27- Adventurers life is for me

Now with the situation of her daughter’s maid job properly explained, Ayi was left with an uncomfortable mixture of emotions. First and foremost, she was glad the explanation had been satisfactory and that her daughter hadn’t been working as a maid, as cheap labor, just for someone else’s sake. Mimiru had even explained how thanks to Zoey working as part of the guild staff, aside from the rooming and protection, she had been able to start some degree of education done by the guildmaster himself, with him being a registered priest of the goddess of knowledge.

Those were great points that made Ayi feel even worse about her previous outburst, she was almost sure her emotions were able to be seen by more than one person as she now started noticing how there were more whispers which she could tell were aimed at her.

“I-I am sorry for my previous outburst. I was jumping to wrong conclusions of my own.”

“Its ok! I can understand. I mean it is great that you care so much, or that’s what I think.”

“{Perhaps some food is in order. It seems like a good moment as any to change the mood. Besides I don’t think Master has had food as of yet.}”

“I am here Lord Feugan, did you have need of me?”

“{Why, yes. You have quite an opportune timing, Kara.}” Without anyone noticing, the happy chime of one of the barmaids came into the conversation on an almost too natural way, the maid had arrived at almost the exact moment Feugan had merely suggested for more refreshments, besides the tea that Zoey had procured. “I introduce you to my master, Ayi’Naa. Just like me, she is a hero from a different world”

“I understand, it’s a pleasure meeting a hero such as thee.” And with a short bow and a simple delicate and somehow elegant curtsy, that came from a giant of a woman.

Ayi found herself in an impressive state of bewilderment. With a lot of questions regarding what was taking place. Perhaps the very first among those should have been why so many people were able to talk normally with Feugan, but since she had somehow managed to find herself surrounded by such people, this very intriguing thought didn’t even reach the top of her concerns. Her mind immediately ranked her doubts in order to stablish them into semi coherent mumblings that had by all means been intended as some sort of communication.

First and foremost in her mind, was the question on just how had such an impressive looking woman sneaked on them. In her mind this was a very valid question. It is not your everyday a woman of approximately 5’11” (maybe? or at least that was the measurement Ayi made in her mind if her sense of size was even right in this different world) could actually sneak up on anyone. Right now she wanted to put Kara and Mimiru back to back with her having a measuring tape on hand. But not only was this lady tall, she seemed build like a brickhouse. An outstanding showcase of impressive muscles developed and trained for battle, most likely. Dut somehow not in a bad way at all, regardless the impressive build the barmaid showed, Kara was quite comely, she seemed like a beautiful fantasy female warrior.

Not so much as an amazonian though. Rather, she feels like a barbarian {princess}.

Disregarding the weird, almost alien thought that somehow felt not quite her own, Ayi continued observing Kara. She could imagine Kara being a very popular female athlete, in her previous world.

In fact, for the current fantasy world she found herself in, if Kara hadn’t been wearing a barmaid tyrolean dress, like all the other barmaids, Ayi could have only imagined her dressed in a combination or fierce-looking armor and furs along with a fantasy twohanded battle axe in hand. This particular image in her mind would have been just perfect with wild red hair, which Kara didn’t have at all. Which, brings forth the next point, this particular barbarian-esque lady in front of Ayi, had a short  and dazzling jade green hair that shone in a way that made her blink more than once and ponder on the possibility of Kara being photoshopped in real time. And the final blow to break all of Ayi’s mental images about female barbarians, images she had built onto this point with the endless help of biased internet imagery, was the refined and delicate manner in which Kara moved. All her movements were done with a certain elegance and flair as she was deftly serving them drinks, dried fruits and delicate pastries. Which now made Ayi realize, she had been left to her inner thoughts for far too long. She was pretty darn sure the table only had but some cups of tea before Kara arrived, now they had a small little feast of fruits, pastries, snacks as well as a couple jars with drinks.

She had been far too entranced with the sight of Kara, to a disturbing degree even. She was aware that she had never been blind to the beauty of other females, but she had definitely never stopped all her actions and just gawked at another woman before.

“Ah… er. Nice meeting you, Kara. And thank you for the refreshments.”

“Mm-mmm! Definitely! Kara you always know what to bring to cheer a girl up!” Replied Mimiru in a kind and earnest voice, an earnest voice full of breadcrumbs and jam.

“My my, Mimiru! You should some restrain, Lord Feugan and his master are here you know! First impressions are important!” The towering maid chided Mimiru as she somehow had not only managed to fill her own mouth with pastries and some tea, but she also refused to allow such a trivial issue from deterring her of voicing her gratitude.

Ayi couldn’t help but to chuckle at such a common everyday exchange taking place in what for couldn’t be described as a different world, maybe even a different realm or plane? She wasn’t quite sure about it. But it would surely take some time to get used to it, so she definitely thought it was nice to see such mundane interactions would still happen.

Looking at her own daughter serving her some more tea, arranging a plate with varied dried fruits and slices of meat, she noticed that Zoey was looking intently to Kara as the big barmaid was also preparing a plate for Feugan.

Uh? she has been almost glued to the right side of Feugan this entire time…

“Feugan, Mimiru. Its good to see you in good health!” Came a jovial and masculine voice that almost forced everyone to turn and look at young man that had arrived.

***

Bannon had seen Mimiru enter the building along with Feugan and Zoey. Zoey had not only quickly become part of the guild’s staff in order to provide her with protection and the benefits of life within the kingdom’s walls. She had turned into an staple of the guild’s mess hall. Oh just how many doting idiots were now present if only to watch over her. Some of them even retired adventurers and guards! Ugh don’t you look at me and lift your cup to cheer now that she is back! I am stuck here today because of you!

