Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Chapter 8

Aria:"I have no idea what your unique magic will be. It might not be helpful at all."

Becket:"It doesn't matter what it is. The fact that you're will to give one to me shows your appreciation."

Aria:"Take off your shirt."

I slipped my shirt off and tossed it over to the bed. During our stay here I had personally stripped the sheets off the bed and washed them. I used a scented shampoo I created from some of the flowers growing in the room which Aria and I also used to wash our hair and bodies. Aria flew up to my chest and placed both hands near my heart.

Aria:"Brace yourself. I've never done this before so I'm not sure what might happen."

A light started to leak from her hands and began flashing. The flashes sped up until they matched my heartbeat. I started to feel a tingling feeling in my chest then an intense pain when I was suddenly sent flying backwards into the wall.

Aria:"Becket!"

Becket:"I'm ok. My chest hurts a little, but other than that I'm fine."

I stood up and shook each limb to see if they were hurting. The pain in my chest faded and I had no injuries so walked back over to Aria.

Becket:"Did it work?"

Aria:"It should have. I only know how to bless someone. I've never seen it done before or met anyone that's gone through it so I'm not sure if it worked."

I didn't feel any different so I hopped a few times in place then tried a few jabs and kicks, but I felt completely normal.

Becket:"Nothing seems different."

Aria:"Should we try again?"

Becket:"No. I might already have it but don't understand how to use it. I wouldn't want you to waste a blessing by trying it again."

Aria:"Ok. So what do you have planned for today?"

Becket:"So far all I've got planned is eating breakfast Gene."

Aria:"That's boring. I haven't gotten to really see the city yet."

Becket:"It can't be helped. It would draw to much attention if others saw you."

Aria:"There's got to be some way."

I placed my hand on my chin and started to think for a few minutes.

Becket:"I think I might have an idea."

Aria:"Really!"

Becket:"We'll talk about it after I finish breakfast."

Aria:"Ok!"

I left Aria in the room with some food for her to eat while I went to eat with Gene who I've been having breakfast with every other morning. Aria started to feel lonely eating alone so I decided to eat with her one day and Gene the next. I rotate between the two since they both seem to really want me around. For breakfast Gene usually pulls up chairs to the counter where guests check in. He's always the cook which isn't a good thing. I assume his wife cooked all his meals before. I was curious how he stayed in business since there had only been two guests since I started staying here and they only stayed for a night each.

Gene:"So what are you doing in this city anyway?"

Becket:"I wish I knew. For now I want to learn about this place before setting off into the world."

Gene:"So you're looking for adventure. Have you joined the adventurers guild?"

Becket:"I've never heard of the adventurers guild. What is it exactly?"

Gene:"It's an organization that popped up a long time ago that gives out dangerous jobs. They can range from mapping out an area to defeating monsters. Even the lowest ranked adventurer is skilled."

Becket:"Hm. Maybe I'll go check it out. Where is it?"

Gene:"It's a few streets down past the three gods churches close to the rear defensive wall of the palace. You won't miss the building."

I finished eating the gruel and went back upstairs. Aria was lying on the bed just kicking her feet up into the air.

Becket:"Aria."

She sat up fast and looked at me.

Becket:"I'm going to visit the adventurers guild. Do you want to come?"

Aria:"Yeah!"

She flew up into the air and I threw my hood up. I untied the ribbon and let my hair fall straight down.

Becket:"Hide behind my neck and use my hair to cover yourself then you'll be able to see the city."

Aria:"Great!"

Aria landed on my shoulder and crawled behind my neck. My hood covered her from the back and my hair covered the parts of her that were visible from the front. The only part you could see was her tiny little face in my hair, but it wasn't likely that anyone would notice that.

I said my farewells to Gene before heading out to the adventurers guild. There was a bit of a crowd so I decided to earn a few extra coins on the way. He was right when he said I wouldn't miss it. It was wooden like most of the buildings in this district, but it had four floors and seemed well maintained. There was a large sign with a picture on it of a man fighting a monster. It showed very detailed looking craftsmanship that wasn't likely cheap. Inside there were four lines of people waiting to talk to one of the women working the counters. The four women working each line were pretty and mature looking.

There was a sign above the counter where each woman worked. Reading from left to right the signs said Explorer, Adventurer, Gladiator and Guardian. I saw a set of stairs to the right of the lines with someone dressed in light armor that appeared to be guarding them.

I assumed the three upper floors were for more important adventurers. I chose to get in the explorers line since judging from their armor they were the bottom in rankings. There were some scented plants in the room that helped with the smell of body odor coming from the men sweating through their armor. After a while of waiting I finally made it to the woman at the counter who had a smile on her face.

Counter Woman:"Hello and what business do you have here today?"

Becket:"I just learned of this guild and I'd like to see what kind of jobs I could get."

