Guild Master Xenon

"Huh? Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" Reiji growls, refusing to backdown after being insulted.

"Exactly what I said. You may have been strong back in your world. But in this world, you are laughably weak." Xenon continues glaring at Reiji. "That attack just now would have critically injured you if I didn't step in."

"..." Unable to argue, Reiji could only grit his teeth in frustration.

Seeing his reaction, Xenon grins. "You're only weak because you lack the fundamentals. You still don't understand how to fight in this world." 

"Unlike the previous hero, she had no experience fighting, so she could learn how t ofight properly easily." Xenon paces slowly around Reiji as he lectures him.

"You have a well built body, and clearly have a lot of experience fighting against other people from your world. Although translatable, it is hindering your understanding of combat in this world."

Pointing backwards at where Baldy had been. "Against an ordinary Silver Rank, you could probably eek out a victory. But anyone from gold rank onwards, will beat you easily."

"Huh?"

"Ah before we continue, why don't we move upstairs to somewhere more fitting." 

Xenon walks off, leading Reiji back up to the second floor. There he is greeted by Serena and Souma who were waiting in a private room. 

"Ah Mister Reiji, please sit and have some tea while you sign the documents." Serena pours a new cup of tea for him, before stepping out of the room.

"Now where were we?" Xenon calmly ask as he sips his tea.

Slamming his fist down on the table, Reiji violently answers. "You were saying how I would lose to every gold rank adventurer!" 

"Calm down, Reiji!" Elnyra warns him telepathically.

"Heh." Souma laughs once hearing that, before turning away from Reiji's piercing glare.

"Now now, I only said you are weak as you are, not that you can't get stronger." Pointing to the documents infront of Reiji. "So, I brought you here to give you an offer... well more like conditions really."

"Huh? What kinda conditions?" 

"Well my three conditions are as follow. First, you will join the guild as a probationary member, during the next 2 months, you will be constantly evaluated. During the day you will do missions from the job boards available. During night time you will do extra training to master fighting in this world."

"Not that I disagree with training, but if you give me an unqualified teacher, I'm gonna break them."

"Hahaha. Don't worry, I will be your personal trainer. As a fellow Ki user, you won't find anyone else more qualified." Laughing at Reiji's comment, Xenon gives him a wry smile.

"Well, after seeing you in action earlier, you'll find no complaints from me." Reiji smiles in anticipation. There's no better way to get stronger than have a capable teacher. "So what are your other conditions?"

"My condition is within the next two months, you will have to proceed into the Grand Dungeon and retreive a boss core for me. Consider this your official test." 

"Now that's a test befitting an isekai."

"My last condition is you will have to become a Gold rank adventurer like Souma before the two months is over."

"Huh? Why do I have to be a gold rank adventurer?"

"Well it's the minimum required rank to enter the Grand Dungeon."

"Ugh. Why do I have to obey the rules? Why don't I just sneak in and hunt a boss?" Reiji slams the table in annoyance.

"Relax, Reiji. Mr.Xenon will explain in a bit." Souma speaks up as he sees Reiji's brain begin to overheat.

 "The grand dungeon is different to a normal dungeon. It doesn't disappear unless the dungeon core is removed. It will continuously spawn monsters over time, as well as multiple bosses." Checking to see that Reiji was still following, Xenon continued. 

"It is of utmost importance to the city of Tristan in multiple ways, so to control the rate of resources being retrieved, only gold rank adventure parties are allowed." 

"Uh..."

The rest of the table give Reiji a few moments to digest the new information to not overheat his brain. Eventually Souma decides to give Reiji a nudge.

"There are no drawbacks to these conditions, Reiji. In fact, I don't think anyone is more fit to be an adventurer than you are."

"Yeah, why is that?"

Xenon replies instead of Souma. "Because, to be an Adventurer is to be free."

"Huh? What kinda motto is that?"

"Why it's our guild motto of course. Something the previous hero said."

"How old are you exactly? You keep speaking like you knew the previous hero." 

"Oh Mr.Xenon has been alive for over half a century. He was actually a member of the previous heroes party." 

"He's ancient?!" 

A vein bulges on Xenon's temple as his smile turns deathly cold.

"Reiji... As an half elf, I'm only around halfway through my life span. Refer to me as ancient again... and you might not live long enough to become a gold rank."

"Uh... right. Sorry." 

Damn old people are scary when you bring up their age. Although not said aloud, his thought could still be seen on his face, causing another vein to bulge on Xenon.

Clearing his throat Xenon continues.

"So what do you say Reiji?"

"It's honestly not a bad deal Reiji." Elnyra finally said.

"There's no reason not to take him up on his offer. Xenon is practically at the level of a sword saint. Not to mention the one of the few ki experts on the continent."

"Yeah but I don't like being told what to do. And I'm the only one receiving help here... it doesn't feel right." 

"Xenon is just worried, as someone from another world, it means that soon the world may be in danger. Having you get stronger will be beneficial in the longrun... besides if you're worried about repaying him. Just get strong enough, so that he can ask for your help."

After observing Reiji since he arrived. Elnyra has slowly begun to understand how Reiji's mind works. Reiji might refuse to be a hero, but he wouldn't refuse an opportunity to get stronger.

Grabbing the nearby quill, Reiji signs his name on the contract given to him.

"Let's see what a party member of the previous hero can do."