There was a pause. The guild attendant examined her from head to toe, her gaze full of skepticism. It was not a rude expression, but there was a clear doubt in the way the young woman appraised the mage, as if she were evaluating not just what she said, but who she truly was.
The mage had little to counter. The feeling of being scrutinized so intensely made her stomach tighten, but she merely cleared her throat, trying to appear more confident than she felt.
— Yes... I am certain. I learned magic since I was a child …—
The attendant raised an eyebrow, and although her gaze softened somewhat, it was evident she was not entirely convinced by the answer. Yet, she said nothing. She merely held the gaze, and with a gesture that seemed part of her routine, handed the mage a document.
— Please, fill this out. If you need anything or do not understand any part of the document, let me know.
ADVENTURER'S GUILD LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
Preamble:
Welcome, brave (or reckless) adventurer. By signing this document, you are irrevocably joining the ranks of the Adventurers' Guild Association, committing yourself to the duties, risks, and rewards inherent in your life choice.
Article I — Nature of the Contract:
By signing this term, Your Lordship agrees to a lifetime contract, valid until your voluntary retirement (provided that it is previously approved by the administrative board) or until the moment of your death, which, statistically, tends to occur first.
Article II — Fees and Commissions:
The Guild informs that no fees will be charged for the use of the facilities, with the exception of taverns (for obvious reasons), libraries, mission counters, dormitories, and public baths (limited to 15 minutes).
However, a small percentage (currently set at 10% of the total value of the mission) will be retained as an administrative commission on each task registered, and this amount is non-negotiable.
Article III — The risks involved:
By accepting a quest through the Guild, you acknowledge that severe injuries, such as:
Dismemberments,
Lacerations.
Evisceration.
Incineration.
Poisonings.
Petrification, curses, or fusion with abyssal entities.
are Not the responsibility of the Guild. The treatment, cost, and/or burial resulting from such incidents will be solely up to the adventurer or his divine patrons, if any.
Article IV — Death and Its Belongings:
The Guild assumes no responsibility for his death, whether caused by monsters, other adventurers, or bad decisions made under the influence of alcohol, pride, or inexperience.
However, we undertake to send your valuables (if they are still identifiable) to the next of kin as indicated on this form. In the event of the absence of heirs, the items will be incorporated into the Guild's patrimony, with great regret and without ceremony.
Article V — Final Clause:
By signing this contract, you declare that you have read (or at least pretended to read) all the clauses, being fully aware of the conditions stipulated herein.
Adventurer's Signature: Lindsey (last name withheld)
Date:03/ 05/1432
Guild Appraiser Name: Cassandra Vane
Witness (optional):(none)
She blinked her eyes a few times after read that contract .
"That's... unexpected. in a strange way…"
Lindsey handed the completed contract to the receptionist—Cassandra Vane, as the sign above the counter discreetly indicated.
She read the document with professional attention, but when reached the name "Lindsey," her eyes narrowed, and she stared at her for a brief moment.
It wasn't a rude look, but one of those silent ones—like someone comparing expectations with reality.
Lindsey held her gaze without reacting.
That sudden, almost imperceptible analysis made her stomach churn, but she only cleared her throat, maintaining her composure.
Cassandra nodded, without a word, and accepted the contract with a perfectly calibrated smile.
In one fluid gesture, she opened a drawer crammed with similar documents and filed the paper.
A moment later, she removed a small metal tab, which she began to fill in with neat, precise writing—name, date, class, registration number.
When she was finished, she held the object out to Lindsey with both hands, as if performing an ancient and automatic ritual.
"This is your identification — we call it a 'Pass'," she said, her voice steady and precise.
"It grants you access to bridges, ferries, mission zones. And… it confirms your identity, if something happens to you."
"In case something happens to me?" Her small remnant of happiness that came with the pass was erased.
"It seems simple enough to become an adventurer," Lindseysaid, trying to sound casual.
"Becoming an adventurer is simple." Cassandra adjusted her glasses with calculated elegance.
"The hard part is staying one. Becoming known, then… almost impossible. Many people think they are special, unique, and prefer to act alone. It doesn't usually end well."
There was judgment in her voice—subtle but real. A tone that slid between her teeth like diluted poison.
"You don't strike me as the reckless type, so don't worry. Here in the region, this is not uncommon... But, if you'll take my advice: start with escort or delivery missions."
Cassandra looked towards the guild's work board where a few adventures cold be seen.
"They don't yield much glory — or much gold —, but they're safe enough for those who don't know where they're going yet."
Lindsey nodded, without saying anything. But at that moment, a voice came from behind her — cheerful, almost too cheerful for the environment:
"Hey... you're a mage, right?" She turned around, surprised, and came face to face with a young man in light armor, sun-tanned skin and an all-too-easy smile on his face. Beside him, a woman with braided hair down to her waist watched with a neutral but attentive expression.
"Hm... yes?" Lindsey replied, a bit confused by the direct approach.
"Wonderful!" he said, as if he had found a gold coin in the middle of the road. "We're going to enter a cave nearby, and they say they found some strange runes there. If they're real... well, we can get a good deal.
Lindsey turned to the young boy that was almost her age — or was he older? Younger?
She couldn't tell the diference
"And why exactly do you need me?" she asked still a bit confused after all they are strangers to each other.
"Light!" he said, as if it were obvious. "You know how to conjure light, don't you?"
"Obviously?" she asked, frowning at the simplicity of the question.
Conjuring light was one of the most basic spells, though it still required constant concentration. Its duration and quality came not just from magical power, but from practice—and maintaining focus in a dark cave, under stress, was a task that more than one apprentice had underestimated.
"That's exactly what we need!" the young man continued, full of enthusiasm. "Just a steady light, leave the rest to us. It'll be quick."
Lindsey hesitated for a moment, but then nodded slowly.
Lindsey was strangely drawn to the simplicity of the proposal.
Not that she wasn't nervous about the proposal, but because she always dreamed of doing something like that but never had the real chance to do it or even see someone else doing it, so everything was very new and everything very fast.
"Do you just need to conjure light?"
The young swordsmen repeated with a confident smile.
"Yes, just light. It's going to be easy!"
He took a step back, as if he had already figured it all out.
"There's no way to go wrong, right ?!"
Behind the counter, Cassandra was still watching them out of the corner of her eye.
Her expression was the same: calm, polite, impassive. But anyone who really knew her would have noticed the slight tightening of her jaw, the almost imperceptible tapping of a finger on the tabletop.
She didn't approve.
But she didn't say anything.