"Wait, you're telling me you don't know your own awakened Class?" Razzak's voice echoed through the room, his disbelief evident in the furrow of his brow and the tightening of his jaw.
The others exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes widening in shock, except for Maya, who seemed oblivious to everything at the moment.
With an anxious smile, Razzak pressed on, concern lacing his words. "What are you saying, boy? Unless you're an ordinary person, everyone belongs to a Class system..."
Realizing, he let out a sigh of disappointment, shaking his head. "Those who don't know their Class category are just ordinary people." Turning away, he declared with finality, "And the Adventurers Guild has no place for them... Go home, kiddo."
The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, leaving Ewaan and Maya stunned.
"Wait, where can I get information about my class system?" Ewaan boldly interjected, his tone oblivious to the tense atmosphere that enveloped the room. As always.
Alina let out a deep sigh, her disappointment palpable as she watched Ewaan's confident demeanour falter.
She had hoped more from him, but it seemed her assumptions were misplaced.
– This handsome gentleman, I assumed he had a genius-level aptitude based on his tone, but turns out, he's just an ordinary country bumpkin who hasn't seen much of the world.
"Sigh..." Razzak facepalmed, his brow furrowed in frustration as he pinched between his eyebrows. "While some awaken by birth, others may seek guidance at the church or confront mortal danger. If fortunate, it may lead to the awakening of one's aptitude," he explained patiently.
"To awaken your aptitude, you must seek the acknowledgment of the Deities at the church. However, the church only opens its gates for such events every eight months."
"What about the latter?" Ewaan asked bluntly, his eyes piercing as he awaited Razzak's response.
Razzak and Alina exchanged troubled glances, their expressions mirroring their internal conflict.
Despite his hesitation, Razzak eventually relented, providing the information reluctantly. "Well, it does have a high chance of awakening for those with excellent aptitude, but it's extremely dangerous," he explained, his voice tinged with concern. "I mean, who in their right mind seeks death willingly, right?"
Razzak's firm tone bore into Ewaan as he continued, "Many who attempted this perilous path ended up failing and meeting their demise rather than awakening, kiddo!"
Undeterred, Ewaan persisted, his determination unwavering. "So, I can attempt the latter whenever, right?"
His words hung in the air, laden with unspoken intentions that did not escape the notice of those in the room.
"Alright…" Ewaan turned around abruptly with resolute demeanor. "I'm off then."
He cast a meaningful glance at Ayaka before speaking again, "Miss Ayaka, Take care of Maya while I'm away. I'll return these favors you're doing in whatever form you wish once I'm done..."
"Y—yes! No, no, no! Wait a minute, where are you going?" Ayaka exclaimed, her confusion evident.
Before Ewaan could make his exit, Razzak intervened, his voice stern. "Hold on, Kiddo!" he called out, stopping Ewaan in his tracks.
"Didn't you hear what I just said? You still want the easy way knowing very well you could die if you don't awaken on time? Or rather, not awaken at all!" Razzak's frustration was palpable as he spoke.
"It did, however, succeed for some, right?" Ewaan countered, his gaze unfaltering. "If I never try, how will I know the results?"
Razzak's voice grew stern with frustration. "Sigh... Don't be impulsive, kid, think it through. If you're unsuccessful and die like that, what will your friends feel? What about your family? Are you really willing to blindly gamble with your life, knowing all that?"
Ewaan's face showed a mix of realization and uncertainty as Razzak's words sank in.
He tilted his head slightly to the left and glanced at Maya, his heart ached. She met his gaze with clenched hands and watery eyes.
In that instant, Razzak added, "Furthermore, for reasons unknown, the church is opening its gates for this event sooner than expected, beginning in just two days. You can go there first and try your luck to get baptized!"
Ewaan heard it all, but still couldn't take his eyes off Maya. He finally blinked, tilted his head down, uttering, "Alright, I'll do as you said."
He slowly approached Maya, at a loss for words.
After a moment, he spoke, his voice softened, "I... I'm sorry… I'll never say or attempt such a gamble with my life again—"
"You better be…" Maya lightly punched Ewaan's chest, her voice tinged with concern and shaky. "Or I won't ever forgive you…" Her body flinched as she spoke, revealing the depth of her emotions.
The group exited the room, their footsteps echoing in the hallway, as they gathered in front of the reception desk.
Ayami let out a sigh, her frustration evident as she spoke. "Alright, now that we've wasted all that time..." She shot a quick glance at Alina before continuing, "Here's the quest receipt and items. Please check if it qualifies as completed?"
Ayami handed the shoulder bag Ayaka was carrying and a quest parchment to Alina. She diligently inspected the items inside the bag, ensuring they met the quest requirements.
Taking the items and handing back the shoulder bag, she confirmed, "Yes, everything matches the quest requirements. The quest is complete."
As a result, the Takagi twins received a total of 6 large gold coins for their quest and items, with an extra 3 large gold coins, and some silver coins added for the ‹Bipedal Buffalo Demon› they defeated.
"Take these as well," Alina handed back the two small gold coins she had taken for the Tempest siblings' registration. "Since nothing moved forward, this money isn't earned!"
"Thanks, Alina, for the appreciation," Ayami stated with gratitude, gladly accepting the coins.
As the Takagi sisters prepared to leave, Ewaan began to ponder his next move.
Suddenly, Ayaka turned back with a warm smile and uttered, "What are you waiting for? Let's get going, guys," gesturing towards the Tempest siblings.
"Eh?" Ewaan and Ayami exclaimed, dumbfounded by Ayaka's remark.
"During our time in the forest, when the two of us went to collect firewood, we discussed and decided to form a party together!" Ayaka explained.
Though they still remained dumbfounded.
Maya chimed in with a smile, "Ayaka shared many things with me, including her time at the Adventurers Guild. She mentioned that if we successfully become members, we should form a party together."
Ayami stuttered, "B—but, they're yet to join the—" She couldn't finish her sentence as Ayaka gave her a pleading look, her eyes filled with determination.
Ayami looked away, trying to avoid Ayaka's gaze, but instead, her eyes met with Maya's somber expression, conveying the weight of their unspoken agreement.
With a reluctant sigh, Ayami conceded, "Fine, we're all in the same party."
Ayaka smiled and reassured Ayami, "Hey, don't be like that. Besides, they'll definitely be official Adventurers in two days. I can feel it in my heart."
Ayami retorted, "Your heart always feels weird things!" giving Ayaka a side-eye.
"Hey!" Ayaka pouted, while Maya and Ayami laughed. They became engrossed in their conversation, completely ignoring Ewaan.
He clenched his hand while pondering to himself,
– Damn it! I was planning to visit the church and plead with the pope to let us stay for a while, but this complicates things! It's great and all but...
Maya noticed Ewaan's frustration and approached him, then said reassuringly, "We couldn't have known who to trust or befriend after arriving here. Since we know nothing about this world, they might provide us with useful information."
He glanced at Maya with concern before conceding, "Fine, I'll go along with your decision."
"Since everyone's on the same page, let's hurry and find an inn. It's getting late, and we might not find any available rooms if we delay any longer!" Ayaka spoke urgently.
With that, the Tempest siblings and Takagi twins set off in search of an inn.
••• ••• •••