crystal ball determines my rank as Fighter.

 "Woah, I'm a Fighter!" I responded while being amazed with enthusiasm.

I then removed my hands from it, causing the crystal ball to revert back to its deactivated state.

And then, it was Zeke's turn, and he did the same thing as I did.

But, me and Westlan are very stunned to see the crystal ball glowing even brighter than it was when I touched it.

 "What the…? That's even brighter than last time!"

 "Your level might be higher than Lloyd's."

Zeke then looked at us. "I am very strong and highly skilled."

Then, the crystal ball determined his rank to be…Platinum Leader.

Zeke smiled a bit, not being prideful at all. "I guessed I am a leader here."

Westlan can't say anything about it anyway due to the evidence.

 After that, Westlan gave us our licenses with our personal information in it and our first quest, which was gathering specific berries in the Autonomous Tribe of Jali. That quest was a Cat-ranked one so it's very easy, and the reward was average to lowly. We then accepted it, saying that we will do it now. With that we left Lewole for Jali to do the quest.

 Upon arriving there, we did the quest easily since those berries are very common and easy to find. So, by sunset, we delivered the berries to one of Jali's villages, and went back to Lewole before night time.

When we were back at Lewole, Westlan gave us our lowly reward: some whole wheat bread and cheese from Kalelis. After that, we said thank you to Westlan and went back home just in time for dinner with Laura, Sati, Hale, and Gretchel. It was really a good plan for the guild to gain its first adventurers.

 But, I wonder how are my childhood friends back at Langton. I hoped they're doing fine, I guess.