10. Guild's Experience

The following chapter is still from Satou Kazuma's point of view.

—

After finding a random corner for me and Aqua to sit and wait. Aqua started a fire. "You didn't expect a fee, did you."

"I had this notion that we'd get some newbie equipment and cash right away. You know, like in those games and animes…" It hit me like a ton of bricks, and I slapped myself in the face. This is real life, nothing comes free - well except maybe charity. And face it, the adventurer's guild isn't exactly in the charity business.

"Looks like you are a shut-in, really lacking in real-life experience," Aqua remarked, speaking her mind without care.

"Hey! We are in this together so stop whining like a!" Before I could continue, Seth stepped in.

"We have an issue." *phew…* I breathed a sigh of relief. Thank you, Seth! You came back before I exploded on this uh… goddess. 

Seth spoke, "They don't accept loans, barter, or delayed payments. Fortunately, I asked for some other alternatives and found some stuff we could do. Are you two fine with a little detour?"

"What's the plan?" I asked

"I have at least four." Seth pointed out, the more the better, I thought.

"Great! what's the first one?!" Aqua swooped in enthusiastically.

"We'll be street bards and you know, do a performa…"

"NO WAY! I AM NOT DOING THAT!" Aqua protested.

"But…"

"NO! DON'T WANNA!" Aqua stood firm.

I sneakily asked, "um… you two can play music and stuff."

Seth nodded, "wanna join?"

"Seth, I know my skills, and performing isn't one of them. Sorry about that." I, Kazuma, apologized for my lack of talent.

"The second option is to do odd jobs, the most laborious and time-consuming one."

Me and Aqua looked at each other, and then we both shook our heads in disagreement.

"The third one is…" Seth made a 'come here' gesture with his hand. The two obliged and Seth whispered the last choice.

"Seth! That's criminal!" Aqua proclaimed.

"Technically, that is the easiest way, but to money…" Before I could continue, Seth put his middle finger and thumb together. Shutting my mouth telekinetically.

"Don't say it out loud." Seth let go of his finger, releasing the hold on my mouth. 

"Anyway, while that might be the easiest way to what we need, it just doesn't sit well with me. Let's pass on that option." I concluded, expressing my opinion on the matter.

"Yeah, that third plan is a bit risky here," Seth commented.

"Finally, the fourth is to go to a free market, crafter's association, or pawn shop. I could create or craft some stuff to sell, with my…" Seth wiggled his fingers indicating his 'magic'.

"Wait! Didn't you say those things will disappear?" I pointed out, but Seth raised his hand.

"I will 'poof' my crafting tools into existence, then use stuff we could find like stones and twigs as materials to make something else. Once I'm done, those tools go bye-bye." Seth explained. I finally nodded and we began discussing which plan to choose.

After some deliberation, we settled on the bard and performance plan. However, only Seth would take the stage since Aqua, for some inexplicable reason, hates that idea, and as for me… well, let's just say my presence would likely drive away any potential audiences. Hey, at least I acknowledge my lack of charm in such situations.

"Wait for me for a while; I got a tune to play," Seth said mysteriously as he opened his coat, revealing a hidden pouch attached to his waist. From it, he pulled out a guitar (like a certain blue cat robot). Since when did he have that pouch?

"Seth! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?" Aqua exclaimed. She asked, I wanted to ask the same thing but ok. I thought as I glanced at Aqua. 

"Aqua, I just created this pouch to conceal my power. Which one is more plausible to this world — me creating matter out of thin air or pulling something out of a magical spatial artifact? And don't ask if this pouch is a real magical item. No, it is not. I'm using my power," Seth sternly stopped her in her tracks, as if knowing what she's gonna ask, then slowly continued to pull out (conjuring) the guitar from his pouch.

Aqua turned sideways to avoid eye contact with Seth because he had read her like a book. As if in answer to her prayer, the moment she did so, she spotted a way out of their mess.

"Seth! Stop making that guitar. I'll show you something amazing! After this, you have to give me the attention I deserve!" She proclaimed.

Seth instantly halted the creation of his guitar, "Go on."

"LOOK! A priest!" she pointed excitedly to an actual old priest lounging in the guild hall.

