Morning of the next day. Nero and Altia were at Bezzias' dining room, eating a lavish breakfast. The researcher spared no expense to make the two ape-kin comfortable at his home.

"What are your plans for today?" The bat-kin academic asked.

"We are registering at the Adventurer's guild right away," Nero answered. "Then we are going to take a walk through town and probably visit some card shops. Do you recommend any?"

Bezzias smiled. "The Lyceum has a trading station for cards. Several of our students are avid collectors. Usually, the trading station is just for students and staff members, but since you are helping us with our research tomorrow, I arranged junior assistant temporary badges for both of you. They are ready, we just need to pick it up at the Registrar, tomorrow."

"That would be lovely, professor," Altia replied. "We are very grateful for your hospitality and everything else."

"Young Nero, take care of your wife. She's a rare jewel. But no, Mrs. Altia, it is you that I have to give my thanks. You traveled this far during your honeymoon with just a written promise from a total stranger. I must admit, I have some theories that are unproven about the nature of Levels and some esoteric functions of the Arbitrium. So far, I was unable to prove any of them because there wasn't anyone to test them on. Enter Mr. Nero and his Level cap of zero, here. It is a unique opportunity and it will advance our understanding of the world by leaps and bounds, as my rabbit-kin associate likes to say."

"We wouldn't come if that was true, professor," She continued. "After all, we know our precious gadgeteer Gloom is alumni of your research group, and Tinkwezilsky was extremely kind to us during his visit."

"Then it is perfect! Glom is in town and probably at the department preparing the next batch of devices to activate next month, I am sure he will appreciate the visit of his friends."

"In that, we agree, professor. We look forward to visiting the Lyceum tomorrow."

They finished breakfast and made their way out into the front garden. The elf coachman, Lamuril, was waiting for them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Nero, master Bezzias ordered me to drive you around town today. Please, this way."

"There's no..." Nero started but Altia tugged his arm. "We are grateful for your service, Lamuril. Please, lead on."

They climbed in the horseless carriage and it sauntered toward the guild square. They saw several carriages and young people in uniform, all of them sporting Arbitrii in their wrists, walking down the street toward the Lyceum and Lamuril confirmed they were students. The Lyceum tuition was not funded by the Kingdom, and commoners and nobles alike had to pay for the classes they enrolled in a credit system. Most commoners took the job of Adventurer to pay for their tuition in Essence and cards. The country bumpkin Nero didn't see not much value in higher education but Altia's eyes were shining.

The capital in the morning was buzzing with activity. Housewives visiting the market to buy their groceries, Adventurers and others streaming in and out of the guilds to fulfill or look for jobs. While most Adventurers just delved and sold their loot, there was always this or that person that needed specialized help and the guilds facilitated the connection for a fee.

The carriage stopped next to the Adventurer's guild and Nero felt dozens of eyes on them. The prototype horseless vehicle was not commonplace. The elf driver nimbly jumping down to open the door for the 'young master' and 'young mistress' as he called them helped even less.

"Lamuril, is there any protocol to register? I see a line of adventurers, should we enter the line?" Nero asked.

"I don't think so. All of them are already registered Adventurers, you can see it by the metallic plates hanging from their necklaces," The elf replied. "I don't believe you will have much trouble registering. They charge a hundred thousand Essence upfront to register, but that's all."

It was a lot of money. A level one-hundred monster killed by an Adventurer with the same level would drop a crystal worth four thousand Essence. The outcome of the fight would be fifty-fifty. Imagine twenty-five such fights. That was why Adventurers of a higher level only hunted at the lower end of their absorption threshold, getting way less Essence per kill.

"Okay, thanks. We hope it won't take long."

"Don't worry, master Nero. I must escort you wherever you want for the whole day."

Altia took Nero's arm and waved at the elf. "Thank you, Lamuril. We'll be on our way."

The couple climbed the steps to the guild, ignoring the attention of the adventurers lined up to enter the building. At the door, an attractive kitsune dressed in a navy blue uniform flagged them. Kitsunes were like the wolfmen, in which they had the head of a fox and tails but not digitigrade legs. They were all female though, while the wolfmen had both genders. This kitsune, in particular, had two tails.

"Welcome to the Adventurer's guild. How may I help you? This way inside, please."

They stepped into the building. The guild had three distinct sections, separated by a large lobby. to the left, there was a tavern, with rowdy patrons and raucous noise. Some people, like a dwarf in a full plate but without a helmet, drank and brooded in silence. Straight ahead was a place to barter. People could trade cards with the guild or purchase merchandise, like bandages, potions, torches, and other adventuring gear. Finally, to the right, there was a row of booths where people could talk to a receptionist to solve some problems or take on special jobs. On the walls facing the street, two massive boards had slips of paper with requests for specialized jobs.

