What happened next was lunch.
The guildmaster treated us to some chicken skewers, while the vice guildmaster got our paperwork completed.
Once we finished eating, all we had to do was sign the contracts.
We signed them and handed them back over to Anna who sighed.
“Kids, you should never sign a contract without fully reading it and understanding what it says okay?” Oh.
Oops.
“I’m sorry…” Rey shrugged.
“You guys seem okay.
You haven’t given us up at least.” She sighed again.
“I really wish you two didn’t t have to join.
But there aren’t a lot of other options for runaway kids like you.
Here are your guild cards.” She held out two metal slats.
They were engraved with our names and ranks, which was just E right now.
The lowest rank.
When I reached out and touched mine, I felt a shiver run through me.
The card glowed yellow for a second before fading.
AH, I knew what this was.
Magic.
The card imprinted on me, so I couldn’t just trade it to someone else.
It was meant to verify my identity after all.
It was glossy.
The magic shimmering as I tilted it.
The adventurer’s guild’s logo of an A and G intertwined together shining when I tilted it the right way, My attention snapped back to Orick as he grunted.
“Since the two of you are special cases, we’ll waive the fee.
But just how much money do the two of have?” “Uh…” Rey flushed and looked down.
“Twenty silver… and three copper.” “Paltry amount.
Okay Anna, I’m going to be out for the afternoon.” He stood up and grabbed a short coat.
Anna nodded and tapped the papers on the counter to straighten them out.
“Okay.
Ah, you two.
I listed you both as commoners.
Rey, your name is just Rey, and Kat, your name is now Alice, at least on your official record, okay?” Alice?
“Um… can I still go by Kat?” She looked up at me and shrugged.
“It’s very similar to your name Katerina, so it’s a higher risk.
It’s up to you.” Rey grabbed my hand and smiled at me.
“Don’t worry Kat.
If anyone asks, we call you Cat!
Like the animal!
Cause you’re quiet and pretty.” Oh.
Um… “O-Okay…” I looked away from him, flushing on embarrassment.
Orick came around behind our couch and ruffled Rey’s hair.
“Little player already, aren’t you?
Come on you little brats, I’m a busy man.
Let’s get this shopping over with.” Huh?
Rey gave him a dirty look before hopping up.
I followed them out as he asked.
“Why do we have to come with you to do your shopping?” We headed back to the front of the guild as the guildmaster snickered.
“Oh, you’re not coming with me to do my shopping.
I’m going with you to help you with yours.
If I didn’t, you’d probably get ripped off by a shady vendor.
I’ll show the two of you the best shops to go to around town, that are both cheap and reliable.
What supplies do the two of you have now?” Rey kept pace with him as I flagged a footstep behind, heading through the main floor.
“We have a tent, a map of the kingdom, and a hatchet!” Orick looked back at me and slowed down a little.
“Wait, that’s it?” Rey nodded.
“Yeah.
What else would we need?” Orick sighed.
“I can already tell I’m gonna have to walk you both through everything.
Alright kids, pay attention because I’m only gonna tell you this once!” I involuntarily straightened up as he launched into a lecture.
“All adventurers, and smart travelers keep a variety of equipment on them all the time.
Weapons, a few magical items, and other vital pieces of equipment for navigation and to keep you alive out there.
The first is flint, for making fire.
The hatchet, tent, and map you already have is a good start, but you won’t be starting a fire with just a hatchet.
Secondly, you both need waterskins.
They’re treated skins that hold plenty of water for you to drink.
You can’t always count on finding a decent place to drink from on the road, so carrying your own water is essential.
Mess kits, for making and eating food are also essential.
Do the two of you know anything about foraging?” We both shook our heads as we walked along the street.
He tsked.
“I should have guessed.
A basic book about foraging your own edibles won’t hurt then either.
You need to eat plenty of plants in addition to meat and bread, but plants are a lot harder to carry and keep in a pack.
One of you should learn how to hunt or fish so you can source protein on the road too.
Dry rations can be eaten in a pinch, but you can’t sustain off them.
Ah.
Here’s our first stop.” Huh?
I looked up at the sign we stopped at, and the prominent book displayed.
A… a bookstore?
“Hey old man.
I thought we needed supplies, not books.” Orick turned and easily flicked Rey’s forehead, making him yelp and jump back.
“Who’s an A-rank here kid?
Trust me, the first things you and Kat need is some knowledge on how to survive on your own.
Follow me.” He confidently strode inside.
Rey and I shared a glance before hurrying after him.
Orick was already leaning on the counter.
It was cozy inside, with stacks of books everywhere, bookshelves filled to the brim with books, floor to ceiling.
“Knock knock!
Adeline?” “Coming!” A sing-song voice answered, and a woman appeared from the door behind the counter.
She was heavyset, with a pair of round glasses and a friendly smile.
“Guildmaster Orick!
Are you here to pick up my latest romance?” “U-Uh, no Adeline.
I’m taking care of these two squirts today.” He gestured to us.
“They just joined the guild, and they don’t know the first thing about adventuring.
Can I get a beginner herb and forage guide, a book on basic monsters, aaaaaand…” He glanced back at the two of us.
“Hey girlie, you got mana?” Oh.
Uh… “Y-Yes…” “And a book on basic spellcasting.
Trust me Kat, if you have mana then you want to use it.” He leaned casually on the counter, turning towards us.
The lady whistled.
“Goodness, a big spender today, aren’t you?
Okay the price for the beginner herb and forage guide is twenty silvers… for the book on basic monsters, thirty silvers… and the basic spellcasting is… fifty silvers.
A whole gold altogether!” Rey gasped.
“What!?
We can’t pay for all of that!
We only have twenty silvers!” Orick help up his hand and reached into the pouch at his waste.
“Relax you two.
Today, I’ll cover the cost of the books.
Consider it a loan.
Once you two pay me back, I’ll consider you full-fledged adventurers who can make it on your own.” He pulled out the shiny gold coin and set it on the counter.
I’ve only ever seen my parents handle gold coins before.
And they always were so careful with them… The bookseller simply giggled, picking the coin up.
“Let me find what you need then.” She left the counter and began going through the bookstore itself, collecting the titles.
Rey crossed his arms, looking up at Orick, irate.
“We don’t need a loan.
We can get by just fine by ourselves…” Orick grunted and smiled in his rough way.
“Kid, you don’t even know what you don’t know.
How exactly are you going to make money?” “We’ll hunt slimes and collect herbs.” Orick snorted.
“Oh really?
And how do you hunt slimes?
How do you collect those precious herbs?
What do they look like?” Rey was silent.
“We… we haven’t exactly gotten that far yet.” Orick chuckled.
“That’s what I thought.
Kids, Anna and I are busy people.
We can’t just take time off to show you two everything you need to know.
Me buying you these books and lending you the money is the best way I can teach you while also completing my duties as guildmaster.
Of course, it’s up to you two to actually read them…” Rey shuffled, chastised.
“We… we will.
Thank you.” “So, you do know how to show gratitude.
Don’t worry about it kid.
You and Kat just need to focus on getting on your feet.
Adventuring isn’t an easy profession, especially for kids like you.” I bowed my head in gratitude too.
“Thank you for helping us, sir.” “Eh, I doubt it’ll be the last time today.” He turned as the bookseller came back, showing him the books he selected.
He accepted them, and handed them off to me to carry, and I stuck them in my backpack.
He turned to leave.
The bookseller giggled as she waved us out.
“Take care!
And Orick, your order for Lady Carrienne’s The Heart of a Pirate should be in next week!” Orick stumbled a little on the way out.