Chapter 5: A New Adventurer

Vito and Parsifal worked side-by-side to help Greye improve the guild’s standing. The Silver Oak Guild had become the poor district’s beloved protectors by the time Vito reached his nineteenth year. Vito followed the classic mafia money-making schemes his father taught him. The guild protected homes and businesses that were being targeted and safely escorted deliveries to their intended destinations. They also returned the thieves’ stolen goods to the victims to win the public’s favor. They were still outcasts, but even their detractors had to admit that they were preferable to bandits, thieves, and ruthless adventurers.

Their better reputation and finances allowed them to purchase different safehouses in the area. Greye didn’t understand the need for additional dwellings, but Vito insisted they were important. Their hamlet was too far from the district to provide efficient protection and maintain a regular presence. Greye’s investments were paying dividends, and Vito suspected that not everyone would be happy about that. Outcasts were not meant to rise in rank, after all.

Vito stood at one end of a ring and drew his sword. His opponent stood ready with a sword in his hands.

“Are you ready, Vito?” Greye called from beside the ring. They stood in a clearing, surrounded by large trees. The midday sun beamed through the leaves, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

“Always. Right, Galien?”

“Yeah. You’re not knocking me down again. I’m winning this time.” Galien was Greye’s son and acted like a brother to Vito.

The two engaged in a duel. Their swords were dull, and Parsifal was nearby to heal their wounds with magic. Vito and Galien exchanged blows, the sounds of metal clashing against metal echoing through the forest. Galien was older than him, and he was level 25 compared to Vito’s level 23.

Galien was an aggressive fighter and made use of his large build and strength. Vito was comparatively lean and agile. His experience allowed him to see through Galien’s boorish fighting style. He deflected a sword strike, kicked Galien’s leg, and used momentum to knock the larger sword fighter to the ground.

Galien coughed and rolled over into a sitting position. Vito moved his sword from his right hand to his left and offered his hand to his friend. Galien made a bitter grin and accepted Vito’s hand. The small group of people around them applauded their match.

“You still have much room to grow, son,” Greye told him. “But I know you will both become truly great warriors. Strength and speed combined into an unbeatable team.”

“Yeah…” Galien sheathed his blade and dusted himself off.

“We’ll just have to begin our lessons anew,” Delwyn decided. “Being big and strong isn’t enough. You need style and technique.”

Galien winced at the idea of going through Delwyn’s harsh lessons again. “Y-yeah. Father can teach me some of his skills.”

Greye gave a hearty laugh. “Of course! Parsifal assisted me in creating scrolls to pass my skills onto you boys. You’ll still need to work hard to learn and use them. Delwyn can help you there.” He turned to Vito and flashed a brilliant smile. “Come, we’re going to the Adventurers' Association to get you registered. It’s time you were made into a full member of the Silver Oak Guild.”

Vito stood beside Greye as he spoke with the receptionist at the front counter. The association leader Emeric Iohannes instituted a new policy that required an adventurer to vouch for another before joining the Adventurers' Association and receiving their license.

The guild hall was the size of a manor. It boasted numerous facilities to assist adventurers, including a medical wing and training arena on a lower floor. Vito looked around at all of the adventurers. The hall was bustling with activity. Some discussed quests and legends, others discussed recruiting members to their own guilds. He thought Matteo would have loved to be surrounded by knights, mages, archers, and other fantastical characters from his favorite games. He would have especially liked the alluring female adventurers. Not all of them were dressed in full armor.

“Okay… Vito DeCapio. Please place your hand on the Scan Orb so we can verify your name, level, and stats,” the receptionist instructed him with a bright and warm smile on her face. Vito placed his hand on the crystal ball that stood to the side of the receptionist. “Okay, your name and stats are confirmed. Level 23 is a fine level to start your journey.” She held a silver metal plate roughly the size of an identification card to the crystal ball for a moment, then handed it to Vito. His name and level were prominently displayed alongside his D-Rank status. A notice appeared informing him of his new “Rookie Adventurer” title.

“This is your adventurers’ license. It will display your name and your guild crest at all times. This will record your triumphs and failures, allowing us to maintain an accurate record and prevent anyone from claiming your achievements. No one can take credit for your work, nor can they pretend to be you,” she assured him. “It cannot be modified by anyone besides the Adventurers' Association leader, and these instances are very rare,” the receptionist explained.

Greye held up his own license with a proud smile and held it close to Vito’s. “I’ll say this again: welcome to the Silver Oak Guild, Vito.” Vito’s license briefly glowed. The Silver Oak Guild crest, an image of a tree with a crescent moon behind it, appeared next to his name. They were still a B-Rank guild, but there was nothing wrong with that. He was happy when a notice appeared that his “Silver Oak Guild Member” title was granted. Greye ruffled Vito’s hair and pulled him into a warm embrace. “I’m proud of you, son. I can’t wait to see you write your legend.”

Vito’s heart stopped for a moment. John DeCapio once spoke the same words before when he graduated from college. “Thank you, father.” Greye may have left him in Delwyn’s care, but he became a father figure to Vito. Greye didn’t replace John in his heart, but he made for a fine adoptive father.

They returned to the hamlet and parted ways. Greye had other affairs to attend to, and Vito looked forward to wasting away a lazy afternoon with Galien. He grabbed his fishing pole and a bucket from his house and walked toward the lake. He met with Galien on the way, and the two continued just casually talking about nothing.