After calming Zennia down, the boys split off from the group. They had some materials from the dungeon they needed to turn in for their quest.
While they were off doing that, the girls stuck together, slowly walking through the lobby. The bustle of people brushing past was throwing Val for a loop. Serious conversations hummed here. Joyful reunions lit the air. Boisterous laughter rang out there. It was overwhelming being surrounded by so much life.
If Phylandair was considered a body, then you could consider the guildhall the heart.
“You seem like you’re taking everything in,” Irina said, giggling.
Val nodded. “Yeah, I just never expected so much hustle and bustle here. I knew it’d be busy from the outside—just didn’t expect even more inside.”
Val scanned the room. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“This is only the beginning,” Zennia said. “You’ve only scratched the surface.”
Val raised an eyebrow. “What else is there to see right now?”
Irina stopped walking, brows knitting in confusion.
“I honestly don’t know, at least in your case. How old are you?”
The question caught Val off guard.
“I just turned 19 a couple of months ago, why?”
Zennia cut in, realizing where Irina was going.
“Ah, so you’re outside the normal time people choose a combat type.”
“Right,” Irina cut back in. “Did you ever plan on getting a combat class before you got sick?”
Val sighed. “My illness caused memory issues.”
“I don’t remember anything before I lost consciousness.”
The girls exchanged stunned glances.
“Well. You can’t choose a type on a whim.” Zennia gave a soft smile, clearly trying to shift the mood.
“You at the very least need to try out weapons, get a better idea of each combat type, and it wouldn’t hurt to spar someone as well.”
Val took a deep breath.
I’m further behind than I expected.
It gnawed at her, how far behind she already felt. The sudden placement of a hand on her shoulder pulled her attention.
“You’re starting later than most, but you’re not alone,” Zennia said, smiling warmly. “Keep your chin up, work hard, and you’ll do just fine.”
“Who knows, you might out pace us one day.”
Irina nodded eagerly.
“You can always come to us for help. It’s the least we can do for Cyrus almost running you over earlier,” Irina giggled as she finished.
“You’re right,” Val said, with renewed determination. “I’ve got this.”
The girls smiled at her.
“So, what do I need to do after I have my type finalized?”
Irina glanced over at a desk, pointing.
“Once you’ve chosen your type, the guild will officially allow you to join. The entire process is handled at that desk.”
Val could see a small line of people waiting for their turn at the desk.
“Do I have to join the guild to become an adventurer?”
Irina rolled her head side to side, a lazy wobble that landed somewhere between a shrug and a maybe.
“Not really,” she said. “Technically you don’t have to. But... it makes everything a lot easier. Safer too.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Val agreed. “At least it offers a support structure as I advance higher.”
“Badging comes next,” Irina continued, pointing toward a nearby door. “They handle that part in there.”
“What’s the point of a badge?” Val asked, somehow only now noticing the ones pinned to their outfits.
“It has multiple uses,” Zennia started, taking hers off.
“At a glance it shows your rank based on the metal and design. You need one to access the dungeon and some of the guild commodities here in the hall.”
She handed the badge to Val.
“On the back is a sealing sigil that uses your blood to bind it to you and only you.”
The badge was shaped like a shield, broad at the top and tapering to a point at the bottom. Unpolished bronze, with a star-shaped cutout in the center. The edge was embossed as well, giving it a raised edge.
When she flipped it over, there in a deep purple was a sigil in the same design as the ones on the banners outside.
“Why’s there a star punched out in the dead center of it?” Val asked, handing it back.
“It represents my rank,” she said, taking it back. “I’m Bronze 1st Class.”
“So everyone under the guild gets a badge and has ranks assigned to them?” Val asked, glancing around.
Zennia had just finished re-attaching her badge.
“Yes, if you join the guild you get a badge.”
“It’s common practice for everyone to start off at Bronze 5th Class. Some people start at a higher rank when they join, though that’s very rare.”
Irina could see the confusion in Val’s face.
“Independent adventurers who decide to finally join the guild, or ‘gifted’ fighters will usually get a higher rank than someone brand new, like you.”
Val turned to her, a new question bubbling up.
“Do people try and fake their ranking? In order to get access to things they shouldn’t?”
Irina shook her head. “It’s impossible. The sigil on the back doesn’t just bind the badge to you—”
“—it also prevents any tampering by anyone who isn’t a guild representative,” Zennia finished for her.
