Lucius and Rena approached the reception desk with their proctor. Thanks to Jen's adventurer card, they were able to bypass the check at the gate. Even though they showcased excellent fighting skills, tracking, and cleanup, both of them had struggled when it came to proper butchering.
Jen had to show them both how to skin a monster as well as identify the important body parts that could be used as alchemical ingredients. Apparently, each monster has a body part that they use as a focus for their strength or powers.
It was that body part that an adventurer would want to collect. For Dire Rats, their claws and teeth helped them inflict poisons and diseases on their enemies, so it was important to collect those two as ingredients for selling.
Dire Rat meat was in abundant supply as an additive in cured meats and such right now, so there was no point in harvesting any of that, also Jen informed them that the hide of a Dire Rat was too flimsy to be desired by anyone.
Lucius could not help but sigh to himself.
"What's wrong?" Rena asked him.
They were waiting for the receptionist to return from the back where she had long since disappeared with Jen.
"Oh nothing, just a lot of stuff to remember...also I'm sorry." He replied.
"Sorry? What for?"
"I'm just going to be dragging you down. When I was younger...life was...rather intense, even before the trial. But since joining your side things have been...calm?"
"Is that a problem?" Rena asked.
"N-no...not really, I enjoy spending time with you, but I cannot help but wonder if I lost my edge...I train, and train, and train...but nothing."
"Want to grab..." Lucius began before being interrupted by a familiar voice.
"Hey you two. Newbies. Come over here." The voice came from their proctor, Jen, who was being followed by two other people. One seemed to be an elf with a sword on his hip and a shield on his back. The other seemed to be a human dressed like a common hunter. His weapon even appeared to be a standard hunting bow.
Rena and Lucius looked at each other for a moment before shrugging and walking over to them.
"What's up Jen?" Rena asked.
The three other adventurers looked and nodded at one another before Jen finally answered, "We want you to join our party. We lack a mage."
"Not without Lucius." Rena answered instantly.
"Heh, don't get your panties in a twist girlie, we want him too. Kid may not have power, but he's fast and he will make a good scout, of that I can attest." Jen smiled proudly.
"What do you think Lucius? Are you okay with that...we were going to be a duo..." Rena asked while twisting her foot into the ground.
Lucius eyed the two other adventurers behind Jen that started to snicker amongst themselves, but since they seemed harmless enough, he let it go. Instead he turned to Rena. "Sure, besides if its just us or us in another party, we are still together, so I am good!"
"Good line, kid." Jen muttered behind her hand.
"What was that?"
"Oh nothing, let's go get some food newbies!"