"We are new Adventurers and would like to register," Nero replied.

The keyword seemed to be 'register'. As soon as Nero uttered that, a commotion happened at the back. The sound of plate armor clinking as its owner walked approached. A knight came from behind the kitsune. The distaste in the guild receptionist's face was visible. She was baring part of her fangs in a snarl, her shoulders were tense. The dwarf knight came to the side of the receptionist.

"You two," his voice was deep like a rockslide in a deep cavern, "You are drafted for the army. Follow me."

Nero studied the knight. He seemed like an ordinary knight, without any insignia of rank. He then met Altia's gaze as to ask, 'what should I do' and his wife raised just a finger to point at the kitsune. 'Register', she mouthed.

"We thank you for your offer, kind sir. But we decline it."

The kitsune blinked with surprise. The dwarf frowned. The blurb of the guild dimmed until almost total silence.

"Can you speak language, ape-kin?" he roared. "I said you are drafted. Come with me."

"Yes, I can speak language very well, sir. However, my wife and I are not going. We are registering at the guild."

There was shock written in the receptionist's face. The knight took a step forward and slapped one of the kitsune's tails out of the way. She flinched from the pain and moved aside. The dwarf came as close to Nero as he could without touching the young man.

"You are drafted, kids. You are now part of the army. There's no discussion! Unless..." He left the threat hanging.

"Miss, are the knights so desperate they are now poaching from the guilds?" Nero ignored the dwarf and asked the kitsune. He spoke 'poaching' way louder than the rest.

"The-they are not poaching," She stammered.

"Aye. I am not poaching. I am drafting."

"If you are taking us by force from the guild grounds, kind Knight, it is poaching. It is as bad as hunting in the King's forest, may he long live."

Nero was afraid of the Knight but he also knew that there was nothing physical he could do to get away from the situation. The knight had to either give up or drag them screaming. So he fought in the only arena where they were equal. With words. He even put his hands behind his back, holding his wrists.

"Ye dinnae show me respect, lad, I'm cavin' yer noggin'" The angry dwarf slipped into his own dialect.

"I am showing you all the respect you deserve, sir knight. If you allow me a question, is this a demand or an invitation?"

"A draft, ye daft fool!" He shouted, spittle flying at Nero's face. The young man was apparently unfazed and it made the dwarf even angrier.

"We seem to be stuck in a matter of semantics, sir. But I must warn you we are research assistants at the Lyceum. I am sure the covenants also protect the staff of that noble institution as much as it protects the esteemed Adventurer's Guild members."

It did. And both the dwarf, Nero, and everyone else in the hall knew that.

"Show me your badges. Now!" There was a vein at the dwarf's temple about to pop.

"They are at the registrar, sir. We hadn't time to procure them, but if you contact Master Tinkwezilsky, he will surely confirm our status."

Nero was betting on the gnome's reputation as a master Gadgeteer. From the reaction of the crowd, he was about to win.

The dwarf raised a gauntlet, the fist clenched.

"WHO DARES DISTURB THE GUILD'S PEACE?"

An almost melodic voice shouted with enough power to shatter crystal. Nero's ears were ringing but at least he still had all his teeth save for the wisdom ones. In both senses. The buzzing of an insect and a wee tiny figure came into sight. It was a pixie, a diminutive fairy two feet tall, dressed in the same navy blue uniform of the receptionists but with badges of rank on her sleeves and cuffs. The kitsune feared the pixie more than the dwarf Knight, and that could mean only one thing.

Nero still had his hands clasped at his back and his feet were in a relaxed position while the dwarf was in a combat stance. Altia still had her arms locked with him, looking at the people involved.

"What is happening here?" The pixie demanded with her bell-like voice. "Knight Gufgarm, why are you about to pulverize the head of an Adventurer in my guild?"

The dwarf lowered his fist and shifted his stance, sliding the front feet as to put some distance between him and Nero.

"I am inviting these two youngsters to enlist in the army as we agreed, guild master." The dwarf stated with barely repressed anger.

"We graciously decline your invitation, kind sir. As I told you," Nero spoke out-of-order.

The pixie fluttered next to him. "Why is your face covered in water... no, ale?" She asked Nero.

"Guild master, my skin was a bit dry from the train trip, the kind knight here offered to moisturize it. Since he had only two choices of body fluids as sweat would take too long, we settled for spittle." Nero deadpanned.