Val was still glancing around the massive lobby. Occasionally she’d catch the glint of a badge affixed to someone’s gear or clothing.
How did they manage to create such a balanced system?
That itch, that desire—that coal—buried inside of her was beginning to get more intense. Ever since she heard about adventuring, she had to bury it, hide it.
Faced with everything now?
There was no more hiding it, she was antsy, on edge, charged.
Did you have this in mind the whole time, Qhemeria?
“Alright,” Val started, struggling to hide her smile.
“Should I try finding a group now?”
Irina shook her head. “I don’t think tha—,”
“Hold on Irina,” Zennia cut in, “I think her finding a group of new adventurers is a good idea. Instead of us constantly burying her in information, she can learn alongside others.”
She shrugged. “Maybe she’ll be lucky enough to find people wanting to group up with her?”
Irina tilted her head. “You know—that might actually work.”
Val looked around the room. “Is there a board for new people? Or like a room to go find others?”
“Nothing like that exists,” Zennia said, looking through the crowd.
“There!” Irina said, pointing.
Everyone’s gaze turned to where she was pointing.
Standing in a small cluster was a group of individuals. No gear, no weapons, no badging showing a rank.
“I guarantee some of them are new or at the very least just started,” Irina said, smiling at Val.
“Awesome! I guess I should go say hello?”
Val started walking, but a hand grabbed her arm.
Zennia stood there, holding onto her. Her expression was deathly serious all of a sudden.
“Whatever you do, don’t join anyone beyond level three right now.”
“If you do, you risk dying or interference from the guild.”
She motioned toward the door the guild-master entered earlier.
“It’s like Theoden said, he doesn’t like losing new adventurers unnecessarily.”
Val smiled, patting Zennia’s hand.
“Don’t worry. I barely survived an illness determined to kill me.”
She looked down, before meeting Zennia’s gaze.
“The last thing I’m going to do, is get myself killed doing something that stupid.”
Zennia’s expression remained pensive. Val could see her searching for truth in her statement.
Finally she released her arm, chuckling softly.
Then a big hand suddenly crashed down on her shoulder.
“Then what are ya waiting for?” Cyrus asked, peeking over her shoulder.
“Get your hind end over there and show em what you’re made of.”
Dolf elbowed her hip. “We’ve got your back anytime you need it.”
The group of potentially new adventurers was across the guild hall lobby.
Val started making her way there, weaving through the multitude of people.
As she approached, she noticed a man in the middle of the group speaking. Even from a distance she could tell some in the group didn’t care what he had to say.
“—chosen our combat types? We need to group together in the best way to maximize our cohesion,” he said, looking between those within the group.
“Good concept. But I think getting along with your party members is just as important,” a girl with red hair said, hand on hip.
“We aren’t children, we know how cohesion works, but everyone has preferences.”
Tension crackled between them.
The bald guy in the middle seemed to be the source of the tension. His jaw was clenched as he glared at the red-head who spoke up.
“Your choices are slim here sweetheart. I don’t see anyone outside of us who are new and wanting to find a group.”
“Unless you want to risk joining someone higher level than you,” he said, crossing his arms with a smirk.
Val’s fist clenched as she stepped forward.
“With that attitude, I wouldn’t party with you, even if you were the last newbie in the entire guild, sweetheart.”
All eyes were on her now.
Curiosity, appreciation, appraisal. Each person within the group was taking her in right now.
The bald man was turning red, jaw clenching tighter once more. The air between them was charged, daring one another to make a move, to try something. Even some adventurers at a nearby table were smirking and chuckling at the sudden challenge from Val.
“Who the fuck are you?” he asked.
“Someone good at getting under your skin, obviously,” the red-head chimed in.
“I didn’t ask you,” he said, stepping closer to her.
Val moved before she could think.
He looked ready to strike the red-head.
Within seconds she was standing toe to toe with the bald man. He had to look up slightly to meet her gaze.
“I think it’s in your best interest to fuck off for the day,” Val ordered.
The bald man held her gaze before glancing around.
Several people in the group stood now, tense with the confrontation.
A few guards were already walking their direction, the clank of their armor a timer ticking down.
“Fine, but I’ll handle you another day,” he said, turning and walking away.
As he walked away, a few other men fell in line behind him.
Val didn’t realize there were others in the man's group already. Had they come to blows, she might have been outnumbered. Then again, Cyrus’ group had her back, if she needed them.
“I didn’t need saving,” the red-head said, smiling.
