34

When I had returned to the tavern, earlier than planned. The waitresses scrutinized me. Only after explaining myself, and my plans to take the boy to the orphanage did they stop bothering me. I paid one of the waitresses with a couple coins for her assistance. She helped procure clothing which looked second hand to me, but I guess that's normal in this world. I'm not exactly a noble so my clothing is also mostly second hand.

Another waitress desperate for money bathed and fed the kid for me whilst I made my way to the guild. The power of money. Nice.

...

Upon reaching the guild. I ask the receptionist about the Crimson Graves guild, specifically, where their guild house was located. To my surprise, apparently such a guild never existed. I then asked about a female adventurer named Mel, and once again there was no information.

"Fuck. There goes my trail..." Since I was already there, I decided to ask for more information. From what I gathered, the guild system is structured like this.

The master guild is operated under the control and expenses of the Royal family. The private and personal small clans/guilds have to cover their own expenses for food and stay. All guilds, no matter private or public has access to the same quests and missions.

Adventurers registered solely with the master guild will receive greater backing from the Royals, such as the chance to be recruited into their paladin corps, or the royal army. Adventurers who are registered with the private guilds will have to negotiate their own salaries. People newer to the industry are recommended to work for the master guild as to lower the chance of being scammed into a poor contract.

The master guild provides access to specialized blacksmiths and armourers. Private guild would have to train their own apprentices. With this, I conclude that private guilds are mostly successful and insanely rich with resources to achieve this.

After pondering through the information, I decided to just join the Master guild for now. The ID card would be useful for sure. Something that did surprise me though was the use of the ID card. It acted similarly to Earth's contactless cards. To utilize it, you drop all of your coins into the card's flat surface, the coins enter the card just like my weapons do with my [Inventory] and when I want to use it for payments. I just tap the payment orb with it.

The only downside I can think of is that, if the kingdom ever entered a state of total war. I would be forcefully conscripted, the same with all the farmers becoming levies. Something I don't believe will occur anytime soon. Not with these border dragons hanging around. Literally preventing the races from conquering one and another.

...

Back at the tavern, Robin and I were having supper. He hastily slurped his chicken soup into his stomach before asking for seconds. 

"Good, young people like you should definitely eat more so you can grow up big and strong." I nodded satisfied by his desire for nutrients and proteins. 

"You're weird Mr." 

"Look, I'm really not that old. I only just turned sixteen the other day." With a sidelong glance, Robin raised one side of his eyebrows.

"You don't look sixteen..." I showed him my new ID card to prove it. Leaving him gobsmacked whilst I sport a smirk. Now that I think about it. I am quite tall compared to others around my age. Is it my level? My increased stats or mana that's forcing my body to grow quicker?

"Anyways, how old are you?" He stretched out a hand, an open palm. I looked at it before looking back at him.

"Payment. For information." I tapped my card and a single coin popped out onto his palm. Honestly, I'm not worried about my wallet at all. Food and stay don't cost that much, but purchasing a house, land or horse were the real wallet-killers. "You're weird. Paying so much for information..."

"Hey, I paid up, so deliver." I grinned. Hopefully, he would be on the younger side. I doubt the orphanage would accept someone on the precipice of adulthood. It would be too hard to find anyone willing to adopt him, and before long he will be kicked out of the place again.

"I'm fourteen." Mm, not bad, not good I guess.