Chapter 25: Archer

 

 

 

Chapter 25: Archer

 

ONCE they decided to take the Quest on together, Elias watched Aki and Mina chat away in a corner of the Guild.

“By the way, Mina, I wanted to talk to you about Aki’s Job…”

“Sure,” Mina said, turning to Elias.

He pushed up his bangs, carefully choosing his words, “My Job is…well, Swordsman, but Aki only just became an Adventurer and hasn’t chosen a Job yet.”

“Oh, she hasn’t?” she asked, her red hair swaying.

Elias’ real Job was Hero, not Swordsman, but he kept his main Job under wraps because it would ruin the point of his disguise. Besides, a Swordsman also used swords to fight, so he wasn’t really lying.

Now that I think about it, my main position is the Hero’s Secretary, but I guess that doesn’t count as a Job. The Hero’s Secretary is more of a title and has nothing to do with the Adventurer’s Job system. Elias is a Hero, Leo a Mage, Johann a Priest, and Mina is a Thief. Maybe you have to have a Job to fight monsters and take on Quests as a legitimate Adventurer.

“In that case,” Mina continued, pointing to the back section of the Guild. “There’s a Job Counter over there. You need to decide your Job there first. I’ll register us for the Quest while you pick your Job class.”

“You need to register for Quests?” Aki asked.

“Adventurers have to go to the Quest Counter to see if they’re suited to accept the Quest. If we pass the test, our names will be registered for that Quest by the Guild.”

“Yup! By registering together, we’ll get put on the same team, which we Adventurers call a Party,” Mina added with a wink.

Aki pulled out her notebook and started taking notes.

Come to think of it, Elias and the others refer to us as the Hero Party. I guess that means Elias, Leo, Johann, and myself are all team members on the Hero Party captained by Elias. It’s kind of cool to think I’m a member of the great Hero Party. She grinned.

Mina put her hand on Aki’s shoulder. “Hey, Aki, since we’re going on a Quest together, you should take this chance to pick the Job you want! They’ll introduce you to a Job you have an aptitude for at the Job Counter!” she explained, whacking Aki on the back.

“Oww,” Aki complained.

Mina seems light on her feet and a quick thinker—a perfect combo for a Thief. I wonder what Job suits me. Mage and Priest are out of the question because they require intensive study at their respective institutions. I have no confidence in my ability to wield a sword and charge monsters head-on either. But it’s not like I’m nimble enough to be a Thief. What’s left for me to do then? It’s harder to pick a Job than I thought it’d be.

As Aki mulled over what to do, Elias tapped on her shoulder. She looked up and caught sight of his smile through the opening in his hood. “Aki, can you see the Job Counter over there?”

She followed the direction he pointed to see tables for four lined next to each other in the back corner of the Guild, creating an interview space. A simple cloth partitioned the space from the rest of the room. On the other side of the partition sat the interviewers in stiff uniforms on one side of the table across from a man equipped in armor suited for an Adventurer. They were interviewing him to see which Job class suited him the best.

Elias turned back to Aki. “The Job Counter is where you can choose your Job class or change it. Newcomers like you can pick their first Job class there, while experienced Adventurers can change from a Swordsman Job to a Martial Artist Job—we call that a Job Change.”

“Wow. Adventurers can change Jobs after they’ve already picked one?” Aki asked, and started thinking she didn’t need to worry so much about her first choice then.

Mina groaned. “You can change Jobs freely, but while your level remains the same, you’ll have to learn the Skills from scratch again. I don’t recommend changing Jobs frequently because of the difficulty involved. Skills are unique and inherent to each Job after all,” she explained.

Maybe it would be faster to settle on one Job than try to take on multiple Jobs without mastering any of them.

“All right, Mina, we’re going to the Job Counter to choose Aki’s Job. Do you mind registering the Quest for us in the meantime?”

“Sure! Leave it to me! Go pick a Job that fits you like a glove, Aki!”

“I will. Thanks.”

Mina grinned and disappeared in to the crowd of people with ease.

I was surprised when Mina suddenly approached us, but I’m really excited about going on an adventure with her now. I haven’t had the chance to spend time with a female Adventurer before. I’m sure this is going to make things more entertaining! I bet it’ll be fun to chat with Mina on the way to the ruins.

Elias chuckled when he saw the girly smile lighting Aki’s face. “You seem to be enjoying yourself, Aki. We’re only joining Mina’s Party for this Quest, but are you glad to have her as a Party member?”

“Yes! It’s been a lot of fun traveling with you, Leo, and Johann, but I can’t deny it’s nice to have a fellow woman in the Party. I finally have a female friend here.”

“I see. If that’s how you feel, maybe we should invite her to the Hero Party depending on how things turn out during this Quest. From what I can tell, she’s a skilled Thief,” he said, narrowing his eyes in the direction she left.

When did Elias measure her skill level? Is it possible to estimate how skilled someone is just by looking once you reach his level?

“Well, we’ll find out for sure in due time. Anyway, Aki, shall we go to the Job Counter and take care of the necessary procedures?”

