The portal comes into view as we crest the final hill. The rolling hills around us enclose it, protecting it from our view till now. ‘What to do next… Well I guess we should check when the next combat class is first… then we’ll turn in the quest, and plan based on the class timing.’

“I think we should stop my Silky’s local access point first so we can check out the combat class schedule. That way, we can plan around it.”

On my left, Ash nods, “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Silky, you down with that?”

“Sounds good to me,” She says before she walks through the portal.

I follow Silky through, joining her at the orb. I nod at her before touching it. A second passes, then the orbs lights attack me as per usual.

✧ ✧ ✧

Once the light clears, the whole group is her. I look around, watching the endless plains of this space.

Before to long, one of the figures shakes there head, movement returning to them. In the next second, it moves, walking towards the orbs. It taps the yellow orb on the left—the combat orb—holding it’s hand there for a few seconds before removing it. In that time, the other two figures shake their heads, regaining their faculties. The first figure—Silky presumably—turns, regarding us.

“Well, it seems that the next class is at 12:30, and it is currently 12:09. Meaning we have 21 minutes.”

“True, but remember that we’re moving at 4 times speed. That 21 minutes will take an hour and twenty-four minutes for us.” Phino says.

“Hmm… well, I guess we’ve got some time to spend in the lobby, what do you all want to do?” Ash asks.

Phino shrugs, “I think I’ll spend the time practicing with my staff.”

I rub my chin, “I think I’d like to try out one of those food stands in the central square.”

Silky jumps, her arms suddenly turning to wild animals, “Yesssss! I want to try sweets!”

We all turn to her, regarding her silently. Silky coughs, straightening her posture.

“Yes, I think I’d like to try some of the stall… AND SWEETS!” She says, tone regal… at first.

I moment of silence passes… then I laugh. Moments later, Ash, too, releases some giggles. She is followed quickly by Pheno, who falls to the ground in laughter. Silky tries to maintain composure, but she, too, fails, defeated by the power of giggles.

✧ ✧ ✧

I open the doors to the guild, the rest of my team following in toe. We walk directly to Sarah as always, a light smile blooming on her face as she sees us, though her eyes continue to inspect us all the way.

As we arrive at her desk, she tilts her head, “Might you be coming to turn in a rabbit quest?”

“Indeed we are,” I respond, offering my bracelet.

The light smile blooms fully, revealing the sparling full smile she usually sports.

“Wonderful,” She responds, taking the bracelet, “well it seems you’ve got all the materials.”

She then inspects the horns one by one, running her finger along them while she examines each imperfection.

“Annnnnd—Yep, full marks. These horns are undamaged, allowing you the full reward for the quest.” She says, handing over the 25 copper coins.

“Thank you very much.”

“Your very welcome! Now, lets get you updated to silver ranked,” She says, opening a drawer in her desk and shuffling through some papers. “Ahh, here it is. Ok I’m gonna need you each to sign on here on the form. If you wish to hear the form you can tap in with the guild rings.”

In front of each of us is an identical looking from. It is filled with gibberish top to bottom, though it does seem to be formatted like one would expect a legal document to be—or at least like the endless pages on the terms and conditions for software. Fortunately, the important bit—the signature line—is clearly visible at the bottom of the page.

‘Should I listen to the contract… Like, I should, but who really read the terms and conditions… Nah I’m too lazy.’ I scribble down a fancy Plus on the line.

“Great. Now, please use this knife to nick your thumb and then press it down next to your signature.”

I look up at her, my eyes widening momentarily, before my brain begins to run again. ‘Ahh, it probably has to do with the whole magic blood stuff… but, wait why… nope I’m lost.’

“I can do that… but why is that necessary?”

“Well it’s quite simple. The square next to the signature has a special enchantment in it that will allow it to store your mana signature so we can confirm it in the future.”

I nod. ‘That does make sense, basically the same as a finger print but using magic instead.’

“Why are we doing this now instead of when we registered them?”

“Simple, the bronze star rank is basically the training wheels. Often used for small boys in villages to earn money before they can get their apprenticeship. Only once you move to silver are you a real adventurer… Well, you’re a real adventure once you get to 2 star. Now you're an apprentice adventure, but you get the point.”

I nod. I take the dagger, prick my thumb, and press it on the page. When I lift my thumb, the blood briefly flashes with a bright red glow before disiating. In the next second, the same glow comes from my left. I look over, noticing that Ash just completed her contract as well. Looking to my right, I see that Silky and Phino have already completed theirs.

“Great. Now I’ll be back in a second with your badges.” Sarah says before walking off.

Sure enough, about a minute later, Sarah returns holding 4 leather… things

“These are your badges. If you open them up, you’ll see that you have a silver star. Should anybody ever question you, you can show them your guild rank. The higher the rank, the more it will help.”

✧ ✧ ✧

As we walk out of the guild, I can’t help but admire the sparkly silver star held within the leather wallet badge contraption. ‘It's like a wallet. And the silver star is so sparkly.’ I smile crosses my face.

