[Ruin Guard: A collapsible shield made by the apprentice Billy Shill under his master Trojan Agard. Its material is of Uter Metal usually found at the core of A ranked Golems within Havenhigh's Dungeon. Once released into its full size, it can be easily attached to an arm through the binding mana ropes that sprout.
Maria spun a small, pale blue, emblem in the shape of a shield in her hand as she read a parchment of paper. It was an interesting thing, the artifact she won from the Hunt. It had a rune that seemed useful enough for a normal person. However, she was already able to cast spells instantly when her blade was summoned. In the end, aside from being a shield, the artifact was essentially worthless to her.
"Do you want it?" She turned left.
"What would I do with that? Not only do I not know magic, it'll also impair my swordsmanship style by using a shield. I need both hands free to grasp my weapons," A black haired boy blinked his purple eyes and looked at her as if she was stupid.
Maria turned to her back.
"What about you?"
"Do I look like I take handouts?? I don't need it. You two worked for it, and besides, I can already spam Magic, that thing won't make a difference," Her brother waved a hand, shooing her off with the arrogance contained in his voice.
She rolled her eyes, 'Elitist', then turned to Ais.
"I don't want it, Princess."
"Right. . .I expected as much." She grumbled and looked forward.
They sat within an office. At their front was a desk headed by the Guild Master, O'Brien, who appeared more brutish up close. And to his left stood the bare-chested Gushin Mao—who seemed less dangerous than normal, in fact, she thought he looked like a pet dog.
". . ."
The two wondered since when it had become so hard to pass an artifact onto a person. Does it matter who won it? An artifact was an artifact, it was the equivalent of having one or two more skills in your possession! A very advantaged position, ditto if it were skills that directly improved the equipment itself.
"You wouldn't happen to want it, would you?" She waved the emblem in her hand.
"I don't take pity gifts."
"Who says I pity you? I rather admire your strength."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
O'Brien smiled as he took a bite of the conversation between the two when Mao ignored her.
"You best not bother trying to convince him, he only takes things he earns with his own strength. Aside, he already accepted his prize for completing his end of the Hunt, a Merlin's Ticket."
"A what now?"
"Merlin's Ticket," Arthur cut in, "If I'm not mistaking, it allows you to enter Merlin's Tomb - A tower piercing into the sky just outside of the Forgotten Forest. Supposedly, if you reach the top of the thing, any wish of yours can be granted."
"Any?"
"Any." Gushin Mao affirmed.
"And what would you wish for?" Maria took an interest.
"None of your business."
"You're no fun."
Maria wanted to kick the man, harshly. 'I should have just dumped him in the waters,' She thought before quelling her thoughts.
"Your cards," The guild master finally handed over a pair of white cards.
They had been led to an orb, had given their mana to it, and now, the pair of cards was in their hands. Maria glanced at it, the left side of the card held the image of a sword stealing through a shield, the emblem of the Adventure Guild. As for the left. . .
[Name: Maria Springfield.
Titles: Princess of Albion, Princess Knight.
Rank: A+]
". . .Princess Knight?" She inquired.
O'Brien coughed, "Pardon the staff, they couldn't help themselves. It's been going around the city lately, since yesterday's events, most have chosen to term you 'Princess Knight'."
"How lovely. . ."
She could hear her brother stifle a laughter before the full thing burst out. Her eyebrows twitched.
"What are you laughing for?" O'Brien smiled, "Prince Pyromaniac."
"What—," Her brother seemed to leap from his sit and shot a glare at the man, "shush, don't tell her!"
"Pyromaniac?" Maria raised a brow.
"The prince burned down the forest during his Hunt."
Maria smiled with glee, taking pleasure in her brother's maniacal nickname while Arthur retreated into his seat. Rain, on the other hand, felt very content at having been validated. Though he couldn't say he liked his own title much, 'Secondary Knight', which staff had made such a joke?
The group calmed down and the Guild Master continued.
"Your adventure cards come with a few features. For one, if you go down just below and place it atop one of the mission boards, you can register yourself as having taken the mission. Do it again to cancel it or go to the counter to turn in the request. And for two, they can be used as a Bank Note within the Guild."
Maria nodded, calmly, "I see, so is everything over then?"
"Yes."
They descended from the second floor of the Adventure Guild when all was set and done and entered into the first floor.
The place was much more peaceful than she had expected. It was am organization where literally anyone could come and go, accepting requests, and with all manners of people gathered, she thought it would be like a rowdy show. However; there was no unnecessary noises, no loud banter, no clashes of opinionated people fighting against one another, and certainly no food flying around the great hall.
In this hall, everyone was either preparing to take a quest, taking a quest, or sitting at one of the various tables that lined both sides. It was like an orderly workplace and she realized, this was a job to this people, and no one had the time to busy themselves with yelling. And with a job that could cost a life at any moment, they had every right to cherish their time.
Another fact that became more apparent as they entered the first floor was the sheer size of the guild. The walls of spotless bleached white enclosed a large area. Black wooden tables orderly lined both sides in a row as they pierced ahead, and a long counter with various personnel was at the helm of this enclosure.
"Still impressive," She muttered.
They walked through the large gaping aisle in the middle of the guild and, they did, in fact, draw a few glances their way. But after most checked them out, they went back towards their earlier business and continued on to their daily job.
'Such a mystifying place.' Maria thought to herself as she looked at such a workplace.
Some were busy preparing as they stared at the bulletin board filled with sheets of paper, just right of the counter. Some sat at the tables and enjoyed mugs of beer and various foods in relaxation, brought by the attendants that scurried about. And others were at the helm of the counter to either turn in their quests, request a quest, or request something else entirely.
There were various adventurers of all shapes and sizes, from burly men to slender females. From robe wearing mages, with the crest of the mages association on their chest, to figures with greatswords or bows strapped to the back of their leather armor. It was simply a splendor to behold and Maria couldn't help but think, 'just how was all this possible?'
The group eventually made their way through the middle and walked right on out. They didn't need to fulfill anything, yet. They still required Arthur’s arm and she would soon need to return home to make it known to her father that she had passed the Hunt, then, and only then, would they begin their journey.