Falling to sleep, I finally felt like I was on the right path. Tomorrow, I told myself, I would visit the commissary to check out a quest.

The next morning, Will woke up and looked over his Merchant's Guild card for the fourth time. "Finally, I'm on the right track," Will sighted. "But, regardless, I still have to live this life according to the norms of people around me. I guess I better get dressed and head over to the commissary," said Will as he got out of bed.

Eating a quick breakfast, Will headed to the commissary to check-out a suitable quest. The commissary was a giant pagoda. On the first-floor cadets and faculty could check out quests and submit monster parts or bodies for points. Also, the first floor had different picnic tables for people to sit and chat. Recruiters were also present on the first floor, trying to get first year cadets or stags to join established guilds.

Knight guilds were a lifetime commitment and different guilds focused on different missions. The Guardian Guild's mission was to defend the kingdom and they often took senior positions in the military. The Black Night Guild's were assassins for the kingdom, the Wayward Knights were mercenaries, the Golden Knight Guild fought against injustice (the Golden Knights were mostly commoners), the Merchant Knights sold themselves as bodyguards for merchant caravans or rich nobles and the Valkyrie were a knights guild composed of only women whose mission was to protect the virtue of women. The Valkyrie did a number of jobs, but were best know for protecting the queen and princesses.

I was amazed at the number of people, interactions, shouting, soliciting happening on the first floor. Different guilds occupied the upper floors of the pagoda. And different guilds also received specific quests that could not be found on the first floor. Guilds also offered protection for cadets from being victimized by others, be they other cadets or influential people. I was amazed at the pagoda and stood at the entrance taking in the building.

"First timer, huh," said an older cadet. I could tell he was a fourth year, because he had a lion emblem on this front left chest. I could also tell he had a lot of accommodations. "Let me guess your William vont Ballard, right?"

"How…do you know me," I stuttered.

"I'm Gerald, I'm in the Guardian Guild. I joined my first year, your brother told me to look out for you!" He replied.

"You knew Jason, I thought anyone who knew him would be long gone by now?" I said quizzically. There was an 11-year age gap between us. Jason and I were never close for that very reason. When I did see Jason, he was the typical older brother, loving and kind. He pushed me physically, but I could tell he did it with love. But Jason and I never developed a relationship beyond that.

"Are you kidding me, Jason is a legend around here! He had the greatest number of points before he graduated. He also won the most mock battles before he graduated. Now, he is youngest lieutenant in the army, and the rumor is he'll make captain by the end of the year. Your brother is a legend here, why do you think so many people haven't bothered you yet. They know our guild is looking after you." Gerald said excitedly.

Just then I realized, I was an idiot! I knew hazing happened in college and it was normal for cadets to battle after class. Yet, I never stopped to think why no one challenged me to a battle. Why, people would walk by me in the garden while I trained, without being an asshole. Now, I know. I felt so naïve, so clueless, and I hated that feeling. I hate feeling ill informed. I spent an entire week at the academy completely clueless to what was happening around me. I was so ashamed and embarrassed. I bowed to Gerald and thanked him and I asked him to thank the guild.

"So are you going to join?" Gerald asked.

"Oh no, I wasn't planning on joining a guild. I just wanted to check out quest for new cadets," I tried my best to avoid being disrespectful, after all they done for me.

"Haha, your brother said you try your best to wiggle out of joining a guild and just focus on being a merchant," Gerald stared at me and laughed.

I felt ungrateful and exposed at the same time. How did Jason know my plans all this time, and expose me like this? My stupid older brother, just wait, I'll pay you back. Now, that Gerald and the Guardians knew my plans I felt cornered. This was the same feeling I felt when my father convinced me to join the Knight Academy. Why did my life goals always seem to diverge from my plans? Why couldn't my life ever go the way I planned. Wait, I'm an older man, why do I sound like an adolescent brat. I know life never goes according to plan, yet here I was complaining like a normal 13-year-old.

I exhaled and agreed to follow Gerald to the top floor of the pagoda to the offices of the Guardians. I was surprised that the Guardians were the most prestigious guild, but Gerald explained how both the king and military provided funds to the guild. While other guilds made their money through quest, the Guardians were provided steady support by the kingdom itself. I was amazed by this fact and realized that joining a guild was much like joining a fraternity on earth. Back on earth, I was a 30th degree Mason. When I had time, I always enjoyed the lodge meetings.

Looking around the floor, I met several people who were very nice and extremely patriotic. Some of the people reminded me of American's back home who took patriotism to another level and always spoke and dressed about the flag. I loved America, and wore a flag pin on occasions, but my patriotism began and ended with the almighty dollar.

"Hey William, let me introduce you to the Guardian Knight Commander at the academy," Gerald said leading me around a corridor to a large room, sparsely decorated.

"Come in Will," said Marshall Rolf.

When I saw Marshall Rolf, I immediately stood at attention and gave my best salute. I was so scared he was going to ask me to run extra laps or more physical training. Oh, how I regretted following Gerald. This is a trap, I walked into trap, right?

"Relax cadet, this isn't class. Frankly, I am happy to see you, I was wondering when you were going to come for a visit. Jason told us so much about you, he's very proud of you and I can see why," Marshall Rolf sounded like a different person. Was this really the Marshall, why was he acting so nice?

