As Leonce and Loup stepped into the room, they took a moment to absorb their surroundings. The first thing they noted was the spartan décor. Blank, unadorned wooden tables were laid out on the left-hand side of the room, each a small space between the others to give just enough space for people to sit at each. The chairs were similar, nothing special, and looked more as though you’d get a splinter sitting on one. Still, the building didn’t appear to be a place for people to stay for long periods of time. A handful of individuals sat at a few of the tables, each keeping to themselves as they nursed a drink. In a way, it was surprising to see there was a bar here in this small guild building, but the brothers hazard a guess it was likely something normal for all Adventure Guild branches. Given the amount of work a branch might have, it made sense to make a little extra coin on the side while an adventurer waited for a contract.

However, both brothers walked past the tables, with Leonce adjusting the straps of his backpack out of a nervous habit. While he talked with confidence, he tended to have an issue with his nerves whenever he entered a new location, while his younger brother Loup seemed to be immune to most shocks that would otherwise bother the older brother. Still, they had their focus, which was to say, the Clerk whose head was buried deep in a stack of paper. Neither could quite make out the individual over the paper until they drew closer and came to note the Clerk was a bookish woman with a pair of wire-rimmed glasses resting upon her button nose. Her tan skin told both she came from the Eastern desert Kingdoms of Halandra. A place brimming with scholars and culture despite its desert landscape.

“Hello?” Leonce said, gently rapping his knuckles against the wood desk.

The woman raised a finger before jotting down a few more sentences with her quill before finally finishing whatever report she was tasked with, nodded, satisfied with her work. Looking up at the two young men, she was a bit surprised.

“Is it my birthday?” She asked with a playful grin.

Loup and Leonce looked confused before Loup spoke first, “Uh… is it?”

“Sadly, it’s not… hah,” She sighed, leaning back against her rickety old chair, before addressing the two properly, “Venessia, Clerk and manager of the Oakenhart Guild Branch, at your service.”

“Leonce, older brother of the good Loup here and son of Masson and Alvery,” Leonce introduced himself first.

“Loup… son of the same, and younger brother.”

The Clerk nodded, “A pleasure! Now… what can I do for you boys, hm?”

The brothers looked at each other before replying, “We’re here to sign up!”

Venessia arched a brow, “Oh, are you now?”

“Yes, we’re rather proud of our skills despite being from a family of farmers~” Leonce stated proudly.

Loup just remained silent, unsure how to talk with this woman as she seemed to be gauging the two.

Taking in a breath, the Clerk nodded, “Well – I’m happy to hear that! But, you both should know that we do have a trial period of sorts that you’ll be required to pass if you’re to be registered as official adventurers of the Guild.”

As she spoke, she pulled out two contracts after a brief look through a cabinet behind her. Pulling out the slips she passed one to each of the brothers, handing them a quill as well.

“It’s not like most places mind you. Instead, we require you to fetch and carry for a bit. Just getting a feel for your determination and see if you’re actually committed to the life of an adventurer, as the jobs you’ll often take won’t be all about glory or combat. Rather, it’ll be more odd jobs to help the townsfolk out,” She explained while both brothers filled out their names, much to her surprise, “If that’s fine with both of you, I’ll have you undertake four requests we have.”

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Both finished signing the contract and pushed them back to Venessia, who gave them a quick look over before blowing on the ink and stowing them in a drawer under the desk for later filing, “Of course we are! Wouldn’t have signed the dotted line if we weren’t~” Chimed Leonce.

The clerk eyed him with some interest before leaning forward, “It’s good you’re motivated then,” She smiled.

Loup didn’t like the predatory look she had in her eyes but said nothing, merely keeping his stoic stance.

“Ah, don’t mind him. He doesn’t like to talk much unless it’s vital,” Leonce said, noting his brother’s silence.

Venessia waved aside the apology, “It’s fine! Nothing to be sorry for; I actually like the strong silent types~”

Loup’s eyes widened, and Leonce couldn’t help but chuckle at his younger brother’s reaction. Both were technically inexperienced in matters of romance and dealing with the opposite sex, so such reactions were normal for them, though still quite comedic for both when it happened to the other. Still, Leonce quickly shifted the conversation back to the matter at hand.

“Ahem, well, the faster we start, the better we can get things underway~” Leonce said with a playful grin.

“Fair enough. Well, there are a few odd jobs we have that need doing,” She noted before digging through a few of the requests, “Most of them are just going out into the forest to gather herbs for the local apothecaries and town Mage.”

She passed the four requests to the brothers as she made sure each had the actual reading ability to understand them. Leonce and Loup gave them a quick read-through, noting how they were essentially fetching quests to grab a few items. Astrid Root and Vespur flowers. Both were common in the mountain valley forest, but outside of Oakenhart, the plants were rare. It was one of the reasons why a Mage actually called the small, out-of-the-way village his home. Rare flowers, roots, and weeds sprouted in the forests around here, and given how they were used to brew mana potions, it was a no-brainer move on the part of the Mage. Both brothers didn’t bother to question it, though; no one really did. It was just something that was part of everyday life in the village; plus, he did a fair bit for Oakenhart as well. He often repaired the simple light fixtures around town and even used his power to lift heavy objects with unseen hands.

As the brothers left to carry out their first task, however, Vanessia watched them awhile longer. Leaning the weight of her head on her propped-up hand, she let out a small sigh.

“Hopefully, those jobs will be just right to deter them from going through with this…” she mused.

In truth, there was no actual selection process regarding joining the Adventurers Guild, as it was usually just something one entered and started working on jobs right away. This case, though? No. The two boys were young, barely eighteen, and already signing up for a challenging and dangerous life. In her mind, the military would be a far safer job than adventuring. So, out of worry, she gave the two young men the jobs no one wanted to do. She hoped they’d get bored and quit after the first two jobs.

Meanwhile, both Leonce and Loup stepped out and into the center of town, despite the confident look they had, both actually felt a little awkward knowing they’d be returning home, despite having left a letter stating they were leaving for greener pastures. Now, they were heading home. Adventurers, yes, but not fully fledged ones. Both brothers looked at each other, knowing what the other was thinking.

“Dad’s not going to let us live this down… is he?” Loup asked, already knowing the answer.

Leonce frowned, “That he will not Loup~ I fear our dear father is going to make fun our supposed failure, or think we’ve likely given up half way on the road.”

Both frowned, then sighed.

“Just means we gotta finish these jobs within the day then.”

Raising a brow, Leonce smiled, “Oh? Think it’s possible?”

“One hundred percent. Remember, that time I went hunting with Dad while you were off working in the library?”

“Yes?”

“Well, during that year Dad taught me a lot… namely the different plants, where they grow, how they grow and what works best for luring in certain animals,” Lifting the first of the tasks, “And it just so happens, the Astrid Root grows near the ruined bridge leading to the old watch tower just north of here.”

Leonce grinned, “Why’re we waiting around then, little brother? Come on! Our future awaits!”

Racing off to the north, both brothers felt a renewed sense of excitement course through them as they dashed through the busy village cobble streets and towards the woods, that led towards a single tall grey faced structure that looked ready to fall apart with only a small gust of wind.