Chapter 47: Adventurer’s Guild #2

Chapter 47: Adventurer’s Guild #2

A few hours after I proposed the bet to Maria at the cafe.

We moved our location to the training grounds located within the Guard Barracks.

The purpose is simple.

We plan to train here for the remaining two weeks.

“That Maria person is so outrageous! Does she think she can do whatever she wants just because she’s an examiner?”

The Guard Captain’s adjutant, upon hearing the story, became angry as if he himself had been insulted.

The other guards also looked displeased.

“Estel’s party are our friends in the Guard. If she treats you like this, it’s like she’s disrespecting us too. We can’t just stand by and let this happen.”

The adjutant said, tightening the belt of his uniform.

The adjutant and the guards were specially dispatched to assist our party with their training.

Normally, the guards wouldn’t make time for adventurers, but this time was an exception.

The Guard Captain’s permission was also granted immediately.

Not only that, but we also received permission to use the training facilities freely.

“We owe you a great debt, so we will do our best to assist you with your training.”

Two weeks. It’s a long time, and yet a short time.

The most efficient way to become stronger in this limited time is to undergo the Guard’s training program.

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

‘Completing the Imperial Basic Training offers many bonuses.’

This is one of the standard paths that continues from the game.

It’s the first step for players to start as low-ranking Imperial soldiers and become knights or generals.

This is perfect timing.

It’s a great opportunity to hone basic footwork, swordsmanship, evasion techniques, and defensive skills.

‘I also want to acquire the Imperial Combat Technique skill.’

In addition, there’s the valuable skill I don’t want to miss, 「Imperial Combat Technique」.

It’s a super useful passive skill that increases overall stats like stamina and mana by 10%.

It’s a bonus that I must obtain in Garden.

“I can’t believe I’m training with the Imperial Army.”

Mitchell seemed awkward in her uniform and kept fidgeting.

Surprisingly, Mitchell’s uniform suited her well.

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

“There’s no harm in learning anything.”

Mitchell and Wagner seemed pleased with this opportunity to learn new combat techniques.

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

Even though I’m a mage, I don’t shy away from close-quarters combat depending on the situation, so honing my basics would be useful in the long run.

“Flora, please come this way.”

A mage belonging to the Guard guided Flora to a separate training room.

It’s more efficient for Flora to train her magic rather than direct combat.

Therefore, she plans to meticulously hone her basic magic skills over the next two weeks under the tutelage of a Guard mage.

“Alright, I’ll start from the beginning. First, the basic stance.”

The actual training began.

The adjutant, standing in front of the training ground, demonstrated.

Mitchell followed suit skillfully after a quick glance, but Wagner and I struggled.

“Tense your abdomen and let out a loud battle cry. Haaat!”

“Hah!”

Loud battle cries echoed in the Guard training grounds.

***

The training continued smoothly.

Every day, muscle soreness and bruises were added to my body, but I could feel my skills improving rapidly.

This afternoon is a brief respite.

We visited the Guard’s supply warehouse with the adjutant.

“I’ve been here once before.”

Flora nodded.

This is also the place where we exposed Gordon’s corruption and received rewards from the guards.

“Oh, really? Come to think of it, you guys seem to have been close with the guards for a while.”

“That’s right. Estel and I had a cooking competition with Mr. Gordon at the adventurer’s lounge-“

As Mitchell showed interest, Flora chattered excitedly.

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

Come to think of it, meeting Flora was unplanned.

We met by chance, somehow completed a quest together, and formed a party, leading to where we are now.

‘That’s why you never know what life will bring.’

In a game, I would never have recruited such a novice mage as a companion.

Yet, Flora has become someone I would greatly miss if she weren’t around.

Mitchell and Wagner too.

These people have become precious to me.

‘…Since it’s come to this, I have to take responsibility until the end. At least so that each of them can do the work of one person.’

“Estel?”

The adjutant looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Ah, I was just lost in thought for a moment.”

