Barthos let out a hearty laugh, happy to see the Rogue's enthusiasm. It had been a while since he had welcomed newcomers to the Guild, especially someone with such a strong desire to work.

"Let's take it easy, my boy. Why don't you both have lunch first? The food here at the Guild is excellent, and the price is lower for Hunters" Barthos pointed to the tables near the counter.

Orkan and Aestus sat at one of the tables, ordering a full meal from the bar attendant. They ate while talking among themselves, vividly recounting the battle with the giant flies, recalling every detail. After eating, they sat in silence for a few moments, allowing their food to settle. Orkan began to pay attention to the other Hunters around them. There were only two groups: a Knight and an Archer, sitting together at one table, and a Dark Wizard, a Spearwoman, and another Knight at another table. There were several empty tables, a sign that the Guild had housed many other Hunters before.

The Archer and the Knight were whispering to each other, which piqued Orkan's curiosity. The Rogue focused intensely, activating his perception ability and managing to discern what was being said.

"So tomorrow morning, we'll take the contract for the blazing deer. I have a feeling those three at the other table have their eyes on that contract," whispered the Archer. "The payment is good, and it's an easy Creature to hunt. The easiest money we've ever made."

"If I hadn't exhausted all my energy in this morning's hunt, we'd grab that contract right now," replied the Knight, taking a sip of his drink. "The shell of that armadillo was tougher than I expected. I'll take the opportunity to get my sword fixed at the Blacksmith this afternoon."

"Are you listening to me?" Aestus nudged Orkan, bringing him back. Apparently, Aestus had been talking for a while without his friend assimilating any information. Orkan shook his head slightly, as if changing the frequency he was tuned into.

"Sorry, I was paying attention to something else," Orkan explained. "Anyway, we NEED to take on more contracts this afternoon."

"But that's exactly what I was saying, you stubborn head. I think we could take on one more contract and—"

"No!" Orkan interrupted, speaking louder than necessary, cutting off the conversation around them. He got embarrassed, his cheeks quickly turning red, and leaned toward Aestus, speaking more quietly. "I think we should take on as many contracts as possible, level up as quickly as we can."

Aestus looked at his friend with a mix of surprise, confusion, and admiration. Orkan was more proactive than he had anticipated, perhaps due to the amount of crystals they had received, he thought.

"Alright, we can try to take on more than one..." But Orkan was already on his feet, heading towards the notice board, before Aestus could finish.

The two boys approached the board, examining the available contracts. Orkan's eyes kept darting towards the level three contract, ensuring it was still there, as if it would disappear out of nowhere.

"We received another contract while you were away. I have three available for you," Barthos informed them, pointing to the upper left corner of the board. Orkan took the three contracts and placed them on the counter.

"Let's do these," Orkan said, puffing out his chest.

Barthos looked surprised, raising his eyebrows, feeling proud of the Rogue. He asked if they were sure, and both of them answered affirmatively. Barthos quickly made his notes, handing the contracts to the two boys.

"I'm only giving you these contracts because there are no other level one Hunters in the region. It's forbidden to hold contracts just to prevent other Hunters from taking them," Barthos explained. The newcomers nodded. They then grabbed a snack for the afternoon, said their goodbyes, and left the Guild.

After they had distanced themselves, Orkan explained the reason for his haste. He intended to complete the hunts today and possibly reach level three so they could take the contract for the blazing deer early the next day. He also mentioned overhearing the plans of the other Hunters and how it seemed like an easy hunt. Aestus didn't think it was right to eavesdrop on others' conversations, but deep down, he also wanted to take that contract. It would be like a proof of his aptitude for the career, enabling him to help as many people as possible. Once they were on the same page, the two friends scrutinized the new contracts more carefully.

Their tasks included assisting a Chemist in collecting medicinal herbs, finding a lost cat in a nearby forest, and, according to the most recent contract, eliminating pesky rats tormenting a local farmer. They mapped out a route to optimize their service and set off.

