Chapter 8 - 『Magician's Guild』

Brita and Jack were walking down the stone streets of E-Rantel, the Fortress City closest to the Western Border between the Empire and the Re-Estize Kingdom. It was always the targeted city to be claimed by the Empire during the annual war. Of course, they haven't even gotten close to obtaining the city itself, let alone its fortress.

With his hands folded into his sleeves, he glanced over at Brita who was walking with him. Her arms were dangling from her sides, loosely moving forward and back with each step she made.

"So… Is Adventuring fun?" He'd ask curiously, eying her red hair and other features that generally set her apart from most of the people in the region. She was the first person he had seen with red hair, whilst most were either blonde and the second most common being brunette.

Brita shrugged, "It puts money and food on the table, it's a lifestyle."

Jack slowly nodded at this before turning to watch forward, taking in the sights around him.

"You curious about the Guild?" She asked as she looked to him. He looked like a priest, though the longer she took a gander at his face, she could just sense how strong he was. It was as if he had this aura about him that she couldn't quite take her eyes off of.

"Hm… Yes and no," Jack said as he'd then look to the blue sky above.

"What do you mean, yes and no?" Brita laughed a little, airily folding her arms behind her back as she moved in front of him, walking backwards, dragging her heels along the stone surface of the street.

"When I hear the name Adventurer, it makes me think of explorers or treasure hunters. People who seek out the unknown… Not exactly mercenaries or bodyguards who dod freelance jobs," Jack didn't sound like he was putting Adventurer's down a hole because of the way he spoke. However, it was clear that he was disappointed in the fact that the Guild wasn't what he imagined it to be.

"Ah… Well we Adventurers do sometimes take on those kind of Jobs, but they can be dangerous and most of the time its done by the higher ranked." Brita's eyes traced over his before she spun on her heel and went back to walking beside him, this time on the opposite side of him.

"Huh," Jack scoffed slightly with a small smile across his lips.

"What's so funny, Jack-san?"

Looking over at her, he raised a brow slightly. "Nothing," he kept this smile across his face up until they made it to the front doors of the E-Rantel Magic Guild.

The two of them would stroll on inside. There were plenty of people here, though it was smaller than the Royal City of Re-Estize's Magic Guild. It was likely they also had a smaller supply of spells.

"So what are you looking to do here anyways? I gather you're a magic caster?" Brita looked over at him, her head tilted just enough to point her ear at him as she stood beside him casually.

Jack's eyes turned to her for a few moments, then he looked over to the counter. Unlike pretty much everyone in the Great Tomb of Nazarick right now, he was currently the only one who could read or write in the native human languages and those which the others he had consumed knew.

"Learn some unique magic spells from the scrolls," he'd acknowledge her question before scratching the back of his head. Running his hand through his wavy-curly brown hair.

"Oh?" Brita looked over him for a moment before shrugging.

Taking out the letter which had been given to him by the Head Warrior, he walked up to the front counter with Brita following behind him. She was curious about that piece of parchment.

Just as Jack stopped in front of the counter, he placed the paper down on the countertop and the receptionist turned around to look at him.

"How can I help you?" The woman would ask before looking down at the letter. She raised a brow and reached over, unfolding it. After a few seconds of looking it over, she glanced up towards Jack.

"I'd like to register with the Guild," He'd respond with a mildly excited tone. While he doubted the magic here would be as powerful as anything he already had. Life Style magic was something he generally lacked since the game didn't really call for it.

"Oh?" Looking over the parchment once more, she placed it back onto the counter and then placed a few forms on the table. "Your entry fee has been waived. Fill out the forms as best you can."

Nodding lightly, he would retrieve the letter of introduction, slipping it into his 'sleeve.'

Jack then took out what looked like a ball-point pen with blue ink and steadily wrote down the information that he could provide. Of course, a large number of things given were false.

The woman behind the counter, and Brita, both eyed the pen in his hand. He wasn't using a quill, but some other device that had ink inside of it. It looked much easier to use, compared to a quill or a brush.

"May… May I inquire what instrument you are using there?" The Receptionist asked as he finished writing on the parchment.

Glancing up at her as the area behind the counter was slightly elevated. Jack would nod slightly and hold it out to her, "It's called a Ball-Point Pen. Since you waved the entry fee, I'll treat it as a gift. If you'll accept?"

Slowly the receptionist took the item, turning away as if she was holding a precious ring of power and appraising it with her back to the man.

It had been made by him. It was worth plenty of money based on the vast market it would be able to take over if someone were to put it out there.

Her eyes shifted over towards him curiously, but maintained her professionalism as she took the completed forms and filed them away before handing him his guild identification.

"I'd like to sell an item to the Guild," Jack would state with a mundane tone which caused her to raise a brow at him again. He had shown her a letter of introduction from the Head Warrior to show his connections, he had even given her a gift in return for waiving the fee and now he wanted to sell an item?

Hearing Jack from a few feet away behind the counter, the Guild Master approached from behind the receptionist and looked down at the man with a brow raised. "Hm?"

Jack locked eyes with the man known as Theo Rakheshir. He was thin and neurotic looking, not something he was really appealing to look at, whilst wearing a robe. Under the man's gaze, Jack would take a Sealing Crystal which had a seventh tier angel summoning spell sealed inside of it. It was Nigun's artifact which he had been given by the Cardinals of the Slane Theocracy.

On top of that, it was apparent that Magic Casters in this New World thought these things were highly prized possessions that were worth much debate and study.

Theo almost exploded the moment he saw the relic and locked his eyes on it. It was taking him so much will-power just to refrain from snatching it off the counter top and holding it close to himself.

