Adventurer’s Guild #2

 

I asked Maria, whom I met at a cafe, to make a bet, and a few hours later.

We moved to the training ground located inside the guard barracks.

The goal is simple.

I plan to train here for the remaining two weeks.

“Maria, that guy is so ridiculous! What if he were the test tube?”

The adjutant of the guard who heard the story became angry as if he had been insulted.

The other guardsmen also had unpleasant expressions.

“Ms. Estelle’s party is friends with our guard. If you do this, we’ll be ignored as well. I can’t stand this.”

The adjutant said, tightening the belt of his uniform.

The adjutants and soldiers were specially drafted to assist in the training of our party.

Normally, the guards wouldn’t bother to make time for adventurers, but this time they were making an exception.

The captain’s permission was also granted immediately.

Not only that, they were even given free access to training facilities.

“We owe you a lot, so we will do our best to help you in your practice.”

Two weeks. If it’s long, it’s long, if it’s short, it’s short.

The most efficient way to become stronger within this limited time is to take the guard’s training course.

It’s definitely faster to grow than just going out into the wilderness to hunt monsters and collect magic stones.

“There are many bonuses for completing the Empire’s basic training.”

This is one of the classic techniques that continues into games.

It is the first step for the player to grow from a lowly soldier of the empire to a knight or general.

That’s a good thing.

This is a great opportunity to learn basic martial arts, weapon techniques, evasion techniques, and defensive techniques.

‘I really want to acquire the Imperial Combat Skill, too.’

In addition, there is a valuable skill you don’t want to miss, “Imperial Battle Technique.”

It’s a really cool passive that increases your overall abilities, including stamina and magic power, by 10%.

This is a must-get bonus from Garden.

“I’ve been training with the Imperial Army for a long time.”

Mitchell kept turning over, feeling awkward in his uniform.

Surprisingly, Mitchell’s uniform suited him well.

“But I was curious. I’ve always been interested in how the Imperial Army fights.”

“There’s no harm in learning anything.”

Mitchell and Wagner seemed to welcome this opportunity to learn new fighting techniques.

Of course, it is a golden opportunity for me as well.

Although I am a wizard, I am not afraid of close combat depending on the situation, so if I build a solid foundation, it will be useful for a long time.

“Ms. Flora, please come this way.”

A magician from the guard guided Flora to a specially prepared training room.

Flora finds it more efficient to train in magic than in direct combat.

So, for two weeks, I will be receiving instruction from the guard magician and thoroughly polishing the basics of magic.

“Okay, then I’ll explain from the beginning. First, the basic posture.”

The real training has begun.

The adjutant standing in front of the training ground gave an example.

Mitchell took a quick glance and followed along quite skillfully, but Wagner and I struggled.

“Tighten your stomach and shout loudly. Haaat!”

“Hot!”

A loud cheer echoed through the guard training grounds.

***

The training continued smoothly.

Every day, my body gets more muscle pain and bruises, but I feel like my skills are growing by leaps and bounds.

This afternoon is a time to catch your breath.

We stopped by the guard supply warehouse with the adjutant.

“I’ve been here before.”

Flora nodded.

This is also the place where Dawson’s infidelity was revealed and he was rewarded by the guards.

“Oh really? Now that I think about it, it seems like you guys have been close with the guards for a while now.”

“That’s right. Estelle and I had a cooking competition with Mr. Dawson of the Adventurer’s Shelter—”

Flora chattered excitedly as Mitchell showed interest.

The memory of peeling potatoes and making curry with Flora already feels like a distant memory.

Now that I think about it, meeting Flora wasn’t something I had originally planned.

We met by chance, somehow we completed a quest together, formed a party, and ended up here.

‘That’s why you never know what will happen in human affairs.’

If it were a game, I would never have accepted such a rookie wizard as a companion.

Flora, who is like that, has become something that I would miss a lot if she were no longer there.

Mitchell and Wagner are the same.

Those who have become precious to me.

‘⋯Since it has come to this, we must take full responsibility. At least make sure we each do our part.’

“Ms. Estelle?”

The adjutant looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Oh, I was just thinking about something else for a moment.”

“Ms. Estelle and Ms. Flora have been here before, so I don’t need to explain. Weapons are over here, armor is over here—”

The adjutant introduced the equipment stacked in the warehouse.