Counter Woman:"First you need to sign up as an adventurer. We will create an account that holds all the money you make on each job and it can be accessed at any of our other establishments. A fee is also required for first time members."

She pulled out a black colored wristband with a white crystal imbedded in it. It kind of looked like a watch.

Counter Woman:"This white stone is called a title stone and it will show your personal information. It's a means of identification for guild members. The color of the band that the stone is fastened to signifies your rank in the guild. The bands colors are the same as a ranked mages robe colors. Explorers get black, adventurers get brown, gladiators get grey, guardians get purple, crusaders get blue, champions get green and hero's get red."

Becket:"So I'm guessing the three other floors to this building are reserved for those last three ranks."

Counter Woman:"That's correct."

She hasn't dropped that smile the entire time which is a little creepy.

Counter Woman:"One drop of blood onto the crystal and you will officially join our guild starting as an Explorer."

Becket:"How much is the fee?"

Counter Woman:"10 amythest."

I pulled out my coin pouch and payed the fee.

Counter Woman:"Thank you."

She slid the wristband over to me and I picked it up. After pricking my finger with one of my nails I let the blood drip down onto the white stone. It started to glow then it turned completely red.

Counter Woman:"Welcome to the adventurers guild our new explorer. To check the information just say identify out loud while focusing on the crystal, but be careful around other people since anyone can see your information. The balance of your account will also be listed on there. Would you like to sign up for a job now?"

Becket:"Yes. What do you have?"

Counter Woman:"Since you're still an explorer the jobs will be fairly easy. Lets see.....we have an herb collecting mission inside the dungeon. A merchant needs new ingredients."

*Dungeon sounds bad.*

Becket:"So I just need to collect herbs? What kind?"

Counter Woman:"Herbs are your goal, but in order to prepare you for harder missions you will be placed in a group of adventurers. They have a scouting mission to do so you will accompany them and collect herbs while they scout. We try to rank the new recruits up fast in this guild so expect a little danger with each mission."

Becket:"When will it start?"

Counter Woman:"The adventurers will leave for the dungeon later this afternoon."

She pulled out a blue stone and reached her other hand out towards me.

Counter Woman:"Let me see your title stone."

I passed it back to her. She brushed the blue stone over my now blood red title stone and they both faintly glowed.

Counter Woman:"Now you have been registered for the mission. You have formed a group with the adventurers that you will be working with. The title stone can send short messages to group members so they will send a location when it's time to meet up. The herbs you are looking for have also been registered with the stone so it will glow when they are near. As you get closer to it the glow will intensify."

She passed the wristband back to me and I strapped it onto my wrist like a watch.

Becket:"Thank you."

Counter Woman:"You're very welcome."

She gave a slight bow. Her creepy smile was exactly the same as when we started our talk. I stepped out of the line and made my way to the door. Once outside I head straight back to the inn. Gene was sitting inside alone like usual only this time he had a book.

Becket:"I didn't take you for a reader."

Gene:"I'm usually not. I was cleaning out one of the rooms when I found this hidden under a loose floor board. I've only read a few pages, but so far it's apparently the story of how the world began."

I walked over to him and looked at the book cover. It had a leather bind holding the pages together with a string that wrapped around it.

Becket:"It looks hand made."

Gene:"Yeah it is."

Becket:"Could I look at it for a second?"

Gene:"Sure."

He passed the book over to me. I scanned a few pages before passing it back. It never crossed my mind until now, but why was I able to understand the language of this world? I could understand the people talking to me and I could read their language. It seemed completely normal to me so I never put much thought into it.

Becket:"I'll be in my room if you need me."

Gene:"Ok. See you later."

I walked up the stairs and entered my room.

Aria:"Wow! There were so many people!"

Aria flew out of her hiding spot and hovered near me.

Aria:"I never knew there were so many humans!"

Becket:"This is a city."

Aria:"Can I go with you to collect herbs?"

Becket:"Sure but stayed hidden."

Aria:"Yes!"

I sat down on my bed and started to empty my satchel out. I wanted as much space as possible to carry back herbs. When I was done I sat back on the bed and decided to chill until the group members contacted me. After a few hours of trying and failing to sleep I put my right hand in the air and looked at the title stone. Aria had already fallen asleep next to me. She can sleep all the time if she feels like it.

Becket:"I haven't checked my information yet. Maybe I should."

I sat up in the bed and started to focus on the title stone. I could feel the same pull as when I used my mana for nature magic.

Becket:"Identify."

InformationNameBecket EdwinRaceElfAge102Account Balance0TitlesEnvoy Of The Fairy Princess

Knight Of The Fairy Princess

Keeper Of The Fairy Princess

Blessed One

Wandering Soul

ExplorerMagicsNature

Language ComprehensionBlessingBodily Augmentation

(Through Ingestion)Assigned JobHerb Collecting