Job: Unemployed, Class: ...?!

Time passed. I was merely part of the queue, waiting for my turn to get scrutinized by the guards. Try as I might to learn what the process was like - to prepare some countermeasures, if need be - the hustle and bustle of the entrance to the royal capital made it difficult to think, let alone overhear anything that wasn't beside you.

Ahead of me was another human - a bored-looking man of some nondescript profession. Judging from his general apathy to the situation, this was not his first time to the capital. Directly behind me, in contrast, was another demi-human, possessed of what looked to be reptilian or fish-like qualities. On the sliding scale of demi-human 'demi or human,' he seemed to be significantly more 'demi' than others I had seen. His entire body seemed covered in scales, and his head was just simply that of a reptile, perhaps a lizard of some sort. The deep blue color of his scales, and a few of the spine-like structures running down his neck, gave me the impression of some kind of aquatic reptile, or perhaps a sort of sea serpent?

Either way, my reptilian queue companion was significantly more excited - and, probably, nervous - than the man in front. He fidgeted in place the entire time we waited, digging in his pockets - as he wore a simple cloth outfit - with apparently no purpose in mind. His behavior was almost child-like, and existed in stark contrast with his bestial appearance. Or, at least, it was strange to me, unused to such sights as I was.

I braced myself for some snide 'objective fulfilled' about making assumptions, but, mercifully, Penta remained silent. Zeta too, now that I thought about it. Perhaps the queue wasn't interesting enough for them?

After what felt like an eternity, the gates were at last looming overhead. I noticed, as we drew near, that some people traveling on foot seemed to get through the gates much quicker than others - I could only assume the added scrutiny was for new arrivals, or those bringing something significant with them. Sure enough, my human queue companion in the front broke off as we got near, passing through another portion of the gate that quickly reviewed something on his person before waving him along.

My heart sank. Was there some sort of ID or passport, after all? Would cases of having none of the above be common enough not to be a problem? I was not in any position to do anything about it, either way.

"Next!"

I made my way up to the guard station. Sure enough, there was something posted above where the officials waited, papers at the ready, in big letters I could not actually read.

"It makes sense, just because you learn the vocal language doesn't mean you learn the-"

I looked back to the sign and found the words "REGISTRATION AND CUSTOMS" staring me in the face.

"Objective fulfilled: Learn a new written language."

"Thanks," I deadpanned back mentally. One of her rare few normal objectives, and it still felt bad, as though I had cheated to achieve it.

"Next!"

It was my turn, at last. I moved up to an available desk - there were a few, presumably to expedite the process - and was greeted with another demi-human, dressed in semi-formal attire. This one, equally as 'demi' as my queue companion, was clearly possessed of some insectoid qualities.

"Name?" the demi-human asked as I approached, it's voice oddly...mundane, given it's appearance. It spoke out of large mandibles, and regarded me with two compound eyes, but sounded like someone who worked at the post office all the same.

"Rhys...Mephiston," I replied, taking a moment to remember which name I had come up with. I had a feeling it would be harder to shake after this...

The capital official looked up, regarding me for a moment. Did he notice my hesitation?

"Job and purpose for visiting the capital?"

"Adventurer! I'm going to sign up to be-"

"Are you working on behalf of another nation in an official capacity?"

"...No," I replied sheepishly, feeling cowed after my explanation was cut short.

"Your hand here, please." The official indicated a small metal device on his desk, which had an engraving of a palm upon it. Oddly, it was a human palm, which was slightly...ironic, given the potential cliental.

I reached out to the device, but I already knew there was something off about it - the air around it seemed charged with some sort of energy. The logical conclusion was that the device was magical in nature, but it's exact purpose, I had no way of knowing. Perhaps it was to check to see if I was lying, or something? Either way, nothing I had said was false, and my intentions were pure, so I had no reason to refuse.

I placed my hand on the device, expecting something dramatic. Nothing happened.

"Objective fulfilled: Interact with a magical device."

Good to know Penta hadn't completely given up.

"Thank you," the official stated plainly, pulling the device away. My hand had been there for maybe a second.

Feeling lost, I almost didn't notice the official digging around his desk for several moments. Eventually, he produced a small card with writing arranged across it.

"Name: Rhys Mephiston. Job: Unemployed," the official read dutifully off the card.

"Hey, I said I was going to be an adventurer!" I shot back. Though, admittedly, I hadn't actually been to the guild yet, so the card wasn't technically inaccurate...

The official paused. He looked to the card, then to me, and, somehow, his compound eyes narrowed.

"Look," he began, his tone heavy, "I don't know what cult you're representing, and I don't want to know, because I don't NEED to know."

"Wait, cult? I-"

"This thing? Magical. Lets us keep an eye on you, if we need to. And everyone's gotta keep it on them while they're here," the official continued, ignoring my protests. The 'thing' he indicated was the card itself. "If word spreads of any cult activity, or if your card suddenly goes missing, we'll know. You can be sure of that."

After glaring at me for several seconds, he finally handed me the card. Indeed, the information there pertained to my nature, gleamed automatically by the device I had touched.

"Class: Acolyte."

It was clear this was what had riled up the official. It definitely sounded ominous, but by the way he spoke, it seemed like the implications were well established.

"Wait, how...? I didn't know that-"

"Which," the official interrupted again, "is why I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt. I would take a serious look at your surroundings, your friends, and your circumstances, because somewhere along the way, you learned the wrong kind of magic, friend."

I did not feel like this man's friend.

"Objective fulfilled: Learn more about a class."