Kagami then returned to the Inn where he's staying and greeted the owner before returning to his room. Although cheap, the room he got was clean, no luxury, no convenience, and quiet. Atop that are naught but a simple bed, a table, a chair, and a small bookshelf.
He then grabbed the books he had set aside on the table and started reading them one by one. It was the books that Rehmer, the Guild Section Chief, gave him. The first is the book containing the conversion rates of magic stone to Valis, the next is dealing with adventurers and reports, the third one is the monster encyclopedia, and lastly are miscellaneous books related to the world he requested. Though he wanted to grab more books but there was only a limit to what his bag could handle, and some books were restricted due to Guild positions. Shortly after he received a mail about the examination date, which will be coming up in a few days, and thus he prepared more.
As a few days went by, Kagami kept a routine of waking early in the morning, taking a bath, and touring the streets and different districts of Orario, and in the afternoon, he occasionally visited the Pachebell Family and ate with them, then looked at Cafes and Pastry Stores. And at night, he returns to the Inn to continue his studies.
Thus came the day of the examination for Kagami. Kagami woke up, took a bath in the inn, and ate his breakfast. He then wears his signature gray suit with a minimalistic design of a broken mirror shard, pants, and a black necktie. After that, he then grabs his Devyat Pocket Storage and places it on the belt of his pants. He takes out his worn X-Corp Umbrella that he's been using for the past 2 years and walks out of the Inn after saying farewell to the owner. He walked on the same streets and the spots where the Ganesha Familia and Astraea Familia mostly patrol. And as always, he gets hit on by some female adventurers, only to refuse their advances politely.
A few moments of constant refusal, he eventually reached the Guild and found the Guild Section Chief waiting for him near the door of the guild.
"Good Morning, Mr. Yotsuyu," said Rehmer, greeting Kagami.
"Good Morning to you too, Mr. Rehmer," Kagami greeted back
"Are you ready for the exam?" Rehmer said
"Yes, I came prepared Mr. Rehmer," Kagami replied.
"That's good, then if you'll follow me," Rehmer said as he walked through the Guild, leading Kagami.
Soon, the two walked by the busy Guild, onto the halls, then lastly into a door leading to his exam room.
"Well, I'll be the handler for your exam, Mr. Yotsuyu. The exams are split into three parts," Rehmer said.
"First is the general reception, which tackles the receptionist and the adventurer's interactions. Second is the Valis and Magic Stone conversion rates, and lastly is the History of the Adventurer's Guild and the Familias currently active and inactive.
"Oh, I see then," Kagami replied.
Rehmer then handed down the test papers face down to Kagami with a quill and ink on the table.
"Oh, the quill and ink are not needed; I brought my own," Kagami said while taking out his pen from the pocket in his suit.
"Alright, we'll start in 5 minutes, after that you can turn your papers around and start," Rehmer said.
"I'll give you one and a half hours to finish each part and a 15-minute break for each, so take your time." Rehmer followed up.
"Understood," replied Kagami.
"Rest assured, Mr. Yotsuyu, all of the information you've read in the books is in the examination," Rehmer said, assuringly.
Moments passed as Rehmer started looking at the clock in the room.
"Alright then, shall we begin?" Rehmer said
"Yes, Mr. Rehmer," Kagami replied
Kagami then clicks on his pen and flips the papers. The exam has begun, each of the questions and problems presented in the exam is given thought and accuracy, mostly with the dealings in the guild, calculations, and conversions for Valis. Kagami understood immediately and began answering each question. He reads them thoroughly before writing his answers. Not much trouble came his way since he studied properly. After each exam, he took the opportunity during each break to ask more questions about the outside of Orario and other races to take notes on.
Soon after he finished the Examination, and was led back by Rehmer to the Guild's halls. As they walked, they noticed that it was noon already.
"Oh, it's already noon," Kagami said.
"Well, considering you've read each exam paper thoroughly and maximized your time on each of your exams, it'll be lunch by the time we finish," Rehmer said.
"Comparing you to the normal examinees who finished their exams early, at least you checked the questions properly," Rehmer sighed as he thought about the other examinees who failed after the exams.
