Chapter 2 : The Adventurers' Guild

I walked slowly behind Elvaria, a bit lost in my thoughts. After all, we needed to get our identity cards in order to continue exploring the capital without any risk. Suddenly, she turned towards me, her cute smile lighting up her face, a smile so innocent and charming that it could have melted me on the spot.

“Hey, Aley? Did you lose your card too?” she asked with a slight giggle, a bit of teasing in her voice.

“O-Oh, um, yeah... it's something like that,” I replied, looking slightly away. I didn't like lying to her, but it seemed too soon to reveal the truth: that I was from another world. At my hesitant response, she gave me a mischievous wink, her smile widening further, almost teasing.

“I see the acolyte of the great Elvaria is very similar to her,” she replied proudly, as if it were a shared honor to have lost our identities.

Always describing herself as some legendary figure... Her childish way of glorifying herself while keeping that endearing innocence made her pretty amusing to hang out with.

“But you see, my dear Aley, fear not! As long as I’m by your side, you will progress without any problems,” she declared, her chest puffed out with pride. Her innocent seriousness made me smile. I couldn’t help but say what was on my mind:

“But aren't you a novice yourself, oh beloved guild leader?” I said, slightly mocking. She deserved that one for being so clingy even though we first met.

Immediately, her cheeks flushed a bright red, contrasting beautifully with her scarlet hair. Her expression showed palpable embarrassment, but she still managed to retort with a mixture of pride and awkwardness.

“So what!? Our story has just begun!” she declared, lifting her head proudly. “And... I did register with the guild before you, even if I’m only ranked E…”

Her voice dropped a little, as if mentioning her rank brought her back to a less glorious reality. During our walk, Elvaria had explained in detail the ranking system of the adventurers' guild. From rank E, reserved for novices, up to rank A, reserved for accomplished experts.

And finally, for the true legends, there was rank S, the ultimate title reserved for those who had performed miracles, like saving an entire nation. In short, each rank allowed access to quests of increasing difficulty, ranging from simple tasks to perilous adventures.

As I was thinking about how common this system is, Elvaria suddenly interrupted me, her voice taking on a softer and dreamier tone.

“You know… I've always dreamed of being an adventurer…” she murmured, lowering her gaze, her cheeks blushing slightly. “My mother used to read me stories of adventurers when I was little...”

This sudden vulnerability took me by surprise. Elvaria, always so full of life, was now revealing a more intimate side of herself. This simple confession, almost timid, made her even more interesting.

“Then, let’s become great adventurers,” I said, smiling softly. “We met by chance, but I’m sure we’ll succeed.” But in reality, I don't really feel like I met her by chance... If that was the case, why is my heart beating so fast right now, I don't even know this girl... I think.

As soon as I finished speaking, Elvaria threw herself onto my arm, clinging tightly to it. She pressed against me with such innocence and sincerity that my heart skipped a beat.

“A-Aley… now that you’ve joined my team, y-you can’t leave anymore, okay? You’re officially a member of the great Elvaria’s group forever, r-right?” she stammered, her face buried against my shoulder, her voice trembling with anxiety she didn’t even try to hide.

Oh man… She was just too cute. How could I resist such a request? But I couldn’t let myself get too distracted from my main goal. If I stayed under her charm for too long, I risked forgetting my own purpose: getting back home.

“Alright, I promise,” I replied, my cheeks slightly reddening as well. This situation was getting a bit embarrassing… and I needed to change the subject, or she would end up completely melting my resolve. “But anyway, where are we going to get our cards?”

Immediately, her enthusiasm returned with all its usual vigor, her eyes sparkling with joy as if she had already forgotten her previous embarrassment.

“Oh yes, I forgot to tell you! We’re going to the adventurers' guild, of course! They give an identity card to all new members to keep track of them… in case of death,” she added in a darker tone before resuming cheerfully. “And since I’m already registered, they’ll give me another one if I tell them I lost mine!”

Phew. That was a relief. We were finally going to solve this problem. We continued walking, Elvaria still clinging to my arm, as if she were afraid I would disappear the moment she let go. It was both adorable and a little embarrassing, but I just followed her pace, trying to stay focused despite the amusing situation.

A few minutes later, we arrived in front of a large, distinctive building. A crowd of people, all wearing adventurers’ gear, was gathered at the entrance. There was a sign above the door, written in a strange language, but one I could inexplicably read. The letters formed these words: "Adventurers' Guild."

