Chapter 24: Getting a Guild Card

"Will you stop following us!" Emeri screams, having reached the limit of her patience. 

"Come on, I already apologized," Lejer responds without fear of him getting hit in the face. 

I was getting too overwhelmed when Lejer brought up Uldrei as if he didn't receive the report during the last meeting, giving the excuse that he "didn't read that report." I was so overwhelmed that I had to blank out of the conversation, throwing as much focus as I could onto tutoring the Frozen Sapphires as Verei as I could.

However, this left Veda looking meek and emotionless while I had her finish her meal. 

Throughout that time, Emeri spoke for me while the princess could do nothing more than watch their squabble. I was so immersed in Verei's view, that I hadn't even noticed the princess trying to check on me, leading to her being even more worried. 

By the time I finished training with the Frozen Sapphires, Veda's group was preparing to leave the dining room, at which Lejer chose to follow us on our shopping trip, leading to this current situation. 

"You are just going to spoil the mood anyway so do us a favor and leave! We can take care of ourselves!" Emeri grumbles. 

"I'm the Keeper of Trade! The marketplace is my place of work, and nothing would make it better than doing my rounds with friends," Lejer shamelessly remarked. 

"We are not friends! Especially not after you went straight for Veda's fresh-in-mind wound without a thought of what it could do!" 

Despite how much Emeri shouts at Lejer, he continues strolling without worry. It was as though he knew she wasn't going to do anything. "As I said, I apologize. I only heard about Serci's return at the hands of the Granddaughter Deidura. It was an oversight from others to not mention anything about her current family situation." 

"THEN TAKE THE HINT AND LEAVE!!! If you aren't concerned enough to listen for another's  sour spot then you should apologize and back off!" 

The argument continued like this even as we met up with Serci. When she saw the two, she just sighed before greeting me and the princess as if nothing was going on. This must be a more common occurrence between the two of them than I initially thought. 

The bickering was only silenced when we reached the gate outside the castle grounds. Emeri was made to calm down while Lejer stood straight the moment they reached the public eye. 

Keepers are meant to keep the peace and it looks like they put that in higher priority than their personal quarrels. It wouldn't look good to the public if those in as high a position as them were to bicker amongst themselves after all. 

-------- 

After telling the Frozen Sapphires I wanted to become an adventurer; they were further surprised by the implications of Me joining Their C-rank party. 

While they were deciding whether I was overqualified for their group in every aspect, they did help in getting me registered at the guild hall till they came to a decision. 

After greeting Miri, Sapheir explained the situation, to which she happily explains the process for becoming an adventurer. "It's rather simple. You write down your name, age, and some of your physical features on this form to help with the creation of your guild card. The guild card will identify you by the information put on the card so the more accurate the information on the card, the better. You would usually start at rank E and work your way up to your strength. However, you have proven your strength when faced against a B-Rank, and with the recommendation of the Guild Master this allows you to start at Rank C without any issues." 

I was surprised I got to start high, but confused at starting as a C-rank despite saying I've 'proven myself' to be someone as strong as if not stronger than a B-rank. "Is there a reason I'm not starting at B-rank?" 

She responds immediately as if expecting that question. "Galmon may be a well-known B-Rank but he's also known for defense. Be it your speed, skill, or offensive abilities being better than his, it will be better to have your rank start one below your recent achievement and prove it wasn't a fluke through continued success in your next set of missions over risking your life because everyone overestimated you." 

I let out a sigh. 'But it isn't a bad rule.' 

Even if you get a recommendation, you won't be given a high-rank quest if you aren't able to complete the quests just below that rank. The only way to become an A-rank is to either beat an S-rank creature or become a B-rank and work your way from there. That way, you prove your achievements aren't bogus. 

Either way, it's better than starting at the bottom. "Alright, I understand." 

'Better to accept the decision being made for the safety of the individual than fight a losing battle. If I want to prove it's a needless worry I just complete enough missions or kill that something that's big enough.' 

Miri smile spreads across her face after accepting her words without complaint. She was grinning happily as she handed me a piece of paper to be filled out. 

I thank the few lessons Uldrei taught me on writing from the female side as I manage to do the minimum, though my handwriting is very much lacking for Verei. His hands aren't like Veda's, where her's are longer and slimmer, Verei's are a smidge bulkier.

For my age, I put 21. 'This would make me six when first living with Uldrei in the valley alongside my 'sister' by my 'grandfather'...' 

For hair it was simpler to put blonde than go on about the single section of red on my bangs. For the things I didn't know like height and weight, they had a scale and used a plastic string with numbers and lines on it, my weight coming to 180 and height being 5ft2. 

When all was said and done, I received the card, finding it to be heavier than I thought. Its material is... curious. A durable metal despite its size but I wouldn't call it iron or steel. All the information I put down is mentioned along with there being a big C on the right-most side. 

I noticed it doesn't have any way to identify when it was made, as far as I can tell. So, if I go to another adventurer guild, they'd only know I'm a C-rank and be able to identify that it is mine by comparing the information to the person giving it. 

"Congratulations Mr. Deidura," says Miri, "you are now an adventurer." 

Giving my thanks, I took the card over to show the sapphire's members who finally reached an agreement. "Though I knew that rule, it's still surprising you didn't get B-rank considering your capabilities," said Floris. 

I shrug. "Oh well, no use arguing when I can just prove myself through my work. So you're guys' decision?" 

Jikani was first to step forward. "We were originally going to just be a party of close friends, but having you around will help us improve tremendously." 

Sapheir nods with enthusiasm "And working together can help us all grow in skill and rank!" 

I nod, "Then how about we go on a mission to celebrate? It can give you guys some time to work on the shortcomings I pointed out before while also helping you adjust to my joining the vanguard." 

The party gulps nervously but agree as we head to the board to look for a mission. "Scout for Hobgoblins spotted an hour away from the Village. Rewarded 5 silver for every left ear collected. This should be good practice." 

I grab the paper off the board, I notice everyone is more nervous after hearing the quest. "Something wrong?" 

"Well," Began Floris. "It's just that, we've already been struggling against hobgoblins, and we're about to start using new tactics, such as Jikani giving out orders and Sapheir being made to rely less on his shield..." 

I noticed the other two were avoiding looking directly at me as Floris spoke for them. 

I shrug, knowing their nervousness can't be helped. I put a hand on Floris's shoulder as I try to motivate them again. "No need to worry. Though Jikani will be made to keep a close eye out for changes, I'll be there to give accurate call-outs when necessary. Floris, you just need to learn to trust your legs more than your voice. When you position yourself in a more advantageous position for keeping enemies just out of reach, you won't have to worry about getting interrupted. And Sapheir, your job is still the same. Block what you can't dodge, strike fast and keep the enemy away from your party as the Head Vanguard. Got it?" 

All of them shout in confirmation, a bit more confident now that their roles have been more simplified, and with assurance I'll be backing them the entire time. 

With no more hesitation, we proceed to the counter and accept my first mission as an adventurer.