"F-rank...?" ［Receptionist］

  A silent voice of shod disbelief echoed in the air as the receptionist saw the results of Grey and Yuna's exams. Even when she had said their guild's motto earlier, she still wasn't expeg to see such results,

  "Is there something wrong?" ［Grey］

  "A-Ah! There's nothing wrong, I was just surprised by how high your assessments are. I didn't think you two would bee F-rankers right off the bat." ［Receptionist］

  In all her time being a receptionist, it was her first time seeing such perfect results, especially when the oaking them were youhan her. Not to mention that it ersonally done by the Guildmaster himself.

  Previously, she had only seen Grey and Yuna as youths trying out their lu adventuring, but after seeing their results, she had realized h she was. She now felt a strong sense of admiration for the youths in front of her.

  Quickly rec from her initial shock, the receptionist then quickly processed the remaining steps and finally registered the two in the Adventurer's guild. With a simple wave of her hand, the data of Grey and Yuna's registration was quickly uploaded into the guild's database using a strange magical tool.

  "Here are your cards." ［Receptionist］

  Shortly after, white-colored cards were issued to Grey and Yuna as proof of their registration and affiliation to the guild. While not made of paper, it also wasn't made of metal, it was a card which could only be expined by magic.

  Receiving their cards, Grey's heart beat faster as if he was running a thousand miles per hour. He had finally achieved it, he had bee an adventurer!

  Yuna's rea wasn't far off either. Like every time she found something iing, her eyes once again sparkled at the sight of her guild card. Especially after thinking she now has another matg item with Grey.

  "Ah, thank you miss... umm..." ［Grey］

  "Tilda, you call me Tilda. I'll be in your care from now on." ［Tilda］

  "Then we'll intrude on your kindness, Miss Tilda." ［Grey］

  "o meet you." ［Yuna］

  With a beaming smile on her face, the fox-girl receptionist introduced herself to Grey in Yuna. Simirly, the two reciprocated Tilda's introdu with a smile of their own.

  "Ah, right. Miss Tilda, we'd like to form a party!" ［Grey］

  The Party System, a system in the adventurer's guild which allows adventurers of simir ranks to form an alliand create a party. It could either be temporary or perma, either arties are desigo make quests easier to aplish and lower the mortality rates of adventurers from doing quests.

  "A party?" ［Tilda］

  "Is it impossible?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, sorry... it is possible. I was just surprised that you would form one on your first day. Normally, rookie adventurers would go solo for months so that they won't have to share the rewards. It's only when they rank-up and face harder quests that they decide to form a party." ［Tilda］

  At first, Grey thought that something had ged in the guild's party system like the examinations before, but thankfully, that wasn't the case.

  "Well, since you're starting at F-rank, I suppose it would make sense why you would form a party immediately. Quests at F-rank are nothing to scoff at, after all, It's better to be safe than to be sorry." ［Tilda］

  "Then I'd like to form a party with Yuna, please." ［Grey］

  "Miss Yuna, are you fih this?" ［Tilda］

  "Un." ［Yuna］

  With a simple nod of affirmation from Yuna, the tract of agreemeween Grey and Yuna was formed. It became the day where a legendary party was born, but that's a story for another day.

  Grey and Yuna then filled up the registration form and officially became a party with Grey as the leader. And as the party was still F-ranked, names weren't an option. It rivilege only grao parties who have reached B-rank.

  After filling the registration frey immediately hahe form to Tilda, and with speeds inprehensible to normal people, Tilda fihe registration, officially establishing Grey and Yuna's party.

  Although the two had been living with each other for almost three years, somehow, the fact of being ected as a party seemed to have solidified their bond with one another. It was a simple yet joyful occasion for the both of them.

  "Now that that's all done, would you like to take a quest today?" ［Tilda］

  "Ah, yes." ［Grey］

  "Then please take hat you only choose quests with the same rank as you at most. After you're done choosing quests from over there, please return to the ters so that we record it." ［Tilda］

  Tilda poi an array of bulletin boards at the right side of the ters. The boards were beled from Apprentice-rank to S-rank, designating the difficulty of quests posted there.