“Hey, lets go the that one,” Silky says.

“Ok,” I say, still focused on the badge.

“Works for me,” Ash responds after a second.

Some time passes as we walk to Silky’s choice. Eventually, I look up from the badge to see where we are going.

When I look up, I see that we are approaching a market stall-looking place that is prominently displaying sweets. Fortunately, they are also displaying a multitude of different means and bread as well. In fact, as we draw closer, I start to pick up the different smells of meat and stew coming from the restaurant.

The place is designed such that it has a kitchen within the building, an awning sticking out from the building for the staff to take orders and seat customers, and then there is a multitude of outdoor tables for them to seat customers.

We approach the booth that seems to be the place to get a seat, Silky in the lead.

“Hello, we where wondering if we can get a table for three?”

“Why yes you can. Right this way.” The man at the booth responds.

As he takes us to our table, I examine him. He is wearing a fancy robe. It is black with red trims and fancy yellow swirls throughout. The colors match the awning that covers part of the dining area. The awning be made up of a black base, red frills, and yellow designs throughout.

When the man turns to seat Silky, I see that underneath the robe, he is wearing a white tunic and navy pants. He then moves on to seat Ash, and before he can seat me I seat myself. He briefly looks at me, head tilted, before shaking it and standing up straight.

“Well, I am Rashan, and I will be your server today. Here are your menus, I’ll be back in a little bit to get your orders.”

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Once he leaves, I look down at the menu. Alas, it, too, is illegible. Curious, I tap the guild ring against it.

[Pastries:

Rolled cinnamon cream cake

Lemon pie cookies

Bola de Berlim

Oliebol

Queijada

Chaussons aux pommes

Appelflap

…]

I tap the ring to get it to stop. ‘Well, they seem to have quite the selection of pastries.’ As my eyes pass over the menu again, I notice that the different pastries it read out now have the English translation hovering over them. ‘Huh… wonder why it can do that now… is it cause we’re silver?’

Curious, I tap the ring against the Bola de Berlim.

[Donuts that are sliced in half, then filled with sweet and creamy egg-based custard. Fluffy on the exterior and thick and creamy on the interior, these donuts are rolled in granulated sugar before being filled with custard.]

“Hey, turns out that the ring has a new function.” I say

Ash tilts her head at me, “Oh?”

“Yeah, I tapped the menu with it, at it just listed the different items. However, when I looked back at the menu it showed all the items it listed with their translations hovering over them. Then, if you tap the translation, it will say the translated description of the item. Unfortunately, the translation of the description does not appear on the page.

Silky wordless looks between me and her ring a few times before excitedly taping her ring against the menu. After a some time she then methodically taps each menu item, one by one, her body vibrating faster and faster after every one. Once she finishes the page, she looks up, and intensity radiating off her,

“I love this place” She says in the most serious voice I’ve ever heard.

She then flips the page and repeats the process. I shake my head, as does Ash, before we return to our menus to find our meal.

Ten minutes later, the waiter returns. We each order our dishes, and he leaves after giving us each a water.

“I think my Croque Madame will be superbe,” I declare.

“Nothing shall be better than my Creme Brulee, nothing,” Silky denies.

“Oh yeah, you just think that sweats are everything. Mine is a proper meal, and I’m gonna love it.”

“Maybe, but it’s obvious that deserts are better, or people wouldn’t spend so much time craving them.”

“Oh, stop it you two… My potato omelet is clearly superior.”

✧ ✧ ✧

*Crunch* *Mmmmmm* ‘The food is so good. The egg and the ham go so well together. That together with whatever the sauce is makes this dish… Mmmmmmm!’ I eat my dish with rapture. Around me, Ash and Silky do the same.

The smells coming off each dish is devine. Silky’s dish gives off the intoxicating smell of the best sweets, begging you, pleading with you, ‘just a single bite’ it whispers in your ear. Ash’s dish, on the other hand, goves off the smell of meat and eggs, mixing into a savory aroma that announces to the world that any who partake shall be satiated.

My dish falls somewhere in the middle. It is not the Savory powerhouse of the Potato omlete, but is not by any means a sweat. It is arguably a more balance meal, including a mix of carbs, fats and protiens to help fuel your day. ‘Wait, do our avatars need food? Meh, not important.’

All I know for sure, is that the table has been silent for the past 10 minutes since the food was served. The only noise escaping being the crunching of food, the cuting of knives, and the moans of plesure from enjoying the meal.

‘Alas, all good things must come to an end, and my Croque Madame is no exception’ I lament as I take my final bite. ‘Goodbye, I shall morn thee… That was F’ing good!’

For a while I simply sit there, luxguriating in the feeling of a full belly, satisfied taste buds, and happy company.

Eventually, the feelings of staisfaction faded, leaving me to just relax, watching the tree spreading through the cavern.

After some time, I speak. “So, how are you two liking this game so far?”

The silence returns for a time, both of them pondering the question deeply.

