It was an extravagant building, with high walls stretching far over the buildings around it. Next to the doors were clear windows, allowing them to watch inside, seeing tens - nearly a hundred people sitting around circular tables. Flower pots sat below, allowing pedestrians to get a whiff and lift up their moods.
Two large overbearing doors separated them from the inside; the wood was smooth to the touch, it had a glossy texture, well maintained and befitting the high status of the guild.
Lucian squeezed the handles. As he did so, Fei felt something squeeze her own heart, the harder his hands gripped, her heart began to ache.
I'm going to hold him back… I've always done that… He- He sacrificed everything.
From protecting her on the streets, working just enough to pay for the majority of their appliances and home. She barely could contribute, only one place hired her - But her pathetically conditioned body disallowed her to work for long. They were too far gone, he used their savings.
He'll… He'll just…
As her mind began to darken, as well as the area around her to blacken - Lucian swung the doors open. It screeched, interrupting all the conversations inside, and her thoughts. He ignored the glares with a grin, stepping forward confidently. His companion, someone he held so dearly, wobbled by his side.
Dull thuds resounded in the guildhall; heads turned to glare at the source of the deafening screeches. In their sight, stood a lanky young man.
He looked to be around nineteen to twenty; In addition to his unkempt hair and goofy grin, many of the adventurers snarled. Contrarily to their expectations, they bounced off his calloused skin. His slow, yet energetic stride never stopped.
Meanwhile, his companion, a foxgirl similar to his age, kept her head down. Stifled laughter targeted her appearance, specifically her left ear; it was mangled halfway up.
Her fear, and hesitance was drawn on her body. She tried to shrink as much as possible, keeping her arms tight to her body, her steps as small as possible.
"That little brat thinks he can just waltz in here, huh?"
"Honestly, do not pay him any mind. This will be his last."
"Huh?"
Voices echoed throughout the hall, many favoring hateful comments. Lucian ignored them, bouncing into Fei's ears. Mosquitoesque, they were hurtful, causing her heart to ache.
Alas, one gutted her, tearing her heart and stomach open.
"And guess what… The biggest mistake he could make? Bringing a filthy demi-human in here.. She'll get him killed, then herself!"
Loud bellows powered through the crowd, then bets. How long will it take for her to be abandoned on the streets? Or how long will it take for them to die? Their voices deepened the dagger, nearly sending her to the ground.
"Fei, just ignore them."
Lucian said, slowing his speed, his back rubbing her back. Now shoulder to shoulder, the voices quieted in her ears. At such a glance, she was easily read; her skin became paler, hastening of her breath, she was nearing a panic attack.
Fei silently nodded to his words. But, her ears couldn't close them off; every laughter, remark and mock, they jabbed at her.
I don't…
"I-I'm… I'm just- nervous…"
She replied in a squeaky voice. Diversion of her eyes caused Lucian to sigh and mumble.
"If you say so…"
SLAM!
Without looking to the front, he slammed cheek first into metal. He stumbled backwards, falling onto his buttocks then to his back.
"Ouch…"
He groaned, lifting his head to see what he ran into. Conversely, it was not a wall- Comparatively, he was similar to one, but he ran into a man that could reach the heavens. This man was covered in crimson armor, it stopped just under his neck.
"Sorry about that!"
Lucian apologized with sincerity. However, the man did not look back.
"Watch where you're going."
"Yeah…. Yeah…"
"Damn kids…"
An audible grunt came from the man. Lucian let out a slow sigh as he got to his feet.
'It was merely an accident…'
His mind drew blank as he looked around the hall. To either side, there were tables. Pillars littered the walk way, obscuring thirty percent of adventurers.
'Looks like I really messed up…'
A sudden jabbing assaulted his brain. Every pair of eyes were suddenly piercing through his thickened skin.
'Sorry Fei…'
Eventually their surroundings became interesting. On every pillar was a banner, ending just half way down the pillars. Each banner had a specific weapon. First a longsword, then the sixth and last was a staff.
Additionally, the walls rose high into the air. One would have to climb for a couple minutes, just to touch the ceiling.
Before long, Lucian's foot started to tap impatiently on the ground. Taking a few steps to the side, and looking to his front, he saw a tanned elf leaning on the receptionist counter.