  And while the sizes of the bulletin boards were roughly simir, the same thing couldn't be said to the quests as those with higher difficulties had less and less in them,

  With nothing more to do, Grey and Yuna immediately started pig F-rank quests we would be able to plete swiftly so that we raise our ranks as quickly as we . But while they were choosing quests...

  "Huh? What are these kids doing here?" ［???］

  ... a voice suddenly interjected from behind.

  When Grey and Yuna turned around, two adventurers who seemed to be in their early or mid-twenties greeted them, one was a human man, while the one was an elven woman.

  Although he was on the leaner side, the man who was the source of the voice was quite muscur and well-built. As for the elven woman beside her, she was a fair beauty with curves in the right pces, a dy many men won't be able to resist.

  Hearing their first remark, it made Grey immediately think it was "that" type of cliche. The cliche where veteran adventurers would pi rookies, something which often happened iories Grey had read in his past life.

  In addition to it...

  -----------------------------------

  [Salferine]

  [Name] Kris

  [Race] Human

  [Sex] Male

  [Age] 24

  [Status] Healthy

  [Mana Capacity] 1,868 [Mana Quality] B

  [bat Power] 3,097 [Threat Level] A

  [Attribute] Earth    [Magic Proficy] High (65%)

  [Css] Ravager    [on Proficy] High (67%)

  [Physical Enha] 70%

  [Ability] Lion Soul (4☆)

  -----------------------------------

  [Salferine]

  [Name] Aria

  [Race] Elf

  [Sex] Female

  [Age] 22

  [Status] Healthy

  [Mana Capacity] 1,424 [Mana Quality] C

  [bat Power] 2,036 [Threat Level] B

  [Attribute] Wind    [Magic Proficy] High (61%)

  [Css] Archer     [on Proficy] High (59%)

  [Physical Enha] 63%

  [Ability] Hunter's Eye (3☆)

  -----------------------------------

  ... they had the strength to back it up.

  It isn't even worth debating, Grey already khat the two adventurers before him were the stro people they had met yet. But even with all that, they still wouldn't be a match to Grey and Yuna.

  The problem was, if the two adventurers did pick a fight, everything in the viity would be caught up aroyed. It was a situation Grey wao avoid at all cost.

  Grey had prepared himself if things were to go ugly, but...

  "Are you perhaps new here...? Then, I'd advise easy quests like those ones on the Apprentice-ranks or H-rank boards." ［Kris］

  ... it turned out, all his worries were for naught. Grey was so embarrassed, if he could travel back to a few moments ago, he'll 100% punch himself in the face for thinking of useless things.

  On top of that, he pletely fot he had "Judgement", an ability which allows him to judge whether people were "good" or "evil". And sure enough, the two before him were judged as "good".

  "Kris, you're sg them." ［Aria］

  "Ah, sorry, I meant no harm. I just wao stop you from doing something reckless before yret it." ［Kris］

  Apparently, the man was worried about the rookie adventurers eyeing the F-rank quests. He was worried they'd do something reckless so he stepped in without thinking too much about it.

  Judging from his attitude and rank, Grey had already pieced the pieces together and unraveled the identity of the man. Grey was sure he was the man who the Guildmaster was talking about who beat up veteran adventurers on his first day.

  Knowing this, Grey became more embarrassed from his initial thought. He felt like he was dying on the inside.

  "Please five him, he's just an idiot who loves stig his o other people's business. Especially when it es to rookie adventurers." ［Aria］

  "Hey, Aria, you're making me sound like someone unpleasant." ［Kris］

  "And aren't you one?" ［Aria］

  "That's rude!" ［Kris］

  Hearing Aria's words, Kris tried to retort, but it was immediately shot down by aatement from Aria.

