From Real to Realm

Morning came much quicker than Val would’ve liked. However, it was some of the best sleep she’d had in a long time. Visiting her parents for a home-cooked meal was the right choice. Combine that with sleeping in with the woman she loved? Perfect.

Reluctantly, the two of them got out of bed. They were meeting everyone at the guild today to go over their new ranks. Just the thought of hearing everyone’s progress had Val’s heart racing. As soon as they had their new badges, they’d talk to Tamsin and Stormveil. The Ashen King wasn’t going anywhere, but she was still itching to take it on. A boss would be the best way to gauge her progress truly.

“You’re excited,” Lynesia said, giggling. “I can tell.”

Val smirked, lacing her boot. “How can I not be? New ranks, a boss to fight, and who knows what’s waiting for us deeper in the dungeon.”

Lynesia shook her head, smiling. “Let’s get through the badging first, then we can go from there.”

They wasted no time eating something for brunch. It wasn’t quite morning anymore, but it wasn’t afternoon either just yet. Val practically inhaled hers. Once they were done, the two of them donned their fur coats and quickly made their way out into the cool air. Val’s excitement must’ve been infectious, judging by how Lynesia was acting.

The two of them weaved in and out of foot traffic on their way to the guild. Val was practically dragging Lynesia along. Lynesia, for her part, was struggling to avoid giggling the entire time. It had been a while since Val was so excited, so she was obviously enjoying the change. If it weren’t for the guards out front, Val would’ve just rushed straight inside. However, as soon as they saw her, they let them through.

“Kind of crazy how many people know of you, but don’t know you personally,” Lynesia said, walking next to a slower walking Val.

“It’s the hair color and style,” Val smirked. “I seem to remember someone warning me about standing out too much.”

“Val! Lynesia!”

The two of them turned around to see Cera walking up to them. She was holding her scroll with a big smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited.”

Val gave Lynesia a look, to which Lynesia rolled her eyes.

“I know, right?” Val said, clenching her fists. “I don’t know why I’m so excited, but I can’t help it.”

“Is anyone else here yet?” Cera asked, looking around.

“We haven’t gone inside yet,” Lynesia said, taking Val’s hand and pulling her along. “Why don’t we go check before one of you bursts from excitement?”

Cera followed next to Lynesia as the three of them ascended the front steps. It was a busy day, as evidenced by the number of people coming and going. As soon as the three of them were inside, Val spotted a familiar bunny-girl and cat-girl sitting side by side.

“They’re already waiting for us,” Val said, waving at them.

They wasted no time taking their seats at the table. Mina was practically bouncing in her seat already. Amarisse was doing her best to stay calm, but even Val could see the excitement in her eyes.

“So who opens theirs first?” Mina asked, not wasting time.

Lynesia sighed, while Cera giggled.

“She hasn’t sat still since we got here,” Amarisse said, shaking her head.

Lynesia snapped her fingers. “Before we get to that, I have a question.”

Within seconds, she had the entire table looking at her.

“What is everyone’s opinion on Val being the party leader?”

Val didn’t know what to do. Lynesia dropped the question so casually that it caught her off guard.

“I thought she already was?” Cera asked.

Amarisse chuckled. “I’m inclined to agree. Hasn’t she been this entire time?”

“She’s kinda been the heart of the group even since the beginning,” Mina said, smiling. “I vote yes.”

Lynesia smiled, looking at Val. “Well, it seems unanimous. You up for it?”

Val tried her best to stay calm. Excitement was being pushed aside by something more wholesome. Even after everything that happened in the past, everyone still trusted her.

“I’ll do my best.”

Everyone was smiling, all eyes on her.

I will do my damndest, or die trying.

“So, ranks?” Mina asked.

Amarisse poked her. “Way to ruin the moment, shithead.”

“Why not have the leader go first?” Cera asked. “Then we can work to the left from there?”

Val looked at her. “Why’re you putting all the pressure on me?”

Cera giggled. “I didn’t know you could feel pressured, Val.”

Everyone was looking at her again.

“Well? Are you going to open it?” Amarisse asked.

“Fine.”

Val pulled her scroll out, rolling it in between her fingers. It felt almost unreal to be holding an official guild rank increase in her hands. After what happened with Elza, she thought she’d be lucky even to find a group again.

“Well, here goes.”

Val slowly undid the ribbon. As it fell onto the table’s surface, she unrolled it.

Valnarei Rose Strouss,

After careful consideration and deliberation, we, the trusted proctors of your guild rank re-evaluation, have decided to award you the rank of Iron 4th Class. With this new rank, you may now access floors 4-8 at your leisure. We congratulate you on your new rank and look forward to seeing what great things you will accomplish.

At the bottom right of the scroll was a thin wax seal in the shape and design of the guild official seal.

Val’s eyes were wide after she finished reading it. Maybe it was because she’d waited so long to do the re-evaluation, but she skipped all of bronze now.

“So?” Lynesia asked, leaning against her to read it.

“Iron 4th Class,” Val said, gulping.

“Holy shit, Val. Talk about a jump,” Amarisse said, grinning. “I think you deserve it.”

Lynesia was smiling. “Congrats, Love. Seems other people see the same thing we do.”

Val was smiling. She just stared at the paper, at the words “Iron 4th Class”. She was really making progress, and the guild recognized it.

“Your turn, Lynesia,” Amarisse said, motioning to her. “Open it.”

Lynesia smiled, pulling hers out. She wasted no time in opening it and reading what it said. By that time, Val had rolled hers back up and was waiting to hear Lynesia’s new rank.