"You remember that I am the proud goddess of a quintessential religion here right? I will show you how far-reaching I am!" Aqua declared confidently.

She promptly walked over to the priest, "Greetings priest! I am Goddess Aqua—The great Goddess worshiped by the illustrious axis order that you know and love! If you happen to be a priest of my divine order, please lend me some money to cover the adventurer's registration fee. Your assistance would be a blessing to all!"

"Excuse me, miss, I am from the Eris order."

Aqua and I were shocked, while Seth silently observed.

"Miss, are you from the Axis order? although our goddess and yours have a superior and subordinate relationship, our great goddess Eris did remind us always to be willing to give a helping hand." The priest handed Aqua enough money for us to register.

Aqua awkwardly took the money. Still, the priest added something, "Miss, a piece of advice from me. I know you are a true good devoted believer of the goddess Aqua, but you shouldn't just proclaim yourself as one."

"Thank you mister…" She went back to me and Seth.

When she arrived, she muttered in anguish, "He doesn't believe that I am a goddess. Plus he is from the Eris order… a religion from a goddess lower rank than me… I feel like I am being pitied by a believer of a goddess below me…." Tears slowly formed in her eyes.

I, Kazuma, have no words to say, don't know if I should pity or look down on her, but Seth does.

"Here." Seth pulled out a tissue from his pouch for her to wipe out whatever tears and snot she got.

"Wuu… wuu…*sniffle*," Aqua who was breaking up, accepted Seth's tissue.

"Let's just pay for the fee," Seth reached his hand out, and Aqua handed the money to Seth to finish this up.

—

"Satou Kazuma, Average stats all across the board. The only thing special is decently high intelligence and luck stats." 

The assessment deflated me. Da HECKI! Aren't I supposed to be the protagonist? I feel misled here… SETH!? I called my friend in my mind.

"I am also quite surprised." a message appeared in my mind.

Seth! Your clairvoyance, fortunetelling, or whatever that power is, it's broken! I angrily thought, projecting my frustration so he could hear it ringing in his head, he had raised my hopes so high!

"You did hear the amazing intelligence and luck." Seth telepathically replied.

Seth, don't hype me like this, I hoped for more.

"Don't worry, you can grow stronger later," Seth assured me.

Our telepathic communication was cut short by the lovely receptionist's question, "So what about it sir? With what we're seeing here, the most suitable occupation for you is the merchant, even if it's not a combat one."

"Is there any other occupation available?"

"If you want a combat-based one, you are hardly suitable for mage, only the most basic adventurer occupation is suitable and open for you."

"Fine, I'll take it." I accepted reluctantly.

After me, it was Aqua's turn now, she held her hand out and her registration card was being filled.

The receptionist grabbed it, "Let me see… OH MY LORD! LOOK AT THIS STATS! MOST OF THEM ARE ABOVE WHAT COULD BE CONSIDERED NORMAL! Sadly, her intelligence is very below average and her luck statistic is the worst I've ever seen. Either way, these kinds of stats are still unbeatable! You can choose any class except mages!"

"Wait! Does that mean something? Did I win or what?!" Aqua was both excited and confused.

A crowd gathered as they heard the receptionist, murmuring stuff like 'Who is this girl' and 'Wow she is quite amazing'. Aqua beamed with joy from the attention.

"With these stats, you can even choose advanced classes like crusader and archpriest!"

"Well, I think I will choose archpriest." Aqua chose that class, which does make sense since she owns a religion here.

"Then Arch-Priest Aqua, as the staff of the established adventurer's guild, we happily welcome your arrival!" the employees gathered around and bowed their heads.

"OOOH!" The crowd cheered and became festive upon hearing that they now have an advanced powerful archpriest as their member. Aqua stood blissfully, soaking in the praises.

So what I expected to happen to me happened to that goddess… I grumbled.

Meanwhile, Seth, watching from a distance, decided to just make the card himself. He put the card in place and hovered his hand above the orb.

*WHIRL!* an audible hum and overly bright light spread throughout the room, catching the attention of the gathering adventurers. 

"Ahh! Sorry, there is still one more person. Sorry sir Seth." The receptionist apologized, she then took a look at the card and dropped it on the floor.