The receptionist’s fingers stopped moving.
It was a small change, barely noticeable, but Evelyne caught it immediately.
The young woman looked up again, this time with a rather different expression.
"Did you say... de Roselle?"
"Yes."
For a brief moment, the receptionist seemed unsure of how to respond. Then her posture straightened, and her tone became noticeably more formal.
"Please forgive me, Lady de Roselle. I didn’t realize who I was speaking to."
Evelyne offered a restrained smile.
"There’s no need to apologize. I’m here to issue a task, not inspect your manners."
"Of course, my lady."
The receptionist’s attitude had changed almost instantly. Her movements became more careful, and she double-checked the information she had entered before continuing.
Mira watched the exchange with open curiosity.
She had noticed the receptionist’s reaction, but the significance of Evelyne’s surname still seemed to escape her.
Evelyne, on the other hand, was thoroughly familiar with it.
The de Roselle family was not an obscure noble household whose name could be forgotten outside its immediate territory. Its influence extended well beyond the place where it had originated, and its reputation was sufficient to make even strangers reconsider how they addressed its members.
Evelyne had encountered this sort of treatment countless times.
Sometimes it was useful. Sometimes it was irritating. More often than not, it was simply something she had learned to tolerate.
She watched the receptionist carefully, though she said nothing about the sudden change in attitude.
"Now, regarding the task," the receptionist continued. "Do you have a preferred number of Awakeners in mind?"
"Three or four should be sufficient," Evelyne answered. "I’d prefer a group with actual dungeon experience rather than people who simply possess impressive registration records."
"Understood. And may I ask about the intended duration?"
"That will depend on the circumstances inside the dungeon. We’re not looking for a lengthy expedition, but we don’t want to rush the process either."
The receptionist entered the details into the system.
"Very well. I’ll register the request with those conditions. We can also include a requirement for the selected party to discuss the route and anticipated risks with you before departure."
"That would be appreciated."
The receptionist finalized the preliminary details and informed them that the guild would begin looking for suitable candidates.
"Please wait a moment while I check the available applicants. Someone should be able to assist you shortly."
"Thank you."
Evelyne stepped away from the counter, and Mira followed her toward a seating area nearby.
The waiting space was considerably more comfortable than Mira had expected. Several chairs had been arranged around low tables, and a vending machine stood against one wall. A large screen displayed the current mission rankings, including the rewards offered for high-risk assignments.
Mira sat down and looked around.
"So," she said quietly, "it’s good to be rich."
Evelyne turned toward her.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"I did. I was merely giving you an opportunity to reconsider your statement."
Mira leaned back in her chair.
"I mean, look at that. You tell them your name, and suddenly everyone becomes twice as polite."
"That has very little to do with being rich."
"Really?"
"Yes. Money helps, certainly, but status matters too. People tend to be more careful when they believe the person in front of them has the influence to cause trouble if they’re treated poorly."
Mira looked thoughtful.
"So I need money and status?"
"If your goal is to make people nervous merely by introducing yourself, then yes."
Mira nodded slowly, as though committing this important lesson to memory.
"That’s going to be difficult."
Evelyne gave her an amused glance.
"You could always start by learning to introduce yourself without looking as though you’re about to apologize for existing."
Mira immediately straightened.
"I don’t do that!"
"You just did it."
"I did not!"
"Of course not."
Mira puffed out her cheeks.
Evelyne smiled and looked away before her friend could find another argument.
They had barely been waiting for five minutes when the receptionist approached them again.
"Lady de Roselle? We’ve found someone willing to take your request. If you would follow me, I’ll introduce you."
Mira blinked.
"Already?"
"That was quick," Evelyne remarked.
"Yes. We had an applicant with relevant experience available nearby, and he expressed interest as soon as the request appeared in our system."
The receptionist paused before adding, "Given the nature of your request, I thought it would be best to arrange a direct meeting rather than have you discuss the details at the counter."
Evelyne understood the implication.
Perhaps the receptionist was simply being efficient. Or perhaps her surname had encouraged the staff to give the matter a little more attention than an ordinary request would receive.
Either way, Evelyne had no reason to complain.
"Very well," she said. "Please lead the way."
The receptionist personally escorted them past the main counters and toward a corridor on the other side of the lobby.
Unlike the busy reception area, this section was relatively quiet. Several doors lined the walls, each marked with a number and a small digital display indicating whether the room was occupied.
"These rooms are used for private contract discussions," the receptionist explained as they walked. "They allow both parties to discuss the conditions of a task without being disturbed by the surrounding activity."
"That makes sense," Mira replied.
She glanced at the doors as they passed.
Some had their displays illuminated, suggesting that meetings were already taking place inside. From behind one door, she could hear the muffled sound of several people speaking. Another opened briefly, allowing a tall man carrying a folder to step into the corridor before closing behind him.
The receptionist stopped in front of a room near the end.
"Your prospective contractor is waiting inside. You can discuss the details with him directly, and if both parties agree to the terms, the guild will finalize the contract afterward."
"Understood," Evelyne said.
The receptionist gave a polite nod before reaching for the handle.
She opened the door.
Inside sat a middle-aged man with ordinary features and a bulky build. He wore a simple dark jacket over a plain shirt, and his thick forearms rested casually on the table in front of him.
There was nothing particularly remarkable about his appearance.
He did not wear expensive armor, display an impressive weapon, or carry himself with the exaggerated confidence Mira had come to associate with particularly powerful Awakeners.
He simply looked like an ordinary middle-aged man who had come to the guild to conduct some business.
The man raised his head as the door opened.
His gaze moved first to the receptionist, then to Evelyne, and finally to Mira, whose enormous bag of Stinky Boom was still strapped to her back.
For a brief moment, his eyes lingered on the bag.
Then he looked back at the two girls.
"Lady de Roselle?" he asked.
Evelyne returned his gaze with a courteous smile.
"That’s right. And you are the Awakener who accepted our request?"
The man leaned back slightly in his chair.
"I am."
He gestured toward the empty seats across from him.
"Please, have a seat. Before we discuss the contract, I believe there are a few things we ought to clarify."