As one of the many bothersome inside jobs that the old man kept creating to ‘dissuade him of the adventurer’s life’, Bannon found himself watching over Zoey “in secret”.

This task bothered him for several reasons. First, he was forced to remain within the guild, unable to go out and take actual jobs. And second, the job was incredibly redundant in itself. Some of the people he was supposed to keep his eyes on were part of “Zoey’s Fanclub”. He had been tasked to spy on one of their “secret” gatherings, due to the concern of the maids hearing rumors of a gathering of unlikely attendees.

You old goats! You have your own children! Some of you have your own grandchildren!

The little wolfkin not only had a big and mean looking dragon brother. He didn’t pry too much into it, families were weird and diverse, he knew this firsthand. She was also being watched over by an unlikely assortment of retired guards, magicians and adventurers. The maids were ever vigilant of her safety too! Some of the guild’s staffers were not even retired, more than a few of them were actually fierce adventurers still in their prime, taking advantage of the guild job’s perks as a learning experience. A solid learning experience, given how zealous the guildmaster was on sharing all his knowledge “for whenever he retires”

Tsk. As if he seriously plans to retire!

It was then that he realized that Mimiru’s group had an extra person, a very lovely looking person!

As he continued watching over them, once Zoey had left for some drinks, he noticed they seemed to be having some sort of argument.

Oh? I don’t sense this as a friendly conversation with Mimiru.

Bannon focused his senses on the group, he was confident he could get some information this way. Bannon was after all, quite proud of his skill in sensing people’s motives and feelings, he was very capable of sensing if someone was lying even if he was eavesdropping on a conversation. He had been giddy with excitement when he realized he could sense some of Feugan’s intentions, while it was hard and cumbersome, he liked to think he was exercising his skill even more.

Feugan is elated and he… he fully respects her?!! He -RESPECTS- her?!

This was beyond rare for the dragon. Even amicable feelings were uncommon, Mimiru could be counted as a rarity on the dragon’s feelings, even for Kara it took some time for the dragon to open up to. Bannon tried his best to remain calm and thought of his options and possible implications. He was certain this beautiful lady was no other than Feugan’s master. Feugan had only shown respect which almost bordered on a sense of veneration when the conversations were related to his master.

He knew Mimiru wouldn’t appreciate him dropping in, she had never been too fond of the persona he had built in order to become an adventurer, and he would have let them be and maybe be informed later on. But Mimiru was so darn carefree! They had gone straight for the food, she should have send word to the old man. If she was intent on getting snacks they should have gone to Feugan’s room! It was deeper into the grounds of the guild, further away from a plethora of possible prying eyes, the guild’s clients, food providers, other adventurers, gossip mongers and so on. Since it was also a room created for larger species of enlightened beings, it was spacious enough to hold a meeting between all the involved people.

Bannon stood up from his table and headed to their table mentally preparing himself for Mimiru’s disdainful remarks.

"I would have brought some of my sister's bread had I known I was going to tell her to stop eating". He grumbled to himself.

“Feugan, Mimiru. Its good to see you in good health and good compa-” 

Everyone’s attention was diverted to the sudden noise of a clattering chair that had fallen, as Feugan’s master almost jumped to her feet the moment Bannon started talking to their group

“BRANNON?!!! My Goodness, it is you!!”

 “UGH!!” Bannon couldn’t help himself when he felt the vice grip of an unexpected hug, tightening to such degree in which not only he felt like it was painful, but he was certain he needed to do something to stop it before it turned into an actual life-threatening concern.

“Ma’am please listen I don’t think-” Unable to continue, interrupted as suddenly Bannon found himself lifted off the ground while being crushed in the fierce hug.

“This is great!! HAHAH!! Now we can go on real adventures together!! Slay monsters! Save Princes and Princesses alike! Fight for Justice and save kingdoms!”

“T-that doesn’t sound bad but- UgH!!” Bannon found that It was hard to concentrate. Partly because he found himself in the arms of a very beautiful beastkin female, partly because he found himself lifted off the ground, by a seemingly innocuous person. And mostly because he felt how he was running out of air from her current show of affection.

Congratulations!

By your interactions you are eligible to a “System/Fate upgrade”

Do you wish to undertake the changes?
< Accept / Refuse >

Warning.

By accepting this, you will be granted access to previously blocked classes. New classes can be accessed through further interactions, feats and achievements. All training performed and skills that should have been acquired before the update will not automatically unlock previously inaccessible classes or skills. Any progress towards said classes/skills will be taken into consideration, decreasing the previous requirements depending on each situation and current standing. Affected classes will still be shown and the updated requirements listed as well.

Bannon was now speechless. On one part because of the menu right in front of him. But mostly, because he was rapidly running out of air.

This was the solution he had been looking for so many years! The menu of the chosen heroes was right in front of him! Giving him messages straight from the will of the realm and the gods. With no doubt in his mind he willed his thoughts towards the word “Accept”, until finally the word itself seemed to glow followed by a soft bell chime just as the magical menu disappeared and a new one appeared.

Congratulations!

You have accepted a System/Fate upgrade!

The changes will begin as soon as your next resting sleep.

At last!! A definitive solution to his father’s “curse”! Bannon was elated. Already imagining himself giving his sister a wide smug look, she had always shared an equally conservative mentality with their father. But now!! Now he would now take his birthright and raise as one of the greatest adventurers in the realm. Bards would sing songs of his adventures. He would travel the land and correct the wrongs! Save princes and princess! Fight for justice!

And with many more optimistic and chivalrous ideas in his mind, Bannon passed out.