I turned to Elvaria, who was looking at me with a radiant smile, eager to go inside. Even in such a serious situation, she remained the same: joyful, full of life, and so innocent it was almost disconcerting.

As we entered the building, I was immediately struck by the atmosphere inside. The interior resembled a medieval tavern. Adventurers of all ranks and ages were seated at wooden tables, cheerfully toasting or seriously discussing their next quests.

A large inner balcony surrounded the main hall, accessible by a wide wooden staircase. The staircase, though rustic, had detailed carvings that showed the care put into its construction. The whole guild exuded a certain ancient charm, with its walls worn by time and the familiar sounds of laughter, clinking mugs, and shared adventure stories.

But, at the center of it all, a counter seemed to be the nerve center. It was where adventurers came to order food, choose a quest, or register as new members.

Elvaria, seemingly unaffected by the ambiance, headed straight for the reception, her enthusiasm intact.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” she said clearly. “I’m Elvaria Ofcroft, and this person is a member of my team, Aley Vrodwil,” she said, pointing at me with a beaming smile, clearly proud to have me by her side.

It warmed my heart to see her so happy, but before I had time to savor the moment, her voice rang out again:

“You see, ma’am, Aley and I made a simple mistake, nothing alarming. Well, to be honest, we may have... lost our identity cards,” she admitted in a tone that tried to be light, but betrayed some embarrassment.

The receptionist, visibly shocked, widened her eyes.

“Y-You lost your identity cards?!” she exclaimed, alarming all the adventurers present in the guild. In an instant, the chatter of conversations stopped, replaced by a heavy silence. All eyes turned towards us.

I heard a few murmurs around us. “Look at those two rookies... Barely here, and they’ve already lost their cards,” one whispered. Another scoffed: “A couple of dreamers, thinking they can survive out there with just friendship and flowers. Serves them right.”

I felt Elvaria lower her head next to me, her expression quickly dimming. She, who just a moment ago was so proud to have me on her team, was now under the fire of mockery. Her frustration was palpable, and I could see she felt terribly guilty for dragging me into this embarrassing situation by announcing our names so loudly.

Then, with tears beginning to well up in the corners of her eyes, she turned to me, seeking comfort. Enough. This was too much. I couldn’t bear to see her like this because of them.

I clenched my fists, then, without thinking any further, I let my anger erupt.

“Alright, listen up, you bunch of drunkards! If you’ve got a problem with me or Elvaria, you’ll have to deal with my fist, and if any of you want to fight, stand up now,” I shouted at the top of my lungs, attempting to bluff.

The adventurers, initially surprised, began murmuring among themselves. Finally, a man stood up, visibly irritated by my outburst.

“Kid,” he began in a deep, contemptuous voice. “You’ve barely arrived here with that girl, registered for only a few days, and she’s just rank E. If you’re part of her team, you can’t be worth much more. So, keep quiet and get lost. Oh, and leave us your pretty red-haired girlfriend. We’ll take care of her for you, save you the trouble.” A vile chuckle followed his words.

My blood boiled. He had dared to threaten Elvaria, I feel a strange sense of anger in me, as if someone insulted the only companion I ever had. That guy just signed his death warrant.

Without even thinking, I swung my right fist directly into his face, putting all my strength into it. My punch connected violently, and the impact sent the man flying across the room.

His teeth shattered in mid-air, and his body literally flew across the hall before crashing into a wall, destroying it in the process.

The entire guild fell silent. All eyes were fixed on me, incredulous. Even I couldn’t believe it.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

How could I have such strength, so soon after arriving in this world? But what surprised me the most was Elvaria. She seemed shocked, yes, but there was something else in her eyes.

Her cheeks had turned an adorable shade of pink, and her eyes sparkled with an admiration I had never seen before. No… I refused to interpret that look any other way. It was admiration, nothing more, I thought, trying to convince myself.

Regaining my composure, I addressed the other adventurers in a firm voice:

“You got that? If any of you have a problem with me or Elvaria, I’ll smash your heads in!”

A heavy silence followed my declaration. Then, suddenly, one adventurer stood up, clapping slowly.

“Well done, kid. That was incredible. Easily the best entrance we’ve ever seen in this guild. Nice punch.”

Another joined in,

“Honestly, I thought you two were just weaklings, but if you’re that strong, I apologize for underestimating Elvaria.”

