The interior of the Adventurers' Guild hall was loud, smelling of dark ale, roasted meats, and polished leather. Heavy timber beams supported a high ceiling, and despite the early hour, groups of armored men and women gathered around sturdy oak tables, laughing, drinking, and comparing weapons.
Arthur stepped past the heavy double doors, his eyes sweeping across the room. Along the far wall stretched a long counter manned by several clerks, and behind them hung a massive wooden board pinned with hundreds of parchment notices—the quest board.
He walked calmly toward an open spot at the counter. Behind it sat a sharp-eyed receptionist with light brown hair pulled into a neat bun. Her badge read Elena, and she gave Arthur a polite, practiced smile as he approached.
"Welcome to the Border Outpost Adventurers' Guild," she said, her voice smooth and professional. "How can I assist you today? Looking to post a contract, or are you registering as an adventurer?"
"I'd like to register," Arthur replied, his tone steady and confident.
"Of course," Elena said, pulling a blank parchment scroll and a small crystal orb from beneath the counter. "The registration fee is five copper coins. After that, we'll perform a quick aptitude test to record your baseline stats and establish your starter rank."
Arthur reached into his pouch, placing five copper coins—the remainder of what Robin had lent him—onto the counter.
Elena collected the coins with a nod, then pushed the smooth, pale blue crystal orb toward him. "Place your right hand on the measuring stone and channel a small drop of your mana into it. Don't worry if nothing happens at first; most baseline beginners struggle to feel their energy on their first try."
Arthur stepped forward and placed his palm flat against the cool surface of the stone.
[Status Manifest]
Instantly, the pale blue stone flared with a brilliant, blinding crimson light. A sharp hum reverberated through the wood of the counter, causing several nearby adventurers to turn their heads in surprise.
Inside the crystal, intricate golden runes spun rapidly before projecting a crisp, glowing sheet of light into the air directly in front of Elena.
Status[GUILD APTITUDE MEASUREMENT]Measured Level10ClassMagic SwordsmanMana AffinityFire / Physical EnhancementActive Spells Detected3
Elena blinked, her professional composure vanishing as her eyes widened at the floating numbers. She looked from the glowing display back to Arthur, who stood completely relaxed with his hand still resting on the orb.
"Level... Level 10?" she murmured, her voice dropping as she double-checked the stone's inscription. "And three active spell affinities already unlocked? Are you a noble traveler from the capital, or a knight's apprentice?"
"Just a wanderer who's been training in the wild border forests," Arthur answered smoothly, keeping his posture easy.
Elena cleared her throat, quickly regaining her composure, though a tinge of genuine respect now showed in her posture. "Well... that is certainly an exceptional starting baseline. Normally, all new registrants begin at F-Rank. However, with Level 10 stats, you qualify to bypass the basic tutorial requirements." This chapter was taken from NovelPing without permission.
She took a dark wooden tag carved with a basic registry number. from a velvet-lined drawer, used a small stylus to etch Arthur's name and details into the wood, and handed it across the counter.
"This is your official Guild Identification Plate," Elena explained. "You are registered as an F-Rank Adventurer, but with your stats, you are cleared to take on E-Rank contracts immediately if you wish. Completing three successful E-Rank quests will automatically promote you to official E-Rank."
Arthur took the wooden plate, feeling its weight in his hand, before sliding it into his vest pocket.
"Thank you, Elena," Arthur said. "Where can I find the hunting contracts for the badlands outside town?"
Elena pointed toward the right side of the massive wooden board. "The green parchment notices on the far right. Just pick a notice, bring it back to me to officially log it, and you're good to go."
Arthur nodded, turning toward the quest board with a clear goal in mind.
First contract, first payout, he thought, his eyes scanning the bounties for a high-reward hunt. Time to earn enough gold to secure everything.