Praparations

We head to Mr. Tom’s office past the information hall, and after knocking on the door he calls us inside.

“So, Gulliver and Amari have been saying how well all of you have progressed. As such, we have decided you are ready. And as a coincidence, a perfect sighting for youe first mission has appeared.” He gets up and hands us a scroll. “At the southern region of the continent near the mesa of Harriot there have been sightings of slimes, chimeras and even a human. This Is the perfect opportunity for the four of you to go together.”

“So, as the first mission what should we expect?” I ask.

“To learn the truth behind this job. And how hard it is. You four will be going as a team, so help one another and make sure the seek more information with the guards posted on the guild building located there. They should also help you in the worst-case scenario where you fail.”

“No need to worry Mr. Tom. Believe us, we have no plan of even thinking about failing.” Juni speaks with determination.

It helps raise our morale and we head outside.

So, first things first is preparation.

Opening the scrols we look at the mission, in the southern town of the Hariot mesa.

The details show a big number of slimes, but they aren’t very aggressive. Two chimeras with high levels of aggression and although there is not vision confirmation, many claim that a human is also stalking the area.

We head into the information halls, filled with all the binders, papers and old scrolls. They are all records and mission reports of past sightings. We start looking for details of Hariot and its terrain, and how the slumberwalkers mentioned on the sighting tend to behave with the reported levels of aggression.

Once we mention that we are getting ready for our first mission the people in the middle desk help us gather everything we need. And the few members in the tables around even take some of their time to encourage us and help sort what we need.

We spend the rest of the day studying and getting ready in every way we can.

We do some light sparing, read up on a couple more books and have a nice hearty meal.

But even after looking for her, we couldn’t find Olivia anywhere. We wanted to say goodbye before we departed.

Before heading to bed, we relax a bit in the common area.

“So… How are we feeling?” I try to start conversation.

“I’m actually pumped! I feel ready to show what we learned! I can finally prove that I can protect others!” Juni stands up in excitement.

“I just hope we have what it takes. Is not just about protecting the people of Hariot but also putting the slumberwalkers there to rest.” Lafanda shows a bit of anxiety for the first time. Mimi tries to comfort her by resting her head in Lafanda’s lap.

Juni also quiets down a little. He also must have his doubts.

“We have what it takes. Gulliver, Amari and even Mr. Tom said so. If we weren’t ready, we wouldn’t be going”. I say with determination. “They recognized our efforts because they know we are ready for this. You saw how many times they said how important being a guild member is!”

“You’re right Aki!. We can do this, and with you guys there there’s nothing to fear. We’re basically unstoppable.” Juni says with renewed conviction.

“Aww so that what you think of us Juni? How cute.” Lafanda pokes fun at him.

Juni face turns bright red, making a nice contrast to his blue hair.

“I-I mean. I’m just saying that I know what you guys are capable of so of course I’m not going to be afraid with you guys there. B-but I wouldn’t be afraid if you guys weren’t there. Yeah, is not that I’m afraid and having you guys there is calming me.” Juni is clearly getting more relaxed around us. This tsundere personality is becoming more common.

“Cute little thing. No need to be embarrassed!” Lafanda says hugging him, Mimi gently wrapping herself around him like a scarf.

“Cute little thing.” I say as I poke him on the cheek.

The red from his cheeks goes to his entire face.

“DON’T CALL ME LITTLE!!!” Juni trashes around in anger freeing himself.

As the atmosphere gets more relaxed the conversation dies down. We don’t feel like sleeping but we know we have to.

“I just wished we could see Olivia before we go. We couldn’t really search for her because of the preparations but she was in none of the usual places we find her.” Lafanda says in a disappointed tone.

“I get what you mean, but she is also working hard. Her battle is in here, and more and more members keep returning badly injured. We’re going to need her when we come back too.” I say trying to ease her down.

“Come on. We should head to bed early so we can leave as soon as possible tomorrow. Remember to only lay down after you have packed everything up.” Juni is the first to get up to leave. “May your dreams be blessed.”.

He heads off first.

There’s not much to do after that. So Lafanda, Mimi and I say goodnight.

“May your dreams be blessed.” We say to one another. Mimi flicks her tongue.

As I lay in bed I have trouble going to sleep, just like the day before a school trip, except this time I’m excited about it.

Eventually I fall asleep.

I don’t dream of anything in particular. In fact, time passes incredibly fast. When I open my eyes again it is still dark but I can’t stay still anymore.

I get dressed with the guildmembers colored clothes. A purple long-sleeved undershirt and orange shirt. I get my backpack with other necessities and head to the cafeteria.

Juni, Lafanda and Mimi are already there. Also with mission outfits with the classic orange and purple design.

Juni is wearing shorts and a T-shirt with boots that made him looks more like a kid than ever, but if I say that he would be screaming about the entire trip.

Lafanda has pants and a long-sleeved crop top that exposes her belly and lower back, making it easier for Mimi to move around. Mimi is wearing a purple scarf.

We eat without saying a word and head to the gate of the headquarters.

As we reach it our carriage is already waiting for us. Mr. Tom, Gulliver and Amira are waiting to see us off.

We board it and as the coachman is getting ready to depart, we can hear a faint yet familiar voice screaming from the distance. Or should I say trying to scream.

“Wait up please!!” We see Olivia running “Wait!!” She’s making a screaming voice but using her usual low volume tone.

If we weren’t already used to it, there’s no way we would have heard her. We signal the coachman to stop.

He stops the carriage, and Olivia gets up to us. Panting and catching her breath.

“Thank… Thank goddess I made it in time.” She looks like she ran no stop for a while.

“When I heard that you would be getting your first mission, I wanted to make something special before you all left. But I didn’t have a lot of time, and I never really done that before so this was all I could manage in one day with Helga’s help.” She shows us a star shaped wood amulet, each of the five points of the start is colored differently.

Blue for Juni, orange for Lafanda, green for Mimi, red for Olivia and yellow with a black streak for me.

“Oh my goddess Olivia this is so cute!” Lafanda and Mimi jump off and hug her.

“I guess is pretty cool.” Juni is clearly trying to hide his smile. “But it’s kind of a shame only one of us can carry it at a time.”

“How about we do this then. Everyone holds on to your piece.” I suggest and each of us grabs a corner of the star. “Now just a little bit of force and…”

The star snaps into five different pieces.

“Now each of us has a part, and when we’re back together we can make the star whole again.”

“Wow Aki, you’re a genius!” Lafanda is impressed.

“Yes, I’ll be waiting for all of you to return.” Olivia says smiling while tears form in her eyes.

With each of us holding a piece of the amulet, we head off, descending the winding path of the mesa and reaching lower ground.

Now only this mission is between us and finally becoming members of the resting Guild.