Guardian Trial

They are hiding from me?! This doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I'm super friendly.

[Why?!]

"Well, most of the residents here are not used to strangers."

[What? But I already am friend with the bear, the tiger, the wolf, the roc, the turtle and now you!]

I guess I also made an enemy with the goldfish.

"Well, you are listing everyone that is easily found…"

"IMPOSSIBLE! I'm good at hiding! I may not be as good as teacher, but I'm not that bad either!"

"Yes, my bad. But you still talk to others from time to time. As good as you are at hiding if someone screams your name you will likely appear."

"Not only appear but appear out of nowhere! They will never see me coming!"

"Yes, yes, anyway. This is the situation."

[So you are saying that my exploration ends now?!]

"Well, except if you are looking for a fight. You could always forcefully enter the various domains."

[What do you mean by the domains?]

"All the special landmarks where these guys live. All are situated in half-pocket dimensions."

[I see. So what then? Am I just supposed to wait for them not to be shy?]

"That probably wouldn't work. I have heard about your title. Some still believe you are lying."

[The guardians themselves are calling me that!]

"Yes, but that is the thing too. The current guardians are not the most influential either."

[Are you talking about all the others that have been gone for a while?]

"Indeed."

[We have no idea when they will come back?]

"Exactly."

[Why won't they just trust their word?]

"The dwarf is always forging, the elf is the bane of all with his etiquette lessons and the spider is…. well, you know."

Fair point. She is mischievous, to say the least.

[So what should I do?]

"We just met. What do YOU want to do?"

[I do want to live up to my new title and as a teacher haha.]

"I heard you trained with the guardians themselves so you definitely have the strength."

I'm not sure on that one myself, to be honest.

"How well do you know the outside world?"

[I don't in the least.]

"Then you should definitely gain some knowledge on that. At the same time, you could gain the trust of the others."

[How?]

"Actually, I may have a suggestion. Have you ever heard of the guardian trial?"

[What exactly does it entail?]

"It is a tradition. A challenge that everyone needs to pass in order to become a guardian."

[Does being one even give any perks?]

"Well, only to be recognized by Yggdrasil himself."

[So I can totally skip it, right?]

"Well here is the thing. If you want to receive everyone's approval, wouldn't becoming a guardian be your fastest bet?"

[How does this even work?]

"One would usually accomplish certain tasks for the forest residents."

[So pretty much to work for free for people that disdain me? No way!]

"Well, you could help the ones you are familiar with instead."

I see.

"This bear thinks this is ridiculous! I will simply learn at teacher's side then I will be able to accomplish all that I want!"

"This wolf agrees!"

I think I heard the roc agree, but he's flying far away from the rocks haha.

"Actually, there is an upside to that. All these tasks are outside the forest. That is why they cannot do it by themselves."

[So I could just explore without any pressure and slowly complete these tasks?]

"Indeed. Either that or you could simply wait for Yggdrasil to wake up."

[How long do you think that would take? The ghost said month to years.]

"It could even be a decade easily."

*Sigh* This is disappointing.

So much for my excitement to talk to my friend. Now, these tasks... Oh god. These are real-life side quests! Now my blood is starting to boil. I can't help but get excited.

This isn't a game? Perhaps, but close enough. Magic, adventure, epic creatures, side quests. What more can one want?

The answer is Tea. Nothing beats sitting elegantly in your gaming chair sipping tea. Why do I love tea? Was I British? Nope.

You see one of my role models loved tea too. A wise old man that belonged to a fiery nation haha. So, will I sit on my ass and wait? I could turn this story into a slice of life one.

Hide with the bear in the morning, play fetch with the wolf in the afternoon, etc. Hell no! Does a peaceful life sound fun? Well, yes if you have something to busy yourself with. Peaceful life in a forest? Hell no!

In a fantasy world, one needs to meet princesses and dragons! Even better, dragon princesses! Otherwise, it would be such a waste. Plus I want to get lots of life experiences.

Then I will finally have new stories to tell my friend. Let's just say in the previous years my storytelling can be described easily. A damn broken record. Repeating the same stuff over and over.

Sure someone that loves you may listen intently and even laugh from time to time. But I may as well take the opportunity to better myself.

[I've decided. I'll try these tasks! Oh, but only if it's convenient. I don't plan on putting myself in danger!]

"Of course, as should be."

"No, teacher! Are you going to leave us behind! X2"

[You see comes a time in a disciple's life when he should fly with his own wings!]

"Like the bird above? *Puzzled*"

[Okay, I meant that one figuratively. Meaning you guys will have to be independent.]

"AWWWW..."

[Don't worry I believe in you guys.]

"AWWWW!"

[Alright, where do I start?]

Then comes a cacophony. Everyone here asking me to pick them. Each louder than the other. Wait, even the gorilla?! What does he even want?

[Quiet!]

They all settle down.

[We'll do it fairly!]

I pick a ton of pebbles and start drawing. One for each creature I have encountered so far.

[Alright bear, bury these all near one another. I'll randomly pick one without looking.]

He nods seriously and gets to work. A few moments later he is done. Moment of truth, where will I be going? I slowly unveil one. Removing the soil on it. Only to reveal a small drawing of a turtle.

Alright, here we go.

This is the beginning of my adventure...