Fractured God

After a quick sprint of over an hour they finally reached their destination.

"I had no idea there was a town here!" Tibaut remarked

"Well it's the only one in the parish, so get used to it," Elizabeth responded.

The town was bustling with people. There were various stalls selling fruits and vegetables most of which Tibaut hadn't seen before, shops selling things from armour to good luck charms and various 'businesses', all of which only opened at night.

"So what are you buying? Sorry to say but I don't think you'd get much value out of trading me" he said with a sly expression.

Elizabeth looked at him with mild disgust and responded "I don't know what kind of towns you've been to but this place is quite civilised."

They continued their walk through the town until Elizabeth stopped in front of what seemed like the largest building in town.

"What is this place?" Asked Tibaut.

"The regional adventurers guild. We're going to get you registered with us today." She responded.

When they entered, Tibaut was quite underwhelmed by what he saw before. The first floor of the building was mostly empty with only a single receptionist. Most of the furniture was covered in dust and a board that presumably was used to post commissions was completely empty.

Elizabeth completely ignored the receptionist and went upstairs to the next level of the building. Tibaut was somewhat confused by this as there was a sign next to the stair in plain text which stated "STAFF ONLY BEYOND THIS POINT".

"Are we allowed to go here?" He asked

"Do you see anyone trying to stop us?" She responded.

He looked back at the receptionist but she was busy playing cat's cradle with a piece of string, paying them no attention.

Elizabeth continued walking until she reached the door at the end of a corridor.

She opened it and was greeted by the smile of a friendly-looking old man.

"Oh ho ho, Elizabeth my girl, what's bring you here." He said cheerily

"Good Morning, Mr. Bentley, firstly" After saying that she dropped a pouch with blue cubes on the table. The old man signed.

"Another cultist massacre? My word what is the world coming to" he said as he slouched back in his chair. "So my dear, how'd you get them? Those cultists aren't really known for staying in one place for more than a day."

"I happened to have a commission in the village," Elizabeth replied.

The old man opened a drawer on his desk and took out some gold.

"Here, while it can't bring the people they've killed back, you deserve something for vanquishing those fiends" he said as he handed her some gold.

Elizabeth took the gold and thanked him.

"Well, well Elizabeth it was good seeing you but-" but before the old man could finish Elizabeth cut him off. "There's also another reason I came here today," She said before then pointing at Tibaut.

"Oh ho, who's this young man?" the old man asked.

"He helped me with cultists and he said he wanted to join my guild." She responded without a hint of doubt.

("It's amazing she said that with a straight face.") Tibaut thought to himself

"Well young man, would you like the placement test or will you be recommending him, Elizabeth?" The old man asked.

"I don't have time to waste sending him to a test facility" Elizabeth responded.

"You young people really should learn how to slow down every once in a while," he said while pulling out a piece of paper from his desk. "Now, young man name and signature please"

"It's really that easy?" Tibaut asked Elizabeth while they were heading home.

"Would you stop yapping already? What? Sad you weren't allowed to throw a fireball or something" Elizabeth replied.

"But is it that easy for everyone?" he asked genuinely.

"Of course not, be thankful I was the one recommending you," she responded.

("I didn't even ask for this though,") he thought to himself

"Now let's hurry up, we have to take care of certain matters before we get any commissions," she said.

"Such as?" He asked.

"I need to determine how strong you are. All you've shown me is that you're quick to go down with an enemy" She plainly told him.

"Ugh, do I have to fight you again?" He bluntly asked.

"Don't worry, I have something special lined up for you." She said while grinning.

They soon reached the mansion and Tibaut was now waiting on the first floor for Elizabeth to return back with her "something special". She soon appeared with a large box.

"What is that?" Tibaut asked slightly concerned.

"Oh, this?" She said smugly. "It's just one of the newest advances in magic" When she opened the box a note fell out. At the bottom of it, it said "signed Merill".

"Who is Merill?" he asked.

"Oh, she was one of the other members I was saying you might see around. Although with her..." Elizabeth lets out a sigh "Don't count on her coming out unless we have work. Though I wonder what this is about" Elizabeth then began to read the note. Her face immediately soured. Suddenly Tibaut sensed bloodlust in the air.

He looked in Elizabeth's direction. She calmly put the box down. She went outside, making sure to calmly close the door behind her. Within the next few moments, the sound of her screaming mixed with multiple trees being felled could be heard.

She then entered the mansion and stomped back to her room while muttering "I paid so much", "That bastard" and "I'll kill him" repeatedly. Tibaut picked up the note and from reading it, could guess the reason for her anger. The note explained how whatever was in the box couldn't work without someone who knew illusion magic. Judging by her reaction it seems like no one here knows illusion magic.