Friday, January 7th; Ilaria logged into Virtual Connection first thing in the morning. It had already been late after DDing Kyle last night–they had done three boss runs after all–so she had logged off and went to sleep, not using her second date.
Today's the day.
A return scroll sent her directly to Torinelo City's central plaza, from where she headed towards the old-looking spire that was the Mage Academy's distinct feature. Once there, she approached the counter with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
“Hello, I want to be a Mage,” said Ilaria.
“Hello Miss Ilaria, I see you already got to level 20,” answered Marco, the Mage Academy's NPC. “If you really want to become a Mage, you'll have to prove your worth.”
*ding*
Mage Academy's class change quest (Tier 1 Level 20)
Phase 1: Collect and deliver 20 midnight bat's fangs.
Phase 2: Collect and deliver 10 goblin shaman's staves.
Phase 3: Get 5 bullseyes in a row at the Mage Academy's practice field.
*Note: Completing the Mage Academy's class change quest will overwrite your Tier 1 Lvl 20 class.
If you have an incompatible subclass, you'll also lose access to it.
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“So boring; I feel like an assembly line worker,” complained Ilaria, while shooting a bat. The fangs weren't even a guaranteed drop, adding to the vexation.
“Yeah, it's like the game knows where you have been training,” said Amy, laughing. “And it's giving you another chance for remembrance's sake.”
“Next it's the goblin shamans,” said Ilaria, one-hitting another bat. “I'm half-minded to just leave that for later, when I go with Diana and Kyle for the goblin boss.”
“You know you won't,” said Amy. “You'll want to try your new skills as soon as possible.”
“Yeah,” said Ilaria, smiling while killing yet another bat.
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“Minerva's calling,” said Amy, while finishing the two last goblins with thrown daggers.
They had gone to the Goblin Encampment after collecting the fangs in the forest. Since they didn't have a tank available, Ilaria was going around sniping the shamans, while Amy dealt with the aftermath.
“Can you stall her for a bit?” asked Ilaria, pleadingly. “I only need one more staff.”
“Okay, I think she'll understand.”
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After Amy left, Ilaria had returned to the Mage Academy to finish his class change quest. She just needed to do some target shooting; it'll be over soon.
Alright, here comes the last one.
Ilaria furrowed her brows and stared intently to the bullseye in front of her. When she collected the last staff from the shamans, she had thought the rest would be fast. But she didn't account for something: there were several different practice targets, and the quest used the furthest one.
She pointed her staff sideways, with the top leveled to the target. She had failed the last shot on three different chances before and her frustration was growing.
*ding*
You have finished the third phase of the quest: Mage Academy's class change quest. Return to the Mage Academy to collect your rewards.
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“Fireball!” exclaimed Ilaria, as she shot a hot ball of flame. Her target didn't even squeal before starting to burn. She turned around, doing a victory pose as the hog kept being roasted.
Hahaha, take that piggy!
She was giggling and bouncing on her feet, already used to the heels of her boots. Now that she didn't have her costume anymore, her black and red dress fluttered as she moved around hunting for new prey.
The new dress was her level 20 'armor'–Ilaria had chosen it herself for a change–she was already used to wearing skirts since spending so much time in the Magical Girl's miniskirt. The mage would never say it aloud, but she had to admit she was enjoying dressing Ilaria up.
After becoming a Mage–the official, written with an uppercase M variety–she had received a free three skill module. In addition to the Mana Bolt and Healing Touch spells, it had the Fireball, which was a more expensive and powerful single target spell that dealt fire damage.
And looked cool as hell.
“They won't give you any experience, you know.”
A male voice called Ilaria from behind. She recognized it immediately, flinching as she turned around.
“I know,” said Ilaria, looking downwards. “Just trying my new spell.”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
“It's good that you've been enjoying yourself,” said Sandro, eying her from top to bottom. “That dress looks really nice on you.”
“Glad to know,” said Ilaria. “It doesn't feel so good coming from you, though.”
“Anyway, I just wanted to check on you before your induction,” said Sandro, grinning. “Today's the big day?”
“I guess so,” answered Ilaria, fidgeting.
“Don't worry too much,” said Sandro, getting closer. “I've been told you are doing a wonderful job.”
He lowered his head, Ilaria feeling his breath in her ear. “No one would guess that you aren't really a girl.”
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“Ready?” asked Amelia, taking Ilaria's hand.
“I guess I am.” answered Ilaria, steeling herself. Her current dress didn't leave any doubt about the gender of the body within.
The two girls were standing in front of the guildhall of the 'Torinelo City Workshops' guild. They had logged together as soon as Amy was back at her house, after having lunch together. The rogue had dressed in her leather-looking battle armor, a sign of her taking the event seriously.
The guildhall was a white one-story building in the outskirts of the city. It consisted of a frontal reception area, a pair of private offices to the sides, and a covered arena at the back; which was the default for a low level guild. As most buildings in Torinelo City, it had a marble statue in the entrance; this one resembling a man shooting a soccer ball. That was the only thing that distinguished it from the other guildhalls nearby.
And contrary to its name, it wasn't a craft guild–not that there were crafter classes in VC in the first place–few people knew why the Guildmaster named it as such, and Amy wasn't one of them.
The later hadn't been in the guildhall in a long time; she still talked in the guild chat, though. Regardless, Amy had already coordinated with the Guildmaster about today's meeting. It would be much easier–and faster–for Ilaria to join the guild if she was recommended by another member.
Ilaria worried about her cover being blown by her association with Amy. The rogue had been secretive about her relationship with Guildmaster Wanora, but she assured Ilaria that the Guildmaster wouldn't tip Johnny. And, despite Johnny being technically an officer in the guild, it was highly improbable for them to bump into him at this time of the day.
