15 Deviants

The light of a new day glinted through my window, prompting Oracle to wake me up from my sleep. Getting out of bed, I began to stretch out of habit. Despite only getting five hours of sleep, I still felt rested. Of course if I really wanted to I could stay awake all night but after that exorcise incident, raising my [Spiritual Attunement] levels became a top priority. This body was like driving a car. The more I use it, the more it becomes a part of me. Moving around or grabbing objects, even fragile things has become intuitive.

I head towards the room's single coat hook that held my only pieces of clothing and put them on. I had spent my late evening washing and mending them, the reason why I slept so late. After the battle with the orcs my clothes has multiple tears. The Guildmaster's training didn't help it's situation either. Before I returned to the inn, I had purchased a sewing kit to repair it. At first, I wondered if I could even hold the needle properly with these hands but making dexterous movements were surprisingly easy now. I had spent quite some time mending my uniforms from back then from wear and tear. Mending the cloak and tunic was no challenge.

After my morning ritual, I decide to head downstairs and eat morning chow on my own. I had received a note last night stating that Hina and Tessa were out of the city for a few days. Their training apparently needed much more space for the safety. I could imagine them not wanting to start practicing spells in the middle of that tiny park outside. Me eating alone is going to be a staple for quite some time then.

Today's meal consisted of bread, eggs and what appears to be a cooked potato. The innkeeper was the one to bring me my breakfast again. She seemed delighted at the idea of a golem enjoying her food but her mood was dashed when I told her I couldn't taste it. I quickly re-mediated the situation by stating how wonderful it looked. It wasn't a lie of course. You couldn't go wrong with a hearty breakfast like this.

I finished and thanked her for the meal. It was time to work. Heading out, I strolled down to the Adventurer's Guild to find it packed again with the morning rush for jobs. Once I start getting into the higher ranks, I'll need to wake up earlier as well if I want higher quality jobs. After a while the crowds dispersed and I was finally able to enter. However, the moment I step through the door, the Guildmaster was there in front of me.

"Arlan, you're here bright and early," despite our hours long training marathon or even his advanced age he showed no fatigue, "Come! I'd like to have a word with you."

Following him over to the lounge area, we had a seat at a small table facing each other. A guild steward came over and handed him a cup of tea, which Guildmaster Kurtz sipped gingerly from. Compared to last evening, his demeanor was his usual relaxed self.

I spoke first, "What did you need, Guildmaster?"

Putting down his cup, he asks, "How did you feel about the training last night?"

I thought about yesterday evening. The old man was a drill sergeant. Kept raining blow after blow and constantly remarked about my posture, or the way I was holding my sword, or my stance or my lack of discipline. But I kept on. I don't remember how it was like in a human body but all of his instructions were quickly followed up with my near perfect execution. Like I was recording his feedback and engraving it inside my head.

"My sword skill went up a level from that," I replied, "You've could have gone a bit easier you know."

The Guildmaster scoffs, "Hah! Weapon skills are life or death, boy! You don't slouch on fundamentals."

He took another sip from his cup, "But still, to level your sword skill in just a few hours of training. A normal person would need at least a week of serious training and combat experience to get just that. Hina was right when she said that you're just full of surprises."

"I've been meaning to ask... what did Hina tell you about me?" I've been curious to know for a while now. I don't know how much she revealed to him compared to her priest friend.

He leaned back in his chair, "She explained enough. Said you were a golem of the Old Empire, one of the few intelligent combat golems they made. My [Mind's Eye] told me the rest, though. It's an appraisal skill that allows me to see your status on my own."

I was a bit shocked, "...Did you use it when you first saw me?"

He laughed, "Of course! Though I was wondering why a ghost was possessing a golem. I never saw that one before! Never seen them haunt a piece of magitech either now that I think about it. It might be too complicated of them too. But you're different now," his voice went low, "You've been sanctified and by Celecia, no less."

"Erm, about that..." I carefully whispered to him the events of yesterday morning. I wanted to be careful in case we had people listening in. The Guildmaster was talking to this city's new novelty after all.

After absorbing it all in, he sighs, "You even got her blessing too but it's a shame it doesn't do anything. It acts as a pass at the very least. Anyone who sees that will take your words and actions under consideration, hopefully for the better. Having the patron of Humans on your side will make people trust you at least."

My curiosity was starting to grow, "Are there other people with [Mind's Eye]?"

The Guildmaster closed his eyes in thought, "Yes. Some of the A-Rankers along with most of the S-Ranks. The higher echelons of the guild are a unique beast on their own. Which brings me to the reason why I wanted to have this chat," He opened is eyes again, "I want you to start training with me every evening you're free from now on."

I gave some thought on this. Guildmaster Kurtz was offering to be my combat instructor. I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth but... "What's the catch, Guildmaster? I've heard you do group training with the younger adventurers but you're offering to train me personally for free."

He shrugs at me, "You're quite the suspicious golem, aren't you? What if I tell you it's because that I see your potential?"

"That's some generic textbook praise if I ever heard it."