“Bronze 3rd Class,” she said, smiling. “Not as big of a jump, but I’m very happy with it.”

Val pulled her in and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll have you ranking up in no time. You’re only level two; your next few levels should come quickly. I bet beating the Ashen King will level you up for sure.”

Lynesia nodded. “Then hopefully we do it soon.”

Everyone’s eyes shifted to Cera. She was already unrolling hers and wasted no time in reading it.

“Iron 4th Class,” she said, eyes locking with Val. “Looks like we’re the same rank, for now.”

It was one of the few times Val saw Cera’s competitive nature show. It was cute, but she also knew it was all in good fun.

“You’re right. I’ll be leaving you in the dust before long,” Val said, chuckling.

“Okay, you two,” Lynesia said, poking them both in the ribs. “It’s Amarisse’s turn now.”

Amarisse chuckled. “It’s good to have some friendly competition.” Her eyes locked with Val’s. “After all, healthy competition makes everyone better.”

She unrolled hers as well. Val watched her eyes track back and forth as she read hers.

“Well, it seems I’ve got some catching up to do,” she said, setting it down. “Iron 5th Class.”

Val frowned. “How the fuck? You’ve literally been next to me on every delve. Why didn’t they give you the same rank?”

Cera reached over, patting Val’s arm. “Calm down, there’s barely any difference between 5th and 4th class.”

Amarisse chuckled. “Might not be much difference, but now I’ve got to beat Val at least once.”

The sound of paper being unrolled caught everyone’s attention. Apparently, Mina wasn’t willing to wait anymore.

“Bronze 3rd Class, too! We’re the same rank, Lynesia!”

Lynesia giggled. “Well, we’re the same level, too.”

“Hopefully you both level up once we beat the Ashen King,” Val said, leaning back in her chair. “So now what? We take turns seeing Marcus, right?”

“Leader first,” Mina said, sticking her tongue out.

“Only makes sense you go first,” Lynesia said, nodding.

Val looked to either Cera or Amarisse for backup, but neither argued against it.

“Really? You want me to go first?”

Everyone nodded.

“Fuck. Fine, I guess I’ll go first.”

Val stood from the table, scroll in hand. She made her way to the desk where she originally signed up as an adventurer. The older woman from before was sitting there, handling a few new adventurers. Next to her was an older man with no one in line waiting on him.

“Excuse me?” Val said, stepping up. “Where do I go to get my badge updated to my new rank?”

He looked up, adjusting his glasses. “I can handle that for you, miss. Do you have the official guild scroll with your new rank information?”

His voice was soft, which caught Val off guard.

“Yes, here it is.” She handed the scroll to him.

The man unrolled it, making sure not to wrinkle it or rip it. His movements were practiced and methodical, as if he feared wasting energy.

“Excellent,” he said, rolling it back up. Congratulations on the new rank. If you’ll follow me, I’ll take you to Marcus.”

Val did as he said. She followed him to the same door from before, then down the small connecting hallway. It felt much different this time, though. It was as if the air itself was charged by her presence.

“Marcus is through this door,” he said, stepping to the side to allow her to pass.

“Thank you.”

The man bowed lightly, then started walking back toward the lobby. Val stood there for a few seconds, taking in the moment itself. Once she felt ready, she slowly pushed the door open to the same chamber as before.

“Back so soon?” Came a familiar sing-song masculine voice.

Val chuckled as Marcus stepped from the shadows.

“It really does feel like yesterday when I got my badge,” Val said, holding out the scroll to him.

He whistled. “A rank re-evaluation scroll? Lucky girl. I wonder how you did?”

Val walked up to the pedestal in the middle and placed her badge there.

“Iron 4th Class, very good indeed.”

He pocketed the scroll before approaching the pedestal in the middle of the room.

“You have two questions,” he said, a twinkle in his eye. “If you want more, you’ll have to keep getting stronger.”

Val gulped. “Do you follow Qhemeria?”

Marcus chuckled. “Place your hands on your badge, please.”

Val did as she was told, but she wanted an answer.

“I always have.”

The answer didn’t exactly give her the details she wanted.

“Did Qhemeria contact you about me?”

Marcus placed his hands over hers. Val could feel a subtle warmth flowing over her hands as the metal beneath warped slightly. It felt like the metal had become pliable beneath her hands.

“Not necessarily. I am attuned to the divine in a way many others aren’t. I can feel a connection between us.”

Val sighed. “Come on, you can’t give me more than that?”

Marcus chuckled as the warmth beneath their hands faded.

“I can tell just by proximity that you’re connected to her in your own way. I am unable to tell exactly how, but it’s undeniable we both are connected to her.”

He raised his hand, allowing her to do the same. Val looked down at the new badge lying on the pedestal. After a few seconds, she picked it up.

“The gods are fickle when it comes to directly communicating with us mortals,” he said, walking to the door. “Only a handful in Phylandair are capable of communicating with the gods.”

Val walked to the door, badge pinned to her hip now. “So you just know I am connected to her? Nothing beyond that?”

He nodded. “It’s a bit stronger than others who devote themselves to her. One could almost say you’re one of her favorites with how strong it can be sometimes.”

After walking through the door she paused. “Wait, I’ve asked more than two questions.”

Marcus smirked. “I can be fickle when following my own rules. Good luck, Valnarei. I look forward to more questions next time we meet.”

Before Val could say anything else, the door shut.

“Her favorite?” she asked no one in particular. “I somehow doubt that.”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!