Led by Miss Betty, Green walked through the long corridor, taking in the scenery inside the Adventurers’ Guild.
Worthy of its vast presence across the continent, the interior’s decor was as opulent as one could imagine.
Not to mention someone like Green, just an ordinary mortal—even the many young ladies from his former employer, the Star-Moon Adventurer Team, probably wouldn’t be able to compare with such luxury.
And this was only the Crow Town branch. What kind of spectacle would the Royal Capital Headquarters, or even the Empire or Neutral Lands Headquarters be?
Even though his outlook had long been transformed by the reward of the Life Simulation, Green couldn’t help but marvel at Miss Betty’s boldness.
“To them, I must seem like just another ordinary mortal.”
Given Green’s true strength now, the respect Miss Betty and the Adventurers’ Guild showed him made sense.
But before he received the Adventurer’s Log or the rewards from the Life Simulation, Green had indeed been a plain, real mortal.
“How strange.”
Green murmured softly.
“Mr. Green.” Miss Betty glanced back at Green with concern, taking out a handkerchief to gently wipe the sweat from his brow.
“You don’t need to be nervous. Although Miss Sophie has a renowned reputation, from what I know, she’s actually very easy to get along with.”
It seemed Miss Betty thought Green’s lingering sweat—left over from his complex simulated life—was due to nerves about the Royal Capital expert’s assessment.
Green felt a warmth in his heart.
He had experienced all kinds of situations in the Life Simulation.
Unfortunately, since he had crossed over, due to the soul curse preventing him from changing to a professional class, Green had received little respect in reality aside from the cold stares around him.
Even those who should, in theory, have understood him the most—his “teammates” from the Adventurer Team—had treated him as nothing but a burden.
Green recalled the faces of those young ladies from the Star-Moon Adventurer Team.
Freya, haughty and overbearing; Lucy, seemingly friendly but always keeping people at arm’s length; and Saint Sophia, who never hesitated to suspect his “motives” from the worst possible angle…
Green shivered.
In a way, he’d rather go ten rounds with an Outer Star abomination than spend time with those young ladies.
“Besides,” Miss Betty continued, unaware of Green’s changing expression, “I believe you can definitely pass the test.”
“Why?”
Green raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
To have faith in a “mortal” who wasn’t even a professional?
“Because,” Miss Betty gave a slight bow, “perhaps when you weren’t paying attention, you helped many people. For example, a few years ago, during the Submarine Maze expedition…”
Submarine Maze?
Green thought for a moment, surprised, and looked up.
“Miss Betty, may I ask—before your retirement, what was your relationship with the Dusk Traveler Adventurer Team…?”
Miss Betty said nothing more, only smiled as she opened the Library doors and gazed at him with encouragement from outside.
“I believe you can create another miracle, just like back then.”
Bang.
The Library doors closed.
In the vast Grand Chamber, only a few old kerosene lamps flickered.
Green moved his feet.
Stepping on the thick carpet, he took an interest in exploring the internal Library of this Adventurers’ Guild branch.
All kinds of priceless and even one-of-a-kind confidential documents were simply arranged on the shelves for anyone to choose from.
Of course, with Green’s eyes now, he could easily spot the hidden formations beneath every tome—any unauthorized fool attempting theft would instantly trigger alarms and traps.
Magitech.
Unlike the backward and ignorant worlds in the Life Simulation, in Green’s reality, such technology was quite common.
Naturally, the cutting-edge technology held by the Adventurers’ Guild, the great kingdoms, and the Superguilds might be based on similar principles as common products, but the grade and effects were worlds apart.
“Speaking of which, my Mage class is now roughly at Legendary rank. Even though the soul curse keeps me from unleashing my full power…”
Green’s eyes gleamed.
He hadn’t forgotten his “debts.”
Parting on good terms.
Though he held plenty of grudges against his old employer, the Star-Moon Adventurer Team, Green had no plans to skip out on what he owed.
“If I can pass the assessment in one go, that would be ideal.” Green glanced around. “By the way… where’s the examiner?”
Truthfully, Green was quite curious about what the examiner—who happened to share the name “Sophie”—looked like.
“Even that high-and-mighty Lucy admired her. Sigh, it’s bound to be a bit stressful.”
After pondering for a while, the Library remained utterly silent before Green.
The dark room was empty—aside from a few scattered books on the long desk, there was no sign of anyone’s presence.
Hiss…
Don’t tell me I’ve been stood up again?
Green stroked his chin.
He wasn’t bothered if the examiner from the Royal Capital was acting high and mighty.
After all, with her credentials, she might consider testing a mere mortal beneath her dignity.
“Lucy was the same way.”
Geniuses were always proud.
Although, considering his current age, if not for the soul curse restricting his abilities, his dual Legendary class would have made his “talent” enough to overshadow the continent.
Dong…
Hmm?
Just as Green, bored out of his mind, was about to find a seat to rest, a faint collision sounded from a dark corner of the Library.
He looked over to see a thin figure shrouded in a large mage robe, face almost entirely hidden, trembling as if confronted by some unspeakable monster.
Another staff member using the Library?
No, at this time, as Miss Betty said, the only one here should be…
Examiner Miss Sophie?
“Um, excuse me.”
Thinking this, though unsure why the examiner would crouch in the corner like a street beggar, Green politely asked, “Are you the examiner from the Royal Capital, Miss Sophie?”
He placed a hand on his chest and gave a slight bow. “Hello, I’m Green, here to take the Guild’s Senior Advisor Test. It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve long heard of your deeds from Miss Betty, and I’m truly impressed.”
What answered Green was a long silence.
Tick, tick.
The clock’s hands turned on the wall.
The figure remained completely still.
“This lady can’t possibly…”
Could she be… socially anxious?
Well, perhaps not so strange.
People always say geniuses are a bit eccentric. Compared to the silent airs of the young ladies from the Adventurer Team, not daring to talk to people seemed normal.
So Green decided to take the initiative.
He slowly walked up to Miss Sophie and gently reached out to touch the broad mage robe.
Rustle.
The robe covering the examiner’s face fell away, revealing her features to Green.
She was beautiful.
A delicate nose, blue eyes, and hair as black as the night.
Indeed, she did somewhat resemble the Sophie from the Life Simulation.
But only a little.
After all, they were different people.
Green did not project his feelings from the simulation onto the examiner before him. He knew very well that would be rude.
Mindful of her “social anxiety,” Green deliberately kept a distance greater than usual for social interaction.
“Miss Sophie?” he asked softly. “The Guild Advisor assessment is about to start. I’m ready whenever you are.”
“Green…”
For some reason, Sophie suddenly called his name.
Hmm?
Was she greeting me?
Seems she’s actually quite kind.
So he waved. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you, Miss Sophie.”
Miss Sophie stared at him blankly, not making a sound.
Whew.
Just as Green was racking his brain for a new topic, a small hand reached out.
And gripped his face tightly.
“Green…” Miss Sophie’s eyes were unfocused, as if in a dream, as she kept murmuring his name: “Green, Green, Green…”
Tick, tick!
Outside, a gentle rain began to fall.
In the sound of the rain, tears welled in the girl’s eyes.
“Nice to meet you.”
For some reason, Miss Sophie suddenly smiled through her tears, her lips curling into a sweet smile as she said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Green.”