The same day, I walked around the town.
I was looking for a specific building.
I was planning to take Gabriel's advice.
I kept glancing at my surroundings.
Then—
THUMMP!
I bumped into someone and fell to the ground.
"Hey man, I—"
Before I could even finish, the man grabbed me by my collar and lifted me up.
"Watch where you're going, you brat!"
"Don't you know who I am?"
The man shouted while keeping me above the ground.
I slowly looked at him.
Middle-aged man...
Scars around his body...
A small plate hanging from his necklace?
An adventurer?
Without a single thought, I sighed and spoke my mind.
"Look, mister. I apologize... I didn't know you owned the whole sidewalk."
"Anyways, can you put me down? I'm in a hurry."
The guy gritted his teeth but decided to put me down.
I hit the ground but almost lost my balance.
"Next time, watch where you're going, kid."
The guy stated bluntly and continued walking.
Before he could leave, I spoke again.
"Uh..."
"Mister, do you know where I can sign up as an adventurer?"
I watched the guy stop walking and slowly glance at me over his shoulder.
Then—
Laughter.
"You? An adventurer?"
"Go home now, kid. Your mom will be worried about you."
He continued slapping his leg while laughing.
I gripped my short blade, but glanced around me...
People were staring.
So I sighed and said,
"I'm dead serious, mister."
The guy stopped laughing and looked at me.
With those judging eyes.
"Alright, I'll take you there," the guy said, no longer mocking me.
He turned around and started walking, expecting me to follow him.
I hurried up and walked behind him, not too far nor too close.
...
Silence.
Too much silence.
But then, he spoke.
"What's your name, kid?"
I was surprised at first, but then I quickly replied,
"Jean, just Jean."
After a second, he asked once more.
"Why do you want to be an adventurer, Jean?"
"Is it because you need money? Fame... Or what?"
"Hmmmm... I don't really have a particular reason for being one..."
"It's just... an old man told me to."
"Besides, I need everything I can get for my goal."
The guy stopped walking, and I bumped into his back.
He slowly looked at me and scoffed.
"We're here."
The man stepped forward, and I followed him inside.
The adventurers glanced our way, mumbling things like,
"What's a kid doing in here?"
One shouted,
"Hey, Edward! What's that kid doin' in this place?"
Edward glared at them.
"He wanted to be an adventurer... Got a problem with that?"
"N-no..."
The guy nervously replied and sat down with his party.
We headed toward the cleric.
The cleric quickly fixed herself.
"Good day, Sir Edward!"
"How can we help you?"
Edward stepped aside and leaned against the counter.
"Not me, him," he said, while pointing at me.
The cleric glanced my way, seemingly confused.
"A kid?"
Edward gave the cleric a serious stare.
"Ah, yes! Mr. Edward."
The cleric pulled out a piece of paper and a quill.
"Here you go. Sign this."
I grabbed the quill and stared at the paper for who knows how long.
"I can't understand it."
Then everyone in the guild started laughing.
Even the cleric covered her mouth.
I glanced around, watching everyone in embarrassment.
Edward then spoke.
"Hey, give him the real paper."
He sighed.
"Why do you guys like to mess with newcomers?"
Then an adventurer standing beside me spoke.
"Hey! All of us experienced it, right?"
Edward pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Just let him sign up."
The cleric put down the real papers.
I started filling out the paper.
Name?
Where I was born?
Age?
That's it?
"Thanks for your patience, sir."
The cleric took the paper once I was done and examined it.
"Mountain of..."
"Eve?"
Everyone froze.
Even Edward, who was chilling on the counter.