“Pass.”

Wait… What? He passed? He did it! He was finally an adventurer! Yes!

“You, the girl helping the spiky haired kid. You’ve shown a great sense of camaraderie. Adventurers must never leave one behind. The rest of you in the back. All of you were aware of your limits and knew when you’re outmatched. That’ll keep you alive when you’re out in the fields. And lastly, you.” The bald man looked at George. 

“You ought to be careful. Though your grit and tenacity is commendable, you’re blurring the lines between being brave and being stupid.”

“Your adventurers’ badge and cloak will take some time to complete but congratulations. All of you.” He paused as he stood with his fist over his chest. 

“Keep your hearts burning with curiosity and your eyes filled with wonder. Explore the world with your own two hands, O Avid Adventurer.” The man said, his face relaxing into a mellow expression.

The remaining examinees were now being led out into the guild’s lounge by some adventurers.

The brown haired girl, doing more than she needed to, helped him all the way back.

“Thank you… I never really got your name.” George said.

“I’ll tell you if we ever meet again.” She replied coldly. She didn’t look like she was any bit interested in staying long. 

Their awkward theatrically somber moment was interrupted when. 

“You’re back! Well I mean you made it. I totally wasn’t expecting you to fail or anything but—”

“Amy!”

“I mean you didn't, did you? I assume you didn’t.”

“Amy!”

“Sorry.”

The brown haired girl shoved George towards the two siblings and walked away. They got the impression that she wasn’t a very chatty person. The three of them made their way into the dining hall section of the guild. 

Ben helped George into a booth and Amy came back with a tray of drinks. 

“Mmm. What’s this?” George asked as he took a big gulp of the juice Amy handed to him. It tasted like apples but left a burning sensation on his tongue. A sensation that felt oddly familiar.

“That’s just apple cider mixed with a healing potion.” 

“Healing potion?”

“Yeah, I gave you one back in the forest.”

“Is that what that was? I thought you made me drink acid.”

“Yeah… healing potions tend to do that— Sorry.” Amy apologized.

“It’s called a healing potion but all it does is speed up your metabolism and you’re meant to just pour it over your wounds but there was no time and I panicked and—and.”

“Matebobism? What’s that?”

“It’s— nevermind.”

“But how was it? I hope old man Martin wasn’t hard on you.”

“The bald guy? About this tall?” George asked, making gestures with one hand while the other held his drink.

“What’s his deal? If I didn’t know any better. I’d mistake him for a beast. ”

Both Amy and Ben looked at each other. 

“Old man, Martin is an animagus.” Amy explained. 

“What’s an animagus?” George asked, a puzzled look on his face. 

“People who committed the forbidden act of consuming the flesh of a mana beast. From what I know. Animagus have the heart of a beast inside them. Of course, Old man Martin couldn’t help it of course and no one really blames him for being experimented on but there are still some adventurers who are repulsed by the fact he is one.” She paused, taking a sip of her drink. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he felt Fafnir sneer. 

“Becoming an animagus is something only the most deplorable, despicable, and desperate people do. It’s just not right for a human to walk around with a beast heart.” Amy finished. There was now an air of restlessness around them. As if the very topic of Animagus was taboo to talk about.

“I feel like I can take on the world!” George exclaimed suddenly. Trying to break the tension. Catching on to this, Amy chimed in with.

“Alright. Think you can take on a tour around the city?” She challenged George.

“Really? You really mean it? Like right now?”

“Yeah. If you’re up for it I mean.”

“Am I ever!” 

George jumped in his seat. His eyes sparkling with wonder and curiosity. George had somehow successfully diverted the topic away from Animagus.

The three of them continued to talk for a bit. Amy was telling George about all her adventures which may or may not be mixed in with lies. Of course Ben knew but chose to stay silent. In George’s mind, Amy was a seasoned veteran. He could hardly believe he was getting to talk to an adventurer of her caliber. 

A little while later, Ben decided he had to do something so Amy and George waved goodbye to him.

“Alright, where do you want to go first?”

“I don’t know, you decide.”

“Fine, then be prepared for an awesome tour around the city. By yours truly.”

And so the two were off. She took him into the market where vendors were selling trinkets from all across the continent of Leonis and more. George, being the bumpkin that he is, almost got scammed on multiple occasions if Amy wasn’t there to pull him away. Afterwards when their eyes were thoroughly tired and their stomachs empty. Amy decided they should have some skewers. They ate while watching people go about their lives. Children running along the streets. Vendors reciting their goods again and again. Today was the most eventful day of his life. This view of the city, with the sun over in the horizon. 

‘If only Ash and Anna were here to see this.’ He thought. 

After filling their stomachs, George decided he wanted to continue exploring so they did. He committed everything to memory. The stories he was going to tell his two younger siblings when… if he gets to return home.

With the sun dipping over the horizon. George’s tour around the city came to an end. They were just heading back when the sound of horns reverberated through the air. There was a sudden rush of people towards the town square. Lining up along the street, murmuring to themselves as the gates opened and there, on horseback, were knights. They rode into the city in a single file. Their heads were high and ego in the clouds.

“What’s happening? Why are they here?”

“Haven’t you heard? Prince Vincent will be holding a royal hunt soon.”

“Really?”

“I’m not surprised at all. I heard Princess Nora along with the heroes succeed in the subjugation. With the youngest now getting healthier. I suppose he felt he needed to stand out.”

The crowd whispered loudly. He meanwhile could do nothing but stare at the knights, his jaws on the floor. But oddly enough he felt Fafnir flinch at the mention of Princess Nora and the heroes or something, he didn’t know. He barely caught anything in the midst of the sea of murmurs. His head was swimming with questions. He had only begun to process the information about Animagus and now there was talk about Royal Hunts and the heroes.