Another elf stood behind the counter. He wore a grey suit, with a button over his heart. From this distance, Lucian could not make out what it was; instead he impatiently watched.
"Miss Bronya, that is not appropriate to talk about with a lowly receptionist."
The blonde haired elf said, as his face contorted into a wry smile. A vein began to form on his forehead, as his eyes wandered forward. Past the lady in front of him.
"Oh c'mon, Thranie… I know you love hearing these~"
"I will have to listen to these "lovely" stories another time… There is a queue lining up behind you." The receptionist dipped below the counter. "And here is your reward, Mister Roth and Miss Bronya."
A loud slam silenced all noises.
"Great, thank you Thranie, have a nice day~"
She tossed one of the larger sacks to the man beside her. Turning around, whilst waving towards the elven receptionist; furthermore, pushing past Fei and Lucian without a second thought.
"Ah, welcome! How can I help you two?"
Once there was a clear line of sight, the elven receptionist exclaimed whilst smiling. He flipped his palm to himself, signaling for them to walk forward.
"Um… We're here to become adventurers…" Lucian explained, pointing to himself then at Fei. His smile faded for a moment, then his eyes widened in realization. "Ah! Right, here's our ids."
He fumbled in his right pocket for a moment; feeling two smooth plates, words were engraved onto them. A second later, he held them both between his middle and index finger.
One copper plate had his name etched into it, then a picture of himself on the far right. The other was Fei's Id. But, her last name was there, in a foreign language.
"Let me see those. Mister Lucian, and Miss Fei, correct?"
Upon confirmation of their identities, he turned around. Reaffirming he'll return, he disappeared into the sea of cubicles. Many other men and women ran around, with mounds of papers in their arms.
Lucian grumbled to himself, crossing his arms over his stomach. More waiting, he expected this. Correspondingly with the wait, he turned his head around once more, acting interested in the surroundings.
For an eternity, they waited; in reality, it took ten minutes and their ids were given back. Instead of being a pure copper color, they were lined with silver.
"Here you go. You two are officially adventurers."
'Finally…!'
Lucian twirled to face Fei. Her head was hanging low, hair covered her face.
"Fei, do you know what this means?!"
…
Fei slowly lifted her head, while turning her head. Her eyes landed on the two plates in his hands, as something gripped at her chest.
Whilst Lucian tried to catch her attention, the receptionist rested his head.
'Poor girl.'
He thought as Fei's eyes widened. Internally, he sighed, he had seen this all over. Two aspiring adventurers come in, either one is a demi-human.
Over a course of a few days, the demi-human becomes ragged, shaggy looking. Then, eventually disappearing, whilst the human companion continues.
His gaze lingered on the countertop; eventually a thought came to mind.
"Sorry to interrupt your little moment, but there is something I need to go over."
"Eh?"
In one fell swoop, he heaved a gigantic book from under the desk. It shook the table, causing dust to fly out.
"For new adventurers you must know the rules."
Half an hour passed, as his incessant rule explaining drilled into both of their skulls. Part way through, Lucian's eyes glazed over. As for Fei, her mind fizzled, causing steam to rise above her head.
Only three rules stuck to them. One, never abandon your party members no matter their use. Two, do not assault other party members unless it is in self defense. Last but not least, if there is an issue with another party member, talk to your representative.
With a snap, he closed the book. Lucian jumped as all light returned to his eyes.
"E-Eh?!"
"That is about it, if you break any of these they will result in a fine. Break enough of them you will lose your adventurer status."
"I-I see…"
Lucian muttered, as the gears in his head clicked, the elf in front of him started to tap the book. Albeit, it was slow.
"Ah, right… Since I signed you two up, I am your representative."
"Representative?" Lucian asked with a tilt of his head.
"Basically, your advisor. If you do something wrong, it will fall on my shoulders. Furtherado, my name is Thran. It is nice to meet you both."
With a smile, and a hand across his chest he introduced himself.
"Uh… It's nice to meet you too, Thran… Um, anyways, we're going to look for a req-"
Lucian's words ceased when Thran held his hand out. It seemed like he wanted something, which caused his mouth to twitch. With a heavy sigh-