Chapter 150-151: Tournament Arc: The Oblivious But Overpowered Elf (1-2)

One week had passed since their encounter with Pride, and Willow, Raegis, and Amelia found themselves covered in a slimy substance as they trudged wearily into the Adventurer's Society - HighTown Branch. The quest they had undertaken seemed like a straightforward task at first, but it turned out to be a messy and unpleasant ordeal.

Willow grumbled under his breath, his clothes sticking uncomfortably to his skin. "I swear, I'll never take on a quest involving slime creatures again. This is beyond disgusting."

Raegis, usually full of vigor and determination, appeared downcast. Her normally vibrant armor was coated in a layer of slimy residue, dulling its luster. She glanced at Willow with a defeated expression, nodding in agreement.

Amelia, who had recovered from her previous unconscious state, chimed in softly. "I have to agree with you both. This was not what I expected when we accepted the quest. I'll be avoiding slime-related tasks in the future."

As they entered the guild hall, the adventurers around them cast curious glances, their gazes drawn to the trio covered in the repulsive slime. Willow's face flushed with embarrassment, but he held his head high, refusing to let the discomfort dampen his spirits.

"We should get cleaned up and report the completion of the quest," Willow suggested, his voice laced with determination. "I can't wait to get out of these filthy clothes."

Raegis nodded, a flicker of determination returning to her eyes. "Agreed. Let's make it quick and head to the baths. We need to get rid of this slime as soon as possible."

As Willow, Raegis, and Amelia made their way through the bustling guild hall, they couldn't help but notice the curious glances and hushed whispers of other adventurers. It seemed that their arrival, covered in slime, had captured the attention of the entire guild.

Adventurers paused in their activities, their conversations dwindling to a murmur as they turned their gaze towards the trio. Some wore expressions of amusement, others awe, but all eyes were fixed on the three slime-soaked adventurers.

Whispers filled the air as rumors spread like wildfire. "That's Willow, Raegis, and Amelia, right? The ones who took on the Slime King quest?"

"They defeated the Slime King in just a week? That's incredible!"

"I heard they're the fastest-rising party in years. Went from F-rank to D-rank in under a week!"

Word of their exploits had clearly traveled fast, and their accomplishment had become the talk of the guild. The adventurers who had once dismissed them as inexperienced novices now regarded them with newfound respect.

As they made their way to the reception desk to report the completion of their quest, the guild officials looked at them with a mix of surprise and admiration. The receptionist, who had witnessed their arrival covered in slime, wore an impressed smile.

"You certainly made quite an entrance, dear adventurers!" Illya remarked, impressed. "By the way, congratulations on your victory against the Slime King. Your rapid progress is nothing short of remarkable!"

Willow couldn't help but crack a smile, grateful for Illya's words of praise. "Thank you, Illya. It was a tough battle, but we managed to pull through."

Raegis chimed in, her tone playful. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure I saw Willow doing a victory dance covered in slime. It was quite a sight."

Willow's cheeks flushed slightly, and he shot a playful glare at Raegis. "You promised never to mention that, Raegis. Besides, you were too busy knocking the Slime King senseless to notice!"

Amelia, who had been mostly quiet, let out a soft giggle, enjoying the banter between her new companions. She looked up at Illya, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you for your kind words, Illya. We couldn't have done it without each other's support."

Illya smiled warmly, appreciating the camaraderie within the party. "You've truly proven yourselves as a formidable team. Keep up the good work, and I'm sure you'll achieve even greater feats in the future."

With a sense of accomplishment, Willow reached into his pouch and pulled out his guild card. He handed it to Illya, who took it with a nod of acknowledgment.

"I hereby declare that Willow, Raegis, and Amelia, of the renowned slime-covered trio, are now officially promoted to C-rank adventurers!" Illya announced with a touch of theatrical flair. "Your progress has been extraordinary, and I have high expectations for your future endeavors."

Willow couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at the announcement. Being recognized as a C-rank party meant access to more challenging quests and greater rewards. It was a testament to their growth and dedication.

As Illya handed the guild card back to Willow, he added, "Oh, and I mustn't forget the perks of reaching C-rank. You'll now enjoy a 10% discount on all guild-related items and tools you wish to purchase. Consider it a reward for your outstanding performance."

Raegis's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Discounts? That's music to my ears! I've had my eye on some new weapons."

Amelia nodded in agreement, her enthusiasm evident. "It'll be great to upgrade our equipment and be even more prepared for future quests."

With the confirmation of their promotion and the added benefits, Willow couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of determination.

"Thank you, Illya," Willow said sincerely, tucking his guild card back into his pouch. "We'll continue to do our best and make the guild proud."

Illya smiled, his confidence in their abilities evident. "I have no doubt about that. Keep pushing your limits, and I'm certain you'll make a name for yourselves in the annals of adventurer history."

As the conversation with Illya came to a close, Willow noticed a serious expression on the guild official's face. Illya motioned for Willow to come closer, his voice dropping into a more serious tone.

"Kiddo, I needa tell you something," Illya said, gesturing towards a secluded area at the back of the guild hall. "Meet me there."

Willow's curiosity piqued, and he nodded in acknowledgment. "Of course, Illya. I'll be there shortly."

Turning to Raegis and Amelia, he gave them a reassuring smile. "You two, go ahead and hit the showers. I'll catch up with you in a bit."

