Chapter 13 – At the Guild in the Boundary City

After signing the contract and completing the rental procedures, I first went to retrieve the carriage that had been stored at the stables near the outer gate. Riding the carriage back home, I unloaded the luggage packed inside and moved it into the house.

The luggage consisted of various items like blankets and clothes brought from my family home, cooking utensils, tableware, and leftover food supplies purchased during the journey that hadn’t been consumed yet.

With just these, we should be able to manage basic cooking and accommodation for a few days.

As for larger furniture like beds, desks, and sofas—those could wait for another time. Grace and I could leisurely go shopping around the city together.

Since I planned to explore the city with Rosetta today, I needed to take care of the tasks I had to do with her first.

That being the case, the next thing to do was probably head to Peresford Academy to complete the enrollment procedures. I boarded the carriage with Grace as the driver, heading to the academy located just near our house.

The academy was a historical building. Ivy climbed over the high walls surrounding the grounds, giving it a nicely aged appearance.

Although several buildings stood within the large campus, I only needed to visit the administrative office this time.

Entering a small building near the entrance, I saw a staff member working at a desk behind the counter.

“How may I help you?”

“I’d like to complete the enrollment procedures. This is my letter of introduction.”

After I submitted the letter of introduction written by Father, the staff member examined the seal and document, then nodded.

“Could you please fill out this form with the required information?”

Following the staff member’s businesslike instructions, I filled out and submitted the form. The staff member looked it over and tilted their head.

“You don’t wish to reside in the dormitory?”

“I have a house in the city, so it’s unnecessary. I’m not here for noble education either.”

“I see.”

Whether the question was merely a formality or not, I wasn’t subjected to any detailed questioning or prying. After paying 500 kirig as the enrollment fee, I was officially enrolled at Peresford Academy.

That was surprisingly straightforward. Not that I was expecting any drama during the administrative process. For today, completing the procedures was enough. Everything else could wait for another day.

“What shall we do next?”

“The Guild, I suppose. We need to return the horses to the Count’s territory, so we have to submit that request.”

Answering Rosetta, who had been waiting in the carriage, we headed to our next destination.

The reasons for going to the Guild weren’t just to submit the request; there were various miscellaneous tasks like matters concerning Forestbird, introductions to alchemists, and purchasing Magic Stones for the bath.

“You’re also getting permission to enter the Labyrinth, right?”

“Well… yes.”

Rosetta didn’t know about my financial situation, and I hadn’t discussed how to cover the house maintenance costs with her, but she seemed to have some idea of what I was planning.

“May I see a little bit of your fighting skills?”

“…If that would satisfy you.”

“If I may say so, it would be better if you were the one satisfied.”

“That’s impossible.”

I answered without hesitation, and Rosetta closed her eyes.

Satisfied? Satisfied with what? With being obedient because I’m a child?

For a normal child, that might be fine, but I’m not that anymore.

It’s not that I’m conceited. Rather, I feel I’m still lacking, which is why I seek strength.

I hadn’t actually planned to enter the Labyrinth today… but, well, it’s fine.

Grace’s axe was loaded in the carriage, and it would be a hassle to have Rosetta accompany me on another day. If it’s just the shallow floors, there shouldn’t be any problem even if I’m uneasy about my staff.

“By the way, Rosetta-san, what do you usually do?”

“Ah, me? What do Lisa’s child think I look like?”

Rosetta smiled, placing a hand on her cheek. …Why does she look so happy?

Let’s see. She’s a classmate of Mother’s, they’ve explored the Labyrinth together, she has flexible time, and she’s financially comfortable.

And Father, anticipating that I’d have connections here in various areas, asked her to look after me.

What could it be? If she struck it rich as an adventurer, it makes sense that she’d have time and money to spare.

Possible candidates include court service, Adventurer Guild staff, Peresford Academy lecturer… and then—

“A Thieves Guild executive, perhaps?”

“Why would you think that…?”

“Well, you seem well-connected.”

I took a wild guess, but it seemed I was wrong.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! I’m a lecturer at Peresford. I teach Healing Magic.”

“So that’s it.”

Rosetta pouted her lips discontentedly, lacking much dignity or intensity… Originally, she was active in the Labyrinth, made a name for herself as a Healing Magician, settled down as a lecturer at Peresford, and now she’s focused on training the next generation… that’s probably the gist of it.

It makes sense that she’s well-connected and wealthy. Proficiency in Healing Magic depends on the quality of one’s Magical Power, and skilled Healing Magicians are relatively rare.

Incidentally, the Battle Mage’s Circulating Ki is more of a bonus—its recovery effects don’t compare to those of a professional Healing Magician. I can use basic Healing Magic too, but my recovery magic is only a stopgap measure.

While we were talking, we seemed to have arrived at our destination.

The carriage stopped, and when I looked out, we were already at the square with the Guild and Temple. Grace smiled at me.

“Theodore-sama, we’ve arrived.”

“Mm. Thank you.”