"Thank you, sir," That was all I could muster. I was so confused and off balance. I was expecting anything to come out of the Marshall's mouth, expect for an actual conversation.

"Listen Will, you have a higher than normal mana pool at this academy. And, it's no secret that Elder Thaddeus has taken a liking to you. Two things that really stand out and may lead to bright future. Jason told us that you didn't want to be a knight and fighting on the front lines is the last thing you want to do. But I think there is room for someone like you in our guild. We get lots of requests that other guilds don't get because of our patriotism. I don't expect you to join a guild, but if you do we can provide you resources' and a quest specifically

targeted to our combine interest. We've never had a cadet like you, and I think you could fulfill a number of different roles in the guild and academy. What you'd get, are the guild's connections, influence, and a chance to build credibility," Marshall Rolf set the term of agreement.

At first Will was hesitant to join a guild, but the term of the agreement were interesting. Knowing that Will would have a hard time starting a business, making connections, and building one's credibility were time consuming efforts. Having done that in his past life, Will knew the amount of time and commitment it would take. Will knew that people would buy, sell, or trade based on the person you were, at least at the initial stage of operating a business. Will knew that with the Guardians' reach, and name recognition he could get a head start on his business.

"If I was to join this guild what would be the expectations?" Will asked

"Cadets who join the Guardians must swear to uphold the laws of the kingdom, fight against the kingdom's enemy, and swear to protect the royal family from harm. After inducted into the guild, guild members must complete at least two quest per week, unless they are taking a respite. After graduation cadets are expected to join the military for a mandatory year of service, where as a knight you will be required to command a unit. However, the military has openings in several areas," the Marshall explained.

I knew that if I wanted to enjoy my continued solitude, I had to join a guild. I might as well join the same guild as my famed older brother. At least his prestige would benefit me in unexpected ways. I agreed to Marshall Rolf's conditions. I registered with the guild and gave the oath. I received a shield pin to add next to my stag pin on my chest. Next, Marshall Rolf asked Gerald to escort me to the quest board.

I was surprised to see the hundreds of requests, some similar to the first floor, others different, and even some were secret mission that required a meeting with Marshall Rolf. I didn't have to look long, Gerald handed me a quest.

"Marshall Rolf said to give this to you, if you ever decided to join the guild," Gerald informed me.

The quest was for a bookkeeper for the library to keep track of overdue fines. Funny enough, Elder Thaddeus issued the quest for a bookkeeper to come to the library twice a month, meeting my guild requirement. Even better, the number of points for a successful job well done was 10 points. While 10 points didn't seem like much, it was the average amount first year cadets earned for completing a quest. Some quest could take weeks to turn in, and some cadets would fail to complete a quest. I would earn a steady stream of points, without a chance of failure. I would also get a chance to spend more time reading. I turned the quest into Marshall Rolf, and he told me to report the library on second and fourth day of the week.

As I was about to head out, Marshall Rolf told me to wait.

"Will before you, I forgot to mention that guildmembers could earn guild points, by helping the guild with areas of deficiency. Currently, the guild is lacking a Quartermaster. As the Guardian's Quartermaster it will be your job to create a sustainable logistic system to make sure our guild's cadets maintain their advantage. This position has been open for ten year and no one applied for it despite it being one of the five commander positions in our guild," Marshall Rolf said.

This was a shock, in one day, I received two different jobs. While both contributed to graduation, guild points could be used to purchase items from the guild. I wanted to reject the position, telling the Marshall I already had my hands full. But, the Marshall told me rather than asking if I was interested, and truth be told, I was afraid of the Marshall Rolf. Without saying anything, I saluted Marshall Rolf and left. Gerald followed me down to the first floor.

"Hey Will, I know Marshall Rolf surprised you with that job. He kind of voluntold you, you would be Quartermaster, but it really is an honor. The guild has never had a first-year commander. Even your brother did not become commander until his second year," Gerald tried to lift my spirit.

"Gerald, what are the five corps the Marshall was talking about," I asked.

"The five corps or branches are infantry, intelligence, engineer, signal and quartermaster. Obviously, the infantry is the most prestigious and quartermaster is the least prestigious. Out of the five corps, only quartermaster is a non-front-line or support branch. You know what infantry is, intelligence gather information on the enemies, engineer creates or removes obstacles for the infantry to engage or inhibit the enemy, and signal communicates with headquarters and different infantry unity," Gerald informed me.

"Okay, now I had an idea of the structure of the Guardians. And what is it that I'm suppose to do?" I asked.

"Your job is work with the Merchant's Guild to make sure guild's supplies arrive on time and that the needs for each corps are met. The commanders of the different corps will reach out to you with request and it's your job to see those orders get filled within budget. It's a monumental task, and a huge headache that's why no one wanted it. Be sure to report on the third and fifth weekdays to meet your duties otherwise, you will be penalized. And the guild master's penalties are brutal," Gerald finished before leaving me to wallow.

I spent the rest of the day, studying and planning out my week. In the first month of classes. I set a goal to meet my quest, guild duties; complete the rock armor, and start on [rock spike].