"CAN I ASK you something, Kino?"
"Ask away, Leo?"
"Do all the women from your world dress like you do?"
"The thing is I was on my way to a track meet when I was sent here. So no, most don't dress in a tracksuit jacket, athletic shirt, running briefs, and running shoes."
"What's a track meet?"
"It's a competition against other teams from different schools." Kino explains.
"She's also supposed to wear her tracksuit pants, but she doesn't." Kiyo chimes in.
"And what about you Kiyo?" Leo asks, turning his head to him.
"This is actually a pretty typical look. It's just a plain black t-shirt with a pair of blue jeans, and tennis."
"You mean it's a typical look for you." Kino retorts.
The twins begin bickering back and forth about each other's choice of wardrobe for a bit until they reach their destination.
"Welcome to Snapdragon Village." Leo begins giving the twins a tour of the village. "It has a population of about twenty-two hundred."
"And well paved roads too. A girl could fall in love running on this." Remarks Kino, tapping the toe of her left foot."
They continue on.
"This building, if you haven't guessed by the hanging sign with a bed on it, is the Snapdragon Inn. It's owned and operated by a red panda beast-kin family. Most visiting adventures stay here. It has a great restaurant and a bar on the first floor. The other two floors are for guests."
Kiyo then asked, "what happens if they're full or can't afford to stay?"
"Adventures can stay over at the Snapdragon Campgrounds. It's run by the adventure guild. Newly minted adventures can stay there for free for one month. Otherwise it costs three copper coins a night per person."
"What about folks who're just passing through who aren't adventures?" Kino asked.
"I believe they keep some rooms open, but I'm not sure."
They pass by shops like Gingersnaps Bakery and Addie's Floral.
"Let me guess this place is called the Star Shop?"
"That is correct, Kino. You can find these merchant shops all over the world. This is where one goes to purchase equipment. From weapons to armor to healing potions and other items. Depending on the size of the shop in town their inventory will vary.
They have a sister shop called Four Stars. They handle the purchasing and selling of anything that is enchanted."
They pass by Andi & Candi's Sweet Treats.
"This is Anvil. A blacksmith shop that repairs your gear. They also do custom jobs, but depending on the size of the town, and what kind of work you want done it'll take time to complete your request."
"Are there Anvil shops all over the world like with the Star Shop?" Inquired Kiyo.
"Yes. They too have a sister shop, Four Anvils. They're the ones who add or remove enchantments for your weapons, armor, etc. It can be pricey, but worth it. You can find those shops in bigger populated areas." Explained Leo.
Leo leads the twins past a massive butcher shop named Bucks Butchery and Processing, and stops in front of another massive building right next to Bucks.
"This is the adventurer's guild. It's one of many guilds throughout the empire. This one has an excellent reputation for helping new adventures."
"How many empires are there Leo?" asks Kiyo.
"There are eight in total."
"Which one are we in now?"
"The Britannia Empire. Its ruler is Emperor Maxwell Arsenio Sr. However, as of late his son King Maxwell Arsenio Jr has been ruling in his stead.
"Any other empires close by?" Asks Kino.
"Yes, two others. The Netherlands Empire is to the west of us. Its ruler is Queen Cesmak La-Tif."
"Queen? Why not empress?"
"No one knows. Lastly to the north of both empires is The Marijuana Empire."
Kiyo then asks, "do all three empires get along with each other or are they constantly at war?"
"Both The Britannia Empire and The Netherlands Empire have forged an alliance to help each other's empires prosper.
"That alliance has been held for the last thirty years now. Because of that, humans can live in the Netherlands. While demi-humans, beast-kin, and demons can live here in Britannia.
"As for The Marijuana Empire, we aren't allies with them, but we aren't on good terms with them either."
"Enough with the history lesson. Let's go see what our classes are." Kino heads inside the guild. Her brother and Leo follow after her.
Snapdragon's Adventurer Guild
"Welcome back Leo. How did the quest go?"
"Not great Rin. I ended up being taken prisoner because the two I teamed up with were in fact members of the True Believers. Luckily these two here showed up, and took them out like it was nothing."
"What about the captured demi-humans?"
"No need to worry, everyone was set free."
"I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that Leo."
"Not your fault Rin. Just send word to The Templars and have them head over to that location."
"Actually one of the Templar Lieutenants is upstairs with the Head Guildmaster. I'll have Meg here take you up."
