The main entrance of the local Adventurers' Guild was a robust building of stone and wood, imposing and full of activity. Adventurers wandered around in scratched armor and sheathed swords, exhaling the aroma of sweat, leather, and ambition.

"In a fantasy world, the Adventurers' Guild is the primordial source of everything!!!"

And right in the center of the square, in front of the imposing structure, stood Mireya, wearing a striking modern outfit, with his arms open to the sky, ignoring the strange looks from passersby.

"Please, lower your voice"

Shija Retsu approached cautiously, feeling ridiculous and exposed in such a public place.

"Why are we here? Do we need a place to sleep?"

The nerves he had felt in the dojo paled in comparison to the shame he felt now.

"Hahaha! Sleep?! No, Mr. Guide! We're here to train!"

In response, Mireya turned, his face radiant with unbridled joy that didn't fit the surroundings.

"......"

Shija blinked, disbelief replacing fear.

"Train?! Why would we need to train?"

"Rather, why do you ask that?"

"Your level is already superior to that of most novice adventurers I see! Instead of doing something so useless, we should be searching for the Dominion-H organization and my Master. Every second counts!"

"And this is exactly why I say you're like a traumatized berserker, friend."

Mireya heard him, but didn't pay any real attention. Instead, he began jumping with excitement toward the Guild reception, like a child heading to a candy store.

(It's impossible to deal with him!)

Resigned, Shija followed, conscious that without supervision he would only get lost, as had happened the first time moments after making the deal before leaving the dojo.

"I almost forgot! By the way, in case you have any misunderstanding, I am a man"

At that moment, he suddenly turned around as if he had "remembered" something, and Mireya immediately said to him casually, after freeing him from the bindings.

"You're a man?!"

(Slap!)

"ANY PROBLEM?"

"None!!"

Shija had been paralyzed and incredulous at the revelation, doubting whether it was some kind of joke. However, after seeing how that armor pointed its sword at him from behind, the straw doll gathered energy in his direction from above, and the slime adopted an offensive form, while he received a "smile" with a frying pan in hand, Shija could only nod.

"I'm glad you understand! Now follow me, Mr. Guide, for the path to adventure awaits us!"

And in that way, Mireya had rushed ahead, advancing recklessly toward the exit of the dojo.

"Wait a moment!"

With no other choice, Shija eventually followed him, only for Mireya to somehow get lost in the surrounding forest seconds later, despite the clear day.

"Ehm... I... I'm really sorry..."

Several minutes of walking passed before Shija found him sitting under a tree, with the same foolish innocence on his face, still firmly refusing to look him in the face.

"I think I understand why he needs a guide..."

"......"

"... I will guide the way"

It was in this way that Shija, understanding a few things from that interaction, decided to act as a guide.

"...Thank you"

Hearing a genuine whispered gratitude for the first time.

(But even with that, why the Adventurers' Guild?)

Now, returning to the present after remembering those events, Shija followed behind Mireya, watching him jump with excitement toward the reception.

"Alright! Listen carefully, Mr. Guide."

But at that moment, Mireya suddenly stopped in the middle of the hustle and bustle, looking at Shija with an expression of pure cunning.

"You're right about going after Dominion-H. And believe me, I have a way to find them easily."

"What?!"

At that revelation, Shija was surprised, his eyes widening with astonishment.

"Really? How...?!"

"But I won't use it."

However, Mireya interrupted, putting an end to the revelation.

"!?"

Hearing that, Shija felt a torrent of frustration and desperation.

"Why?! If you have a method, we must use it! My Master is in danger!"

"Or well, at least I won't use it yet."

Saying that, Mireya straightened up, and the maniacal smile disappeared.

"Because you are too weak."

"What...?"

The change was instant and icy, revealing a brutal seriousness.

"I'll tell you straight: although I briefly fought your Master and I admit she wasn't fighting with everything she had, I was able to feel the same chill I've felt when facing truly strong opponents. Fighting her, even in my current state, would be complicated. But for you, it would be simply impossible."

Mireya approached, looking directly into Shija's eyes, his words sharp as a razor.

"Compared to the power levels I saw as soon as I arrived, without a doubt, I must admit you were the weakest one in that place."

"!!"

Shija could feel it: the gaze he was being directed at that moment was, without a doubt...

"You fainted before, and if you face one of those four women now, you'll end up... Well, I think you must have an idea."

... One of complete disinterest.

"I don't need a useless guide"

"......"

Shija lowered his gaze, humiliated and ashamed, but unable to deny the truth.

"But...."

However, Mireya continued, his tone softening slightly.

"You seem to have potential. Therefore, training comes first."

After saying that, Mireya pointed around with a wide smile that returned, as if the moment of seriousness had never occurred.

"The best way to understand your strengths and weaknesses is through observation in a controlled environment. And the best place to do that is by fulfilling missions as an adventurer."

"....."

Shija was speechless.

"This gives us a 'Two-for-One,' because this way I can observe you while you face all kinds of threats and thus understand how to help you improve! Plus, we also get money and prestige, so they will inevitably come to us!"

The logic was convoluted, but flawless.

"So use that frustration you have now as momentum!"

"........"

Shija was surprised, seeing how the person in front of him once again refused to meet his gaze, focusing his attention on his surroundings with a smile.

(Is he really... The same person...?)

He was incapable of understanding how someone could change so abruptly in one instant and return to normal the next, acting as if nothing had happened.

