The headquarters looked bigger than last time, having gained an additional floor to it that jutted outwards a meter or so. Wonder when they added that. The inside, however, was the same as every other main branch did, a bunch of tables and chairs to the left, some stairs to the right, and the reception dead center, with a massive four-meter long requests board littered with paper behind it. There were maybe a dozen people relaxing by the tables, chatting away with each other.

Luckily one of the workers stationed at the reception desks recognized me and called me over. "Well if it isn't Dorian, haven't seen your face in a couple years. Where've ya been?"

The speaker was an older man, a human in his late fifties based on his greying hairs and lack of long ears. "Hello Gunther, it has indeed been a while, hasn't it? I've been up north, Laquis had a recent surge in monsters. Thought I'd stop by for much-needed rest and to let you know that I met a goblin hunting party a little ways into the forest along the main road."

"Uh-huh, yeah that's not particularly good, now is it? I'll be sure to let Mister Uran know about it. And if you want some rest, I recommend an inn, a good one that doesn't have adventurers. You know how loud they get."

"Oh, Uran's still Branch Head? That guy's pushing a hundred ten by now, isn't he? And the reason I'm here is cuz my money's in the banks and I am not going to deal with that til I get some rest." Gunther chuckled at that bit, "Anyways, I'm going to get some rest. Have a good rest of your day." I said, leaving to go to the spare bunking rooms upstairs.

* * * * *

Alright Clarys, you can do it. You're here, just outside Morden, the capital, what's a little nervousness? I thought frantically as I approached the gatekeeper. "Alright miss, name, ID, place of birth, and reason for entry," he said in a monotonous voice. I fumbled a little getting the card called a 'passport' out of my satchel on my hip. "Hi! Uh, my name is Clarys Goodfol, I'm from Riverband and my reason for entry is I intend to join the Adventurer's Party." I said, handing the man the card. Come on, please let me in, please? After a moment of verification with him checking some big book, he waved me in with a warning that adventuring isn't that glamorous.

I had to ask some of the locals for directions to the Main Hall a few times and every turn I took I could feel my nervousness rise more and more. Mom said she sent a letter of introduction before I left, so someone should know I'm coming. And now that I think about it, how does she know someone at the main branch here? Guess I'll ask her that went I go back.

My feet led me to what I'm pretty sure was the Hall, judging by the large insignia above the door: a pair of boots looking like they're walking. The inside was surprisingly clean, considering what I've heard about adventurers, them being loud and childish. There were a fair amount of people off to the left by some tables who were talking but stopped to look at me. Don't look weak, they won't respect you. Mom hammered that into me when I had left the village, so I straightened my back and did my best 'tough girl' impression, which immediately fell apart when I walked up to the worker manning the desk. She was an orc, based off of the dark green skin and the two horns atop her head, as well as the small markings on the sides of her face, she was larger than any person I've met since a group of traders that came by Riverband some years ago. "Hello miss, are you here to post a request?" The orc asked me, probably thinking I'm a kid. "No, I - I'm here to register as an adventurer!" I said loudly, causing some of the people by the tables to laugh.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The orc didn't seem to like their reaction, "Garm, Hroki, Tor, you guys were barely taller than her when you joined, so shut it." She looked back at me and went back to nice shopkeeper voice, "Sorry about that miss, may I have your name and place of birth?"

"Oh, yeah. My name is Clarys Goodfol, and I'm from Riverband, a village by the border to the south. My mom said that she sent a letter of recommendation?" Uh, did I say something wrong? I thought as the orcs went wide. "A - ah, yes, we were informed of your arrival earlier this week." she said before leaning towards me over the counter, "Please follow me, the boss wants to have a word with you."

* * * * *

What on Sura made Uran so desperate he had to wake me up? I thought unhappily while walking to his office that apparently was moved to the third floor. When I opened the door to his office I noticed that he finally got some taste. His old office was filled with the loot he'd acquired over the years, and now he mainly had what I could only assume to be his favorite keepsakes. Some old shield he had on a mantle, a small orb that no one knows how to use, and his old two-handed scimitar.

I saw Uran himself next, he was an orc, a rather large one at that. I then noticed the girl sitting to the side of the desk opposite Uran. A human girl, likely in her late teens, and sorely out of place based on the nervousness that was practically radiating off of her. Uran noticed me and stood up. "Ah, Dorian. Glad you're here. Please, sit down," which I did, sitting in the chair next to the girl. No need to make some big fuss out of whatever this is. "Now I'm sure both of you are wondering, 'why did the Branch Head call for me, and who's the person sitting next to me?' Well, why don't I introduce you two first? Miss Clarys," he said addressing the girl, "the half-elf sitting next to you is Dorian Lutz, he's an A-Rank adventurer who's been with us for nearly three centuries. Obviously, since he's still alive he's damn good at staying that way."

He then turned to me. "And this young lady is Clarys Goodfol. Her mother is a songstress down in Riverband who has some... powerful connections, don't ask me. She, Clarys I mean," Uran was starting to look a bit more ragged with every word he said, "is seventeen and apparently looking to join the Adventurer's Party. We, uh, recently received a letter from her mother asking about her getting some assistance." He took a very long breath and exhaled, "Alright fuck the context, Dorian you are gonna apprentice Clarys." Nah, no way. "No way. You know just as well as I do why I don't do that anymore." I stated. "Look, the letter mentioned you specifically, and trust me when I say this but I cannot refuse. I'm sorry."

"By Archaios, someone's has a vice on your balls, huh?" I asked him, deflatedly. I wasn't gonna win this one. "Alright. Fine. I'll apprentice her. But we're not gonna do this by Party protocol, we're doing it my way, and the Party's gonna fund her base equipment." Gods, he looks as bad as I probably feel. I turned to Clarys, "Okay, I guess I'm your mentor now. I'll answer any questions you have tomorrow morning, Ask the receptionist out front for a room. I'm going to bed."

With that, I left the room.

Wonderful, I came back to Kesh for some rest and now I'm gonna be stuck babysitting a little girl.

Marvelous.