“But I appreciate you stepping in when you did. I’m Lucia.”
She held her hand out.
Lucia’s fiery red hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. A few strands of hair framed her sharp features as she smiled up at Val. Up close like this, she couldn’t help but notice the height difference. Crystal blue eyes looked into hers as she tried to not look lower. Even from a distance, Lucia’s figure had caught Val’s eye. She wasn’t especially top heavy, but those hips—and that ass—definitely stood out.
Val chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of her neck. “Sorry about that. Dude just rubbed me all kinds of wrong.”
She took Lucia’s hand, shaking it.
“I’m Valnarei, but you can call me Val.”
Lucia watched as the bald man continued walking away.
“Barrett has always been an asshole. It’s nice to see him knocked down a peg or two.”
“Definitely an asshole,” Val chuckled.
“I really didn’t mean to butt in. I was coming over to hopefully find people who were new as well. Maybe find myself a group.”
Lucia perked up. “What combat type do you have?”
“I bet she’s a Brawler,” came a second female voice.
A tall woman with long brown bunny ears stepped up, grinning big.
Her athletic frame was impossible to miss—curves layered over powerful muscle. The wavy brown hair that matched her ears easily reached to her lower back, if not further. It was one of the few times Val had to actually look up at someone else. A mismatched pair of colored irises looked back—one green, the other brown.
Lucia gestured, rolling her eyes. “This is Amarisse.”
Amarisse appraised Val as she approached.
“You’ve got Brawler energy. You didn’t hesitate to get in the middle.”
Amarisse then glanced toward Barrett as he continued walking.
“God, I wish you’d decked him. Watching him hit the ground would’ve made my day,” she said, smirking.
“It would’ve been well deserved,” Lucia agreed.
“You’re brave!” came a bubbly exclamation from behind Amarisse.
A cute cat-girl suddenly sprang out from behind the tall bunny-girl.
Her oversized green eyes and soft cheeks gave her a kind of mischievous innocence. However, the little crop top and snug shorts she wore left little to the imagination. Not only was she shorter than Lucia, but also more petite up top. She shared that same bottom-heavy build as Lucia—enough to make Val’s pants feel tight.
“I’m Mina! You were awesome there!” she said, giggling.
“Thank you,” Val said, chuckling. “And no, I’m not a brawler.”
“I actually haven’t chosen my type yet. I was hoping to find a group that would be willing to help me out. Answer questions, test things.”
“How old are you?” Lucia asked.
Val sighed. She knew where this was going.
“I’m 19. But I was sick for a while, almost killed me. Lost all my memories as well, so I’m a little behind the curve right now.”
The girls exchanged glances, an unspoken discussion happening. Both Amarisse and Mina nodded to Lucia, causing the red-head to face Val once more.
“We can help.”
Val visibly sagged at her response.
Thank Qhemeria.
“Thank you so much,” Val said, smiling.
“I was really worried I’d have to try and figure everything out on my own.”
Amarisse crossed her arms. “Honestly, after what you just showed us? I think we’d be stupid not to give you a shot.”
Lucia nodded. “Barrett and his ‘goons’ are all level one, if not two already. You stepped in not knowing that, but didn’t hesitate or back down.”
Amarisse winked. “You’ve got guts in spades hun. I like that about you already.”
“Is it alright if I take the day to consider the combat type options?” Val asked.
“If it’s alright with you, tomorrow morning we can meet back up here. I’ll be a sponge, ready to absorb anything you feel I need to know.”
Once more, Lucia glanced at the girls, getting non-verbal confirmation.
“Of course. Choosing a combat type is something a lot of people plan ahead for. You’re jumping in feet first a little fast, but it’s smart to take at least a little time to think it over,” she said.
“Just don’t choose one until we have time to talk tomorrow,” Amarisse cut in.
“We need to test you some, I think you’ve got Brawler written all over you, but I’m not a professional. I could be misreading you.”
Val nodded. “Alright, I’ll just look them over and do some thinking. I won’t make any decisions until we have time tomorrow.”
“I think Amarisse is right!” Mina started punching the air.
“You were ready to give Barrett some of these earlier! It fits Brawler styles perfectly!”
The girls couldn’t help but laugh.
With a wave, and a plan, everyone separated for the day. Val was left standing in the middle of the lobby.
What started as a clumsy bump into someone had turned into Val on the verge of joining the guild.
This feels so right.
With renewed excitement she turned on her heels, ready to leave.
