Emma couldn't help but gawk as she and Maria approached the Adventurer's Guild. The building was impressive, all sturdy stone and intricate carvings, with a grand wooden door that seemed to beckon her forward. She could feel the anticipation thrumming through her veins, a mix of excitement and nerves that made her heart race.

Maria chuckled softly at Emma's wide-eyed expression. "It's quite a sight, isn't it?" she said, pushing open the door and gesturing for Emma to follow. "Come on, let's introduce you to Cedric."

Inside, the Guild was a hive of activity. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes milled about, some poring over quest boards, others engaged in lively debates or friendly arm wrestling matches. The air was filled with the clinking of armor and the murmur of voices.

As Emma took in the sights and sounds, her attention was drawn to a commotion in the center of the hall. A crowd had gathered around what appeared to be a sparring ring, cheering and placing bets. Curious, Emma made her way over, Maria following close behind.

In the ring, two adventurers were locked in combat. One was a hulking man in heavy armor, wielding a massive sword with ease. The other was a lithe woman in leather, darting and weaving around her opponent's strikes with graceful agility.

Despite the woman's speed, it was clear that the man had the upper hand. His blows were powerful, shaking the ground with each impact, and the woman seemed to be tiring, her movements growing sluggish.

"The big guy's a level 35 warrior," a nearby adventurer said, noticing Emma's interest. "The girl's only a level 12 rogue. She doesn't stand a chance."

Emma frowned, watching as the woman narrowly dodged another blow. The disparity in their levels was evident, even to her untrained eye. The man's movements were fluid and confident, while the woman's were growing increasingly desperate.

With a final, crushing blow, the man sent the woman sprawling to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers and groans, money changing hands as bets were settled.

Emma felt a pang of sympathy for the woman, who lay panting on the ground, her pride clearly wounded. She knew all too well what it felt like to feel powerless.

As the crowd began to disperse, Maria tugged on Emma's arm, pulling her towards the back of the hall. "Come on," she said, a note of urgency in her voice. "Cedric's waiting."

Emma allowed herself to be led, her mind still reeling from the display of raw power she had just witnessed. If that was the kind of strength and skill that adventurers in this world possessed, how would she ever measure up?

Her thoughts were interrupted as they approached a large wooden desk, behind which sat a man who could only be Cedric. He was an imposing figure, with broad shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard, his eyes sharp and assessing as they fell upon Emma.

"Cedric," Maria said, dipping her head in greeting. "This is Emma, someone I think you'll want to meet."

Cedric's gaze swept over Emma, taking in her simple clothing and the determined set of her jaw. "So, I take it you want to be an adventurer" he said more than asked, his voice a deep rumble.

Emma nodded, swallowing past the sudden dryness in her throat. "Yes, sir," she said, meeting his gaze steadily. "I want to join the Guild."

Cedric leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together. "And what makes you think you have what it takes?" he asked, his tone skeptical. "Being an adventurer is no easy feat. It requires strength, skill, and no small amount of luck."

Emma's mind flashed back to the sparring match she had just witnessed, to the effortless way the warrior had dispatched his opponent. She knew she had strength in spades, but skill and luck? Those were another matter entirely.

"I'm strong," she said, trying to inject confidence into her voice. "Stronger than most. And I'm a quick learner. I may not have much experience yet, but I'm willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to succeed."

Cedric's eyes narrowed, a hint of interest sparking in their depths. "Is that so?" he mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Well, we'll just have to see about that, won't we?"

He gestured to a nearby chair, inviting Emma to sit. "Before we get into the specifics of joining the Guild, there are a few things you need to understand about how all of this works," he said, leaning forward and fixing her with an intense stare.

Emma sat down gingerly, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath, steeling herself. "Go ahead," she said.

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Cedric nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Very well," he said, leaning back in his chair. "Let's start with the basics. As you know, power revolves around the [System]. It's the magic that governs our lives, that determines our strengths and weaknesses, our abilities and limitations."

Emma leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. She had heard about [System], but no one had explained it in detail, and she had been afraid to give her origins away by asking.

"The [System] lets you pick a class," Cedric continued, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. "Warriors, mages, rogues, healers... each class has its own unique set of skills and attributes. Your class determines your role in combat, the types of quests you can undertake, and the paths of progression available to you."