After some time pass, Ash sits up and looks over at me. “I think I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit. Sure, the fact that I’m currently soft locked out of the magic system is a pain, but I can get over that. The fact that I’m able to make friends, talk, hang out, go to cafe’s, adventure together, it’s great. I think It’s been a very positive experience for me.”

“Yeah, I think I’ve had a similar experience,” Silky says, “ I didn’t really know what to expect going in, but I definitely didn’t think I’d be making friends so quick.”

I nod, taking in their responses. They turn to me, awaiting my response.

“I started playing this as an escape, really. Life was simply to bring outside. Thus far, even with the soft lock on magic, this has been much more interesting and engaging. So from that prospective, I’ve definitely been enjoying my time here. This is all not even tasking into account the wonderful friends I’ve made as well.” I say, the frown that I started with turning into a smile by the end.

✧ ✧ ✧

“Time for us to get going,” Ash says.

*Nom* I gobble up the last of a scone as we stand from the table. ‘That was fun. I glad we got to sit and relax for a while, especially after questing for so long.’

I leave 20 coppers on the table, then push in my chair. I look over to Ash, then to Silky, before nodding in the direction of the Guild. They nod back.

I walk back into the square, leaving the cozy cafe behind, making way for the guild. Even though the square isn’t as crowded as the main thoroughfares, it feels like it when you try to get past a popular attraction. Evenso we so make to the guild.

I open the doors lightly, peaking in to catch a glimpse of Phino. At the same table as last time, I see a figure waving their hands in the air while holding an odd and distinctly memorable staff. Between the gnarled and knotted wood, the red gem on the top, and Phino's short stature, it is pretty easy to recognize them, even if they are indistinct.

“Phino, time to go,” I say

“Yep, coming,” He replies.

A short time later, he exits the guild. We then walk over to Silky’s portal, enter and touch the orb, and appear in her local access point. Once there, we circle around the yellow combat orb.

When I touch it, the yellow light shoots into my eyes, yet it doesn’t give the blinding feeling like usual. Instead, the system begins to speak.

[Shedule

class at 12:30

Class at 1:10

Class at 1:50

Class at 2:30

…]

[Would you like to join the 12:30 class?]

“Yes,” we say in near unison.

Then the yellow light blinds me. Apparently, it was just waiting, the fucker…

✧ ✧ ✧

The yellow receads from my vision, revealing the same sandy dirt arena before me. There are 15 other players in the arena and, of course, or instructor. Instructor Lenios’s toned even physique is once again on full display as he demonstrates his mastery of the sword. I manage to peel my eyes off the sight to look back at the players.

While searching the arena, I wave my arms in the air and say, “Hey, do any of you see me waving?”

“Yep, I’ll be right over,” Ash says.

“Coming,” Silky says.

“On my way,” Phino responds.

After a few seconds, 3 figures come to my position. The one in front of me is Ash, I just know. However, on my sides are two figures that are both short. Fortunately, Phino still carries his staff, revealing him to be the one on the left.

We mingle around for a bit, that the class is going to start in a minute or two. Sure enough, about a minute later, a bell rings.

Just as last time, I look around the arena, counting those that are here. ‘Thats, 5… 10… 20… 23. Thats nearly half the number of people from the previous class, seems like more than the number of people who would have done the rabbit quest but less than the number that would have done the slime quest. Hmm…’

Instructor Lenios stops his sword swings, Allowing the rivulets of sweat flowing down his sculpted elven frame to finally get the chance to cool him down. Light steam is visible radiating from him as he walks to a new spot, as his old one is ruined just like last class.

Once he finds a place he’s happy with, he stabs his sword into the ground and begins to speak.

“Welcome back to my class. I you are here, it means that you successfully managed to complete a quest at the adventurers guild. It was my intension to require you to complete a real quest, at minimum a Half-silver. Alas, you were only required to complete a single quest, with slime quest or herb gathering quests counting as well, as I was told to loosen my restrictions by my higherups.

Fortunately, they gave me permission to make that my requirement for my next lesson. Some of you are looking at me like I’ve grown a second head. Well, let me tell you that some in this class have already achieved that requirement. Those who have completed a Half silver, raise your badge.”

Our group as well as another off to the right of us raise our silver badges.

“Those folks managed to complete basic quests and then challenge themselves to take on a half-silver. Despite the fact that you where all allowed it, only those students are my real students today, the rest of you are on probation. Once you complete te quest and return before the end of the day, I will re-consider your position.

With that said, Probation students, you will continue practice with the spear. I will come by to give you new drills as I see fit. My real students, come with me, I’m going to help you choose the weapon I will train you with for the remainder of our time together.”

He brings us over to the right side of the field, shooing the others off to the left. Once there, he snaps his fingers, causing a multitude of weapons racks to rise, those on the left all containing spears, while those on the right having any weapon you can think of.

“Now, I’m going to show you how to use each weapon, and you will try to get a feel for the flow of movement with each. Ideally, you will feel that a certain weapons frow resonates with your internal flow of harmony, making it easier to learn and more powerful in your hands.