Chapter 8: Chapter 9: The value of a first chance.

About half an hour had passed since the party had entered the fortress. I was starting to hope the report would end soon, the anticipation was killing me.

As I was making conversation with one of the aged guards, some more members had walked up and joined. At this rate, it wouldn't take too long before I started to fit in with the witch hunters, hopefully.

At a certain point I felt like I was being watched. I looked around to find the culprit, but I didn't immediately find anyone suspicious.

 

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Pov: Andros, the Reito guild master

 

As I stared out my window looking into the courtyard below, I reminisced on my time as a young witch hunter. Back then the world felt brand new. So much to explore, so much to experience... I had goals back then, ideals. People had done good by me and I wanted to do good by them. So many people join the witch hunters' guild with bitterness these days. Yet after a while the true spirit of the guild catches them. For many, this is a place of second chances, a place of hope, a place they can call home...

I helped build that.

Down there, I can see a young man talking and laughing with people I consider brothers. I can see another person willing to help build a home for others, if only we offered him one first. Just one chance. That's what he would get. Making a decision, I turned around and spoke.

"He doesn't look like much, does he?"

Garrett wisely stayed silent, though I could see him and his party tensing up. Clearly the boy had grown on them in just a short while. I had to admit, I enjoyed these rare moments where I could make Garrett sweat a little. I continued my verdict.

"But we'll beat him into shape real quick. I don't need babes fresh from their mothers' teats calling themselves witch hunters, after all."

At this point I could see the tension leave their bodies. Garrett, that ungrateful cur, had a smile on his face that looked like he managed to get one over me.

"So boss, what can the Steel Will party expect when it comes to rewards for bringing in fresh talent?"

Time to wipe that stupid smirk of his face. "Babysitting."

Garrett seemed to choke at that. "Uh...boss... kids aren't exactly our expertise."

"Well you've done just fine until now, haven't you? Don't worry, I don't mean right now. Since you get along with the kid, I'll request your party specifically if he needs to be escorted anywhere. That won't be anytime soon, though. He's green as grass and needs both training and guidance. He'll receive both, here at the guild. Once he successfully enters tier 2 we'll have him do his first quest with your group tailing him from a distance."

Garrett seemed to shift uncomfortably when he heard that.

"Yeah boss, see, the thing is... because Arthur beat one of the two bosses and that boss just so happened to be peak tier 3... he probably won't need many levels. It'll mostly be his skills that need to progress if he wants a perfect tier up."

I turned pensive at that. Considering the circumstances, he indeed wouldn't be far off from level 25. I would have to ask Doran to train his skills first. I'll just shove this task onto him entirely. He can probably make a good training schedule based on the kid's status. Speaking of...

"The kid hasn't had his status checked yet?"

"No, he hasn't, for security reasons."

"You made the right choice. Those greedy fuckers would be on top of him like a dragon on their hoard if they caught wind of his circumstances. Let's go do the appraisal now. I certainly hope the kid told the truth, for his own sake."

 

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A few minutes after the feeling of being watched disappeared, the front doors of the guild swung open. The guards I was conversing with stood at attention, proving that the person walking in front of my party was someone of a certain status. The best way I could describe him was that he had the appearance of a lion turned into a man. His hair was white, notifying me of his advanced age, yet he still looked like he could lift a building with one hand.

The ball of muscle approached my group, Garrett and the others in tow.

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"You are Arthur, correct?"

I tried to copy the guards posture and salute, but I got the impression it didn't look right, because Garrett sniggered.

"Correct sir!"

"I am Andros, the local guild master of the witch hunters' guild, tier 5 [Eruption Halberdier]. The Steel Will party has notified me of your circumstances as far as they are aware. Will you submit to a status check to prove your claims?"

"Arthur, tier 1 uhh, well, you know. Of course, sir. Would that be a problem? If I...told the truth, I mean."

"Not for you, it wouldn't. If you spoke the truth I can guarantee your entrance into the guild. If not..."

"I understand, sir. Let's get to it now."

The giant laughed upon hearing that. "Eager one, aren't you? I don't exactly dislike such an attitude. Let's get to it, indeed!"

 

With that declaration, the six of us set off, heading deeper into the fortress, supposedly to reach an appraisal orb. After a few minutes we arrived in front of an inconspicuous door, which turned out to guard just such an orb. The guild master, Andros, held out a hand to stop me from entering.

"Young Arthur, after this appraisal you will be eligible to enter the guild. Technically the status' of the guild's members are only privy to the guild masters. With that being said, if you do not want the Steel Will party to know the entirety of your status, then they would have to wait here. The decision is up to you."

Honestly, this decision gave me pause for a moment. The party had doubted me, even after I saved their lives, but at the same time they had shown me a large amount of trust afterwards, despite their hate for dark casters and creatures. I wanted to return that trust in some way and I had already shared the rough lines of my status anyway.

"I trust the team, they can come and watch if they want to."

The party seemed grateful at my words, while the guild master also seemed pleased.

"Your are very trusting, young Arthur. That isn't a weakness, in my opinion. That being said, don't extend that trust to people outside of the guild anymore. Guildmembers are held under oath not to reveal secrets pertaining to the guild or other members, after all."

"I'll try, sir."

 

Without further ado, we entered the chamber. The guild leader lifted his hand in the direction of the crystal, making it start to hum slowly.

"Just put your hand on the crystal, boy. I have the appraisal skill and will open your status so that the others can see."

Slowly, I put my hand on the crystal. A blue screen appeared out of thin air and became visible to everyone in the room.

 

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