"Is that so, Mr. Rehmer, must've been a tough time for you and the guild checking those applicants' papers and resumes," Kagami replied.
"Indeed, so, anyway, we'll contact you with your results in a day or two. Do send a reminder if you're moving so there won't be a problem with the mail," Rehmer replied.
"Noted, also since it's the afternoon, do you know an inexpensive place to grab lunch? We could go there and grab some," Kagami said.
"No thanks, I brought my own. Plus, it's going to be hectic in the guild soon, so I cannot leave. As for lunch, could you just go to The Hostess?" Rehmer replied.
"I was planning to, but looking at my savings getting exhausted by the moment, I will be living in the streets if I do not manage it," Kagami replied, looking at his pouch.
"I guess you could get some skewers from the stalls in the market," Rehmer said.
"Oh, that is a good idea. However, I need a reply from Lord Ouranos soon so I can delve into the dungeon. I'd risk getting in the red of my allotted budget if I don't have a stable income soon," Kagami replied.
"Hmm, I could lend you some Valis for the meantime," Rehmer said.
"I'd appreciate it, but I have to refuse Mr. Rehmer. You've already done enough for me in the employment," Kagami replied to Rehmer.
"If you say so," Rehmer said.
As the two left the guild hall, into the main building, they were met with a crowd of adventurers lining up once more in the reception area. Kagami then swiftly navigates through the crowd and onto the exit of the building. He then gives his farewell to Rehmer and the other guild staff working at the moment, as he walks out the doors of the guild, he bumps into a tall, muscular, dark-skinned beast man with boar ears, along with two elves, four armored pallums, and a cat person.
It was the Freya Familia returning from their expedition in the Dungeon. The Captain Ottar, Vice Captain Allen, and the Executives Hedin, Hogni, and the Gulliver Brothers.
"Ah, pardon me, gentlemen, I was not looking properly," Kagami said, apologizing.
"It is fine..." the tall beast man said.
"Forgive me for getting in your way," Kagami replied, going his own way.
He soon leaves the guild's premises carrying his umbrella. The Freya Familia Executives looked back at the young man wearing a gray suit. And they collectively sensed.
He's strong.
"Interesting..."Ottar said, looking at the young man wearing a suit.
"At the very least, he has some manners," Hedin said.
"A very polite warrior indeed," Hogni followed up.
"Hmph, can we go in now?" Allen scowled with annoyance.
The Familia went inside the guild after a small encounter with the young man.
Returning to Kagami, who was walking through the shopping district in Orario, he bought 3 meat skewers to satiate his hunger, as it was his lunch, although he thought the skewers would go great with rice. He then spots a sale on a pastry shop on his stroll through the shopping district, having an opening sale, and hurriedly checks out his coin pouch. Although he may not look like one, he's an avid fan of sweets. He then looked at the display window, and a variety of sweets were on display. From candies to baked goods, he browsed the shop and found a few desserts he liked. He then made up his mind and saw the line in the shop and went ahead.
Moments passed, and it was his turn to order. He met a tall man with black hair and eyes with neat, slicked-back hair slightly on the side. He was the owner of the pastry shop called "Doux Soleil". His name was Patrice Meursault, and along with his wife Marie, they managed the newly opened shop together.
"Good afternoon sir. May I have 2 slices of Strawberry Shortcake and a Chocolate Mousse to go?" Kagami said to the owner.
"Okay," a quick reply from the owner.
"That will be 450 Valis," the owner said.
"Alright," Kagami said, getting his wallet from his pocket.
"Here you go, sir," Kagami said, handing the owner the exact amount.
"Merci, do come again," the owner said after handing Kagami his order.
Kagami left the shop and returned to the inn where he's staying. On his way, he bumps into Finn, the others, and a large portion of their Familia.
"Oh, Mr. Yotsuyu, fancy seeing you here. I didn't take it that you're quite fond of sweets," Finn said, greeting Kagami on his way.
"Good to see you too, Mr. Deimne and everyone," Kagami said, returning the greeting.
"Oh these, I will not deny it, I am quite fond of sweets myself," Kagami followed up.