  Before either Grey and Yuna could even talk, the two adventurers who suddenly appeared had already goo their own worlds, throwis to one aime and time again.

  "Oh, Mister Kris, Miss Aria, you're back!" ［Tilda］

  Thankfully, Tilda was there to break the seemingly never ending bantering of the two. Something which had gone on for ooo many minutes.

  "Yo, Tilda, we're back!" ［Kris］

  "If you're back, you should have reported immediately to the Guildmaster! He had been waiting for a report sihis m!" ［Tilda］

  "Hahaha, sorry, we just happeo see these rookie adventurers looking at F-rank quests. Thought I'd have to stop them from doing something reckless while I was at it." ［Kris］

  "By rookies, do you perhaps mean..." ［Tilda］

  Following the dire of Kris' eyes, Tilda found herself looking at Grey and Yuna, who were still dumbfou what was happening.

  "Hey, kids, this is just advice from someone who has more experien adventuring, but it's better not to rush things and only do quests that you handle. Since you're new here, why don't we pick you guys a good one." ［Kris］

  "Ah, about thatー" ［Grey］

  "I believe that won't be needed, Mister Kris." ［Tilda］

  Befrey could even ailda quickly interjected and cut off Grey's words. An answer which just made Kris tilt his head in fusion.

  Without missing a siail, Tilda then expio Kris and Aria the things which just happehis m. From the time they registered up until the part where Yuna and Grey were seleg quests, leading to the current situation.

  "I see... so you became F-rankers right off the bat, huh... Now that's something you don't hear everyday, I didn't think that the guildmaster could still find himself some promising new adventurers. And on that note..." ［Kris］

  Like a sudden gust, a pressuring aura came down upon Grey and Yuna, imposing a heavy atmosphere upon the guild. Of course, the cause of such a se was her than Kris.

  As the strength of the aura Kris released was enough for normal people to pass out, he only limited the tration on Grey and Yuna, but evehe two didn't budge from such crushing pressure.

  While Grey and Yuna were a bit intimidated by the previous release of aura by the Guildmaster, it was mostly because they were caught off guard and that it was their first time experieng aura from other people. And like the genius that they were, oime was enough for them to learn their lesson.

  As suddenly as it came bearing down, the aura also disappeared without warning, returning the normal atmosphere back to the guild.

  "I see... So an S-ranker and an A-ranker, eh. No wonder you're starting at F-rank. You could even go to destroy a whole army with that kind of strength." ［Kris］

  Without much thought, Kris gave a ent which shocked both Aria and Tilda which were close by. Thankfully, the other adventurers were far enough that they weren't able to overhear the versation.

  But the one who was surprised the most was Grey. After all, no matter how much he searched, Kris didn't have any appraisal nor intuitioed abilities.

  "Were you surprised how I could tell?" ［Kris］

  "Y... Yeah, a little bit." ［Grey］

  "Well, with enough experience, you would be able thly gauge one's strength by using your aura. Well, seeing how you got incredible strength at such a young age, you'll probably learn it sooner rather than ter." ［Kris］

  Kris expined shortly, easing the baffled Grey and Yuna.

  Well, even if Kris expi like that, gauging an oppo's level by aura alone was an incredibly difficult task. Even the Guildmaster, Gaston, isn't able to do such a thie all his experience.

  Not ting Grey and Yuna, Kris could be ted as one of the most unparalleled geniuses in the world. Someone only sed to monstrous geniuses who have achieved Camity-css and higher.

  heless, Kris could still be ted as one of the most powerful people in the kingdom, whom before Yuna and Grey had arrived, only the try's General restrain.

  "You're impressed, aren't you? Even though Kris is an idiot, his talent is still nothing to scoff at." ［Aria］

  "Hey, Aria, who are you calling an idiot?" ［Kris］

  "Who else do you think I'm referring to?" ［Aria］

  "Hey!" ［Kris］

  With a provocation from Aria, the two started bantering again a off to their own worlds. They were ag as if there wasn't anyone else ihe guild.