We came here to choose the equipment for our respective Imperial Guards.

But this time, you don’t have to choose just one item out of many like before.

“Choose whatever you need.”

A large warehouse is being opened.

Everyone couldn’t hide their joy at the adjutant’s words.

“Anything?”

Mitchell’s eyes were filled with greed as he looked around the equipment.

“So, you’re saying I can take everything here?”

“Huh? That, that’s not it. We need to use it too, so please only choose equipment you’ll actually wear⋯.”

“Hey, you’re so petty.”

As Mitchell grumbled, the adjutant quickly wiped away the cold sweat.

Imperial Guard equipment is not something that can be easily obtained.

It’s a precious piece of equipment that even the Garden merchants rarely handle.

It is made of high-quality steel, which is characteristic of the Empire, so it is also of excellent quality.

Above all, it is because, unless something goes wrong, the item will not be circulated outside.

If you see guard equipment elsewhere, it means it was stolen from the bodies of dead guards.

Excellent performance and high acquisition difficulty. Naturally, the price is skyrocketing.

‘The captain of the guard has made up his mind.’

Although we have made great contributions, it is unprecedented to be awarded this level of recognition.

The captain’s personal favor was evident.

Perhaps he will have to report this incident to his superiors later.

“Mr. Wagner, I recommend using this equipment. I also prepared some extra-large armor just in case. You’ve found your master.”

“Wow- there’s such a big armor.”

Wagner let out a gasp.

Wagner, a large creature reminiscent of a giant black bear.

Because of his bulky build, it was difficult to find suitable equipment.

Even if there is a “Size Adjustment” rune, it’s not something you can easily find in Garden.

So, until now, Wagner had no choice but to choose his armor, such as wearing this for the top and that for the bottom.

“That’s great. It’s a perfect fit for Mr. Wagner.”

With the help of his adjutant, Wagner donned his armor.

A full set, starting with a shiny helmet, and including steel gloves and boots.

This is the “Guardian Heavy Armor Set.”

Not only does it have a clean, unified appearance, but it also has some impressive bonus abilities.

“Hey, Bear, isn’t it cool?”

Mitchell placed his hand on his hip and looked Wagner up and down.

“Hmm. It’s easy to move around in, and I really like it.”

“When you wear clothes that match from top to bottom, you look different.”

Mitchell was also wearing a set of light armor for fighters.

The gear Mitchell wears is exquisite, lightweight yet effective in protecting vital points.

It is even better because it is compatible with the “Empire of the Onslaught Armor” obtained previously at the gambling house.

“I think Estelle and Flora would look good in this leather armor.”

Our wizards were given a set of “Guardian Wizard Light Armor.”

A useful set of armor that can be used until the mid-to-late game.

However, if I have one complaint⋯.

‘The sizes are different.’

I glanced at Flora’s chest armor and saw that it was larger than mine.

Well, it’s impossible for everyone’s body type to be the same.

This is something I had already vaguely noticed while taking a bath.

Since we’d seen each other’s stuff, I already knew that my body was a bit thin compared to Flora’s.

However, my heart felt bitter when I checked the size of the armor again.

‘Short, small chest, small hips, narrow pelvis.’

A deep regret came over me.

And, somehow, I felt angry.

I’ve never felt like this before.

A regret I never felt when I was a man.

‘AC.’

I used to have no complaints about my body.

At best, when I was peeing, I would sneak a peek at the person next to me’s stuff to compare sizes.

And not to brag, but I was confident about my size.

I won anyway.

But now, it’s a losing streak. For Mitchell and Flora.

‘What is this feeling of defeat?’

I wonder if I really look like a little kid to other people.

A chill ran down my spine.

Am I supposed to live my whole life in the body of a little kid?

With this cute body.

With a body that is neither here nor there, neither man nor woman, and has no charm?

‘That can’t be.’

He shook his head vigorously.

‘It’ll probably get bigger since it’s still growing.’

That’s how I consoled myself.

And, there’s no need to be too frustrated.

You don’t have to be as slim as Flora or Mitchell.

Even for a kid like me, there might be a demand⋯.

‘Fuck. What are you thinking?’

It was no comfort at all.

Why am I worrying about this in the first place?

My head just started spinning, so I just stopped thinking.