Raegis let out a playful whine, her wolf-like ears twitching. "But I want to go with you, Willow."

Amelia blushed, fidgeting slightly. "Um, yeah. It would be nice if I could, too..."

Willow chuckled softly, understanding their reluctance. "Don't worry, I won't be long. Just freshen up and relax for a bit. I'll join you soon."

Willow's heart warmed at their eagerness, but he knew that this was a discussion Illya wanted to have in private. He gently shook his head, understanding their desire to support him.

"I appreciate your concern, both of you," Willow said, his voice filled with gratitude. "But this seems to be a personal matter. Take this time to relax and freshen up. I promise I'll share everything with you afterward."

With a final nod of reassurance, Raegis and Amelia reluctantly made their way toward the bathing area, casting occasional glances back at Willow as they disappeared from sight. Willow couldn't help but feel grateful for their unwavering support.

Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves, Willow entered the secluded chamber designated by Illya. The room was shrouded in a cloak of illusionary magic, ensuring complete privacy from prying eyes and ears.

The atmosphere inside was both mysterious and charged, with soft lighting and a faint aroma of incense filling the air. Illya, standing at the center of the room, wore a contemplative expression that hinted at hidden depths.

"Welcome, Willow," Illya greeted, his voice carrying a weight of authority. "Please, have a seat. There are matters we must discuss."

As Willow settled into the cushioned chair, the soft lighting and the faint scent of incense in the room created an ambiance of secrecy and importance. Illya, his expression contemplative yet inviting, initiated a brief moment of small talk.

Illya, with a gentle smile, began with small talk. "So, how have you been, Willow? And how is our little beastkin friend, Raegis? She seems to be growing stronger with each passing day."

Willow smiled warmly, appreciating Illya's attentiveness. "We've been doing well, thank you."

Illya nodded approvingly, a glint of admiration in his eyes. "I can see the potential within her. She's a remarkable young adventurer. But let's not forget about Amelia, your little elven companion. I've never seen someone with such exceptional innate potential in magic, even amongst her own kind."

Willow's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. "Amelia? Yes, she does possess a unique affinity for magic. But, to be honest, we're still learning to harness her abilities. It's a complex journey."

Illya leaned forward, his voice filled with genuine concern. "If you ever need assistance with Amelia's magical development, do not hesitate to come to me. Despite our differing systems, I have some knowledge of elven magic from my past teacher who was an elf. I may be able to offer guidance."

Willow gratefully accepted the offer. "Thank you, Illya. I truly appreciate your willingness to help. Amelia's magical potential is something we treasure, and any guidance you can provide would be invaluable."

Illya's gaze turned serious as he shifted the conversation to the main topic. "Now, let's address the main reason for this meeting. Amelia's magical abilities are extraordinary, but there are two pressing concerns we need to address."

Curiosity gnawed at Willow's core as he leaned forward, eager to hear what Illya had to say.

"Firstly," Illya continued, "Amelia's mana pool appears to be damaged, which limits her ability to channel magic effectively. We need to find a way to address this issue and restore her mana capacity."

Willow's brows furrowed, concern etching his features. "A damaged mana pool? Is there a way to heal it?"

Illya sighed softly. "It won't be easy, but we can explore various methods, such as restorative magic or specific rituals. We'll need to delve deeper into the matter to find the most suitable solution for her."

Nodding attentively, Willow absorbed the information, his mind already buzzing with possibilities.

"And secondly," Illya continued, his tone tinged with gravity, "there seems to be a curse affecting Amelia's ability to utilize more than one element at a time. Her affinity for all seven Major Elements is extraordinary, but this curse hampers her potential."

A mix of concern and determination flickered across Willow's face. "A curse? How did this happen? Can it be lifted?"

Illya sighed, his expression sympathetic. "I don't have all the answers, but I suspect it might be tied to her past or some external influence. We'll need to investigate further to understand the curse's nature and find a way to remove it, so Amelia can fully embrace her magical prowess."

Willow's gaze hardened with resolve. "I won't let this curse hinder Amelia's potential. We'll find a way to overcome it, Illya. I promise."

Illya's eyes gleamed with reassurance. "I have faith in you, Willow. Anyway, that is all I demand of your time. Have a good night's rest, and tell the kid I said hi."

"Thank you, Illya," Willow smiled and got up. "Good night to you too."

****

After bidding Illya farewell, Willow made his way to the guild's bathing area for the male adventurers. As he submerged himself in the warm water, washing off the remnants of the slime, his mind wandered to Amelia, his elven companion.

As the warm water caressed his skin, Willow allowed himself to sink deeper into contemplation.

Amelia... He couldn't recall encountering anyone by that name in the fantasy game he had been transported to. It puzzled him how such a prominent character, someone capable of wielding all seven Major Elements, could have slipped his memory. Surely, a person of her caliber should have left a lasting impression.

Thoughts of Amelia consumed his mind, mingling with the steam that filled the bathing area. The puzzle of her existence intrigued him, for he couldn't recall encountering anyone with such exceptional magical talents during his time in the game.

Was Amelia a hidden character, waiting to be discovered? Or had she been an enigma all along, her origins intertwined with the fabric of this world? The uncertainty only fueled Willow's curiosity, urging him to dig deeper into the mystery surrounding his elven companion.