Here we go.
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“Hello Amy!” exclaimed the Guildmaster, grinning with open arms. “I thought you had surely quit already; you have been stuck at level 35 for ages!”
“Sorry Wanora; I have had a lot of things on my mind,” replied Amelia, hugging the Guildmaster.
Wanora, the Guildmaster, was a tall, busty girl dressed in white and blue robes. She wore a striped hairband of those same colors over her long, dark-brown hair.
“And this one should be the new inductee,”said the Guildmaster, looking towards Ilaria for the first time since they entered the guildhall.
“Ahh, sorry,” said Amy, flustered. “This is my friend Ilaria; she just became a Mage.”
“Hello; I'm Ilaria,” said Ilaria, bowing. “Nice to meet you.”
“Such a cute girl!” exclaimed the Guildmaster, getting closer to Ilaria. “Are you a hugger?”
“Ehh...”
The tall girl took a step forward, covering Ilaria in her shadow. The mage flinched, imagining the predatory gaze that Wanora was sure to have. The later stopped her advance, turning around as if nothing happened.
“As you will soon notice, this guild isn't too hardcore; we are just having fun among friends,” said Wanora, inviting Ilaria and Amelia to her office.
Wanora's office was decorated in the same white and blue motif prevalent in the whole guildhall. The wall behind the big, wooden desk, was covered in shelfs with several sports implements within. On the opposite wall, there was a mini basketball hoop hung directly over a big cylinder, which seemed to be a trashcan.
“Here's the guildbook,” said Wanora, moving her hand to materialize a thick old-looking tome which opened to a blank page. “You just sign on it and we'll own you.”
“What?!” exclaimed Ilaria.
Wanora laughed, while going around. “Just joking; it never gets old.”
“Don't worry,” said Amelia, reassuringly. “It will just confirm your membership. It's true that the Guildmaster will be able to know when you're logged in and your level at all times but that's all.”
“Okay,” said Ilaria, still distrustful, while sitting down on the chair in front of the book.
When Ilaria touched the book, a fountain pen materialized in her hand.
*ding*
You have come into contact with the 'Torinelo City Workshops' guildbook. Signing on it will confirm your membership to the guild.
*Note:
You can't join more than one guild at the same time.
If you leave a guild you'll need to wait a week before joining a new one.
Ilaria signed her name with big capital letters. The book closed itself and disappeared in a flash of light.
“Congratulations!” exclaimed Wanora. “Now you are an official member of Torinelo City Workshops!”
“Thank you,” said Ilaria, as she stood up.
“A hug?” asked Wanora, opening her arms.
“Okay.” said Ilaria, hugging Wanora reluctantly.
“And now you should take some time to check the event board,” said Wanora, separating from Ilaria with a full grin. “Are you single?”
“Yes?” answered Ilaria, dumbfounded.
“Perfect; we have a kind of event going on.”
After asking for directions–and refusing a Pomelo soda can from Wanora–Ilaria said her goodbyes and left the room, leaving Amy with the Guildmaster.
Ilaria toured the deserted guildhall's reception area; the sidewalls were covered with long note boards, most about recruiting for training parties or boss hunting parties. But also there was a big central poster, one per side; a sky blue one to the right and a pink one to the left. Ilaria went for the later, already knowing what would be written on it.
Having signed as Ilaria for the second time ever, the mage returned towards the Guildmaster's office to pick up Amy. The door was still ajar; Ilaria extended her arm towards the door bolt, when she heard something that gave her pause.
“I don't think Mina will be coming back. And if she ever does, I'll probably leave the guild too.” Amy's voice was much more subdued than what Ilaria was used to.
“And I wouldn't fault you for that. I understand you might be angry at Johnny; he could have worked it out better.”
“That's a huge understatement.”
“He also has his issues... And I can't tell you about that; frankly, as the Guildmaster, I shouldn't stick my nose in a couple's relationship problems.”
“Then there shouldn't be any problem in fulfilling my request.”
“I already promised, didn't I?”
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“So, did you sign up?” asked Amy, fetching a pair of apples from her handbag.
“Yeah, as planned,” answered Ilaria, catching the apple from Amy. “Did you sign up too?”
“No,” answered Amy. “I'm not interested in dating new boys; besides, it's better if Johnny doesn't see me around.”
The girls were walking back towards the city's center, after Ilaria's induction into the Torinelo City Workshops guild. The mage was still curious about the specifics of Amy's conversation, but she didn't dare to ask directly; she would have to admit to eavesdropping.
Ilaria had also checked the notes across the guildhall's board; there were a couple of requests for a Mage for a goblin grinding party, but she didn't think they would be up to Diana and Kyle's standards.
“Did you try the level 20 date yesterday?” asked Amy, her eyes at something in her viewpoint.
“No, I decided to wait for Kyle,” answered Ilaria. “Besides, I hadn't even done the class change yet.”
“Really? I didn't think you would get so attached,” said Amy, gazing at Ilaria with a half-smile.
The girls were already entering Torinelo City commercial street. Since it was still around 4pm, they had decided to shop around for a few changes of clothes for Ilaria's dates.
“It's just that... Well, I have been looking forward to it,” added Ilaria. “And I'm sure it will be disappointing if I just do it with a random guy that the AI matches me with.”
“You know you'll need to at least date Johnny.” said Amy. “And you really should try to date a few more guys from the speed dating event, as practice, and to not alert Johnny that anything is amiss.”
“I know, I know,” said Ilaria. “But that's later. Let me enjoy my date first.”