Elegy from Another World

Stepping into the Adventurers' Guild hall, a familiar scent of ale, leather, and sweat wafted over. The rugged wooden structure, the hanging animal heads, and the groups of adventurers, each with their own unique equipment, created a typical medieval fantasy scene. The young knight who had led the way went straight to the service desk and said to a shrewd-looking female staff member behind it, "This is Miss Liscia; she wishes to register as an adventurer."

The female staff member looked up, adjusted her glasses, and sized me up. She frowned slightly. "Young lady, are you... sure? There are age requirements for registering as an adventurer, and it's extremely dangerous." She was clearly misled by my overly youthful appearance.

I'm used to this reaction, so I calmly replied, "I'm sure. Besides, I'm already 122 years old."

"One...one hundred and twenty-two?!" The female staff member's eyes widened instantly, and she almost dropped the quill pen from her hand onto the register. She looked closely at my pointed ears, then suddenly realized, and her tone immediately became respectful, "So you're an elf lady! My apologies! Please forgive my intrusion."

With the young knight as a witness, the registration process officially began. Becoming an adventurer requires passing two basic tests: a written exam and a practical test.

The written test was quite simple, mainly testing some common knowledge about the mainland and basic reading, writing, and calculation skills. With a young knight giving me some hints, I completed the test easily. Most of the questions were about geography, monster characteristics, and simple arithmetic word problems.

Next up was the practical test. We arrived at a spacious training ground behind the guild. In the center of the ground stood a male adventurer who looked to be in his twenties, with a lean build and holding a standard longsword; he was probably the guild's test officer.

"I'm the tester, in charge of today's practical test," he said succinctly. "The rules are simple: survive my attacks for five minutes, or I'll acknowledge your strength. You don't need to defeat me; the key is to demonstrate your self-defense capabilities."

"Understood." I nodded, and magic power quietly gathered in my hand.

Without a word, he charged forward. His movements were swift and concise, his steps steady, his swordplay sharp, carrying an aura of seasoned experience. In several exchanges, I tried to parry or counterattack with my water blade, only to find that my speed and strength, which I was so proud of, seemed somewhat clumsy in the face of his superb swordsmanship and rich experience. My attacks repeatedly missed, and he seized the opportunity, his blade skillfully striking my arm and shoulder, sending waves of dull pain (which was then transformed into a subtle, stimulating sensation by the enduring heat).

"Sure enough, the difference in skill and experience is too great." My mind raced. Taking this beating passively might last five minutes, but it would be too embarrassing, and it might not even earn his "approval." It seems I can't be too "polite."

Seizing the brief opening after his thrust, I abandoned close combat and pushed forward with both hands!

Several streams of water, like living tentacles, surged from the ground and air, precisely wrapping around Hank's limbs and neck. The powerful water pressure instantly restricted his movements and lifted him slightly off the ground. He struggled desperately, but the water was incredibly resilient, tightening its grip the harder he tried.

"You're done!" he exclaimed immediately, a hint of surprise in his voice. "Very...unique magic. You passed."

I dispelled the water magic, and after he landed, he cracked his knuckles, his gaze towards me now showing more respect: "Very strong crowd control. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild, Miss Liscia."

Back in the lobby, the staff told me I'd need to wait a moment to have my adventurer's certificate made. I found a corner seat and sat down, curiously observing the various adventurers around me.

However, trouble always comes uninvited.

"Hey, kid—no, little girl!" a gruff voice rang out. I looked up and saw three burly adventurers in leather armor surrounding me, their faces full of malicious mockery. "We heard you just passed the test? With your puny build? You didn't use some underhanded methods, did you?"

It seems some people are unconvinced and want to cause trouble. I'm too lazy to waste words with them, so I simply stood up: "Don't believe me? Then let's have a contest."

"Ha! You've got guts!" the bald, burly leader sneered. "Don't cry if you lose!"

We set up our fighting stances in the open space in the center of the hall. Adventurers who had come to watch immediately surrounded us. This time, I didn't hold back; the instant the three drew their weapons, I used the same trick again!

The surging water reappeared, like a blue python, precisely coiling around their wrists, ankles, and necks, instantly binding the three men like dumplings, rendering them immobile. Their weapons clattered and fell to the ground. The entire process took less than three seconds.

The hall fell silent for a moment, then erupted in gasps and murmurs.

"So fast?!"

"What kind of magic is that?"

"This new elf girl is pretty amazing!"

Soon, members of the Knights Order arrived and entered the guild. After learning about the situation from the staff and me, they took the three red-faced guys away on the grounds of "disrupting guild order."

The female staff member who had spoken to me earlier approached apologetically and handed me a metal adventurer's identification badge engraved with my name and guild emblem: "Miss Liscia, I'm very sorry you had an unpleasant experience. This is your adventurer's certificate. From now on, you are a member of the Valencia Guild. You can accept quests through the quest board over there."

I took the heavy ID card and felt its cool touch.

Finally, they took the first step in establishing themselves in this world.