Mark and I made our way back at the inn, we still have one more day and night to rest before the big event the day after tomorrow.

We said goodbye to each other and decided to see each other tomorrow in the same lobby we met today. I went to my bed and passed out immediately

***

I woke up....

"Haaaaaa"

It was already 8am and I rested for a good 5 minutes before tidying myself.

I was waiting in the same lobby Mark and I have free breakfast and Lunch according to the reception lady that we met yesterday, that was convenient so that we wouldn't have to go out and prepare meals ourselves. I waited for 7 minutes and finally I saw a sleepyhead walk down the stairs

"Good morning sleepyhead when would be the time where you would wake up before this young lady?"

"Good morning Elizabeth, sorry I really like sleeping so I guess that would be impossible to achieve"

"Haaaa..... you're hopeless even in just waking up, moreover, you can't keep up with that attitude when we get accepted into the army you know."

"I know, that's why I've been trying my hardest to wake up early."

It's no good he hasn't even noticed that his hair is a mess should I point it out for him? no, it would be better if he notices it himself I wonder what kind of expression he'll make? I can't wait.

We decided to sit at a table a bit farther than the window, the sun is currently facing the window side, it would be unpleasant to eat while bathing in the morning sunshine.

I was currently craving for something hot to eat so I decided to eat porridge, Mark has an appetite as always so he went for chicken with rice.

After our order arrived it seems that Mark finally noticed his messy hair, he was currently groomed fine he was wearing a plain blue shirt with a vest with normal jeans. But his hair is a mess.

I was wearing a green tank top covered with a light blue jacket, from below, I was wearing a short skirt with white thigh high socks.

"Wait... why didn't you tell me sooner that I have this kind of hair?"

"Ahahaha it was just too entertaining, I mean, look at it there's a big piece of hair standing out from the rest"

Mark's hair was messy and there was a huge spike of hair standing out from the rest, I believe it was called an ahoge but it doesn't suit him at all. Come on... you know that ahoge only suits cute girls.

He arranged his hair and I called out to him.

"Hey... Don't mess with your hair in front of the food, what if your dandruff goes in the food!? it will get gross."

"No it wouldn't I already had my hair cleaned, its just that... I haven't combed it that's all."

"Please mind your manners in front of the food, didn't you study about food etiquette in the academy before you graduated?"

"Of course I did, but I don't remember most of the teachings in the academy anymore, it's been a long time already so I probably forgot about most of them now."

"Haaah.....you really are hopeless aren't you?"

After finishing our meals we decided to go back to the main lobby. we discussed what we should do for the day.

"So Mark would you like to go to the guild hall?"

"Guild hall? that place is only full of adventurers, what would we gain there?"

"Since we didn't get information from the people in the market, I guessed that the guild has probably more information regarding things in this town. maybe we could get some information too regarding the final test that we will be facing tomorrow, there's bound to be adventurers that aimed to become soldiers at one point but did not make it."

"You seem to be aware of the standings of the adventurers Elizabeth."

"My father was good friends with a skilled adventurer that was probably why I came to an understanding thst adventurer's aren't all money hungry"

We decided to go to the guild, we need to gather information after all.

The guild is located near the entrance of the town, we would need to pass by the market in order to reach it. we walked alongside each other, there were a few people looking at our direction when we passed it was probably because of my radiant blazing hair, I was already used to this kind of setting so I didn't pay it any mind. Mark seems to be looking in my direction but he seems to get the message and didn't bother me.

Finally we reached the guild hall, it was a huge building with an unusual entrance. the door was 2 big metal doors kinda like what you see in castle walls only smaller in size. there were several adventurers scattered around, some of them were wearing plain leather armors with weapons like spears and swords at their side. while a few of them were wearing armors almost similar to the armors of veteran knights, I could only assume that they could be some bigshot adventurers.

We made our way inside the guild, the adventurers outside took a glance at us with uninterested faces, we didn't pay them any mind naturally

The metal door made a clack metallic sound and we made our way inside, it was pretty loud. At the front was the reception desk it was probably there where we could ask for information at the side there were adventurers looking at the wall, the wall contained a corkboard with a lot of papers sticking around, it was the place where adventurers take on jobs and gain money.

Adventurers don't have stable income, so they take on different jobs. The difficulty of the requests means there are better rewards but of course it is more risky; some dangerous jobs include monster slaying it was not a job beginners should dwell into. The adventurers have their freedom to choose what job they will take. But only fools would take high paying jobs without experience, it was a ticket straight to your demise.

We went into the reception desk, I glanced at the side while making our way into the reception desk. It seems like there is a bar at the other side of this wall as I can hear vulgar laughter.

We made it at the front desk of the guild

"Welcome...are you new here? would you like to apply as adventurers?"

"Ah no, actually we came to ask about some things... about the upcoming final program to become a soldier at Gristos"

"Ah, in that case you should ask the middle aged man that's in the bar at the other side of this hall, he was a former soldier but he retired and became an adventurer instead."

"What's his name?"

"His name is.... Orlando"

"Orlando... I see thanks, we will ask him."

"He can be a bit mysterious sometimes but he's a good person"

"I will keep that in mind"

Mark said casually.

We went inside the bar and received uninterested stares from the adventurers. Some of them didn't pay any mind to us at all. that was honestly better than receiving more unwanted attention.

We saw a middle aged man alone at a corner table; he had a black hat with a shirt with a black vest and he was smoking in a pipe he looked like those guys in detective shows that is actually a top tier investigator.

We approached him and greeted him.

"Hello, are you Mr. Orlando?"

"That man is indeed I, do you need something from this old man young lady?"

"Yes, actually me and this man over here are aspiring soldiers and we took the test yesterday and passed the first test, we were wondering if we could find some information regarding the difficulty of the final test in order to have a higher chance of passing."

"I see, so the guild lady told you that maybe I could be of some help to you?"

"That is so."

"Then... I can probably share some information that I have experienced myself but of course, information comes with a price"

He had a gleaming look on his face it was pretty intimidating but I held my ground and asked him anyway.

"What would be the price that should be paid to you Mr. Orlando?"

"A single night would do"

"Huh....!!!"

"Huh?! what did you say old man?!"

Mark got irritated with his attitude I blocked him before he got to Mr. Orlando if I didn't stop him right here and right now things could take an ugly turn.

"Hahahahaha... kids these days can't take a joke. I am a simple man and for information a wine case would do. Would that price be alright with you?"

".... I am fine with that."

"Then take a seat this will be a bit of a long talk, so relax yourselves."

He offered us a bread that he already took a bite of I graciously denied with a smile on my face, Mark was a bit terrified when I smiled, I can see the cold sweat that ran down from his spine.

Mark instead bought us our own food in the bar he bought a croissant bread with juice as our beverage he put it on top of our table just across Mr. Orlando

Then he started to talk about his tale when he was still in the army.