  But even with such loud otion, no one ihe guild was voig any pints. No, it would be better to say they have gotteo such a se, as if it was a regur occurrence.

  "Uh... Ummm.... Miss Aria, Mister Kris, the report..." ［Tilda］

  "Ah." ［Kris］  "Oh." ［Aria］

  Replying in unison, the two stopped their bantering as if they just remembered something important.

  Seeing their reas, Tilda's face became that of wild disbelief, and a priceless one in that. It was as if she had eaten something sour, salty, and bitter at the same time.

  Meanwhile, Kris who was the most responsible for fetting the said task just smiled it off like an idiot. It was to the point where Grey and Yuna pitied Tilda deep in their hearts.

  "Ah, right. I suppose we still haven't introduced ourselves. We're the A-rank party 'Bck Silver', and the name's Kris, o meetcha!" ［Kris］

  "I'm part of the same party, my name's Aria. It's a pleasure to meet you." ［Aria］

  "I'm Grey and this is my partner, Yuna. The pleasure is ours." ［Grey］

  "Un, o meet you." ［Yuna］

  With the introdus over, Kris and Aria finally left for the Guildmaster's office. Of course, that is after tying all loose ends...

  "Oh, and Tilda, don't tell anyone about what you just heard, kay?" ［Kris］

  "Haah... You t on me for that. Not that anyone would believe me anyways." ［Tilda］

  Tilda expressed with a tired face. It seems like it wasn't the first time Kris had said something eous and burdened her with great responsibilities.

  Knowing Kris' abilities, Tilda already knew what Kris said before was true, but even then, she still found it hard to believe that the two rookie adventurers who she just had a friendly versation with were actually very strong powerhouses.

  Even with her professionalism, there was a limit to the things that she handle. But with things being the way they are, she was left with no choice but to accept it wholeheartedly.

  "Miss Yuna, Mister Grey, I apologize for having experiehat on your first day here. Even though they're like that, they aren't bad people. I hope you uand." ［Tilda］

  "Ah, Miss Tilda! You don't o apologize. We really weren't bothered by it, right, Grey?" ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, actually, I was more surprised rather than bothered." ［Grey］

  Tilda bowed her head in apology, but Grey and Yuna quickly stopped her from doing so.

  Even if Grey and Yuna did get bothered by it, they still won't bme Tilda for it. Rather, it would be more reasoo bme Kris and Aria from causing such a otion.

  "I'm gd you uand... Actually, even if they're like that, those two are actually an engaged couple." ［Tilda］

  ""Eh?!"" ［Grey and Yuna］

  Taken aback by what Tilda said, Grey and Yuna voiced out a cry of disbelief.

  While Grey expected the two to be close to one another, he didn't expect them to be engaged. Especially sidering how much they banter with one another.

  In Merusia, all Salferines have simir lifespan, uhe ones from fantasy works oh. Be it Elf, Dwarf, or Human, they all have a lifespan of about 70 years. With that fact, interracial marriages are not unon.

  Even with suowledge, Grey was still fasated about how different races marry one another without much discrimination. It shows just how different Merusia was to Earth.

  Yuna, oher hand, was also fasated by the fact that a Human and an Elf were engaged, but not in the same way as Grey was. As after seeing Kris and Aria, she couldn't stop imagining herself and Grey in the same situation.

  Luckily, Grey was still fag towards the dire Kris and Aria left. Otherwise, he would have witnessed how red Yuna's face had bee.

  "Umm... Miss Yuna, Mister Grey, have you finished pig up a quest?" ［Tilda］

  "Ah, right..." ［Grey］

  Like a lighthouse to a boat, Tilda's voice called Grey and Yuna back from their thoughts, prompting them to tinue pig a quest to their liking.

  Soon after, Grey and Yuna headed back towards the reception desk, bringing along with them a number of request forms.

  "Miss Tilda, we'll take all of these!" ［Grey］

  CHAPTER 12 END