Peony

"Did you hear about Peony the Powerful?"

"I heard she took out a mountain with a single blow!"

"I heard she cleared Floor 4 all by herself!"

"Even the final boss?"

"Especially the final boss!"

As I drank my orange juice (no alcohol because I was underaged), I heard conversations like this all over the guild barroom. Stories about some powerful mage who could do all sorts of over-powered shit.

A Level 7 madwoman.

I couldn't hope to compare. I'd been grinding on Floor 2 for weeks, and I was still only on Level 3. Hearing all these stories just made me depressed.

I sighed as I put down my cup. Keeping up with everyone in the guild was hard.

I put my head on the counter and groaned. I heard the guild bar doors open, but I barely paid it any mind. Probably just another 30-year old adventurer hoping to get drunk after being at the front lines of the boss room all day.

I heard someone sit down on the seat next to me and suddenly quiet whispers surrounded the bar.

I looked up and saw a girl looking over at me.

She was petite, with short black hair and purple eyes. She wore a navy blue mage's robe and had a staff resting next to her. Her eyes looked at me intently.

"Who are you" she asked. "I haven't seen you around before."

Time for an amazing introduction.

I sat up straight and with a bold grin declared,

"My name is Terobu! I'm a swordswoman looking to clear the dungeon and become the richest woman alive!"

"Terobu? You mean the infamous demon from the town over?" the girl asked.

I froze.

"Demon?" I asked.

"Yeah. The reincarnation of the demon goddess. Teroshimi."

Why did that bitch's name have to follow me everywhere?

"But that goddess doesn't define me. I'm going to become the greatest adventurer so everyone will forget about her and look at me for me."

The girl smiled. "My name is Peony. Nice to meet you Terobu."

Wait. Peony?!

"Peony the Powerful?" I asked, surprised.

"People still call me that? Nevermind. The point is, I like you. You're amusing. I'll join your party," Peony smiled.

"WHAT?!!" everyone in the bar cried.

"What do you mean?!" I asked.

"You heard me correctly. I'll serve as your mage as long as you continue to entertain me. After all, being bored is one of the worst fates," she smiled.

I had a feeling things were just getting interesting.