The deeper they walked into Orario, the more the noise of the main streets faded behind them.
Bell walked close beside Kaelis, glancing nervously at the boy currently tucked under his master's arm like an unwilling parcel.
Every passerby they crossed gave them a baffled look—some confused, some amused, and some clearly judging Kaelis for whatever was happening.
Though, they usually come to a positive conclusion thanks to their appearance.
Right now, they were on their way to an orphanage that was located on a street named 'Deadalus.'
"Let me go! I wasn't gonna steal anything else!"
The boy kept thrashing in his arms.
Kaelis didn't even look at him.
"You already stole something."
"It was just one pouch!"
"Still stealing."
"Y-YEAh, but—!"
"You really want to argue the morals of theft while upside-down under someone's arm?"
The kid went quiet. He couldn't win, but that wasn't going to stop him from glaring.
Bell coughed awkwardly. "M-Master… maybe we shouldn't be holding him like that…"
"If I put him down, he'll run. If he runs, he gets caught by someone less patient than me. If that happens, he loses a hand."
He glanced down at the kid.
"Wanna steal with one hand?"
"…No…"
"Good. Then stay still. I'm cleaning the streets"
Bell tugged at his collar, trying not to wince.
This city was nothing like the quiet farm.
Not even close.
Up ahead the faint sound of children's laughter.
Bell perked up. "Master, I hear kids."
"Yeah. That should be it."
Sure enough, around the corner stood a modest church-like building with a wide open gate.
A couple of children were running around.
When they saw Kaelis approaching with a kid flailing under his arm, their sweeping slowed… then stopped entirely.
One whispered, "…Is he… kidnapping someone?"
Bell wanted to sink into the ground.
Kaelis ignored them and knocked on the door with his free hand.
A moment later, the door opened, revealing a middle-aged woman with tied-back hair and kind expression.
She looked like the type who could command an army of children without raising her voice.
"Good morning. How can I hel—"
She stopped mid-sentence.
Her gaze dropped to the struggling kid tucked under Kaelis's arm.
Then up to Kaelis.
Then over to Bell.
Her face immediately tightened.
"…Sir. Why is that child under your arm?"
Before Bell could panic and blurt something, Kaelis answered with complete calm:
"He stole from us. At some point he is gonna end up dead, so I'm leaving him here instead."
"I—I beg your pardon?"
The boy then took the opportunity.
"He's lying! I didn't steal anything! He just grabbed me—!!"
Kaelis stared at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Do you want to finish that sentence again?"
The kid deflated instantly.
"…Okay, maybe I did steal something."
"Good." Kaelis set him on his feet. "Honesty's a better start."
The boy sulked as dusting himself off.
The caretaker pinched the bridge of her nose.
"…Alright. Come inside. We'll handle it from here."
Then, surprisingly, she bowed her head—just slightly.
"It's… not common for strangers to bring a child here voluntarily instead of throwing them to the guards. Thank you."
Bell blinked.
Kaelis shrugged. "He's not a bad kid. Just hungry and dumb."
The caretaker exhaled, resigned but understanding.
"That describes half our residents."
She placed a hand on the boy's back and nudged him inside.
"You're staying here for now. We'll find you work to do, and maybe in a few months you'll stop trying to steal everyone's pockets."
The boy grumbled but didn't resist.
He paused, glancing back at Bell and Kaelis.
"…Thanks. I guess."
Kaelis waved him off with the effort of someone swatting a mild inconvenience.
Bell smiled softly.
Even the kid seemed confused by the gesture—but not unhappy.
The caretaker nodded and before she closed the door, she remembered she hadn't introduced herself.
"By the way, I'm Maria Martel."
"Beautiful name." Kaelis complimented. "I'm Kaelis Valeblade and this here is Bell Cranel, my disciple."
Maria flashed them a gentle smile. "Nice to meet you, Kaelis and Bell."
"Like wise."
With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving them on the quiet street.
Kaelis dusted his gloves off.
"Alright. That's handled."
Bell watched the door for another second, thoughtful.
"…Master?"
"Yeah?"
"That kid… he really didn't have anyone, did he?"
Kaelis crossed his arms. "If he did, he wouldn't be stealing in broad daylight."
Bell lowered his gaze, something quietly shifting in him.
Kaelis watched him but didn't comment.
"Come."
As they continued their way towards the guild, moments after they left, a very beautiful girl arrived after.
Eventually, the massive building of the Guild came into view, towering over the main road.
People were coming and going nonstop.
"…That's the Guild?"
"Yeah," Kaelis said.
They stepped inside.
The interior was busier than the street—lines of adventurers waiting to cash in on their loot, guild workers scribbling paperwork, the smell of metal and dust everywhere.
Bell's eyes darted around, absorbing everything like he didn't want to forget a single detail.
"Master…" Bell whispered. "Are… those adventurers…"
"Mhm?"
"They look so cool…"
"They look broke."
"…Huh?"
Kaelis pointed. "See how half their armor is mismatched? That means they couldn't afford complete sets from the same smith. And the tall one forgot to clean the monster blood off his boots. He's going to reek later when it warms up."
Bell blinked. "Master, how do you know these things?"
"I pay attention."
Bell puffed out his cheeks again. "You're ruining my illusions."
"You're welcome."
Kaelis nudged him forward. "Come on. The reception desk is that way."
He guided Bell to an open counter, where a guild worker looked up—mid-twenties, professional, clearly tired of dealing with loud adventurers all morning.
"Next," she said.
Bell froze.
Kaelis leaned slightly toward him. "Bell. Talk."
Bell jerked. "Right! Um—hello! I—I want to register as an adventurer!"
The receptionist blinked, sizing him up.
From the unusual clothes, to the nervous posture he held.
"You're a new arrival to Orario?"
"Yes, ma'am," Bell said quickly.
"Alright." She sighed, pulling out a sheet. "Name?"
"Bell Cranel."
She wrote it down.
"Age?"
"Fourteen."
Her pen hesitated for a fraction. "You're starting… early."
"Yes," Bell said.
The receptionist studied him for a second longer before nodding. "Fine. Are you currently affiliated with a Familia?"
Bell opened his mouth—and hesitated.
Kaelis stepped in. "Not yet. He'll be looking for one after registering."
The receptionist accepted that answer.
"You'll be listed as unaffiliated until you receive a Falna. That means you won't get your personal adviser until you're officially part of a Familia. Understood?"
Bell nodded quickly. "Yes!"
She handed him a small stack of papers. "Fill these out—basic information."
Bell froze again.
Kaelis exhaled. "Give it here, I'll write."
Kaelis filled out both their papers while Bell kept glancing around, still amazed by the building and the adventurers.
Every now and then he leaned over to watch Kaelis's handwriting like he expected some dramatic secret to appear on the page.
When the papers were done, they gave them to the receptionist.
"Okay," she said, sliding them into a folder. "That's all for the registration process. Once you join a Familia, have your god or goddess return with you to update your status. Until then—it's advisable not to enter the dungeon."
Bell nodded again, gripping the strap of his bag a little tighter. "Thank you."
The receptionist gave a small, tired smile. "Welcome to Orario, Bell Cranel and Kaelis Valeblade. Good luck."
Bell bowed—too deeply—and nearly bumped into the counter.
"Alright," Kaelis said, steering him away from the desk. "You're officially registered. Next step: finding someone willing to take you in."
Bell took a deep breath.
And so, they left the guild building.
Chapter 55 end.