“Okay!” she approved with a lively nod.

Elias casually grabbed her hand and escorted her through the Guild. Aki followed close behind his back grinning ear to ear.

“Say, Elias, you asked Mina to register the Quest for us, but do you register to let the Quest giver and other Adventurers know you are going to do that Quest?”

“That’s a factor, but by registering the Quest at the Quest Counter, the Guild will have an idea of where we are. You’re required to report to the Guild when you leave and return from a Quest.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Elias continued, “Should we fail to return from a Quest, the Guild will try to get in touch with us through various means and even send another Party out to find us if all other means fail.”

“Heh. The Guild has various policies in place, huh? They seem like a trustworthy organization,” she observed.

A smile touched the corners of Elias’ lips. “They are. They put everything in place to protect the safety of the Adventurers first and foremost.”

The Guild devised its policies by figuring out the best ways to protect humans from the threat of monsters. Guilds came into existence to protect the average citizen and Adventurers from monsters and continued to work to this day with the support of many people. To the Adventurer, Guilds were their place to return to and their guardians. The energy in the air was proof of how much the Adventurers loved their Guild.

“Anyways, I wonder what Job is best for you,” Elias pondered on the way to the Job Counter.

“I think you might do better with a Job where you attack from a distance, rather than one with close-combat weapons. In return for dealing high damage attacks, close-combat weapons require you to face the monster head-on, increasing the risk of getting hurt. I don’t want to put you in danger,” he said, the seriousness she saw on his face infusing his voice as well. He squeezed her hand.

I’m glad he feels that way, but is it just me or does he seems a little overprotective lately? I’m really happy the world’s Hero is concerned about me, but I want to become strong enough not to get in the way. If I’m being greedy about it, I want to become strong enough to protect Elias too. I know it’s a stretch to think I’d ever be able to protect the Hero though.

“That reminds me, isn’t your Job Hero, Elias?” Aki asked.

“It is. Hero isn’t just a title. You can think of it as the highest ranked Swordsman. Although I’m the only one who can attain such a rank.”

Regardless of how much other Swordsmen trained for it, the Hero Job class can only be filled by Elias or the current generation’s Hero. For all the envious and wishful looks he received, he was also stuck bearing the burden tied to his Job.

When I think about it, the Hero really does seem like a sacrifice tactfully deified as a heroic figure to save the world…

Aki’s thoughts caused her to stop walking, tugging back on Elias’ hand when he tried to continue forward. He looked over his shoulder at her. “What’s wrong, Aki? Are you tired?”

“Ah, no, I’m not…” She shook her head.

If Elias has to bear such a large burden, then it’s my job as his Right-hand to support him through thick and thin. The only way to do so is to become strong enough to protect him and not just be protected by him.

Aki fired herself up. “Elias, I will definitely become strong enough to support you! I’m the Hero’s Secretary after all!”

She wanted to become strong enough for him to trust his back to her in a battle like he did with Leo and Johann.

A gentle smile touched his face as he whispered, “…Aren’t you already more than strong enough?”

“Pardon?”

“Do you know how often you’ve saved me during times of weakness?” He brought her hands to his lips. “Thank you for always being a bastion of support for me. All I can do in return is thank you, but I hope you will continue to stay by my side supporting me,” he said with a boyish smile.

“Of course,” she answered, squeezing his hands back.

I wish I could become the pillar of support for his heart so he can always express the real him like he is right now. I wish I could stay by his side forever.

Aki kept her hands around his. “I also hope we can continue being together, Elias.”

***

THE section of the Guild set aside for the Job Counter was divided into several nominal interview cubicles by a simple curtain. To get to them one had to first go through the long wooden counter at the front. Elias and Aki proceeded to the counter where the lady receptionist greeted Elias.

“Hello. Can you tell me what your business here is today?”

Elias motioned to Aki standing beside him. “Today I would like to request a Job choice for her. This will be her first time choosing, so please proceed as you would for a new Adventurer rather than a Job Change.”

“Certainly. Now then, please follow me to the interview room.” The receptionist quickly filled out the necessary paperwork and gestured for Elias and Aki to follow her to one of the interview rooms partitioned off by the curtain.

An interviewer with large bottle bottom glasses and beady eyes sat at the head of a wooden table with seats for four inside the cubicle. He appeared close in age to Aki and Elias. He assessed Aki from head to toe when she set foot inside the cubicle.

“I take it you are the client? Won’t you both take a seat over here?”

Aki and Elias sat in the chairs facing the interviewer. He keenly looked over the paperwork the receptionist had given him.

I feel like I’m being interviewed to get a job at a good company. What will they ask me? My reason for applying to be an Adventurer?

The interviewer pushed his glasses up his nose. “Allow me to confirm a few things first. Do you prefer the vanguard or the rear guard? According to your paperwork, you can’t use magic, correct? If this is true, then Mage and Priest will be automatically removed from your list of options.”

“Ah, umm…” Aki fumbled, overwhelmed by the rapid succession of questions.

