The Adventurer's Guild was already buzzing with noise by the time Akari and Lyra stepped inside. Armor clanked, conversations overlapped, and the faint scent of ale and parchment filled the air.
Akari trailed close behind Lyra, clutching the strap of her small bag nervously. Compared to yesterday, she didn't feel as lost, but the sight of so many confident adventurers still made her shrink a little.
A group of them turned their heads as Lyra entered.
"Hey, it's Lady Lyra!" one man whispered.
"The S-Rank herself! Wonder what she's doing here this early."
Lyra ignored the attention and walked straight toward the reception counter. Her boots clicked sharply against the marble floor, her presence commanding without needing a word.
Behind the counter stood a young woman with long auburn hair tied neatly in a braid and bright blue eyes that lit up the moment she saw Lyra.
"Good morning, Lady Lyra!" she greeted cheerfully. "Back so soon?"
"Morning, Layla," Lyra replied, her voice calm but warm. "I need a favor."
Layla tilted her head. "A favor? From you? This must be serious."
Lyra stepped aside slightly, gesturing for Akari to come forward. "This is Akari. She's… new here. Starting today, I want you to help her find quests and handle her paperwork. She'll be under my guidance for a while."
Layla's eyes widened, flicking between the two of them. "Under your guidance? You mean, she's your apprentice?"
Akari flushed. "Ah, I wouldn't say apprentice exactly."
Lyra cut in smoothly, "Something like that."
Layla smiled warmly at Akari, the kind that immediately put her at ease. "Well, any friend of Lady Lyra's is welcome here. I'm Layla, one of the Guild's senior receptionists. I'll make sure to find quests that match your level."
Lyra crossed her arms. "Keep her within the kingdom walls for now. No monster hunts, no escort missions, and definitely no border work."
Layla nodded. "Understood."
She reached under the counter and pulled out a small stack of parchment sheets. "Let's see… There are plenty of safe errands around the capital. Gathering herbs for the alchemist's guild, helping deliver supplies to the barracks, even cleaning the library archives."
Akari blinked. "Wait, cleaning?"
Layla giggled. "Everyone starts small, dear. Even Lady Lyra once delivered milk to the stables for her first quest."
Lyra cleared her throat. "That story is classified."
Akari stifled a laugh. "I can't picture you doing that."
"Good," Lyra replied flatly.
Layla flipped through the stack and selected one parchment with a bright blue seal. "Here's a good one for beginners, help the apothecary restock her herb cabinet. The shop is inside the west market, about fifteen minutes from here."
Akari took the parchment carefully, glancing at the neat handwriting.
Quest: Restock and Organize Apothecary Shelves
Reward: 2 Silver Coins
Location: West Market – Mira's Herbs & Remedies
She smiled faintly. "That sounds… doable."
"Good," Lyra said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You'll do this one while I show you around the capital. You'll need to know your way around if you're going to work here."
"Got it," Akari said with a nod, determination flickering in her eyes.
The streets of Valenstad were alive with Merchants shouting over one another, children darting between stalls, and banners fluttering in the breeze.
Lyra walked ahead, easily parting through the crowd, while Akari followed, trying to memorize the streets and landmarks.
"That fountain marks the center of the trade district," Lyra explained, pointing toward an ornate marble sculpture surrounded by blooming flowers. "The west market is just past that, near the old bell tower."
Akari nodded, glancing around in awe. "It's so… lively. I didn't expect a city at war to feel this bright."
Lyra's gaze softened slightly. "That's because the capital never lets the people see the frontlines. The soldiers fight so that life inside the walls can stay like this."
Akari looked down, thoughtful. "I see…"
They arrived at a small shop nestled between a bakery and a potion stand. The sign above the door read Mira's Herbs & Remedies, decorated with carved vines.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of flowers and herbs. A woman in her forties looked up from behind the counter, her sleeves rolled up and her hair tied back with a bow
"Ah, Lady Lyra! What a pleasant surprise."
Lyra nodded politely. "Good afternoon, Mira. I brought someone to help with your shelves."
Akari stepped forward, smiling nervously. "Hi! I'm Akari. I took your quest from the Guild."
Mira's face brightened. "Wonderful! I could use an extra pair of hands. The dried lavender and silverleaf need sorting in the back room."
For the next hour, Akari worked diligently, sorting herbs into labeled jars and cleaning the cluttered shelves. Lyra stayed nearby, occasionally watching but mostly chatting with Mira about the state of the city.
By the time Akari finished, her fingers smelled faintly of herbs. Mira inspected her work with a pleased nod.
"Well done, dear! Everything looks perfect." She handed Akari two small silver coins. "Here's your reward. And thank you again."
Akari took them with a small bow. "Thank you! It was actually kind of fun."
As they stepped back out into the sunlight, Akari held the coins up with a grin. "Look, Lyra! My first reward!"
Lyra chuckled softly. "Don't spend it all in one place."
Akari laughed. "I might just frame it instead."
They walked back toward the Guild together, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows on the cobblestones.
For the first time since she'd arrived in this world, Akari felt something simple and steady, contentment.
She wasn't fighting monsters or unlocking divine power. She was just… living and Learning.
And that was enough for now.
Lyra glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. "You did well today."
Akari blinked. "Huh? I just sorted herbs."
"Everyone starts somewhere," Lyra said. "Even the smallest quests build the foundation for bigger ones."
Akari smiled softly. "Thanks, Lyra. I'll do my best."
"Good," Lyra replied, looking ahead. "Because tomorrow, we'll test your control over that goddess power of yours."
Akari froze mid-step. "W-Wait, what?!"
Lyra's smirk was unmistakable. "You didn't think I'd let you live here without training, did you?"
Akari groaned. "I knew there was a catch…"
Lyra laughed lightly, the sound bright against the busy streets. "Welcome to the adventurer's life, Akari."