The square was bustling with a diverse crowd. Lightly armored Warriors and Magicians, Elves with Bows, Hawkmen with Spears—adventurers like these stood out, but there were also many people who came to submit Requests at the Guild or pray to the goddess at the Temple… Well, anyway, it’s a place where people gather. After leaving the carriage at the stables, we headed into the Adventurer Guild building next to the Temple.

“Welcome. How may we assist you at our Guild today?”

A receptionist with a smile greeted us.

“Several things. Let’s start with the request matter, I suppose.”

“Please go ahead.”

After explaining the details of my request and contact information to the receptionist, she compiled the necessary information onto a form.

By the way, paper is relatively common in urban areas. It’s not pure white and smooth, and it requires large-scale Magic Arrays, Magic Stones, and skilled magic craftsmen… but a Technique combining Wood Magic, Water Magic, and Earth Magic to disassemble and produce it from plants has been established as a technology.

According to Kagehisa’s knowledge, on Earth, paper was a High Quality item until papermaking technology advanced enough for mass production. The magical civilization and technological prowess of this world are quite impressive, one might say.

“By the way, are there any messages for Theodore Gartner from adventurers called Forestbird?”

“Ah, them. They said they’d be showing up here around early afternoon.”

Heading to the Labyrinth from early afternoon, huh. Typical of Forestbird, or rather, typical of the relaxed attitude of adventurers.

“Understood. I have a message for them too—could you pass along that contact information when they arrive?”

“Is this a designated request?”

“No, it’s more of a personal matter. Also, I have a letter of introduction from someone named Beryne.”

“—Beryne?”

Her hand, which had been smoothly moving a quill pen, stopped.

“…An acquaintance?”

“Uh, yes, well…”

…I couldn’t help but feel the receptionist’s smile looked a bit strained when she took the letter of introduction… Well, I’d better not inquire further.

After reading Beryne’s letter, the receptionist nodded.

“…An Alchemist, I see. Understood. I’ll look into the information we have here.”

“Before that, adventurer registration. For me and her.”

“Both of you? Is it true that you defeated an ant swarm?”

“Yes.”

Child adventurers aren’t that rare, but my appearance probably doesn’t look like someone who’d deliberately choose to be an adventurer. It’s understandable to be suspicious… Maybe I should have bought a Magician’s Robe and Staff first.

Still, it didn’t seem to be a reason for the receptionist to refuse, and the process proceeded smoothly. After checking the documents, the receptionist nodded and said,

“Accepted. Please fill out this form. If you need assistance with writing, just let me know.”

“I’m fine.”

“Same for me.”

The two of us filled in the required information on the forms.

The required information wasn’t much—name, specialties, current residence. That’s about it. Probably because overly detailed, strict scrutiny would deviate from the original purpose of being an adventurer.

For me, my specialty is Magic, and for Grace, it’s Close Combat. That level of vague information is sufficient.

If desired, they can introduce you to adventurer parties in need or suggest requests to adventurers who seem suited for them. That’s probably why this kind of information is needed.

“Let me confirm. Now, I’ll proceed to explain the precautions.”

Namely, adventurers are guaranteed status by the state. Strive to act in a manner that doesn’t disgrace the achievements of predecessors. Those who significantly tarnish dignity and honor may have Subjugation or capture requests issued against them at the Guild’s discretion, etc.

There are no fixed quotas, but if you slack off too much, you might receive a warning. Your accomplishments are recorded, and the Guild assesses what kind of work you’re suited for, among other things.

While there’s no explicit Rank system, if you stand out, rumors spread. If you have achievements, the Guild will write letters of introduction for you… In this way, they accommodate various needs and prioritize job referrals. So, to gain respect, you need to steadily complete tasks.

However, for adventurers in Boundary City specifically, there’s another suitable measure to gauge their abilities. Yes—how deep into the Labyrinth they’ve reached.

The further you advance into the deeper floors, the more comprehensively excellent you’re considered as an adventurer.

“Now, based on the information from the earlier documents, I’ll inscribe the data onto the Magic Stone plate.”

What the receptionist pulled out from under the counter was a metal plate with a small Magic Stone embedded in the corner. This serves as an adventurer’s identification, used for purposes similar to military dog tags.

Using the same method as engraving a Magic Spell Formula, information like name, specialties, and achievements are carved into the Magic Stone.

“These Magic Stone plates have your names engraved on them. They serve as proof of your status as adventurers, so please be careful not to lose them. If you happen to find one dropped within the Labyrinth, please make every effort to retrieve it.”

“Understood.”

We both nodded. The expression “dropped” was rather indirect.

In essence, it makes identifying the deceased easier. By using this plate.

“Now, both of you are adventurers from this point… but to obtain permission to enter the Great Labyrinth, you need to attend several lectures. Please proceed with the procedures at that window over there. Regarding the contents of Beryne’s letter, I should be able to provide you with the information by the time the lectures are finished.”

Once the lectures are over, we can finally enter the Labyrinth. It’s quite profound.

Suddenly looking up from the metal plate, I made eye contact with some young men from an adventurer group. They seemed to be sizing me up, but when they noticed my gaze, they walked away.

Given my appearance, they probably thought I’d be an easy target… I hope it doesn’t lead to trouble.