I assume vanguard uses close-combat weapons and rear guard uses long-distance weapons or magic, so if I go off what Elias and I discussed on the way here, I should answer rear guard.

Unsure of what she should do, Aki looked up at Elias. The notebook suddenly vibrated in her chest pocket.

Did the Goddess leave a message for me about my Job choice?

“Please wait a minute for me to decide,” Aki said to the interviewer and pulled the notebook out of her pocket and held it under the table where he couldn’t see it. The notebook pages flipped automatically and landed on a page with silver letters reading, “Archer”.

“Archer…” Aki muttered.

“…I see. So that’s the Goddess’ opinion,” Elias whispered, peering at the notebook from the side. “Interviewer, I believe she is suited for the Archer Job, but what are your thoughts?”

The interviewer rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Hmm. Archer, is it? Archers fight while keeping a fixed distance from their enemy, making it a Job suitable for novice Adventurers. A fitting first Job, I would say. I believe it is a good choice. Are you all right proceeding with Archer, miss?” he asked, briefly looking up at her from the paperwork he swiftly ran his quill across.

Aki nodded repeatedly. The Goddess had told her to do it, leaving her no room to decide for herself.

“Very well.” The interviewer put his quill down and extended his right hand to her forehead. His fingertips brushed her forehead. She shuddered at the chilling touch.

His beady eyes narrowed sharply behind his thick glasses. “Please don’t move. It will be over soon enough,” he said and then began casting the spell in a composed tone, “O, Goddess of Creation, grant new power upon this person so their adventures will prosper. Bestow the title of Archer on her now.”

Light flickered from the interviewer’s fingertips and warm blood flowed from Aki’s head to the tip of her toes as if something new and not present before infused her body. She looked down at her hands in shock over the feel of power brimming in her like it had always been there. But there was nothing visibly different about her.

Did that actually make me an Archer?

The interviewer scooted his chair away from the table. “The ritual finished successfully. Thank you for your patronage,” he said with anticlimactic dismissiveness and gathered his papers to stand.

“Thank you very much,” Elias responded, sliding his chair back. “Aki, it’s okay. You became a proper Archer. Thank the interviewer.”

At Elias’ insistence, Aki quickly shoved out of her chair and lowered her head to the departing interviewer. “U-Um, thank you very much for your help!”

“No thanks necessary. I pray Archer Aki’s adventures are ever fortuitous,” he answered with a half-smile and promptly moved to the next interview cubicle.

She thanked him one more time before he left.

“Shall we go, Aki? You’re officially an Adventurer now. Congratulations.”

Oh yeah, with this I’m finally a bona fide Adventurer just like I wanted! I can fight monsters with Elias, Leo, Johann, and Mina. But I wonder if I’ll really be capable of fighting…

I was quaking in my boots the first time I came face to face with a Monster in the Field. I may have received the ability to fight as an Archer, but am I capable of facing down monsters with it? I won’t be too afraid to move, will I? I want courage. If I had the courage to face down any enemy, I’d be able to protect Elias and the others.

They returned to the center of the Guild Hall as Aki anguished over her powerlessness. Elias abruptly pointed to a corner of the room.

“Aki, take a look over there. There’s a Minstrel. They’re a rare sight.”

“A Minstrel?”

Elias was turned toward the bar counter situated in a corner of the Guild Hall where a good-looking young man played a string instrument reminiscent of a gittern. His downturned blue eyes were partially covered by his yellow hair the color of rapeseed blossoms. His figure was fairly trim and slender. He possessed the calm exterior of an adult man with the elegance of a noblewoman.

His dramatic tenor voice accompanied the sad melody that summoned nostalgia for home. The sound of the instrument filled the room and his voice resounded along with it.

“…Wow. He has a beautiful voice,” Aki remarked, enthralled with his performance.

“He does. As expected, a Minstrel’s performance is on a whole other level. Aki, Minstrel is one of the Adventurer Job classes, but there are very few of them overall. You won’t often come across one.”

Aki laughed at the excitement in Elias’ voice. He gave off an aura that said, “I want to listen to his performance.”

“Do you want to go listen to him for a bit since we’ve come across such a rare chance? It seems like Mina hasn’t finished registering us yet.”

Aki surveyed the room, but didn’t see Mina anywhere.

Since she’s a Thief, she should be able to tell where we are. I’m sure she will find us wherever we are inside the Guild.

Just as Aki reached that conclusion, Elias smiled at her looking like a puppy wagging his tail. “Really? Thanks, Aki! Let’s go right now!” He headed straight for the Minstrel.

“Elias! Wait for me!”

He always takes action as soon as he decides to do something! Aki chased after him.

They arrived at the almost full bar counter and quietly took the free seats at a table in the corner of the room. Adventurers enjoying their bubbly surrounded the Minstrel and quietly listened to his performance.

Noticing the newly arrived Aki and Elias, a waiter came to take their orders. Elias quickly glanced at the menu sitting on the round table and ordered two glasses of fruit juice. Aki thanked him while she watched the Minstrel perform in the distance. For a second, the Minstrel’s blue eyes locked on hers.