She slowly wove her way through the crowded lobby before a sudden voice snuck up on her.
“You work fast,” Irina said.
“You should have made that guy swallow his teeth,” Cyrus chimed in.
“Cyrus,” Zennia cut in, “violence is not always the answer. Especially not within the guild hall.”
Val chuckled. “It all happened so fast. Made a good impression at least.”
Irina frowned. “True, but we didn’t expect your first experience to be like that.”
“It’s not your fault,” Val assured them. “You’ve all done so much for me today.”
She smiled softly. “Tomorrow is the next big step, and I couldn’t be more excited.”
“You’d best be careful,” Zennia warned.
“We introduced you to this life, so we want to see you grow, safely.”
“Yup!” Cyrus said, pulling Val into a side hug.
“You’re an honorary member of our group. Get strong, so one day you can get deep in monster guts with me.”
Dolf chuckled, just once. “You’ve got a good head on your shoulders.”
“Don’t lose it rushing to prove something.”
Val felt like crying right now.
Even after just meeting them today, this group was treating her like one of them. It tickled memories of people she used to know back in her old life.
“Thank you guys… I appreciate it, a lot.”
With a heartfelt goodbye, Val left the guildhall.
The day had shifted drastically. Starting with her normal exploration, then ending as a budding new adventurer.
Should I tell my parents?
Such a loaded question was impossible to answer right now.
After six months with them, Val felt she understood them.
However, dropping the sudden career choice was still a volatile option.
They’d support me, right?
Getting stronger, that was her new goal. With enough strength, they’d never have to worry about her.
After an emotionally charged walk home, Val pushed through her front doors.
Even though she didn’t do much throughout the day, she was drained. A warm home cooked meal capped with a long hot bath sounded divine right now.
As she approached the staircase she heard a crash down the hall.
Peering over the banister she saw Celestia, hands on her hips, mess on the floor.
“You alright?” Val asked.
Celestia’s head whipped up, then she smiled.
“Yea… mother has another commission. I got roped into grabbing supplies from her hoard.”
She shook her head, mumbling. “Beginning to think she has too many boxes in this closet.”
Val laughed. “Well, you have fun with that.”
Celestia dropped down to begin cleaning the mess up.
“Not the word I’d use sometimes.”
Dinner wasn’t being made yet, so Val opted for a bath right now.
After entering her bedroom she made sure to lock the door behind her.
She stripped down, not really caring where her clothes were left behind. Once inside the bathroom she started filling the tub with hot water, steam immediately filling the space.
With a clean bill of health, she was finally taught how to operate the runes to fill her tub. Within five minutes she was neck deep in hot water, erasing the day's aches.
Inside such a calming atmosphere, Val let her mind go quiet. She laid there in blissful silence, trying to recharge her battery enough for dinner. So much had been thrown at her today. Physically she felt fine, but mentally, she was drained.
After a handful of minutes she opened her eyes, giving them a moment to focus on the ceiling.
Guess now’s as good as ever.
She sat up slowly, letting the water roll down her body.
“Status."
[Name:]
Valnarei Rose Strouss
[Age:] 19
[Race:] Half-Elf
[Combat Type:] None
[Archetype:] Locked
[Level:] Zero
[Strength:] D
[Endurance:] D
[Agility:] E
[Dexterity:] E
[Resolve:] D
[Resilience:] E
[Arcana:] ?
[Mana:] ?
[Learned Techniques:]
None
[Passive Traits:]
None
It didn’t look much different from the first time she saw it.
A few attributes had gone up, though. Likely from her successful rehabilitation.
How do I increase my attributes?
It was a question she should’ve asked Irina, or Zennia.
I guess I can ask Lucia in the morning.
There wasn’t any reason to linger on it right now. Nothing in her sheet would change until she chose a type anyways.
“Combat Type?”
To her surprise, a new window appeared over her sheet.
Please choose a combat type.
Striker
Brawler
Breaker
Tank
Hybrid
Marksman
Mage
Channeler
Val read through them slowly.
A few sounded similar to things she remembered from her old life.
Hybrid, Brawler, Tank, Marksman, and Mage all make sense.
Val furrowed her brow.
She’d have to ask the girls tomorrow about the rest of them.
She sighed, feeling the stress of the decision beginning to weigh on her. Once chosen, she was locked in. Choosing wrong could really screw her in the future.
Val dismissed the window showing the combat types.
“Valnarei! Sweetheart, dinner is almost ready!”
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