The Water Magician

After Fai finished recording the size and quantity of the magic stones and had stored them in the safe of the office, sounds of running could be heard from the hallway.

Along with it...

"Everyone, please wait! We're still in a discussion here!"

Nina's voice could also be heard.

Compared to the earlier sound of Fai running, this was a much lighter, hurried sound as the door swung open.

Standing there was a short female mage wearing a black robe and holding a large staff in her left hand.

"Abel... I'm glad..."

Saying this, the mage fell to her knees.

(I've seen this scene somewhere before)

Ryo thought rudely.

"Lin, I'm sorry to have worried you."

It was Lin, the wind attribute mage from Abel's party, "Red Sword."

Following her were a woman dressed in white priestly attire and a giant man carrying a massive shield who entered the room.

"Abel..."

The priestess's voice, like the sound of bells, reached Ryo's ears.

"Rhea, Warren, I've just returned."

"Yes... welcome back, Abel."

Rhea, with teary eyes, and Lin, who was completely crying, along with Warren, who remained silent but had a relieved expression.

Seeing their varied reactions, Abel gave a wry smile.

Ryo wasn't the only one left wondering what expression to make in that scene.

"Abel, well, I'm sure you have a lot to discuss, so feel free to use this room. Ryo and Nina, let's go take care of some paperwork over there."

Saying this, Fai led Ryo and Nina out of the reception room.

And then, in the Guild Master's office.

Fai plopped down heavily onto the reception set.

"Phew, I'm not good with that kind of atmosphere. Ryo, please take a seat there. Nina, Ryo will be registering as D-rank, so I'm sorry, but could you bring the entire set over here?"

"Understood."

With that, Nina left the room to prepare.

Ryo was left alone with the imposing giant of a Guild Master.

"Is it alright for you to register as D-rank?"

"Yeah, it's fine. After seeing that massive amount of Wyvern Magic Stones, I have no choice but to accept it."

With that, Fai laughed heartily.

"Well, it was Abel who dealt the final blow."

"I know Abel's abilities. He is undoubtedly a genius. However, being a swordsman, I also know that he can't take down a wyvern by himself. That means you have considerable skill, and as a mage, you can support Abel enough to take down the wyvern. Without a doubt, you have the strength to be registered as D-rank."

Saying this, Fai slapped Ryo on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.

The bones creaked...

"Oh? Ryo, you seem like a mage, but it looks like you've trained your body quite a bit too?"

Fai noticed when he slapped Ryo's shoulder with enthusiasm.

"I’ve been hunting alone, so I wouldn’t want to run out of stamina and become unable to fight."

Upon hearing this, Fai nodded repeatedly.

"That's right. No matter how amazing your skills or magic are, it’s all over if your stamina runs out. But the recent young ones don't understand that."

For a while, Fai complained about the younger generation.

Even so, Fai was only in his mid-thirties.

After a while of complaints, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

"Excuse me. Guild Master, I’ve brought the registration items."

Nina, the receptionist who had left earlier, entered with a large crystal on a tray.

"Oh, then I'll leave Ryo's procedure to you. Ryo should be fine just following Nina's instructions. I'll be wrestling with paperwork."

With that, Fai turned towards his desk.

"Once again, Ryo-san, I am Nina from the Run Adventurers' Guild. Nice to meet you."

"Thank you for your kindness. I'm Ryo. It's nice to meet you too."

They exchanged greetings.

A proper greeting is important.

"Now, I will first conduct an interview. I will ask questions, so please answer them."

"Understood."

(Usually, the pattern involves being handed a paper to write down your name and such... and then they ask, 'Do you need assistance in writing?' and you respond, 'No, I'm fine'... Since there are many such interactions, is it that guild staff are now responsible for entering data from the start?)

It seems that the developments in this another world were different from what Ryo knew...