"Are you folks going on an expedition?" Kagami asked after seeing their Familia geared with supplies.
"Yes, since the Freya Familia returned from theirs," Finn answered.
"I see," Kagami said.
"I will not take up much of your time then," Kagami followed up.
"Have a safe trip," Kagami said, bowing slightly.
"Farewell, Mr. Yotsuyu. I hope we'll meet again once we're back," Finn said.
"I do hope so," Kagami said, waving his hands at the Familia going on their own ways.
As another encounter for Kagami concluded for the day. He went back to the inn where he was staying, stored his dessert in the refrigerator, and rested for the day.
A certain lady with red hair, along with her elven companion wearing a green cloak, made their way to the newly opened pastry shop. They are Alise Lovell the Captain of the Astraea Familia and Ryu Lion one of the members. They were patrolling the streets of Orario in their free time.
"Say, Lion, I heard that the new pastry shop is having an opening sale," Alise excitedly said.
"Captain, are you sure that you're not patrolling this particular street because of that newly opened pastry shop?" Ryuu replied skeptically.
"No, well... yes probably," Alise said guiltily
"I'm telling lady Astraea," Ryu said to Alise.
"Nooo... Oh wait, what's this?" Alise said as she noticed something between the plants of the shop.
As she saw a small card was stuck between the plants of the shop.
She opened the card, seeing a person with a scarred face along with somewhat familiar-looking letters written downwards, and a diamond-shaped stamp on the lower half along with the same letters.
Though they looked at it properly, they asked around to find the owner. Until they went inside the shop and asked the owner only to find the owner's wife managing the store.
"Excuse me, ma'am have you seen this person in this card or ID?" Alise asked the owner's wife.
"Hmmm~ Let me have a look miss," Marie said to the girl with red hair.
"No, I have not seen this man sadly," Marie gave her answer.
"Is that so..." Alise replied, sighing.
"Wait a second, my husband might know," Marie said, trying to get the hopes up of the red-haired girl.
"Mon cher, can you come here quickly?" Marie called out to her husband
"What is it ma chére?" Meursault answered his wife.
"Excuse me sir, have you seen this person?" Alise asked the owner.
"Oui," Meursault replied to the young girl.
"Pardon?" Alise said.
"I have seen this man; he just left approximately 7 hours and 48 minutes ago," Meursault answered.
"Do you perhaps know where he lives?" Ryu asked.
"Non," Meursault answered, shaking his head slightly.
"Thank you very much, Mr. and Mrs.?," Ryu said, forgetting to ask for their names.
"Marie Mersault, and my husband Patrice Mersault. Pleasure to be of help Miss," Marie said, introducing herself and her husband.
"It's getting late Captain, let's head back now, we can ask around tomorrow," Ryu said to her Captain
"Yeah you're right, Ryu let's head back," Alise replied.
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Marie and Mr. Patrice," Alise said to the owner and his wife.
"No problem at all ladies, stay safe out there," Marie said to the two girls.
And soon the shop closes for today, and the Astraea Familia girls head back.
"Looking at this ID or something, don't you think he's kinda handsome?" Alise said to Ryuu while looking closely at the picture.
"He has a good face, Captain. Why do you ask? Is he perhaps your type?" Ryuu replied to her Captain
"What! I mean, he has looks but I wouldn't just date someone because of it," Alise said to Ryuu.
"Uh-huh," Ryuu said, not convinced.
"Also, I'll ask Kaguya if she knows how to read this?" Alise said to Ryu.
"You're right, Captain, it looks like Far-Eastern letters," Ryu replied to her captain.
"I hope we can find him tomorrow so we can return his ID or something," Alise said.
"I hope so," Ryuu said.
The two ladies, tired, made their way back to their home, The Stardust Garden. Their Goddess, Astraea still awake, welcoming them back after a hard day at patrols, after a quick report, they went in to rest.
Author's note:
Iirc the City has different writings, so since Kagami is a Japanese native, I made his License written in Japanese since I saw Ryoshu and the Other sinner's ID's being written in their own book language, in this world, a far eastern one. Kaguya would be able to read this since it's somewhat a 1 to 1 in the readings.