"Thanks Rin. Oh before I forget this is Kiyomaro Kurosaki."
"Hello and please call me Kiyo."
"And his sister Kino Kurosaki."
"Hiya."
"They need to get registered with the guild."
"Not a problem Leo. I'll take care of it."
Leo heads off with Meg.
"Alright let's get started."
"Hold on Rin, I have a question."
"What's that Kino?"
"Who are The Templars?"
"The Templars are soldiers from both The Britannia and The Netherlands Empires. Their job is to enforce the laws of both empires."
"How do you assign classes?" Asks Kiyo.
"We use a magical tool called the Rainbow Orb."
Rin reaches under the counter and brings out a clear glass orb with a silver base.
"Just place both hands on either side of this orb. It will read your mana level, stamina level, attack strength, defensive capabilities, speed, accuracy, stealth, and so on.
Then it reads what elements you are best suited to use. Once all of that is accounted for it will then display a color.
The color that is displayed is the class you are best suited for. I will then explain the colors' meaning once you both have one assigned to you."
"I wanna go first." Kino places her hands on the orb.
"Alright Kino, your class is.... black?"
"What class is that Rin?"
"That's not one of the colors we use."
"What colors do you use?"
"Red, blue, green, indigo, yellow, orange, and violet. Kiyo, could you try?"
Kiyo steps forward and places his hands on the orb. It glows black as well.
"Hang on you two. Hey David can you come over here please."
"What's up Rin?"
"I think this Rainbow Orb is broken. It glowed black when these two placed their hands on it."
"Ok let me take a look." David places his hands on the Rainbow Orb. "It's red, which is the class I was assigned."
"I might know the problem, Rin."
"What might that be, Kiyo?"
"My sister and I come from another world, and our status display says we're SS-ranked despite not having a class."
""What?!"" Exclaimed Rin and Daivd in unison.
"Like my brother said, we came from another world. Do you have something here that can display our rank to prove to you that we are SS-ranked?"
Rin points to a black rectangular shaped object on the receptionist desk.
"This magical tool is called The Black Mirror. It's what we use for registering new adventures with the guild, and corresponds with what your status display says."
Kiyo then asked, "can anyone see our status?"
"On the Black Mirror no. Only guild staff can view it. As for your personal status display, others can see it, so I advise you not to display it in public. If you choose to show anyone that's on you."
"Understood."
"We also use it for party registration, eliminating the need to carry a guild card.
"It can also be used as a message center. Keep track of completed quests. Any work you've had done to your equipment, and what it cost.
"Bigger cities utilize them at entry gates. You cannot enter a city without signing in first." Said David.
"It works the same way as the Rainbow Orb. Kino, would you place either hand on it?" Rin asks.
Kino steps forward placing her hand on the Black Mirror.
"That's not possible, you really are SS-ranked. This is all backwards; you shouldn't have a rank without a class. Kiyo, will you please give it a try?"
"Very well."
"SS-ranked again. Well I'm truly at a loss, this is all new to me."
"Why can't we have all the classes?" Kino asks.
"Because that's not how it works. Once a class is assigned to you, that's the class you have." Rin explains to the twins.
"Hold on, so you guys can't have more than one class, or change it later on?" Asks Kiyo.
"That's not entirely accurate, young man. There are a variety of subclasses that one can choose from. For example, someone who is in the Summoner Class can have the archer subclass. Granted they won't be as skilled as someone who's in the Hunter Class.
"Guys, allow me to introduce to you the Head Guildmaster Nelliel. Head Guildmaster, this is Kiyomaro and Kino Kurosaki."
"Head Guildmaster? Why not just guildmaster?"
"Because young lady, I'm in charge of every adventures guild within this empire.
Now Kiyo and Kino, would you please join me upstairs in my temporary office? I would like to hear your story. After all, I've never heard of or seen the Rainbow Orb turn black before."
"Yes ma'am."
"Yes ma'am and I'm sorry for my rudeness." Kino bows her head in apology.
"It's quite alright."
As the twins follow Nelliel upstairs Kiyomaro asks, "do you not have your own office here?"
"I do not. Because I'm always traveling for work I wind up using the guildmasters office of whichever guild I'm visiting."
Some time later
"Well after hearing all that I think the best thing to do is to let you two pick which class you want.
"Thank you Head Guildmaster."
"You're welcome, Kiyomaro. Now let's head back downstairs shall we."
"Rin, it's been decided that they will choose what class they want."