Emma nodded, absorbing the information. It was not unlike the class systems in the video games she had played back on Earth, but the stakes here were so much higher, so much more real.

"In addition to your class, the [System] also lets you gain levels," Cedric said, his eyes boring into Emma's. "Your level is a measure of your overall power and experience. It starts at 1 and can go all the way up to 99. As you complete quests and defeat monsters, you gain experience points, which in turn allow you to level up and become stronger."

Emma's mind was processing all the implications. Could the [System] really be just like an RPG? That was odd, but a good thing. Emma was good with RPGs. Very good.

Oblivious to her thoughts, Cedric continued. "Of course, leveling up is only part of the equation. The [System] also assigns each individual a base set of stats - strength, agility, resistance, and magic. These stats determine your raw physical and mental capabilities, and can be increased through the allocation of stat points gained upon leveling up."

Emma's mind was racing. She knew her own strength was far beyond the norm, but she had no idea how it would translate into this world's system.

"How high can stats go?" she asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

Cedric raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by the question. "In theory, the maximum stat value is 999," he said. "But reaching that level is impossible. Most adventurers, even at high levels, have stats in the 100-200 range. Anything beyond that is... Well, no one has ever heard of anything beyond that. Let's move on."

Emma nodded, though she was curious about Cedric's hesitation and change of topic. She decided to file that information away, and come back to that later. She would have to be careful not to reveal the true extent of her strength though, lest it draw unwanted attention or suspicion.

"So, how do adventurers put these levels and stats to use?" she asked, steering the conversation back to more practical matters.

Cedric smiled, and seemed a bit more comfortable with the new topic at hand. "That's where quests come in," he said, gesturing to the quest boards lining the walls of the Guild hall. "Adventurers take on quests to earn experience, gold, and other rewards. These quests can range from simple tasks like delivering packages or gathering herbs, to more dangerous undertakings like slaying monsters or exploring ancient ruins."

He pointed to a series of symbols adorning each quest posting, ranging from simple shapes to intricate designs. "The difficulty of a quest is denoted by its rank, which corresponds to the recommended level range for undertaking it. F-rank quests are the easiest, suitable for beginners, while S-rank quests are the most challenging, reserved for large groups consisting of the most skilled and experienced adventurers."

Emma's eyes widened as she took in the array of quests on offer. Some promised rich rewards for relatively simple tasks, while others spoke of perilous journeys and legendary monsters.

"Of course," Cedric said, drawing her attention back to him, "undertaking quests is not without risk. Monsters and other dangers abound in the wilds of Aetheria, and even the most experienced adventurers can fall victim to bad luck or poor judgment. In fact, that's the reason why very few adventurers ever make it to retirement."

He fixed Emma with a serious stare, his voice dropping to a grave tone. "That's why it's crucial to know your limits, to choose quests that are appropriate for your level and abilities. Overconfidence is the bane of many an adventurer, and the consequence is death, or worse."

Emma swallowed hard, a chill running down her spine. She had no illusions about the dangers of adventuring, and she was determined to face them head-on. Still, this was a grim reminder that Aetheria was no video game, no matter how similar it may seem.

"I understand," she said, meeting Cedric's gaze with a resolute nod. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes to succeed."

Cedric's expression softened, a hint of approval in his eyes. "That's the spirit," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "But before you can embark on any quests, there's one more thing you need to do."

He leaned forward, his tone serious again. "You need to pass the Guild's initiation trials, to prove that you have what it takes to be an adventurer. Only then can you officially join our ranks."

Emma's heart lurched again into a race, a mix of excitement and trepidation coursing through her veins. She figured the trials would be a significant challenge. But she was ready. Or she hoped she was.

"Tell me more," she said, leaning in. "What do I need to do to pass these trials?"

Cedric's smile widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, you'll see," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of amusement. "But suffice it to say, it won't be easy. The Guild only accepts the best of the best, those with the strength and determination to rise above the rest."

He stood, gesturing for Emma to follow him. "Come," he said, leading her towards a door at the back of the hall. "It's time to see what you're made of, Emma. Are you ready to prove yourself?"

Emma stood, her heart pounding with anticipation. "I'm ready," she said, her voice ringing with conviction. "Let's do this."