"Inhale.... Exhale... I get it. So, what's the plan?"

After a few breaths, Shija was able to finally calm his mind and, understanding the situation, asked.

"It's easy! We'll register as a novice team! We need to start earning money! And you, my dear Guide, will be the leader!"

"......."

Shija took a moment to process the final command. The weight of the words "too weak" still stung him, but the logic of the Guild training was undeniable.

"Wait a moment..."

However, there was one detail he couldn't overlook.

"If you are the one with the ability to confront my Master, and you are the one with the tracking plan and the knowledge, then why do I have to be the leader?"

(It's obvious that he is superior. His power, his strange combat ability, even his "golems"...)

"You're asking for the reason...?"

In response to his question, Mireya looked at him as if the question was so simple it was an insult.

"Pff, how noble of you to think about hierarchy! However, none of that matters to me!"

"What do you mean it doesn't matter to you?!"

"Look, I'll tell you simply and straight: I don't want to work!"

"......"

"The leader has to talk to people, has to organize things, has to answer questions. I'm here to have fun, train my potential, and get a perfect alibi. Who is the best option to handle the responsibilities of a team? You, of course!"

"............"

Thus, taking advantage of his confusion, Mireya gently shoved him forward.

"You're the disciple of a Martial Master! You have manners, and even though you're weak, you have passion. The perfect leader!"

"N-no... Wait..."

"Let's go, let's go!"

And before Shija was able to protest, he realized that Mireya had already dragged him to the reception.

"Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild"

In this way, they arrived at the counter, where a beautiful Guild receptionist attended to them with a professional smile. Her hair was tied up, and she wore an immaculate uniform.

"To begin your registration, please fill out this curriculum and aptitude form."

The receptionist slid two scrolls onto the counter.

"Here you go, Mr. Guide! Take care of this one!"

Then, Mireya smiled sweetly at the receptionist.

"Excuse me, miss, my 'inner self' tells me I'm incredible, but I'm terrible with forms, so... Would you be so kind as to take care of my resume too?!"

"Excuse me...? Ah, very well."

The receptionist blinked at the blatant request, but Mireya's innocent smile was strangely persuasive.

"What is your name, and if you have combat experience or special skills, please mention only those verifiable in the field."

Watching this while Shija meticulously filled out his own form, Mireya cheerfully dictated to the receptionist.

"Put: Name: Mireya. Class: Ehm... Mage! Skills: Frying pan mastery,...."

As the conversation continued, Shija was about to hit his head as the listed skills became more ridiculous and strange.

"I understand, yes, I see..."

The receptionist, however, only bowed her head and wrote, emptying her mind.

"Very well."

Once both were finished, the receptionist collected the forms.

"It's normal for adventurers to start at Rank F, accepting everyday missions such as cleaning sewers or looking for lost pets. However, to determine your true abilities, you must take the Practical Ability Exam."

The receptionist pointed to a large bulletin board.

"Depending on your performance, you can start directly at Rank D or, with an exceptional demonstration, reach Rank C at most, and then ascend from there. Follow me, please."

"My time has come!"

Following her, Mireya jumped with joy.

"....."

Shija, on the other hand, felt a chill run down his spine, sensing a strange pressure that began to emanate from Mireya walking ahead.

(Is he doing it unconsciously?!)

"Hey~! What are you waiting for?"

"A-ah! I'm coming!"

But ignoring those thoughts, he advanced.

"Step this way"

The receptionist instructed them to follow her. Crossing a couple of well-lit corridors, they reached a double door of solid wood, guarded by two beefy guards.

"Oh~!"

On the other side, the Guild's Combat Arena stretched out, a circular space about twenty meters in diameter, with reinforced brick walls and a compacted dirt floor.

"Just as I expected from a fantasy world!"

Around, behind a high magical barrier that faintly shimmered, were empty stands for the examiners and spectators.

"It's an excellent atmosphere."

The air was heavy, charged with the metallic smell of dried blood and the ozone of residual magic.

And in the center of the arena, immobilized by thick magical chains that anchored it to the ground, awaited their opponent.

"This is a specimen we captured on the southern continent" ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ nοvelfire.net

It was an Obsidian Golem, a fearsome defensive monster more than two meters tall. Its body was formed by black and shiny plates, with no discernible facial features beyond two red dots that shone like angry eyes. Every part of its physique conveyed brutal resistance.

"It is a monster known for its great magical and physical resistance. The objective of this exam is not to defeat it, but to demonstrate your combat capabilities and strategies."

At that moment, she stopped and looked at them seriously.

"The golem is programmed to attack only those who enter the arena, but the chains will prevent it from getting too close to the barriers. The test will end when you touch the retreat medallion on the golem's center or when I determine it."

"..... "

Listening to the receptionist's words, Shija looked at the gigantic golem, considering ways to win.

"The exam will be evaluated based on your coordination, the use of your abilities, and, above all, your capacity to resist. You have ten minutes to prepare. Which of you will start demonstrating your abilities?"

"He goes first!"

(Pff!)

"Me first?!"

Without waiting for any answer, Mireya leaped forward, clapping Shija on the shoulder, gently pushing him toward the edge of the arena.

"Show what you can do!"

"But I don't have a weapon!"

"Do your best!!"

("GRRRR!")

"gulp..."

In this way, Shija swallowed hard, looking at Mireya, the unmoving receptionist, and then at the obsidian golem, which emitted a resonant, heavy growl, thus beginning the confrontation.