"Understood Head Guildmaster."
"I look forward to seeing what you two accomplish as adventures."
"Thank you Head Guildmaster."
"Goodbye Head Guildmaster and thank you again."
"Do you guys know what class you'd like?" Rin asks.
"Before we pick, can you tell us about each of the classes?"
"Don't forget the subclasses." Adds Kino.
"Sure, and I'll tell you what color coincides with each one. Let's start with red, which is for the Warrior Class. They're the ones out front taking the enemy head on. Their fighting skills are well rounded with offense being better than most.
"Orange coincides with the Mage Class. They can cast a range of attacks. They mostly stay in the rear to help support everyone. When it comes to combat their attack and defensive spells are great.
"Yellow coincides with the Healer Class. They provide rear support in healing, and stat boosting. Their magic skills are great, but their other skills are a bit lacking.
"Green coincides with the Tanker Class. They can be out front fighting, or can hang back to defend the rear support team. Well rounded skills with defense being better.
"Blue coincides with the Assassin Class. Another class that can be out front fighting, or can choose to hang back and wait to strike. Their speed and stealth skills are top notch.
"Indigo coincides with the Hunter Class. They are medium or long range attackers. They provide cover fire for the team. Their stealth and accuracy skills are better than others.
"Violet coincides with the Summoner Class. Their range of attack depends on the type of beast they summon. Only a beast they have a contract with or blood contract can be summoned. Their magic skills are greater with somewhat well rounded attack and defense skills.
"As for the subclasses, that will depend on your class. You'll get a more in-depth explanation at your respective school."
"Thanks for the explanation Rin."
"You're welcome, Kiyo. So who wants to go first?"
"Me, I'll take the Assassin Class."
"Okay, Kino, place your hand on the Black Mirror so I can register you and your class. Done."
"Now for Kiyo. What's your pick?"
"I'll go with the Warrior Class."
"Alright, please place your hand on the Black Mirror. Done. Now will you guys be forming a party now, or would you like to wait on that?"
"Yeah, let's form the party now. Kiyo you in?"
"Of course I'm in."
"It's also worth considering having future party members from the other classes join you to give you a more rounded out party." Advised Rin.
"That's a great idea," said Kino. "Do you think Leo will join us?"
"I do know Leo was looking to start a party, and I think he's still looking." Answers Rin.
"Is he still here?"
"No. He left with the Templar Lieutenant while you guys were upstairs."
"So now what?" Kiyo asked.
"Let's go to the Star Shop, and check out what they have. Until Leo gets back." Suggests Kino.
"How are we going to pay for anything? We don't have any money."
"You don't need money when you're just window shopping."
"Actually." Rin chimes in. "That quest was technically completed by the two of you. So the quest reward goes to you guys."
"No, that wouldn't be right, that was Leo's quest." Protests Kiyo.
"Leo himself said he failed. So it goes to you guys by default." Counters Rin.
"How much is it anyways?"
"It was originally a D-ranked quest worth ten copper coins. However, now that we know that True Believers were involved and that two adventures were corrupt, this quest could be upgraded to either a C or B rank. Until I get confirmation on that I can't say how much the reward will be."
"That's fine. I just wanted to know because I intend to pay Leo back. Kino, are you fine with that?"
"Yup."
"Well I'm not fine with it. You two earned that reward as far as I'm concerned." Leo comments walking up to everyone.
"You got back here pretty fast Leo."
"Riding in a horse drawn carriage does help speed things up Rin."
"Leo, are you sure you won't take the reward?" Kiyo asked.
"I am and as an added bonus how about I join your party. If you'll have me that is."
"Alright you have a deal." Leo and Kiyo shake on it.
"Ok guys give me a few minutes to talk with the Lieutenant."
"Sounds good Rin." Kiyo replies.
"Alright, I can confirm that this quest is in fact raised from D to B. This quest came from The Templars so I am able to pay you right away."
Rin places a silver tray with different coins on the desk.
"Ten coppers for saving the demi-humans. Fifteen silvers for the capture of the True Believers and corrupt adventures. And lastly five gold coins for stopping the trafficking of demi-humans. I can put your payment in a pouch if you'd like?"
"Please do." Said Kiyo.
"Alright, let's go shopping!" Kino shouts, pumping her fist in the air eager to go.
"Hang on before you go, you never gave me your party's name."
"Put down The Rising Sun Party." Answered Kiyo.