Adventurers' haven

As we stepped into the guild, I immediately felt the weight of its significance. The towering wooden doors creaked open to reveal a sprawling hall buzzing with activity. Adventurers clad in armor or robes mingled around massive noticeboards plastered with quest papers. The air smelled faintly of ink, metal, and roasted meat—an odd but oddly comforting mix.

“This place is amazing!” I whispered, my eyes darting around to take in every detail.

“It’s more chaotic than amazing,” Roseline said, rolling her eyes playfully. “Try not to get too dazzled.”

Fren placed a calming hand on my shoulder, his kind smile reassuring me. “Stay here in the lobby, Raizen. Roseline and I need to speak with the guild master for a bit.”

“What?” I squawked in protest, glancing at the bustling lobby. “You’re leaving me here? Alone?”

Roseline crouched down, her silver hair falling over one shoulder as she poked my cheek lightly. “Relax, kiddo. You’ll be fine. Besides, look at all the adventurers! It’s like babysitters galore.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better,” I muttered, earning a laugh from Fren.

“Don’t wander off,” he said gently, his tone soothing but firm. “We won’t be long.”

Before I could argue further, they disappeared through a set of ornate doors at the far end of the hall, leaving me alone in the sea of adventurers.

Being six years old and surrounded by a crowd of adventurers wasn’t as intimidating as I thought it’d be—if anything, it was fascinating. I sat on a bench near the noticeboard, swinging my legs and listening to snippets of conversations.

“...another wyvern hunt failed. Those beasts are getting smarter.” “Heard the Demon Lord’s forces are moving again. Could be trouble in the west.” “I swear, if one more rookie tries to steal my quest, I’m going to—”

Okay, maybe some conversations weren’t as exciting. Still, the atmosphere was electric, like everyone here was part of something much bigger than themselves. I couldn’t help but wonder about the adventures these people embarked on and the challenges they faced.

“Hey, kid,” a voice called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked up to see a burly man with a thick beard and a scar running down his cheek. His leather armor looked well-worn, and he carried a massive battle axe slung across his back.

“What’re you doing here all alone?” he asked, his tone gruff but not unkind.

“My parents—I mean, Fren and Roseline—are talking to the guild master,” I explained.

The man chuckled, ruffling my hair with a hand big enough to crush my head like a grape. “To think those two have a son. I can tell you already have a significant amount of mana! How old are you?”

“Well, there’s the rule of stranger danger,” I thought, but he seemed alright. “I’m six,” I answered.

“Stick close to ‘em, kid. They’re good people.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he walked off, leaving me more curious than ever about Fren and Roseline’s roles in this world.

True to their word, Fren and Roseline returned not long after, looking as composed as ever.

“Had fun?” Roseline asked, grinning as she twirled her staff.

“Not really,” I said, though the truth was, I’d been thoroughly entertained.

“Well, let’s head to the diner,” Fren suggested, his warm tone making it sound like the perfect plan.

The diner was a charming, bustling place with wooden tables, mismatched chairs, and the tempting smell of grilled meats and fresh bread wafting through the air. As we settled into a corner booth, I couldn’t hold back my questions any longer.

“So… what’s the guild? And why does everyone seem to know you two?” I asked, my curiosity finally spilling over.

Roseline, in her usual theatrical fashion, leaned forward dramatically. “The guild is an organization for adventurers! You know—heroes, warriors, mages, people who protect the world.”

Fren chuckled softly. “It connects adventurers with quests. Some people join to make a living, others to protect their communities, and a few… just for the glory.”

“There are ranks,” Roseline continued, holding up her fingers like she was counting. “They start from E and go all the way to SS. The higher your rank, the tougher the quests you can take.”

My eyes widened. “What are your ranks?”

Roseline smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. “I’m S rank, second highest. So yes, I’m amazing.”

Fren smiled gently. “And I’m A rank, just below her, though I’ll never hear the end of her boasting.”

“You’re both so powerful?” I marveled, impressed but not entirely surprised.

“Someone has to keep this world safe,” Roseline said with a wink before taking a bite of her grilled chicken.

“So it’s an occupation for you?” I asked.

“Occupation? Of course not! We have enough funds to buy half of this kingdom’s land.”

For a moment my mind went blank. I didn’t know the size of this kingdom, but half… and we lived so disconnected from the world? Actually, that was the best setup imaginable.

“So if there’s anything in particular you want, don’t be shy about spoiling,” Fren added with a grin.

“As an adventurer you protect others from the dangers of the world,” Fren said gently. “But right now, that’s not something you need to worry about.”

Roseline gave me an exaggerated wink. “We’ve got it covered, little one. You just focus on growing up.”

I nodded, content for now to simply learn more about this strange and fascinating world.