Gradually, the tone shifted. The adventurers began laughing with us. Apparently, their initial behavior wasn’t pure malice but rather a way to scare off the newcomers, preparing them for the dangers outside. It was a brutal method, sure, but not without its logic.

Elvaria, visibly relieved, turned to me with a radiant smile lighting up her face.

“A-Aley… Thank you so much. You were really… r-really cool. Now, let’s get you registered with the guild, okay? The receptionist gave me a new card while everyone was busy praising you, so we just need to get yours!”

Her long red hair swayed as she gestured for me to come forward. Her face was glowing with such pure happiness that it was contagious. She looked stunning, more beautiful than ever, with that simple and sincere joy. Maybe, just maybe, I had been incredibly lucky to fall into her team after all.

I stepped towards the counter with confidence, trying to keep a calm and composed air. Now that I had made an impression with that punch, I needed to maintain this role of the self-assured guy. No more getting underestimated. Plus, I didn’t want any unnecessary problems slowing down my goal of returning home.

Reaching the counter, I spoke in a steady voice:

“Madam, I’d like to register.”

She eyed me for a moment, clearly surprised.

“You’re not already registered, despite having such strength?”

Oh, crap, I hadn’t thought about that. Think fast… bluff!

“Well… I’m not from here, so I’m not familiar with the rules,” I replied calmly, though it was only half true.

She nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer, and I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I couldn’t exactly admit that I had mysteriously gained this strength after being transported to this world following… well, after dying in my own.

“Very well, then. Give us your name and age, and we’ll get you registered,” she responded, returning to her professional demeanor.

I hesitated for a second, but from what Elvaria had explained earlier, the guild seemed trustworthy enough. So, there was no harm in giving my real information.

“I’m Aley Vrodwil, and I just turned seventeen recently.”

The receptionist looked at me with a slightly mocking smile.

“Oh, oh, so you’re the same age as your partner. Pretty interesting, you know.”

I blushed instantly at her remark. Embarrassment hit me hard, especially since I was doing my best not to view Elvaria in that way. She was adorable, sure, but I had to stay focused.

As I tried to regain my composure, the receptionist interrupted my thoughts with another question:

“And where do you live?”

My blood ran cold for a moment. Where I live? Nowhere, obviously. I was literally a stranger in this world. If I said I had no home or history here, it could seem suspicious. A guy with that kind of strength and no ties or background… it could cause confusion, maybe even mistrust.

But before I could even think of a plausible excuse, Elvaria suddenly sprang into action, throwing herself into my arms, clinging to me with her boundless energy.

“Aley and I are going to live together,” she announced joyfully to the receptionist. “We’re going to rent an inn afterward, and I hope that with the money from quests, we can quickly buy a base for our guild!” HOW CLINGY IS THAT DAMN GIRL ?! WE DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER !

Unable to move or respond, I felt the heat rising to my cheeks as I tried to process what had just happened. Elvaria was way too unpredictable.

The receptionist, on the other hand, hid a mischievous smile behind her hand, clearly enjoying the situation. She was definitely having fun watching me, trapped with no say in the matter.

“Elvaria, we just met…” I said, trying to defend myself weakly.

But before I could even finish my sentence, both Elvaria and the receptionist responded in perfect sync:

“So what? Guild members have to live together!”

Damn receptionist… She was totally in on this. And as for Elvaria, she seemed more determined than ever, clinging to me like she never wanted to let go.

"And besides, you promised me we’d stay together for our adventures, Aley" she added, her soft voice completely disarming me. I realized I had no more excuses. There was no way out, especially with that radiant smile she was flashing at me.

Elvaria had this natural ability to turn any situation to her advantage with such innocence that I could never really get mad at her.

Resigned, I turned to the receptionist and said: "Fine… You can write on my card that I’m staying at an inn with Elvaria."

I admitted defeat. Or more like, something inside me just naturally accepted Elvaria.

Some time had passed. I was now an E-rank adventurer, officially part of Elvaria’s group. I want to try my hand at questing, but it was already way too late.

After hours of walking along a dirt road, waiting in an endless line, and then the chaotic entrance into the guild for my registration...

It was late, far too late to start anything today. I walked alongside Elvaria through the alleyways of the kingdom’s capital, the night having draped the city in a silver veil.

