Chương 123: Saturday Adventure

Saturday dawned clear. With no classes, no ranking and no academy pressure, the group gathered early in the internal courtyard. The idea of spending the entire day walking in circles inside the walls didn't please anyone. — I'm going to go crazy if I spend the whole weekend in here — Astrid declared, crossing her arms. — I agree — Rina said, still yawning. — If I have to train again on the same field, I'm going to start hitting the wooden dummies for sport. Marina laughed. — You already do that.

— Then imagine if I have no other option. Harley, leaning on Joker's shoulder, smiled sideways. — So how about we go out? — Go out where? — Marina asked. — We've already walked around the capital a few times and even showed up at some events, but just walking around again isn't going to be much different from staying in here. Joker shoved his hands into his pockets. — Adventurers' Guild. The entire group looked at him. — Guild? — Sylvara repeated. — Like… a real mission? — There's one in the capital — he explained.

— Missions, ranks, rewards. The basics. Lirien raised an eyebrow. — And you know that because…? Harley laughed low. — Because we've already gone a few times. During the breaks. When we disappeared for a bit. Kuroe looked at the two without apparent surprise. — I suspected. Elowen, beside her, frowned slightly. — That's why you two stayed too calm inside the academy. — In part — Joker admitted. — Inside there we're just holding back. There's no fun in ruining the fun too quickly.

Astrid clapped her hands together, excited. If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. — Then let's go. Everyone. — Are the adults coming? — Marina asked. Harley shook her head. — Not this time. — Why? — Rina asked. — With Lysithea, Graciela, Mirella and Elara along, it would even get more interesting. — It would — Harley agreed, without denying it. — They're not the type that only watches from a distance. They'd probably jump into the middle of the fight too.

— Then why leave them out? — Astrid insisted. Joker answered calmly: — Because this is your first mission. Better to do it on your own this time. Harley shrugged, still smiling. — Later we'll take them. When the time is right. Today is your first round. Sylvara crossed her arms, thinking. — Makes sense. — It does — Lirien murmured. — If we're going to make mistakes, better to make them without the family audience. No one truly contested it.

The Adventurers' Guild of the capital was in a dark stone building, with the symbol of a sword crossed with a feather above the door. Inside, the main hall was wide, noisy and full of people of various species. As soon as Joker and Harley entered, one of the receptionists lifted her gaze and smiled immediately. It was Nara, a middle-aged woman with brown hair tied in a practical bun, slightly pointed ears and attentive green eyes.

Beside her was Tessa, younger, with short copper-colored hair, freckles on her face and an always somewhat amused expression. — Look who showed up — Nara said, already smiling. — Good morning — Harley answered, waving. — Miss us? — A little — Nara admitted. — The hall gets quieter when you don't come. Tessa rested her elbow on the counter and raised an eyebrow, amused. — You two are getting predictable.

Every day during the break after classes, you grab a ridiculously hard mission, solve it and still come back on time. I've already given up trying to understand. — We choose what is worthwhile — Joker answered simply. — What's worthwhile for you is always what most people avoid — Tessa murmured, laughing through her nose. — Rank advancement mission, problematic nest, creature that already took down another group… and you two treat it like recreation. Harley shrugged, smiling. — If there's no fun, there's no fun.

Nara shook her head, more amused than irritated. — And this time you brought people. What a novelty. The rest of the group approached. — They need to register — Joker said. — They're going on the mission with us. Nara nodded and already pulled the forms. — Of course. Standard initial rank. But remember the registration isn't free. — We know — Harley answered, placing the coins on the counter. While Nara and Tessa began filling out the registrations, Tessa looked at the girls with curiosity.

— First time for you, right? — It is — Astrid answered. — Then listen to the advice of someone who's already seen too many people come back hurt: low rank doesn't mean an easy mission. And with these two… — she pointed with the pen at Joker and Harley — … the mission is almost never easy. — We know — Rina said. — Count on them, but don't let your guard down — Nara added, stamping another form. — Especially you two — she looked at Kuroe and Elowen. — Too much quietness in the field can also be dangerous.

Kuroe simply nodded. Elowen murmured a low "understood." When the registration finished, Joker was already in front of the mission board. After a few seconds, he took a plaque and carried it to the counter. Nara read the content and raised an eyebrow. — Rank C. Extermination of a pack of corrupted wolves in the Gray Deer Forest. Nearby location, but the pack has already attacked two caravans this week and there's a report of abnormal leadership. Are you sure? — We are — Harley answered.

— They just registered — Nara reminded, looking at the girls again. — They're coming along — Joker said simply. Nara held his gaze for a second, then let out a breath and stamped the authorization. — All right. You've never given me a real reason to refuse. Just try not to come back all broken. — We'll try — Harley answered, taking the paper. Tessa, beside her, was already filling out the gate use authorization. — Are you going to use the teleport to the northern post branch? It's much closer to the forest.

— We are — Joker confirmed. — Standard guild fee. Cheaper than any private teleport. Harley placed the extra coins on the counter without complaining. Tessa stamped and pointed to the side corridor. — Gate three. It's already tuned to the northern branch. Good hunting… and try not to exaggerate too much this time. — No promises — Harley answered, already moving away. The group crossed the corridor and stopped in front of the teleportation gate. The surface glowed with a soft blue.

Astrid looked at the gate and then at Joker. — Rank C. Corrupted wolves. Nearby forest. — That's it — he answered. — We can solve it and still come back today. — And if the abnormal leadership is really abnormal? — Sylvara asked. — Then it gets more fun — Harley answered. Rina cracked her fingers. — I liked the sound of that. Lirien observed the gate in silence for a moment. — First official mission for almost all of us. — Then let's make it count — Marina said.

Harley looked at the group, the usual crooked smile appearing. — Back at the academy we're just playing at holding back. There's no fun in burning the whole show on the first Friday, right? Leave the ranking nice and quiet… when the last day arrives, then we make it worth it. Joker beside her simply gave a small smile. — Out here is a different story. No one disagreed. One by one, they crossed the gate.

On the other side, the guild's northern branch waited for them — and, a few kilometers away, the Gray Deer Forest. Saturday had finally started for real. End of Chapter 123