A Welcoming Stab

Gold. The lifeblood of commerce. Those with more than enough wealth would often exercise bending the rules by using the power of currency.

However, the rules for becoming an adventurer in Elaria is so lax that one can exploit it. But is it really exploitation when an individual's strength can be surmised to be nothing more than throwing money?

"I, Leopold Von Fritz, am not satisfied with this bronze rank that have been bestowed upon me! Quickly, Rosa, I demand that the highest rank be given to me at once!"

Right in front of the Guild's front desk, the blonde haired man exclaimed as if it was his god given right.

The tall aged woman sighed, adjusting her monocle with her gloved hand. Her white kempt hair and sharp suit exuded grace found only in her trade, a butler.

"Master Leopold, it would be for the best to settle with bronze as of the moment. Once I am done training you, we shall have you rank up again, what say you?" Rosa suggested.

Fickle and rich are two characteristics that don't mesh well, or rather they mix potent enough like water and electricity, conducive enough to cause harm.

A few days ago this young noble was content in idle at the land they owned, now, they are here because some passing adventurers filled his mind with glorious tales of adventures.

Thus, accompanied by the family's butler, Leopold travelled to Elaria and took the application. The interview he passed, there's only one small problem though, he knows jackshit about combat. His butler coddling him, paid for the bronze opponent in gold, resulting in an effortless victory for the young lad.

If his trusty butler said so, then Leopold must take it into consideration. But the lowest of ranks, truly!? He should at least ascend to silver.

"I see the logic in your proposal, Rosa, at the very least let me ascend to silver!"

Silver!? Rosa doubted if her master saw logic at all. Without any combat capabilities whatsoever, he should have been aware that his match was rigged. Leopold's pocket might have been filled with gold, but he was dumber than a sack of rocks.

But how could Rosa deny the man that was like his own grandson to her? His wisdom might be questionable, but Rosa knew he held no malice in his heart.

"Then let we shall settle with silver." Rosa glanced at the lady manning the front desk. "Much like before, allow me to procure master Leopold's opponent."

"I'm afraid that we have a shortage of silver adventurers for the moment, a certain dark elf had been scalping all the jobs, they are most likely taking a vacation or looking for other temporary trades." The lady in the front desk informed.

"I will take care of it."

Surely Rosa would be able to proposition a silver adventurer or two.

~~~~

Minutes of scouring the lounge, Rosa found out firsthand that there is truth in what the desk lady had said.

The only silver adventurer Rosa had encountered so far was a Goblin in full light armor, polishing his short blade.

The Goblin gazed upwards, the Emerald dragonhead necklace in Rosa's neck did not even illicit a reaction.

"Do you need something?" His timbre crude, the Goblin paid no heed to seniority or heirarchy.

"Are you in dire need of Gold? Help my master win in a rank up match and I shall award you with this." Rochelle presented a small dangling.

The goblin whistled. His eyes sparkled and his gruff tone vanished due to the promise of gold.

"How much is that?"

"40 in total." Rosa answered.

Easy 40 gold. The Goblin had a reputation to uphold but that amount is more than enough to last him for weeks on end.

The Goblin greedily swiped the pouch from Rochelle's hand.

"You got yourself a deal! Tell your master I'll see him at the arena."

"Splendid! Oh, by the way, what should I call the Goblin sir?"

"My name is Voz."

~~~~

Per usual, guild's silver menace was able to draw in a crowd.

Like a proud grandmother, Rosa stood on the sidelines while giving her master a thumbs up. Leopold smiled at her before turning to the opponent before him.

Leopold observed the armor clad whatever it was in front of him. Green skin, and a short stature? Leopold knows what it is!

"How marvelous, a leprechaun as an opponent! I apologize but I cannot take it easy on you." Leopold drew his short sword, ready to battle. "Now come, small magical creature! This sword shall strike down whatever foul magic you can conjure!"

Voz was about to snap a vein. Leprechaun, small magical creature!? Never before had he been this insulted. Has this dumbass truly never seen a goblin before? These rich folks are something else.

Screw the 40 gold. Voz is going to teach this greenhorn what it means to be an adventurer.

Closing his helmet, Voz simply walked towards his opponent.

Leopold struck, putting all his strength into his swing!Despite the size difference, Voz experience in swordplay allowed him to parry with one single swing, sending Leopold's sword flying.

"YAAAAAAAAAH!" With a frenzied shout, Voz jumped into Leopold's shoulder.

Like an impromptu rodeo, the panicked Leopold tried to shake off the goblin but he stuck to his shoulder as if he was glued. Here is where Voz would impart the lesson that being an adventurer isn't all rainbows and sunshines.

"Congratulations on being an adventurer, you rich cunt!"

Voz's sword stabbed Leopold's shoulder, Leopold cried in agony as the Goblin finally removed himself from his shoulder. Voz spit at Leopold writhing on the ground.

"Stop, stop the fight!" The proctor decreed.

With the sight of his blood flowing from his shoulder too much to bear, the young man had passed out. Acting on her training, it didn't take long before Rosa was on top Leopold, healing him with a the green light emitted from her hands. Once her master was healed, Rosa called out to the goblin.

"Now hold on just one moment."

Heeding the call, Voz sighed, "Look, I understand you might want revenge for this brat but I'm not too big on beating up old people."

"600 gold." Rosa announced. An amount produced from her own pocket, alotted to avenge the master's dignity. "By name as Rosa, butler of house Von Fritz, Knock me out and the 600 gold is yours."

"You're on."

The Goblin charged.

Using his agility, the goblin feigned a sword swipe, only to jump and launch an uppercut. With how brittle this woman's bones is, he should be able to knock her out in one punch.

Underneath his helmet, the goblin's mouth hung agape at not only the old woman's reflex, but her strength! It was as if a minotaur gripped his fist! What the hell is this old woman!?

The butler's shin kicked the the side of his armor. A kick so powerful that her shin left an imprint in his plate, sending the poor goblin rolling into the floor.

The blunt trauma of her hit made Voz grip his side. This this old woman just break his ribs while he was wearing armor!?

Rosa waltz towards the goblin, "You little rascal, not only did you not honor your word, you dare stab my master too!" Her posture ever refined, yet Rosa's timbre belied her rage.

Voz vomited blood as soon as he stood, he really should go see a healer after this. But not until he had made this old bitch pay for kicking him in the ribs!

"Fuck you, you old hag! I'm going to gut you alive!"

Voz' charge was met by a Rosa's fists of fury. Her gloved hands denting his armor with every blow. The immaculate restraint that her old profession are known for is absent as Rosa released her full ability as a monk on the Goblin, overwhelming him with punches all over his body.

With one uppercut, Rosa sent the poor Goblin flying into the air. Landing with a loud thud, Voz laid momentarily lifeless.

Blood seeping from his armor, Voz tried to stand up.

The butler was not without mercy, seeing the slight her master had experienced is now avenged, Rosa turned to leave.

"We're...not...done...yet..." The goblin slurred, his body aching from pain.

"Oh, I believe you are. Yahahaha!" A laughter rung in the entire training arena.

Oh fucking great, Voz knew that laugh. It was the Guild master. From one old bastard to another, this day couldn't get any worse.