The moon, high in the sky, cast a soft glow that caressed the rooftops and cobblestones, enhancing every corner of the city. It bathed the capital in an almost ethereal light, transforming the place into a landscape worthy of the most enchanting stories. Though this world was behind in terms of technology, it made up for it with magic. Floating orbs of light drifted here and there, casting a warm, golden glow over the streets, adding to the magical atmosphere.

Every house, every building seemed to have its own story to tell, and in the distance, the majestic castle, adorned with silver and gold, dominated the horizon, visible from anywhere in the city, standing like a silent guardian over the dreams of its inhabitants.

I trailed slightly behind Elvaria. She had told me she was leading us to the best inn she knew. Having no money, she insisted on paying for the rooms. I could only accept, touched by her generosity. As we walked, my gaze inevitably drifted back to her. Despite myself, I found my attention drawn to her again and again. Her natural grace, her fluid movements, her beauty...

Everything about her seemed to captivate my thoughts. I tried to focus on something else, on the splendor of the surroundings, on the magic of this city that sparkled under the moonlight, but my eyes kept returning to her. Elvaria embodied a nearly otherworldly beauty, impossible to ignore.

Her red hair swayed with every step she took.

"Aley, what are you doing?"

she suddenly asked, her voice soft and tinged with innocent curiosity.

Caught in the act, I felt a slight pang of shame. My heart started beating a bit faster, and in a clumsy attempt to divert her attention, I looked up at the stars.

"I was just looking at the stars... The capital is really beautiful,"

I said in a calmer voice, hoping it would be enough.

Her smile widened, as bright as the stars above us.

"It is beautiful, dear Aley," she replied, her tone light and cheerful, but then I noticed a mischievous gleam in her eyes.

"But I wonder... was it really the capital you were looking at?" she added, a playful smile spreading across her lips, while a slight rosy blush crept across her cheeks.

She had figured it all out, and my heart raced even faster. Embarrassed, I searched for an escape in my words. "Sorry, Elvaria... I was lost in thought. By the way, what should we name our team?"

Her posture changed, and she abruptly stopped. She turned to face me, her eyes locking onto mine.

With a serious expression, she pointed a finger at me with determination. "You’ll decide, Aley. I dragged you into this adventure without giving you a choice, so this time, it’s up to you. I can be serious when I need to, you know."

Her gaze, both confident and serious, made me reflect on everything we had gone through. Even though we had only met today, it was strange to realize how close we had grown in such a short time. It felt like a reunion more than a meeting.

She was more than a companion; she had become a valuable ally, despite my initial reluctance. "I’d like our guild to be called Novus Obris," I said softly.

She didn't know it meant 'new world' in Latin, if you switched the "B" and the "R", but it seemed perfectly fitting for our situation. Her face lit up, her eyes sparkling with pure joy.

She suddenly jumped with happiness, raising her arms to the sky. "That name is perfect! I knew I could trust you! Mom, you’ll see, I’ll make you proud, and Dad, I haven’t forgotten our promise."

I didn’t fully understand her words, but one thing was certain: I would be spending a lot of time with her, and I would learn more about every facet of her story.

Suddenly, without warning, Elvaria ran toward me, ready to hug me, but she stopped abruptly, her cheeks turning even redder. She lowered her gaze, her voice becoming shaky.

"A-Aley... I promise I’m not usually this forward... I-I’m sorry for jumping on you like that." Her sudden embarrassment made her even more adorable. I couldn’t help but smile gently at the contrast between her strength and her vulnerability.

"E-Elvaria, don’t worry. I don’t hold it against you at all," I said, trying to reassure her. She gently took my hand, her fingers trembling slightly.

She looked up at me, her gaze filled with innocence and sincerity. That look... it had the power to melt anyone’s heart.

"You won’t leave me, will you? We’re going to become great adventurers, right?" Those words resonated with me, so soft and filled with such fragility. Without even thinking, I found myself answering.

"I’ll never leave. And… I never said that I didn’t like your boldness…" Ah… I said too much. Elvaria quickly let go of my hand, her cheeks turning as red as a ripe tomato. She murmured to herself, "...Dad was right…" before turning back to me, visibly flustered.

"W-Well Aley… let’s head to the inn!" she exclaimed, trying to hide her embarrassment, then resumed walking, still as adorable in her confusion.

But why, why did I want to protect her, I just met her today this doesn't make sense, why would I feel so attached to someone I barely know..

It's strange, I feel like, I already knew her, for ages, for century, my memory's hazzy, better not think about it.