VIP System

"Lady Ranna seemed to be quite invested in you two. Your registration fee, Leo, and Amanda's update fee have both been covered."

Amanda and Leo exchanged looks of surprise and happiness. "We definitely need to visit her once in a while," Leo said, feeling grateful. He thought back to everything Ranna had done for them—the quiet wisdom she shared, the opportunities she provided. She had been more than just a farm owner; she had been a guide, a protector, and a friend. Internally, he also felt reassured that he’d made a good decision in establishing a connection with Ranna.

Susan turned to Amanda, her expression curious. "Is he really the son of Claire and Samuel? He doesn't look like a sixteen, at least not in the way I'd expect."

Amanda chuckled softly. "I can't believe it myself. Leo's incredibly hardworking. Maybe it's just good body progression."

Leo, standing beside them, could only scratch his head awkwardly. They reached a window where Susan handed him a form. Adjacent windows were equally busy, with adventurers of all kinds lined up, holding bags and scrolls. Leo watched as adventurers handed over their bags to the guild staff, who checked the contents and provided coins in return. He deduced that this must be how adventurers received their quest rewards.

Susan handed him a pen, and he began filling out the form while she processed Amanda's adventurer update. Amanda handed over her adventurer card. The form Leo filled out was basic: name, age, race, and level. The race and level fields were optional, with a note stating that any discrepancies would be verified during Imprinting.

As Leo finished filling out his form, he glanced around at the bustling guild hall. Adventurers of all ranks lined up for their own quests, some eyeing each other with competitive grins, others whispering strategies for their next mission.

"Things have changed since I was here last," Amanda said softly, her gaze scanning the room.

"Back then, we didn’t have half this crowd."

"What was it like back then?" Leo asked.

Amanda smiled, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes. "Quieter, but somehow more intense. Everyone knew everyone, and the stakes felt... higher."

Darting back on the form it listed possible jobs for new adventurers, each tagged with a difficulty level: Swordsman (Normal), Archer (Medium), Magician (Difficult), Priest (Difficult), and Vanguard (Normal). Leo noticed a note mentioning that multiple jobs were allowed as long as one could pass the promotion quest for each.

"This isn’t like any game I’ve played before," Leo mused, feeling a flicker of excitement mixed with caution. "In games, you pick a path and stick with it—one job, one progression. But here... it’s like they’re giving you the freedom to shape your own destiny. It’s more complex, more... real. There’s no balancing mechanic to keep you in check, just your own strength and choices. It’s thrilling... and a little terrifying."

Additionally, the form included information about the adventurer ranking system. New adventurers were ranked E, with ranks progressing through D, C, B, A, and S. The ranking system was used to categorize which quests were appropriate for an adventurer's skill level. Knowing this, Leo wondered what his rank would be with his system included. But he put the idea aside for the moment, focusing on the immediate tasks at hand.

After Leo finished filling out the form, Amanda glanced at it. “Swordsman, huh? You really are Samuel's son.”

Leo smiled, but the real reason behind his choice was more personal than he was willing to admit. “It just felt... natural,” he said, his voice steady, though there was more to it than he let on. “I guess after being around you for so long, it seemed like the right fit. I’ve seen how you move, how you carry yourself... it just made sense.”

Amanda blinked, caught off guard. “What do you mean?” she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity but also a trace of unease.

He chuckled, trying to keep the conversation light. “You know, when you’re practicing... I’ve seen you a few times. The way you handle an imaginary sword—it’s fluid, like you’ve been doing it forever.”

She flinched when he mentioned her practicing, and he realized he might have touched on something deeper. But it wasn’t his place to push—not yet.

“I didn’t realize you were watching,” she said softly, her tone more guarded now.

Something about the way she moved with an imaginary sword just felt... right to him. As if he were seeing a reflection of something within himself. Maybe that’s why he chose swordsman. It wasn’t just because of his admiration for Amanda, but because part of him felt drawn to it—though he couldn’t quite explain why.

Amanda glanced away, her fingers fidgeting slightly. “That was a long time ago,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

He quickly added, “Yeah, but it’s still there. It’s part of you. I guess... I wanted to learn from that, even if I’m starting from scratch.”

Amanda's eyes softened, though a hint of something deeper flickered in them. She gave a small nod, but her silence spoke volumes.

Leo shifted the conversation back to him, hoping to ease any tension. “Anyway, I thought it’d be a good fit for me. Something I can grow into.”

She smiled again, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’ll do great,” she said, her voice warm but distant. “Just... be careful.”

“I will,” Leo promised, feeling the weight of the moment pass. He had touched something sensitive, but he knew not to push further.

Leo smiled and handed the form to Susan. She scanned it and nodded approvingly. "Swordsman is a good choice. You have a great form for it. And remember, this isn't set in stone. If you want to choose another job, you can do so. You can take job promotion at adventurer level 10."

As Susan processed the form, she handed Leo a small booklet. "This contains basic information and guidelines for new adventurers. Make sure to read it thoroughly. It will help you understand your role better and prepare you for the challenges ahead."

Leo took the book and looked at it from both sides before putting it into his rear pocket. Susan then handed Amanda her updated adventurer card. "You're now rank B," she said, "since you were inactive for a long time."

Curious, Leo asked Amanda, "What was your rank before?"

Susan answered for her, "She was ranked A years ago."

Leo’s eyes widened in amazement. "That's just one rank below S!" he exclaimed. A thought crept into his mind—if Amanda was once that strong, what could it mean for their future as partners? Could he catch up to her? Or had she outpaced him before he even got started?