Chapter 29 - Joining the Guild...

Naoki leads me into a small empty room. The only thing inside the room was three mirrors which faced into a center point.

Naoki walks to the mirrors.

"These are magical mirrors. They test one's potential in magic. You'll stand in front of the mirrors while I cast magic onto them. Then, information about your powers will be displayed onto the center mirror. Let's get started."

"Okay."

I walk to the center of the mirrors. Standing there, Naoki walks to the mirrors and casts magic into them. Suddenly, the mirrors shine brightly.

After a bit, the shine fades away; however, nothing appears on the mirrors.

"Umm... Is it broken?"

"Hmm?"

Naoki walks in front of the mirrors and looks at the center mirror.

"Interesting... This only occurs if one's magic ability is too much or if they have zero potential. Let's try this."

He pulls out something from his pockets. It looks like a crystal ball.

"This is what we used beforehand. It has a bit more power so it can see one's ability a lot better. Put your hands onto it and cast magic into it."

"Okay..."

I put my hands onto the ball and send magical particules into it. It was effortless to do since I train with shadow magic.

After a second, the ball sparkles.

"Oh my! It usually takes five minutes before one can transfer magic into it. Oh! This shine is so bright! Another reason why we switch is that its magic capacity is so high. So when a normal magician inserts magic into it, the shine is dim, but yours..."

His eyes sparkle.

"Yours is so bright! It shows your magic abilities are extremely high. Ah... Ahem. The last test is your physical abilities. We allow the applicant to prove their ability in any way that they want."

Hmm... What should I do then? I could just run a bit. Little boring but it should be sufficient.

"Okay, I'll run to the other side of the room."

I dashed to the other side in three seconds, leaving behind some wind.

Naoki stares.

"Does this work?"

"U-Uh... Yes! It should do fine... Follow me back to my office."

"Okay."

I followed Naoki back to his office.

"Ahem. Now I'll give you the basics on how the guild works and tell you your rank."

I nod.

"There are Seven ranks: Rock, Copper, Silver, Gold, Diamond, Platinum, Hero. Each rank has three levels: 3, 2, 1. Based on the number of quests and their difficulty, you can rank up. If a Silver one ranks up, they'll become a Gold 3.

"You can only select quests in your rank or lower; however, selecting lower quests does not allow you to rank up. This can be bypassed if your in a group with the same levels or higher. For example, a group of four silvers 1's can do gold three quests. The majority of the ranks are counted toward the quest. If three adventures are diamond rank, but one is copper, they can accept diamond quests.

"The majority of people are in the silver and gold rank. There are some in the diamond and platinum level. Only five adventures in the world are hero level. Now, your level..."

"In truth, I would want to create a rank higher than hero for you, but that requires the king's permission. You also need the king and the other hero's permission to be the rank hero. You need the king's permission to be the rank platinum too. Therefore, the only rank I can give you right now is diamond 1... Is that alright?"

I think for a moment. I rather start a lower rank, so I can feel for the quests.

"Well... I kinda want to experience leveling up from the lower ranks. Could I start as silver one or something similar?"

"Huh? Are you sure? With your power..."

"Yeah, I'm sure."

The stares at me. "Okay, then... You'll start at silver 1. It takes a day for you to get your guild's card so you'll have to wait till tomorrow to start questing. Come back tomorrow and see me."

"Alright, thanks!"

I bow to show my appreciation. I left the guild, smiling at the female behind the counter as I left. After being outside and going to a more seclusive area, I teleport home.

"Ah... Tomorrow will start my real first day of questing!"

...

Now what? It's still midday, so it's too early to sleep.

I sit on the ground, thinking about what I could do...

** Onishi Tomo's Point of View **

It's been a day since Akuma has left the school to go questing. I go through the motions of school, feeling a little depressed that I didn't go with Akuma...

'Remember... all for... a goal.'

Yes, the real reason why I didn't go with him is because of them. I have to report to them this afternoon so that I couldn't have gone with him. Still, it's a little sad.

I wasn't fond of the idea, but I couldn't disobey. Still, if the world is changed, then it's okay. I wanted both sides gone.

School passes slowly. Afterward, I go out of the forest to a weird-looking tree. A young lady is waiting there.

"You took your time. Well? What are the updates with that devil?"

"He... went... questing."

"He did now? Excellent! There should be many chances to anger him there. We might finish our goal sooner now... Did you get close to him?"

"Kind of... No romance..."

"Figures. I can't see you as an attractive person. I told the boss to get a more attractive person, but your all we had. Being friends should be good enough."

I look down at her words, shouting angry thoughts about her in my mind.

"The boss got angry after you failed during the first attempt. This should ease her up. Heh. I can't wait to see the faces of the humans after the devil goes beserk!"

The female starts laughing... Her cloak hides her face but you could tell that she had a nasty smile that could make anyone shiver.

"Now... what?"

"Erm... You can't really do anything while he's gone. Just sit and wait. If he returns for any reason, inform me immediately. Oh, guess you can 'try' to seduce him again and do whatever... you do."

She snickers at that last remark. Then, she leaps into the air, disappearing from sight.

I sit there and stare at the sky, continuing to shout angry remarks in my mind.

...