Part 2
—Two more plates, please —Kaito said, placing the coins on the table.
—And with extra crunchy stuff! —added Seri, raising her hand like she was in a tavern of legendary warriors... though she barely reached the top of the chair.
The innkeeper, a burly man with a thick mustache and a slightly scorched apron, let out a hearty laugh as he jotted down the order.
—What an enthusiastic pair —he said. —Just passing through Astralis?
—Something like that —Kaito replied with a forced smile. —We were planning to head to Aldoria today, but...
—Oh, that won't be possible —the innkeeper interrupted, shaking his head. —The city gates are closed until the day after tomorrow. For the royal event, you know?
—Royal event? —Seri asked with her mouth full.
—Of course. In two days, they're officially presenting the newly summoned heroes. A full-on spectacle. Procession, blessings, speeches... the usual stuff.
Kaito felt a faint tug in his chest.
The ceremony he wasn't meant to attend.
The one he was supposed to pretend didn't exist.
—I see... —he said, lowering his gaze.
—But don't worry —the innkeeper added kindly. —In the meantime, you can explore Astralis. The city's huge. The market's just a few blocks away, and if you've got time, the Astral Aquarium opens tonight.
Seri looked at him with excitement.
—Astral Aquarium?! That sounds amazing! Let's go, let's go!
—Easy there —Kaito laughed. —Let's eat first. Then you can take a nap to burn off all that energy.
Seri puffed out her cheeks.
—I'm not a kid, you know?
—Of course not. Just a hyperactive elf with chronic hunger.
—That was offensive on at least three levels!
—Is all that energy a fire elf trait? —Kaito asked with a sigh.
—Well, yes... but also, I'm just really happy. It's been months since I've had good food, a bath, clean clothes... or even someone to talk to —she said, her cheer suddenly dimming.
He watched her quietly. They weren't that different—two outcasts with nowhere to go.
—I'm really sorry... I didn't think elves had it that rough.
The innkeeper approached with another plate and a bottle of water for the girl.
—I probably shouldn't be telling you this —he said, lowering his voice and glancing around—. So listen up, and don't make a scene.
Kaito leaned in, curious—like he was about to hear a state secret.
—Elves are a sacred race. Messing with one means provoking the Great Forest of Mythara... and believe me, no one wants that.
—They say the light, fire, and wind elves could invade Estelaris if they wanted. They're respected. Feared. Untouchable.
Kaito looked at Seri. It was hard to imagine her as a threat... but he remembered how, during the beta, every top-ranked player had elves on their team.
The number one player in the national rankings had an SSS+ Light Elf.
—That's why you'll never see an elf as a slave —the innkeeper continued. —This girl's with you, and she seems harmless... but if she'd come alone, without a guild card or someone backing her, I wouldn't have let her stay.
—I get it now... thanks a lot for the info.
—No problem, kid.
Seri stared down at her plate in silence. She looked like she'd lost her appetite again.
—Hey, don't get like that. I'm not gonna abandon you... unless you bankrupt me —Kaito said with a half-smile.
She looked at him with a mix of reproach and relief.
—But I already know what we should do next —he added, standing up.
—We're going straight to the Adventurers' Guild. Even if we don't work as adventurers, it'll give both of us more freedom.
—So finish your meal, and we'll head to the guild. Sound good? —he said, looking at her calmly.
—Yes! —Seri replied with a big smile before returning to her food with renewed enthusiasm.
Kaito watched her quietly for a few seconds.
That's the cheerful Seri I like, he thought—and for the first time in a long while, he didn't feel completely alone.
After eating until Seri was full, they left the inn and headed toward the Adventurers' Guild.
The Adventurers' Guild of Astralis was located in a large structure made of dark stone, flanked by two banners bearing the royal emblem pierced by a spear.
As soon as they stepped inside, they were met with the noisy hum of dozens of voices, loud laughter, mission boards covered from top to bottom, and adventurers of all kinds: warriors, archers, mages—even a couple of semi-humans in light armor.
—Whoa... this is more chaotic than I expected —Kaito muttered.
—Look, look! There's a dragon on the board! Do you think we could hunt it?! —Seri exclaimed, eyes sparkling as she pointed at a quest.
—Let's take it one step at a time... starting with the basics —he replied, an imaginary sweat drop forming at his temple.
They approached the counter. A receptionist with her hair tied back greeted them with a polite smile... which faltered slightly when she saw Seri.
—Good morning. My name is Emilia. How can I help you?
—We'd like to register as adventurers —Kaito said. —She wants to join, and I'll be registering as her companion.
The receptionist eyed them for a few seconds more, then let out a soft sigh.
—Full name, age, and magical affinity?
—Seri Flames. Fifteen years old... fire affinity.
—Fifteen? —the receptionist asked, raising an eyebrow.
—In human years —Seri replied quickly. —I'm a fire elf. That's why I look younger.
The woman looked at her more carefully, as if trying to verify her words... then gave a small nod and wrote it down on a scroll.
—Yes, your ears and hair gave it away.
—Very well. We need to collect your data. Please place your hand on this crystal.
Seri did so without hesitation. The crystal lit up with a bright red flame that glowed for a few seconds.
—Fire affinity confirmed.
Rank: E.
Race: Fire Elf.
Level: 20.
Class: Mage.
The receptionist handed her a small metal plate with her name engraved on it.
—From now on, you can accept E- and F-rank missions.
—Yes! I'm an official adventurer! —Seri shouted, raising the plate like she'd won an Olympic medal.
Kaito smiled without realizing it.
That's what a real smile should look like...
—And you, young man?
—Uh... I don't have an elemental affinity. Can I still register?
The woman frowned.
—Anyone can register as an adventurer, as long as they have what it takes to survive. We don't get in the way.
—Many of the adventurers you see here don't have an active element and rely on their physical skills —she added, gesturing subtly toward the bustling hall.
Kaito looked at the hilt of the sword wrapped on his back. He let out a small sigh.
Why are you hesitating, Amakawa...?
—I'm sorry... yes, please —he finally said.
The receptionist nodded and retrieved another scroll.
—Name: Kaito Amakawa. Age: 15. Element... none.
—Place your hand on the crystal. We'll be done in a moment.
Kaito hesitated for a second.
What if the Church tracks me through this...? What if something weird shows up...?
But there was no turning back now.
The crystal glowed softly, revealing his data.
The woman read them aloud without lifting her eyes:
—No affinity detected.
Rank: F.
Race: Human.
Level: 1.
Class: Swordsman.
She handed him a rectangular metal plate. It was simple, unadorned, but had his name engraved on the front. Kaito held it with both hands, as if it were something fragile.
—Your guild plate. From now on, you can take F-rank missions.
Kaito turned it over.
There it was. Etched in small but firm letters:
Swordsman.
For a moment, he couldn't say anything.
He had always wanted this.
Since he was a kid, he had dreamed of wielding a sword.
Not a magical one, not a legendary one.
Just a sword... his sword.
—Swordsman... —he whispered, a faint smile forming on his lips.
It wasn't much.
It wasn't glorious.
But it was his.
And for him, that meant everything.
Seri watched him silently. She didn't say anything, but her gaze sparkled—as if she too felt this was a special moment.
Kaito carefully tucked the plate into his inner pocket.
—Well then —he said, breaking the silence with a smile. —We're officially a duo now.
—Yes! The strongest of Rank F! —Seri cheered, raising her own plate.
—You're already Rank E. Don't go getting cocky.
—Minor detail —she replied with a mischievous giggle.
The two of them stepped out of the guild under the midday sun, with the lively buzz of Astralis waiting for them outside.