Altia pinched him. Some spectators laughed. The now furious and probably insulted dwarf threw his punch. The pixie got in the way.

"[Sanctuary Shield]", she chimed.

The fist stopped an inch before the pixie's body. A lattice of energy in the shape of triangles formed, spreading from the point of impact and forming a sphere around the pixie. The dwarf's gauntlet, forearm, and hand exploded into a spray of blood and bits of bone. That'd be Nero's head if the fairy Skill hadn't reflected the damage. The knight wailed in pain, clutching what remained of his arm below the elbow to staunch the bleeding.

"You assaulted a guild employee," the fairy chimed. "Our agreement to allow the army to invite our members is now void in all guild branches under my jurisdiction. Remove yourself from the premises! [Zone of Peace]!"

Nero felt inner calm. His fears were slowly unraveling and he sighed. There was a warm, calming, and homely glow all around the fairy. The dwarf stumbled past them, rubbing shoulders with Nero. The crowd that gathered in front of the door parted for the knight and he kept limping away, leaving a trail of blood.

One minute after the dwarf disappeared, the whole guild roared. Mugs were raised, toasts called.

"Young man, what is your name? Are you fearless or just stupid?" The pixie asked.

"My wife here is more qualified to answer, ma'am," Nero waved in Altia's direction.

"Too stupid," Altia groaned with clenched teeth.

Another round of laughter.

"You look familiar, kid. What is your name?"

"Nero, ma'am."

"Nero? Nero? I knew a young minnid named Nero once. Fifteen years ago, a suckling."

Someone shouted from the peanut gallery, "It's him, I can smell the milk from here!" Inciting another riot.

"May I ask your mother's name, young man?"

"It's Rhynne, guild master," Altia answered when Nero hesitated.

"Rin! Everything is explained! You're Byron's spawn! Thankfully you only inherited his idiocy. And your mom's looks!"

The pixie fluttered and flew in circles, doing even some somersaults in the air. She giggled then called the kitsune.

"Alma, register these two immediately. For their favor to the guild, I'm waiving their registration fee."

"As you command, guild master!" The kitsune fell into her professional demeanor.

"Rin's child! Oh, you must tell me all about her! I'm dreadfully busy right now and I have dozens of branches to contact including the commanding officer of that moron. Where are you staying?"

"We are guests of professor Bezzias, ma'am."

"Excellent. I know him. We'll talk. Later!" She fluttered up the stairs.

With the guild master away, the adventurers crowded Nero and Altia. All of them wanted to shake Nero's hand or buy him a drink. A gnome mage gifted him a handkerchief to wipe his face.

A wave of heat washed over everyone. The kitsune receptionist's tails were on fire. "Backoff, everyone. Yes, our newbie is the man of the moment! Let me register him then you can haze him. Otherwise, you are harassing a civilian!" It seemed her courage returned now that the knight was gone. "And someone cleans up this mess!" She pointed at the spray of dwarf bits. The flames died and her uniform wasn't even singed.

Nero and Altia did their registration. It consisted of just giving some personal data, their Arbitrium serial number, and the receptionist engraved it on a plaque she gave them. The guild had no rankings between adventurers. Personal power was enough for that. She did ask for their levels but it was an optional question, so they left it blank.

They were about to leave when the Adventurers dragged them to the tavern. "The lads here want to show you their appreciation. I am sorry for your lady here, you must have balls of steel to face a knight unnerved."

"Oh, trust me. I was scared," Nero confessed. "But what good it makes to be scared and frozen by fear? That's how people die in the Dungeon, my father taught me."

"Yeah, the guild master is right. He's [Armsmaster] Byron's spawn," one of the older adventurers said. "His father is my pal! Hey, kid, you see Byron, tell him that toothless Mick sent his regards!"

"Can we buy you some ale? Are you old enough to drink?"

"We need to visit a ton of places yet, guys. If you must, I'd like your help. We are trying to collect all the tier I Skills and Classes, if you have any whites you aren't using, we'd appreciate."

The adventurers laughed. The request was so childish they decided to humor the kid. Altia facepalmed. Nero could be so shameless at times!

"Heck. You're not equipping them, right?"

"No, sir. No way I'd burden myself forever with white cards. My father would do to my head the same the dwarf did to himself."

The Adventurers all took decks from their bandoliers and after selecting a few cards, slapped several white ones on the table in front of Nero. The pile of cards grew and grew. Nero grinned. One tick on his shopping list, for free.