The Adventurers' Guild was hard to miss. It stood at the edge of Eldwyn's bustling marketplace, a large, two-story building constructed of dark wood and stone. A carved sign hung above the entrance, emblazoned with the image of a crossed sword and staff. The sound of laughter, shouting, and the clinking of mugs spilled out into the street, giving the place a lively, chaotic energy.
Adam and Seren stood outside the building, taking it in.
"This is the Adventurers' Guild?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's one of them," Seren replied. "There are guilds in every major city and town, but Eldwyn's is… well, functional. Barely."
Adam tilted his head. "Barely?"
"You'll see," she said, smirking faintly as she pushed open the heavy wooden door.
Inside the Guild
The interior of the guild was just as chaotic as the sounds outside had suggested. The main hall was large and open, with rows of tables scattered haphazardly across the floor. Adventurers of all shapes and sizes filled the space, some laughing and drinking, others loudly bragging about their latest exploits.
A large noticeboard stood at the far end of the hall, covered in quest posters. Behind it was a long counter where guild staff were busy sorting papers, dealing with complaints, and handing out rewards.
Adam followed Seren to the counter, his gaze flicking around the room. He could feel the weight of several stares on him as they passed—adventurers sizing him up, some curious, others dismissive.
"Don't mind them," Seren said over her shoulder. "They'll lose interest once you start talking to the receptionist."
"Why?" Adam asked, frowning.
Seren gave him a mischievous grin. "You'll see."
The Receptionist
The woman behind the counter barely glanced up as Seren and Adam approached. Her red hair was pulled back in a loose braid, and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.
"Name?" she asked flatly, her quill scratching across a sheet of parchment.
"Seren Vastra," Seren replied. "I'm here to register him."
The receptionist finally looked up, her sharp blue eyes landing on Adam. She raised an eyebrow, her gaze sweeping over him as if measuring his worth in an instant.
"Him?" she asked, unimpressed.
Adam folded his arms. "Is there a problem?"
She smirked faintly, tapping the parchment with her quill. "The guild doesn't register amateurs. If you want to join, you'll need to pass the entry test."
"And what's the test?" Adam asked.
The receptionist gestured to a large door at the back of the hall. "Simple. Head out to the training grounds and prove you're worth our time. If you survive, you're in."
The Training Grounds
The training grounds were a large, open space behind the guildhall, surrounded by a wooden fence. A small crowd of adventurers had already gathered, curious to see the newcomer's test.
Adam stood in the center of the grounds, his sword in hand, as a large, armored man stepped forward to face him. The man was a seasoned adventurer, his muscles bulging beneath his chainmail, and he carried a massive warhammer that looked like it could crush a horse.
"This is your opponent," the receptionist announced, her voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. "If you can hold your own against him for five minutes, you'll pass. If you can beat him, even better."
Adam smirked, lowering into a ready stance. "Let's see what you've got."
The Fight
The armored man charged, his warhammer swinging in a wide arc. Adam sidestepped the blow with ease, the weapon slamming into the ground with enough force to leave a crater.
The crowd murmured in surprise as Adam countered, his sword flashing toward the man's side. The armored adventurer barely blocked the strike, his warhammer coming up in time to deflect the blow.
"Fast," the man muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Adam didn't respond, pressing the attack. He moved with precision, his sword strikes quick and deliberate, forcing the larger man to stay on the defensive. The crowd watched in awe as Adam's speed and skill began to overwhelm his opponent.
Finally, the armored man overextended, his warhammer swinging wide. Adam saw the opening and moved in a blur, his nuclear core humming faintly as he delivered a powerful strike that knocked the man's weapon from his hands.
The fight ended with the tip of Adam's sword resting against the man's neck.
Guild Approval
The crowd erupted in cheers and applause as the armored man stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief.
"You've got skill, stranger," he said, clapping Adam on the shoulder. "Welcome to the guild."
The receptionist approached, her expression slightly less bored than before. "Not bad. You're in."
As she handed him a small bronze badge—the mark of a newly registered adventurer—Adam felt a flicker of satisfaction. This was just the beginning, but it was a step forward.
Seren smirked at him as they left the training grounds. "Well, that was fun to watch. What's next, hero?"
Adam glanced at the quest board, his gaze hardening. "Next? We find something worth doing."