***

Aestus and Orkan reached the Guild at the end of the day, with little sunlight remaining in the sky and street lamps already lit. Smoke could be seen rising from various chimneys of the houses, carrying the aroma of dinners being prepared through the windows. They were extremely tired but had a sense of accomplishment. Even the contracts to collect herbs and find the cat had been exhausting, as the contract areas had presented some Creatures to be eliminated. The rookie Hunters had to battle acid slugs, rabid ferrets, and more giant flies. It seemed that wherever there was a contract at the Guild, there were Creatures to be fought. It made sense because otherwise, anyone could have completed the job. This served as a valuable learning experience for both of them, but especially for Orkan.

The two opened the Guild door together, stepping into the welcoming atmosphere. A Bard was playing a tune on a piano, creating a pleasant ambiance. The tables were fuller now, as the Guild also served as a place to meet friends and have a good meal. It was only then that they noticed their state. Their clothes were dirty and torn in several places; Aestus's armor was in tatters; Orkan's hair was all messy, with a few leaves stuck in it; both their faces had dirt smudges; Aestus's left hand bore an ugly burn caused by one of the slugs. But despite looking so ragged, they didn't mind. That's how a true Hunter ended their day (or at least that's how they imagined it). They headed to the counter, where Barthos was already winding down his activities.

"Just in time, boys. Looks like you encountered an acid slug," Barthos said, glancing at Aestus's hand. He whistled and signaled to the bartender, who approached the counter. "This is Waru, our Chemist. He's in charge of the bar and making our potions. Never go on a hunt without a good supply of potions." He turned to the Chemist and said, "Waru, do you have something to take care of this burn?"

The slim and short young man adjusted his glasses, examining the injury. Without a word, he quickly retrieved a vial from his belt and poured its contents over Aestus's hand. A turquoise blue liquid enveloped the burn, alleviating the pain and removing any trace of the slug's slime. There was no sign of injury left on the skin.

"This one's on the house," Waru said in a friendly tone before returning to the bar after Aestus thanked him.

"If these potions are so potent, why don't you use them to fix your knee?" Orkan asked. He had never seen a Chemist in action.

Barthos was about to give a snarky response but realized that the Rogue wasn't asking with ill intent. Rogues were known to be acidic and playful, but Orkan was still very inexperienced.

"After a wound has already healed naturally, no magic can fix it. I couldn't seek help when my knee was destroyed. That's why it's always good to have a Light Mage in your group. Or at least a good stock of Waru's potions," Barthos signaled to the Chemist, who patted his belt full of vials. "Don't make the same mistake I did, boys."

The young men handed over the completed and signed contracts to the towering Knight, who quickly reviewed the information. He then expressed his surprise.

"I've never seen novice Hunters complete four hunts in a day. Heck, it's even rare to see experienced Hunters do that. I think you've found your calling."

The friends looked at each other with pride. After making his notes, Barthos handed over the payments, bringing broad smiles to their faces.

"Good job, lads. If you keep up this pace," Barthos calculated on his fingers, "you'll reach level two in three days."

Orkan's expression changed as if a gust of wind extinguished a candle. He was visibly disappointed but lacked the energy to argue. His shoulders slumped, and he seemed defeated. Aestus grew concerned for his friend and tried to salvage the situation.

"But, Barthos, you saw how easily we managed these hunts. Couldn't we maybe take a level two contract tomorrow? Maybe even an easier level three one?" Aestus asked, displaying his perfect smile and resting both hands on the counter.

"No, absolutely not!" Barthos slammed his enormous hand on the counter, startling everyone in the Guild, even causing the Bard to miss a note on his piano. Aestus jumped back in fright. Barthos then continued more calmly, "Rules are rules, and you will abide by them. You were truly exceptional today, and that's precisely why you should take it slow. It would be a shame to lose two promising Hunters. Take it easy, enjoy the journey, develop new skills."

Aestus lowered his head, agreeing but feeling embarrassed. Barthos ran his hand through the newcomer's hair, consoling him like a father would comfort a child after a scolding. Surprisingly, Orkan wrapped his arms around his friend's shoulders and tried to cheer him up. Aestus corrected his posture and looked proudly at Orkan, who displayed a subtle smile. The two apologized to Barthos and thanked him for the payment before leaving the Guild.