“Isn’t it obvious? Because we’re doing this illegally,” Eris says.
And she says it so nonchalant, like this is something she has done a million times before.
“It’s true that I know the Guildmaster,” she continues, “but I don’t know anyone else. Well, except for Karven. So we have to be careful, since all the rooms and floors of the Adventurer’s Guild are monitored by magical devices. Meeting the Guildmaster here, in secret, is a lot safer than meeting in his office or some random public spot.”
“I-I see…” I stammer, feeling a cold chill.
“Well, there’s always the option of getting your ID through the black market. But that’s even riskier. We could end up in a worse mess than we’re already in.”
“W-what if we’re found out?” I ask
Eris grins, turning to me, then…
“KKKKGH!” She hisses, making a slicing motion across her throat, mimicking a beheading.
Oh shit!
“I-Is it really that serious?” I squeak.
“Yeah,” Eris replies, her grin fading into a more serious expression. Her eyes widen, and her tone shifts. “Forging official documents is a capital offense here. You could literally lose your head for it. And not just you—me, the Guildmaster, Karven—everyone involved would be at risk.”
Oh shit!
The thought sends a chill down my spine. My heart sinks into my stomach, and a queasy feeling takes over. Back on Earth, identity fraud is serious, but usually, it’s just a few years in prison or a big fine.
But here?
It’s death!
I stare at Eris, hoping she’s just exaggerating, but the look on her face says she’s dead serious.
…
Gulp!
“Haha, just kidding!” and now she laughs, patting my back. “Not a death sentence, just a few thousand crowns fine! I believe the Guildmaster will help us. Just leave it to him!”
Oh… so it was just a joke…
I squint at her.
DAMN IT!!!
“Aaaa!” I wail, hitting her with my tiny fists. “Eris, don’t scare me like that!”
“Haha! Your face just now was so serious!” Eris clutches her belly, laughing. “It was so cute! I can’t! I’m sorry!”
“Hmph!” I pout, folding my arms as I turn away in a huff.
Anyway, knowing it’s not a death sentence does ease my worries, melting away much of the anxiety and tension built up in my chest.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“But still, an ID is very important,” Eris says..
“Yeah…” I nod.
Without it, I wouldn’t be able to work or do anything substantial. Technically, I’d lose all my basic rights and be treated like a criminal—or worse, a slave.
“Anyway… how can you be so sure he’ll help us? Did you bribe him or something?”
“Oh? Bribe him? Nah!” Eris says, leaning back against the couch, crossing her arms as she closes her eyes in a carefree manner. “Even if I want to bribe him, he won’t take it.”
Before I can ask her why, the door creaks open, and my question dies in my throat.
A tall, imposing lizard Furren steps into the room, his presence immediately filling the air with a powerful aura that sends a shiver down my spine.
So this is the Guildmaster!
He looks strikingly similar to Karven, with the same white, spiky hair and dark green scales covering parts of his face. Yet somehow, he’s far more intimidating. He’s dressed in regal attire—a red suit adorned with intricate silver embroidery, with the crest of the Mistvale Adventurer’s Guild emblazoned on his chest. Large wings extend from his back, but it’s his golden, slitted eyes with a sharp, soul-piercing gaze that completely freeze me in place. As they lock onto mine, my entire body goes rigid.
Just… how can someone have this much authority in a single look?
I’ve never felt a gaze this intense in my life. I’m certain if he asked me anything, I’d spill all my beans in less than a heartbeat.
It’s the look of undeniable power.
Terrifying, absolute authority!
—————
However, a few moments later…
“Mmmmnnhh!!! This is so good!” I’m happily munching on cookies, savoring every delicious bite.
The Guildmaster was intimidating at first, but it turns out, he’s actually super, super nice! In fact, he reminds me a lot of my old grandpa. He’s Karven’s father, and his name is pretty cool too—Karlogen Vonderask. But Eris just calls him Karl, so I call him Karl too.
As I’ve come to learn, Karl was an old acquaintance of Eris’s father. In fact, Eris’s father once saved his life back when Karl was still out exploring dungeons many years ago. That experience brought the two of them closer, forming a friendship where they would always help each other in times of need. With both Chef Gordon and Guildmaster Karlogen here in Mistvale, it’s no wonder Eris decided to come here!
Karlogen laughs warmly. “If you like, Karven can prepare some extra cookies for you to take with you as a nighttime snack.”
“YES PLEASE!” I say, so happy right now. “Thank you so much, Guildmaster Karl!”
With this, he’s officially my new favorite person!
“So, Eris,” Karlogen says, turning to her. “How can I help you today? Since you requested to meet me in secret, I take it this is a serious matter?”
“Well… kind of. It’s about Felicia here.”
She pauses, then goes on to explain everything that’s happened
—————————-
Moments later .
“So, as you can see, Felicia lost all of her memories… The only thing she remembers is her name..”
“Ah… I see…“ Karlogen says. “That must be very difficult…”
“So, Karl, would you be able to help us this time? Felicia needs an ID so she can work.”
“Of course, that won’t be a problem,” Karlogen replies kindly. “And regarding her previous identity, I’ll also look into it.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful! Are you planning to search the magic signature archive?” Eris asks.
“Yup,” Karlogen nods. “We’ll start that process once she’s registered with the Guild. But of course, only if Miss Felicia here is comfortable with it.”
“Well…. I don’t mind.” I reply. In fact, I also very curious about the real identity of this catgirl. “But, what is magic signature?” I ask.
“Oh, think of it as something like a finger print, but magic!”
Eris says, then proceed to explain in detail.
A magic signature, as Eris explains, is both unique and somewhat hereditary. While it’s distinct enough to differentiate individuals, it also carries similarities among family members, which can help trace one’s origin. It’s not exactly like a fingerprint, as she says, but more like genetic inheritance. On Earth, scientists can use genetics to determine someone’s origins. Here, they do something similar, only with magic signatures instead.
“But… what if I don’t have any magic?” I ask, feeling a bit uncertain.
“Huh? Of course you have magic!” Eris laughs, nudging me playfully. “Everything has a magic signature—even the smallest blade of grass!”
“Oooooh! Then, does that mean I can use magic too?”
I can’t help but get super excited about this thought.
“Of course!” Eris says. “But that depends on your mana core!”