Jack could see this in the man's eyes. A small opened grin formed over his lips. "I see someone's interested… Who may you be?" He'd raise a brow looking at the man.

Theo laughed as his eyes rested on the Magic Caster who was asking him who he was. "I am Theo Rakheshir, Guild Master of the E-Rantel Magician's Guild." The man proclaimed rather excitedly, almost drooling at the idea of getting his hands on the item. However there was still that calm and wise demeanor which was apparent on the outside, hiding his lust for knowledge. "And you are?"

"My name is Jack Graham, I just registered with the Guild."

The Receptionist leaned over and whispered into his ear. Theo looked over at her for a few moments, mouthing a few words to her, before she rushed off.

Stepping in front of the item, he would recite 『Appraise Magic Item』, to learn what type of magic spell was sealed within. He blinked several times to find that it was a seventh tier magic spell for summoning a high ranked angel. Looking up towards the man, he could only stare. "Where did you get this?" His hands warped around the item as he pressed it against his chest. Cradling it like it was his first born child.

"Does it really matter where it came from?" Jack retorted as he was asked this.

Theo nodded slowly getting what he was saying. "I'll prepare payment immediately."

Jack watched as the Guild Master rushed off with the item, vanishing around a corner. He shook his head slightly and chuckled before glancing over towards Brita who was standing there with her arms crossed. Looking him over.

"What?"

"You're a treasure hunter, aren't you?" Brita's lips warped into a wide grin, trying to piece together what he was saying earlier about adventurers. How they weren't doing what they were defined to.

"Perhaps, or I'm just a powerful Magic Caster with all the time in the world?" His tone was entirely sarcastic, but in a way he was telling the truth. Angels were heteromorphic and as far as he knew, he wasn't going to age, not like a human being and definitely not like an elf. Functional immortality seemed like the best bet.

"Oooh?" Brita was getting a bit more interested, perhaps she could make more money off of him by doing jobs serving his interests. Doing so would allow her to get potions for each one of her party members, rather than just getting this one and done deal.

"Once he gets back, think you can show me to a pharmacist or botanist? I'd like to learn more about some herbs used for healing properties."

Brita nodded lightly, "I heard of a famous one that's residential. I could take you to see her afterward. Apparently her grandson has a magical talent."

"Talent?" Jack asked as he knew people in this world had talents, he was curious of what this person could possibly do that makes the person oh so interesting to bring up.

"He's capable of using any magical item."

Jack's mouth opened slightly at this. Any magical item? That sounded interesting, very interesting. He was beginning to wonder if using devour would allow him to take the talents of other people.

For a minute there, he was imagining himself using the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. He chuckled slightly and shook his head. Would he really devour or assimilate someone just to get their talent? This caused him to drop back into thought pretty quickly. Frowning at himself, he was pretty sure he would, the temptation was great even though he wasn't thinking of betraying his best friend. The capacity to just be able to use the staff was amazing, and since they were the only two left, it would only be fair right?

Pinching the bridge of his nose slightly, he set his gaze back on Brita's face who looked a bit concerned.

"Are you okay?" She asked, leaning towards the tall man for a moment.

"Yeah… I'm fine," Jack was personally conflicted with himself. Morality, a sense of righteousness, right and wrong… That had been drilled into his head since he was a child. Yet the temptation to be dishonorable, dishonest and even to cause needless violence even though he looked down on it, was always there.

When Theo returned to the front counter, he had three large sacks filled with gold and silver coins.

Looking them over, it looked like it could literally keep anyone fed for years. Even if it was a handful of families. There was more than enough coinage there to start some assort of investments in the world.

"Thank you for your business," Theo said as he clapped his hands frantically. He couldn't wait to study the treasure which had founded itself in his lap. "Would you need a cart or anything?"

Looking over the sacks, Jack just shook his head before plucking one of them and stuffing them into his item box. Followed by the next two sacks.

The two people watching him had their jaws dropping at this. "W-what kind of magic is that?"

"It's the talent I was born with," he looked over them with a serious expression. "Extra-Dimensional Storage." In a way, he wasn't wrong. Players could access the item box even if they weren't Magic Casters. So he just made up the excuse rather than continuing to hide it.

Theo tasted his lips before looking to Brita, then back to Jack. "I see..."

Brita had brought a hand up to her jaw, checking him out even more. It was rather odd that he was pulling things out of his sleeve. It didn't really look like he had much physical storage on him to begin with. "You're getting more interesting by the second..."

"I know right?" Jack laughed, trying not to be too obnoxious though, as he stood there. "Anyways, after we see the pharmacist, I was wondering if you'd also help me find a place of residence?"

"You… Want to buy or rent a house here?" Theo interjected, taking both of their attentions.

"Buy, renting is annoying. Plus, I want to be able to build onto it." Though truthfully he wanted to build beneath it. Having a house in the city would make it easier for him to leave to and from Nazarick without being seen using portals or teleporting.

Plus, it would probably help with Momonga when he finally decides to come to the City.

"I see..." Theo scratched his chin slightly before taking out a piece of parchment, jotting something down before folding it and sealing it with wax. Reaching out, he held the piece of paper to Jack. "The Head Warrior's name will only get you so far, Jack-san. This can help you get residence in the Merchant and Noble Districts."

Blinking a few times as he looked at the parchment, Jack nodded and took it before slipping it into his item box. "Thank you... Theo-san?"

Theo nodded, believing the man to be his friend after letting him buy the item off of him like he did.

"I'll stop by sometime after I get settled, maybe we can enjoy tea?" Jack offered curiously as he raised a brow. He then looked to Brita, "You and your team too, if you'd like. After we get this tour done with."

Brita nodded with her lips pursed slightly in continued interest, "Sure thing boss man," She folded her arms over her chest.