Ale's journey: The rise of an adventurer

Ale pushed open the heavy doors of the adventurers' guild, located in the bustling district of Brisemer. The building was impossible to miss: a towering, two-story structure adorned with symbols representing the various figures of adventurers. It stood proudly in a lively square, just beneath the slums that overlooked a part of the city.

The ground floor housed a vast hall. At the center stood a massive wooden counter where adventurers came to receive their missions and rewards. To the left, an entire wall was dedicated to mission postings. Rolled parchments were pinned to it, detailing available quests, all categorized by their level of difficulty. To the right, a door led to the training rooms where adventurers honed their skills.

The upper floor was a mezzanine, offering a clear view of the hall below. It was lined with round tables and a cozy bar. This was the adventurers' relaxation and discussion area, a place where stories of bravery and exploits were exchanged over a drink. The guild master had the mind of a businessman, knowing precisely how to get adventurers to spend their freshly earned rewards on celebratory drinks.

"Ale, up here!" A familiar voice called out from the upper floor. Looking up, he saw Bam, Solia, and Tim waving at him. A smile spread across his face. He climbed the stairs and joined his friends around a table.

"So, you've decided to join us?" Solia asked excitedly.

"Yes, I'm ready to become an adventurer," Ale replied, resolute.

"That's fantastic!" Bam exclaimed. "We've got to celebrate!"

Tim signaled the server. "Four pints of ale, please."

When the drinks arrived, Ale eyed the golden foam with curiosity. It was his first time tasting alcohol. He remembered watching his grandfather enjoy a beer from time to time and had always wondered what it tasted like.

"To our future adventurer!" Bam toasted.

They clinked their mugs together, and Ale raised his drink to his lips. The bitter, fizzy taste caught him by surprise. It wasn't unpleasant, just different from what he had imagined. He smiled as he set the mug back down.

"How do you like it?" Tim asked, laughing.

"Interesting," Ale replied. "I get why my grandfather liked it, but I think I prefer fruit juice for now."

The group burst into laughter. "Don't worry, it's something you get used to," Solia reassured him.

They spent some time together, sharing stories and laughs. Eventually, the conversation turned to how the guild worked.

"You should know how things operate here," Bam began. "Adventurers are ranked from Class 10 down to Class 1. Beginners like us are Class 10. Class 7 are considered skilled adventurers, and once you reach Class 5, you're seen as a high-ranking adventurer."

Tim continued, "Missions are also ranked by difficulty. Class F for beginners, E for easy missions, D for intermediate, C for hard, B for very hard, A for dangerous, and S for super dangerous."

Solia added, "As Class 10 adventurers, we can only take on Class F or E missions. As we rank up, we'll get access to tougher, better-paying missions."

Ale nodded, taking it all in. "I see. Thanks for explaining all of this."

"By the way," he added, "do you know an adventurer named Flann?"

The three exchanged a look before Tim answered. "Yeah, of course! Flann is one of the few Class 5 adventurers in this guild. They call him 'Flann the Firemaker.' He's an expert in pyrotechnic explosions."

"Unfortunately, he's not here right now," Solia added. "He left on a mission a few weeks ago."

Ale felt a twinge of disappointment, but also hope. "I'd really like to meet him one day."

"I'm sure you will," Bam said. "He comes back here often between missions."

After a while, Ale brought up a concern that had been on his mind. "I'm looking for temporary lodging until I can earn some money as an adventurer. I only have twenty silver coins. Do you have any suggestions?"

Tim thought for a moment. "With that budget, your best bet is to find a room in the slums. It's not the most comfortable place, but it's affordable."

"And you're strong enough to defend yourself if needed," Bam added. "Just be careful of pickpockets."

Solia nodded. "If you prefer, there are also modest inns in the common district. They're a bit more expensive, but maybe safer."

Ale thanked them for their advice. "I'll see what I can find."

"And what about you guys? What are your plans now?" he asked.

"We're planning to rest for a month before heading out on another mission," Solia replied. "The last one was exhausting, and we need time to recover."

"That gives you time to settle in and complete the training if you want to join our team for the next mission," Tim added.

After finishing their drinks, they all headed downstairs so Ale could officially register with the guild.

At the counter, a smiling receptionist greeted them. "Hello, how can I help you?"

"Yes, I'd like to sign up as an adventurer," Ale stated.

"Very well. To become an adventurer, you'll need to complete a three-day training session. The registration fee is three silver coins. The next session starts in a week, on the first Monday of the month."

Ale handed over the necessary coins to the receptionist. "Perfect, I'm ready."

She gave him a scroll to fill out with his personal details. Once Ale had completed the form, the receptionist instructed him, "Now, inject a bit of mana into the scroll."

As his mana touched the scroll, it slowly unfurled, revealing glowing symbols and lines of writing that danced across the surface.

"Now, fuse this form with your badge," she said, handing him a small metal medallion adorned with the guild's symbol. Ale carefully placed the badge on the scroll. The two objects began to glow, merging into a golden light. The scroll dissolved, leaving only the badge, now containing all of Ale's personal information.

"It's done," the receptionist declared. "You can activate it by injecting a bit of mana. It will serve as your identity card and adventurer's certification."

Curious, Ale infused the badge with a slight dose of mana. A luminous bubble appeared, displaying his details:

__ __ ____ __ ____ __ ____ __ ____ __

| Name: Ale Valenor |

| Age: 16 |

| Rank: New Recruit |

| Affiliation: Eldoria Adventurer Guild. |

__ __ __ __ __ ____ __ ____ __ ____ __

"Impressive," he murmured.

"Make sure to keep it on you at all times," the receptionist advised. "You'll need it to accept missions and access the guild's facilities."

"Thank you very much," Ale replied, tucking the badge safely away.

His friends congratulated him warmly. "Welcome to the team, officially!" Bam exclaimed.

"We can't wait to start taking missions together," Solia added.

"Me neither," Ale responded, excitement in his voice.

After Ale completed his registration, they parted ways outside the guild.

"We've got to go," Tim said. "But don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."

"Yeah, remember, we're a team now," Bam added, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"I'll remember. Thanks for everything," Ale replied sincerely.

As his friends walked away, Ale felt a warm sense of belonging fill him.

Time had flown by, and the sun was now setting, casting long shadows over the streets. It was time to find a roof for the night!