Chapter 9: Guardian

The guildhall buzzed with life. Adventurers sat at wooden tables, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Some clinked mugs of frothy ale, while others leaned over maps, planning their next moves.

The scent of roasted meat and spilled drinks lingered, mixing with the faint smell of polished wood and leather armor. It was a place of dreams, struggles, and camaraderie.

At the clerk's desk, Amelia sat with her usual calm demeanor. Her sharp eyes scanned the evaluation papers in her hands.

Caled and Quinn stood before her, their faces a mix of anticipation and pride.

Amelia looked up and smiled, handing them their evaluation results.

"You both did really well on your past quests," she said, her voice warm but professional. "The evaluation came in quickly. Congratulations, you're now officially recognized as adventurers."

She handed them their official badges, small but gleaming in the dim light of the guildhall. The badges bore the guild's emblem—a sword crossed with a staff—and the letter "F" engraved at the center.

Caled and Quinn exchanged glances, their smiles widening.

"Rank F," Amelia continued, "is where everyone starts. But if you keep up your good record, promotions will come. Just stay focused and work hard."

Caled nodded, his eyes already scanning the room, imagining the future.

Quinn, standing beside him, clutched her badge tightly, her heart swelling with pride.

She had come a long way from the timid girl she once was.

Amelia tilted her head slightly, her pen tapping lightly on the desk. "Now, about your temporary party. Will it continue, or will you go your separate ways?"

Caled didn't hesitate. "I'd like to keep working with Quinn," he said firmly.

Quinn's face lit up, her cheeks flushing with happiness. She nodded eagerly in agreement.

Amelia smiled, pleased with their decision. "Good. Now, let me explain the types of parties we have. There are two main kinds. First, the normal party, which can have up to five members. Second, the Alliance. An Alliance is a massive group made up of many adventurers or smaller parties. They get more benefits and have better chances for promotions. Oh, and once you reach Rank E or higher, you can even create your own Alliance."

Caled's eyes sparkled with ambition. "An Alliance sounds promising, but for now, we should focus on finding reliable party members."

With that, Caled walked over to the quest board, Quinn following closely.

The board was filled with parchment sheets, each detailing a quest.

Their eyes scanned the Rank F section, looking for something manageable yet rewarding.

"How about this one?" Quinn pointed to a quest requesting the furs of white wolves. "It's within our rank, and the reward seems decent."

Caled nodded. "Good choice. We'll take it."

As they discussed the details, a soft voice interrupted them. "Excuse me…"

They turned to see a girl standing a few feet away.

She had striking blue hair that fell in soft waves, contrasting with her pale skin and dark, almost black eyes. Her slender frame made her seem delicate, but the way she held herself suggested a quiet strength. She fidgeted slightly, her hands clutching the straps of her bag.

"I-I heard you're looking for a party member," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her cheeks flushed as she spoke, but she forced herself to meet their eyes.

Caled raised an eyebrow. "We are. We need a tanky frontliner. Someone who can take hits and protect the party."

The girl's eyes lit up, and she quickly reached for the items strapped to her back. She pulled out a sturdy shield and an iron mace, holding them with practiced ease.

"I'm a tank," she said, her voice gaining a little more confidence. "A durability tank."

Caled and Quinn exchanged surprised glances.

The girl didn't look like the typical tank—most were burly and imposing. But there was something about the way she held her weapons, the steadiness in her stance, that made them reconsider.

"What's your name?" Caled asked, his tone softening.

"Meisie Shaigal," she replied, her voice still shy but steady. "I'm a Rank F adventurer, just like you."

Caled studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, Meisie. Welcome to the party."

Meisie's face broke into a relieved smile. "Thank you! I've been rejected so many times because… well, I don't look like a durable tank."

Caled shook his head. "Appearances can be deceiving. You've got potential. I can see it in your stance and the way you handle your weapons."

Quinn chimed in, her voice warm and encouraging. "Caled's really good at spotting potential. If he says you've got it, you do."

Meisie's smile widened, and she gave a small bow. "I won't let you down." With that, she hurried over to the clerk's desk to register as their new party member.

Quinn watched her go, a soft smile on her lips. "She's cute," she commented, glancing at Caled.

Caled shrugged, his expression neutral. "She's a good addition to the party."

Quinn's smile turned playful. "You know, I wouldn't mind if you had… other interests. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me."

Caled looked at her, surprised but not displeased. Quinn's love for him was unwavering, and her selflessness only deepened his affection for her. He didn't respond, but the corner of his mouth twitched into a small smile.

[Ding!]

[A Target Heroine quest has been triggered.]

[Title: Conquer the Blue Guardian.]

Caled's smile grew. Another woman to conquer. His heart raced with anticipation, but he kept his composure. He and Quinn walked over to Amelia to finalize Meisie's registration and their new quest.

As they stood at the desk, Caled couldn't help but glance at Meisie, who was now officially part of their team. She stood a little taller, her shyness replaced by a quiet confidence. Caled felt a spark of excitement. This was the beginning of something new, something promising.

[Affection Meter: 15.]

The guildhall buzzed around them, but for Caled, Quinn, and Meisie, the world seemed to narrow down to their little group. They were adventurers now, bound by trust and ambition. And as they accepted their new quest, the future stretched out before them, full of possibilities.