“Estel and Flora have been here before, so I don’t need to explain separately. Weapons are here, armor is there-“

The adjutant introduced the equipment piled up in the warehouse.

We came here to choose Imperial Guard equipment to use.

However, this time, we don’t have to choose just one item from countless others like before.

“Choose whatever you need.”

A generous opening of the warehouse.

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

“Anything?”

Mitchell’s eyes gleamed with greed as she looked at the equipment.

“So, I can take everything here?”

“Huh? N-no, that’s not the case. We need to use them too, so you should only choose equipment you’ll actually wear…”

“Aish, how stingy.”

As Mitchell grumbled, the adjutant wiped away a bead of cold sweat.

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

It’s precious equipment that even Garden merchants rarely handle.

It’s also made of high-quality steel, characteristic of Imperial products, so the quality is excellent.

Most importantly, it’s rarely distributed externally.

If Imperial Guard equipment were seen elsewhere, it would mean it was looted from the corpses of dead guards.

Excellent performance and high acquisition difficulty. Naturally, the price would skyrocket.

‘The Guard Captain really went all out.’

Even though we made a great contribution, providing this much reward was unprecedented.

It seemed like a personal favor from the Guard Captain.

He might have to submit a written explanation to his superiors later for this matter.

“Wagner, it would be best for you to use this equipment. Just in case, I prepared armor in an extra-large size, and it seems to have found its owner.”

“Ho- Such large armor!”

Wagner exclaimed.

Wagner, with his massive build reminiscent of a giant black bear.

Due to his heavy physique, it was difficult to find equipment that fit him.

Even with the 「Size Adjustment」 rune, it’s not something that can be easily found in Garden.

Therefore, until now, Wagner had to choose armor without much choice, like picking the top here and the bottom there.

“Fortunately, it fits Wagner perfectly.”

With the adjutant’s help, Wagner put on the armor.

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

It’s the 「Guard Heavy Armor Set」.

Not only is the appearance neat and uniform, but the bonus stats are also substantial.

“Wow- Bear, you look cool!”

Mitchell put her hands on her hips and looked Wagner up and down.

“Hmm. It’s easy to move in, and it’s very good.”

“You look like a different person wearing the matching set from head to toe.”

Mitchell was also wearing a light armor set for a fighter.

The equipment Mitchell is wearing is light yet effectively defends vital points.

It’s even better because it’s compatible with the 「Imperial Greaves of Fierce Assault」 obtained at the gambling den earlier.

“Estel and Flora, this leather armor would suit you.”

We mages were given the 「Guard Light Armor Set for Mages」.

It’s a useful armor set that can be used steadily until the mid-to-late game.

However, there is one complaint…

‘The size is different.’

Glancing over, Flora’s chest plate was larger than mine.

Well, people’s body shapes aren’t all the same.

It’s something I vaguely noticed during our bath.

Since we’ve seen each other’s bodies, I already knew that my figure was somewhat lacking compared to Flora’s.

However, seeing it confirmed again by the armor size made my heart feel bitter.

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

A deep sense of regret washed over me.

And, for some reason, I felt resentful.

This is the first time I’ve ever felt this way.

A regret I never felt when I was a man.

‘Aish.’

I had no complaints about my body before.

At most, when urinating, I would glance at the neighbor’s belongings and compare sizes.

And it’s not a boast, but I was confident in my size.

I usually won.

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

‘What is this feeling of defeat?’

Could it be that, in the eyes of others, I truly look like a child?

A chill ran down my spine.

Am I destined to live my entire life in a child’s body?

With this cute body?

Not a man, and lacking feminine charm, a body that is neither one nor the other?

‘It can’t be.’

I shook my head vigorously.

‘I’m still growing, so I’ll get bigger.’

I consoled myself like that.

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

It’s not like I have to be slender like Flora or Mitchell.

Perhaps there’s a demand for someone like me, a kid…

‘Shit. What am I thinking?’

It offered no comfort at all.

Why am I even having these thoughts?

My head just got muddled, so I stopped thinking about it.