Chapter 63 - Registering At The Adventurer's Guild

The next day came quickly, and Seraphina, Edwin, and Samuel made their way to the Adventurer's Guild. After a hearty breakfast at The Amber Hearth, they wasted no time in moving, the goal for the day was to register at the Guild and maybe even take a quest to try it out.

The Guild was located near the middle of the city, not exactly the middle, but close enough to make the walk quite a long one— giving them the chance to observe the streets as they did.

But soon enough the Guild building came into view— a massive structure, towering above the surrounding cityscape.

The exterior of the Guild was nothing short of grandiose, a different type than the library she had seen before. Tall spires framed the central hall, and ornate carvings adorned the white stone walls, with sculptures of adventurers and weapons decorating the sides.

Bright red and gold banners bearing the Guild's insignia flapped in the wind, and an expansive plaza out front was filled with merchants selling gear, adventurers exchanging stories, and newcomers waiting to enter.

The sight of the building, one of the largest they had seen in Vesta— in their journey so far, left Seraphina quietly impressed.

Inside, the Guild was equally awe-inspiring, fitted for the outside.

The high-vaulted ceiling gave a sense of openness, with massive wooden beams crisscrossing overhead, allowing the second floor to be seen from the first floor.

Chandeliers hung from above, their warm light illuminating the polished wooden floors and intricately designed carpets. Tables filled with adventurers of all ranks and races were scattered throughout, each group adding to the lively hum of conversation. Despite the activity, the atmosphere remained organized.

The quest boards stood tall along the walls in a specific corner near the stairs, covered in colorful parchments advertising jobs ranging from simple herb collection to monster subjugation.

Even with her cloak pulled tightly around her, Seraphina felt eyes linger on her briefly as they moved through the hall, but most only looked for a second before shifting back to what they were doing.

The more curious ones lingered longer— excited to see if new people would be joining them today, and if they were any good.

The energy here was palpable— battle-hardened warriors with visible scars, and even those with the telltale aura of knights moved amongst the crowd.

Seraphina adjusted her hood feeling somewhat self-conscious about her appearance, but focused on the task ahead.

Approaching the registration desk, they were greeted by a friendly yet stern older man, his greying beard was thick and fuzzy, and his warm eyes crinkled as he gave a small smile.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's Guild."

The man said, his voice gravelly yet kind.

"Here to register, are you?"

"Yes."

Edwin replied, his usual calm demeanor matching the man's straightforward tone.

"Good, good. Let's get you started." 

The man reached under the desk to retrieve a scroll and several blank metal cards, placing the blank cards on the desk, and writing on the scroll as he spoke.

"I'm Darian, by the way. Just answer a few questions, and we'll have your cards ready in no time. No tests or formalities, don't worry."

The registration process was quick— they expected it to be simple, but seeing it in person really showed just how little the Guild cared to verify integrity, as long as adventurers did their jobs.

Darian asked for their names, ages, and a rough description of their capabilities, they didn't even need to prove they could do the things they said. While Edwin and Samuel answered with vague but credible details, Seraphina kept her answers as generic as possible, avoiding anything that might draw too much attention.

With each answer, Darian scratched notes onto the scroll, muttering occasionally to himself before inscribing the same details onto small, rectangular metal cards using a peculiar tool that glowed faintly.

"All right."

Darian said, holding up the finished cards and handing them over.

"These are your Guild badges. They identify you as registered adventurers and can be used as identification cards in any city or location with a guild hall. Don't lose them— replacement costs are high."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more formal.

"Now, here's a brief overview of the quests: you can accept quests off the boards. Anyone can take on beginner-to-experienced quests without needing to prove anything, if you take a quest outside of your capabilities and fail, you are made to pay a fee. However, Expert and Master tier jobs require testing to ensure you're capable— it's for your safety."

Darian paused, his eyes scanning their group.

"I recommend starting with Beginner quests. They're simple, but they'll help you get the hang of things before moving on to riskier jobs."

"Understood."

Edwin said with a small nod. Seraphina and Samuel echoed their agreement.

With the formalities done, Darian bid them farewell and wished them luck in their adventures, they then moved toward the quest boards to see what was available.

The boards were divided by rank, with the Beginner quests placed conveniently near the entrance. Each job was described on a neatly printed parchment, offering rewards for tasks like gathering herbs, hunting small beasts, or delivering packages.

As they scanned the options, a group of adventurers nearby took notice of them.

"Newbies, huh?"

A young man with bright red hair and a cocky grin said as he approached. He wore leather armor, scuffed but well-maintained, and a short sword hung at his hip— from his movement Seraphina could tell he was experienced, but she couldn't feel any aura on the man.

"Guess everyone starts somewhere."

Samuel gave him a sidelong glance, his usual smirk playing on his lips.

"And you must be an expert, I take it?"

The man laughed, clearly amused.

"Not yet, but I've been around long enough to know when someone's fresh to the game."

His eyes shifted to Seraphina, narrowing slightly as he noticed her unusual eyes under her hood, glancing her up and down— but was disappointed by the cloak.

"And you... You've got the look of someone interesting."

Seraphina met his gaze evenly but said nothing, her cold demeanor only seemed to intrigue him further.

"Name's Roran."

He said as he extended a hand.

"And you are?"

"Not interested."

Samuel interrupted smoothly, stepping slightly between Roran and Seraphina.

"But thanks for the warm welcome."

Roran chuckled, unfazed, he gave Seraphina a glance, before speaking again.

"Fair enough. Just a word of advice— watch yourselves out there. The Beginner quests might seem simple, but plenty of folks don't make it back."

He paused for a second then added something that made Seraphina internally roll her eyes.

"Would hate for something to happen to such a fine lady."

As Roran walked away, Samuel let out a low chuckle.

"Friendly guy."

"Too friendly."

Seraphina muttered, her voice low enough that only Edwin and Samuel could hear.

After some discussion, they selected a quest to collect medicinal herbs from a nearby field. It was a straightforward task, perfect for testing the waters without too much risk.