Mysterious Visitor

Within the Grand Adventure Guild, Elijah and Niko were comfortably sitting in a break room chomping away at a complimentary rice bowl mixed with chicken and other niche veggies and herbs.

Any moment now, as Enida had told them, a mysterious visitor will arrive in the adventure guild vying for a conversation.

Knock Knock

Enida peeked her head inside the break room. "Please follow me, the visitor's are waiting inside a private conference room." 

"Seems like we might be in for a show, Niko."

Elijah and Niko were led up the carpeted stairs to the third floor, which wasn't even the top most floor! Along the way, Elijah looked back a few times at the hallways and grand foyer he had views of. So much love went into making this building with the small tables lined up outside each room, and the ornate details like paneled walls and finely cut columns that gave every entry a featured look.

"Here they are, sir." Enida led her hand into the room, and upon entry, Elijah and Niko both froze. While it was a thought that came into their head, they were startled by the difference of a person she was when fully dressed.

"Sa-sakia! How did you guys find us?" Niko added as Elijah stared into her eyes in silence.

"Ahem… My daughter let me know what occurred in the spring, how you were the reason for her safety… Firstly, my name is Quintin Sohana, and thank you for saving my daughter." 

Quintin, an obviously established man of a royal family Elijah had seen in the newspapers. It had something to do with a business related to architecture, which heavily intrigued Elijah. 

Quintin was a man of class because of this. A subtle navy and gold floral design stitched into a finely made black suit gave him a sense of royalty no doubt. However, the contrast of his black hair and blue eyes made Elijah think he had a water affinity. "My daughter insisted we find you at whatever cost. Thankfully, when looking into the identity warehouse of the kingdom, we were able to find a recently updated identity by the name of Elijah Veran and Niko Trident."

Elijah paused upon this fact. An identity warehouse that stored physical copies of anyone's identity. How is it possible that they were in there?!

Could this be what Banum meant by not worrying about anything related to his identity?

"It was something we had to do, sir. We don't want any attention for our gracious act, just a peaceful life out of the spotlight." Elijah responded with kindness while setting his intentions early on.

"I see. How was it that you got into the VIP spring anyway? We had it reserved for our daughter for her weekly spa night, and you happened to somehow be there with her?" Quintin was assuming that her daughter was up to no good, or Elijah and Niko were up to no good. Either way, there was no easy answer which resulted in them revealing the cold hard truth.

"We snuck into the spring before your daughter arrived. We are not from a noble background and thought the price was far too high for us."

Quintin raised his eyes at this statement. "So, you are not afraid to be honest are you?"

"Father!" Saskia finally said a word instead of staring at Elijah and Niko.

"Oh well. We have thanked you both for your kind efforts, so we must get going now…"

Elijah could easily understand there was some animosity between Quintin and his daughter, but also between himself and his daughter's savior's.

"May I stay with them father. Maybe we can go out for a nice dinner!" Saskia cut in before standing up from the chair that sat behind a rounded table.

"I think these boys have better things to do. And so do you… Let's go."

This was it, the words that finally pissed Elijah off. Seeing someone else's freedom being taken away for a reason likely related to the obvious noble versus commoner trope going on was not something he enjoyed. However, he did not think it was the full truth…

"I don't see anything wrong with us having dinner with your daughter, sir. We saved her life… The least you could do is reward us with time."

"Time! You don't think I know what is going on here! You want to be in cahoots with my daughter as a way to never work again in your life! Only the God's know what else you want to do!"

"I am a man of honor that puts effort into everything I do! Do not mistake me for the common boy full of pain and sorrow, trying to take every shortcut in life to get what they want! I will become the strongest warrior this Kingdom has ever seen! And put an end to this so-called war I have heard so much about!" Elijah said with a firm stomp on the floor as a way to grab his attention.

Quintin turned around with a face as dead as the goblins he had just slayed earlier. "And what about you, boy! What is it that you want in life?"

Niko didn't bother to hesitate for even a single second. A perfect transition from his question led to Niko voicing his motivations for changing the dynamic of magic. It was obvious from Quintins first sight of Niko that he had a fire affinity. Despite magical affinities being if not the strongest boon one could receive without a flaw, Quintin still stared him down like a useless child. 

It seemed the runic equipment and power boons coupled with a flaw overshadowed the element's visibility in the eyes of Quintin. 

"I may not have as much strength as Elijah, but you will surely see me at the top one day." Niko responded lacking confidence, only noticed by Niko.

"Hmmm. You know, I do not believe that commoners are worth something in this kingdom. In fact, I see everyone the same. However, one similarity remains true. Anyone who is not a noble or royal is most likely cannon fodder. If they were a noble, they would be accomplishing something worth living for. It is not so much that the nobles and royals have it better than the commoners, but the simple fact of every advantage being used!" 

"Of course, there are many disadvantages to being a commoner, but anyone not able to confront them has no hope of achieving their dreams." Quintin finished his king-esque speech, and gave the permission for Saskia to stay around Elijah and Niko.

A guard began to follow them through the streets directly outside the Adventure Guild.

Elijah couldn't help but seer into Quintin's short speech. Small parts reminded him of George Weltor, a man that had built his family from the ground up through hard work and dedication. A man who did not discriminate as he had come from the bottom-most level himself.

Quintin on the other hand, was someone who discriminated, but for reasons that would separate the worthy from the unworthy. He enjoyed the system Elijah still had much to learn about — one that likely catered to the nobles and royalty, but also the strong and smart. A man who had a great deal of love for the people around him while also taking time to vet anyone he may allow in his circle.

Average is not welcome.