He sat there in silence, thinking to himself. All of a sudden he bursts out of his chair and leans towards me, "Fine! I'll tell you! I can't stop hearing all the bragging from the branch guilds in other cities!"

Surprised, I pushed back in my chair to get some distance between me and the hysteric old man, "What the hell are you talking about!?"

"They keep going on and on about their damn A-Ranks and S-Ranks! Alessa kept bragging about how one of her S-Ranks took down a manticore in one swing! I thought once we got you into the guild, they'd stop patronizing me! We got an intelligent combat golem for gods sake! You'd think they'd finally shut up but all they said was how 'quaint' it was to find something like you!" like a dam, he just bursts out all of his frustration at me. The staff and the adventurers around us stared and murmured to each other as they witnessed this pitiful scene.

I sat there dumbfounded, "Really? You want to train me so you can brag to your coworkers?" It might seem small compared to what was being offered, but I didn't like the idea of being used like that. I'm a terribly contemptuous person.

After his whole spiel, the Guildmaster collapsed back in his chair, "Yes and no. I really do want to train you. With more combat experience and your knack for quickly understanding my lessons, I've no doubt you'll shoot up the ranks fast. Given time, you could become Haldin's next S-Ranker. Unlike the other major cities in the Nation Alliance, we're the only ones without a solid top core or even an active S-Rank!"

I scooted back in closer, "You really think I could make it to S-Rank?"

He went back to nursing his tea, "I don't doubt it, at least. I guess it depends on how far you can take that body of yours. Of course, I wouldn't even consider it if it wasn't for the strange times we've been living in."

This piqued my interest, "What do you mean?"

"These past few years have been quite eventful. The rise of the Glav Empire up north, their absolute victory over the Demon King, the formation of the Nation Alliance to protect against their increasing aggression, not to mention... the rise of deviants in adventurers we've had."

I was a bit confused at his use of verbiage, "What deviants?"

"We've had a handful of remarkable, talented people join the Guild over the last couple of years. We usually see their ilk come by every couple of decades. It was a rarity, but to discover this much talent in such a short time... it's as if the gods are having us prepare for something disastrous."

Celecia's warning came rushing back to me, "T-That's just coincidence, right? You're just jumping at shadows, Guildmaster."

He stroked his beard, "Hmm, I hope so. You know, I count you among those talented people we've found. I think the rest of the Guildmasters are just doubting you because you're a golem. If they met you in person, they'll probably have a change of heart."

"Aren't you a former S-Ranker, Guildmaster?"

"Well, yes. People like me were top tier. But this new group of high ranking adventurers are on a whole different level. Even in my prime, I doubt I'd be able to compare."

That's saying a whole lot. Are these the solutions that the other gods have created? Kurtz is undeniably a man of power. If these guys even have him on edge, how can I even compare? Should I even bother following through Celecia's request? She did tell me to choose what I felt was best for me.

She also told me that I wasn't the type of person who let others fight my battles for me. That part was right at least. I don't know if I could reach that level of power, but at least I should do what I can. Get stronger was a part of Hina's plan for me, after all.

I gave him my answer, "Alright, Guildmaster. I'll accept your instruction."

He rubbed his hands together, "Perfect! First thing, however, is we need you to get out of F-Rank. And I have the perfect assignment for you."

He hands me a guild request form to read over, "Goblin Extermination?"

"We got this in today. There's a local village that's been having goblin sightings nearby. It's south west of the farmlands by the edge of the southern forest. Usually goblins stick to raiding lone caravans or attacking easy targets on the road but scouting a village this close to the city is troubling."

I starting to put some pieces together, "Does this have to with the Orc Sty from yesterday?"

"It might. A Sty will start capturing goblins for slave labor once it gets big enough. Either this is another scouting party or it's just a group of goblins who are getting pushed out of the forest by the presence of a Sty and desperate for food. Either way, they need to be subjugated. Complete this and I'll promote you straight to D-Rank."

"You're willing to jump me up two ranks?"

"I don't see the issue. You can already take down three geared orcs on your own. A pack of goblins should be child's play for you. In any case, you joined with Hina's recommendation. Starting at F-Rank was just a formality."

I nodded, "Alright, I'll get right on it then."

The Guildmaster nodded back, "Good. When you're finished, instead of reporting to the kiosks, you'll report back to me instead. We had to pull some of our more proficient C-Rankers to go scout for the Orc Sty since our small amount of B and A-Rankers were loaned to the city. With the majority of country's military forces garrisoned up north next to the Empire, our own troops here don't have enough bodies to maintain their own garrison. We have that group searching one part of the forest. You'll be searching that part."

"Understood," I start to get up before remembering something, "By the way. Do you know about any ruins nearby to the northwest?"

"Well, yes. There's a D-class dungeon up there. It's on an island in the center of the lake about a four hours walk from here. A beginner dungeon we send our new adventurers to. I'd recommend going there with a group when you get the chance as well for training. I know you're strong enough on your own but you should have someone tutor you on dungeon delving."

So it's just a beginner dungeon, huh? That's makes things easy. I'll have to go there sometime to find out what Celecia's first step is.

With that, I stuff the request in my pouch and head out. Time to make preparations.