Carlton—it’s been a while.
Last time I came, Maggie’s dad brought me.
Two guards stand at the gate.
In Lang Village, everyone knows me, so I can come and go as I please.
But here, the guards cross their spears and block my path.
“What business do you have in Carlton?”
It’s these witch robes! If I were wearing normal clothes, they probably wouldn’t be suspicious.
I’m definitely complaining to Selina later.
“I’ve come to register as an adventurer at Carlton’s Adventurers’ Guild.”
I say it politely—I want to get in without any trouble.
“Adventurer registration?”
They glance at each other. Do I really look that suspicious?
“You have to be at least ten years old to register!”
I know!
That’s why I waited until after my birthday—well, the day Selina found me, anyway.
“I’m already ten!”
The guards still look doubtful.
If that’s how they’re going to be, then maybe I should rat out Matthew and the others for pretending to be ten at New Year’s.
“You count as ten from New Year’s, was it?” one of them says.
Wait—what?! So New Year’s would have been fine after all?
“My grandma said I had to wait until my birth month...”
The other guard chuckles.
“Old folks can be stubborn like that. Bet she didn’t want you becoming an adventurer.”
Bingo.
“Well I finally got permission, so here I am.”
I think that clears things up… but then they hit me with an entry tax.
Five whole pennies!
“If you manage to register, bring your guild card back here and we’ll refund it.”
I nod quickly. No way I’m leaving without getting that money back.
Anyway.
Carlton looks pretty much the same, though maybe a bit more crowded.
Even last time, I was surprised to see people out and about in the middle of the day.
Maybe I just notice it more now after being holed up in the forest.
I think about that as I head toward the Adventurers’ Guild.
It’s near the gate facing the Great Forest, which makes sense since most of the adventuring happens in those woods.
I get there quickly, but I hesitate at the door.
I did tell Selina I was going to register, but after those guards gave me the suspicious once-over, I’m feeling self-conscious again.
“If I were a boy, maybe I wouldn’t look so suspicious.”
I’m still small, even for a girl. I’ve grown, but Maggie’s taller than me.
Still, if I don’t register now, I’ll have to go back and admit I chickened out.
Selina will laugh herself silly.
Just slip in, register, and leave! Simple!
“All right! I can do this!”
I clap both hands against my cheeks to psych myself up.
Even so, I only manage to open the door a crack before squeezing myself through.
So many people! It’s almost like the summer festival.
All the adventurers seem to be crowded around the walls, checking request boards.
I spot what looks like the reception desk and head that way, careful not to bump into anyone.
There are multiple lines, so I pick the shortest one—just two people ahead of me.
The tall man at the front gets his request approved and moves off.
Now just one more.
I glance around. The other, longer lines all have smiling young women behind the counter.
My line... has a grumpy-looking man.
Oh no. I knew I should’ve picked a woman!
Still, not all men are scary. Maggie’s dad is kind, and that one Carlton backstreet apothecary was nice too.
“Next!”
The man ahead of me leaves, and now it’s my turn.
When he sees me, his brow creases. Definitely grumpy.
Still, I step up.
“I’d like to register as an adventurer.”
Finally said it! But he just stares.
Did I mess up? Is it too late to switch lines?
“You’re ten years old, yes?”
There it is again!
“I am!” I answer.
He sighs. Rude!
“Well, fine. You’ll get caught if you’re lying anyway. Pay the registration fee and fill this out.”
Ugh. What a pain.
“Isn’t the registration fee supposed to come after the form’s filled out and approved?”
I meant to stay quiet and avoid attention, but now I’m annoyed.
“You’re pretty sassy for a little squirt!”
“Who’s being sassy! Isn’t it standard procedure to check the form before asking for payment? That’s basic protocol!”
Oops. Now everyone’s staring.
Growing up with Selina, I never learned how to be... socially smooth.
Since I was gonna have to pay anyway, so I should’ve just gone along with it…
I wanna go home already now!
But if I leave like this, I’ll have wasted the entry tax.
I gotta get that guild card and get my money back!
“Just give me the form already!” I say.
I’m even trying to keep things civil here—I’m the one backing down, you know.
“Pay the fee!”
“Are you dense? The order’s wrong, that’s the problem! Ugh, forget it. You’re hopeless!”
I slam my palm on the counter and march over to another line.
“What did you say, you little brat?!”
Wait—he’s trying to grab me? Really?
Too bad for him, I grew up dodging magical beasts. He’s way too slow to catch me.
I duck his hand and mutter, “Don’t touch me with your grubby fingers!”
He actually raises a fist like he’s going to hit me over the counter.
Pathetic. I just step back—his reach isn’t that long.
“Dealing with morons is a waste of time.”
I shrug and join another line. Quietly this time.
But he’s not done. He stomps out from behind the counter.
“I won’t let a brat like you register! Get out!”
Wow. Is there no cure for this man?
“Excuse me,” I say loudly, “does this guy actually have that kind of authority?”
If so, maybe I’ll go register somewhere else.
A big adventurer nearby laughs. “Baz, knock it off!”
“Like hell!” The hot-headed fool tries to hit me again.
Of course I dodge!
I could handle this with magic, but I’d rather not show my hand if possible.
I make sure not to crash into anyone, but Baz shoves through the crowd—straight into a brawny adventurer.
Imagine running into one of these big, tough guys. How stupid.
“Hey! Watch it!”
Uh-oh. Here we go.
One shove leads to another, and suddenly the entire guild’s in an uproar.
Fists fly and tables go crashing.
Baz gets caught in the chaos and goes soaring. He ends up sprawled across the floor.
Is he... alive? I think so.
“Looks like today’s a bust. Guess I’ll head home!”
But those five pennies...
Oh! If I stop by the backstreet apothecary and sell some herbs, I might break even!
I start edging toward the door—
“What’s all this racket?!”
A voice booms across the guild—deep, commanding, and laced with magic.
The fighting halts immediately.
Intimidation magic? Probably.
Even I freeze, just listening to it.