Who Says I’m Not a Legitimate Adventurer?

For academy-style novices who had grown up sheltered in a greenhouse-like environment since childhood, this was an extremely psychologically burdensome challenge.

If Cecilia could successfully overcome this mental barrier today and perform well in combat,

then over the next few days, he could consider taking this young girl to spend the night in the Copper Creek Forest and attempt those large-scale chain commissions that were farther away and offered higher rewards.

After making up his mind, Lance took the form and walked straight toward Nia’s window.

“Morning, Nia.”

Lance stepped up to the counter and pushed over the Goblin extermination commission form.

At the same time, he slightly lifted the hood over his head and gave the brown-haired girl inside a familiar smile.

“Morning, Lance!”

By now, Nia had already finished secretly observing Cecilia.

She immediately revealed a sweet smile. Her natural demeanor gave Lance no hint that she had nearly lost sleep over the girl last night.With practiced movements, she took the form, stamped it with the Adventurers’ Guild seal, completed the registration, and handed it back to Lance.

After finishing, Nia’s gaze naturally moved past Lance’s broad shoulders and landed on the petite figure behind him.

She blinked playfully, pretending to be completely unaware, and asked curiously:

“Hm? Lance, who’s this little follower behind you? Why haven’t I seen her before?”

Hearing Nia take the initiative to ask, Lance stepped aside and generously revealed Cecilia, who had been hiding behind him.

“This is a friend I’ve gotten to know recently, and also the intern I’m currently guiding—Cecilia.”

Then he turned to Cecilia and warmly introduced the girl behind the counter.

“Cecilia, this is Nia. She’s the most reliable front desk staff in Graystone Town’s Adventurers’ Guild.”

At this point, Lance paused, and his tone softened.

“She’s also the good friend who takes the best care of me here.”

Hearing the words “the good friend who takes the best care of me,” the frustration that had been lingering in Nia’s chest immediately dissipated by more than half.

She directly extended her fair right hand across the wide counter and took the initiative to greet Cecilia.

“Hello, Cecilia. I’m Nia.”

Cecilia slightly raised her head. Looking at the tall, beautiful girl in front of her, who radiated a mature vitality, she inexplicably felt a trace of timidity.

She hesitated a little before extending her hand and lightly shaking Nia’s.

“Y-you… hello, Sister Nia.”

“Oh my, no need to be so polite.”

Nia chuckled softly, her tone warm and friendly.

“Since you’re an intern personally brought by Lance, then we’re all on the same side now. If there’s anything you don’t understand about the rules, feel free to ask me.”

Like an experienced elder, she began to give careful instructions.

“You’ve taken a Goblin commission today, right?”

“Those green-skinned little creatures are nasty. I heard they especially like to hide in the dark and launch sneak attacks with poison arrows coated in filth.”

“Oh right, as a newcomer, once you’re in the forest, you must pay attention to hidden tripwires underfoot. Also keep an eye on any unusual movements in the treetops.”

At the end, Nia suddenly shifted her tone.

“You must stay close behind Lance. Don’t stray too far from him.”

Cecilia nodded obediently, softly responding to her kindness.

“I understand. Thank you, Sister Nia.”

Only after hearing this satisfactory answer did Nia withdraw her hand and turn to look at Lance standing beside her.

“Lance, I know you’ve really wanted to make money lately.”

“But Goblins are group-type monsters. Over eighty of them is definitely not a small number.”

She frowned, her tone carrying a hint of stern concern.

“Don’t push yourself just because you’ve got some strength. Pay attention to conserving your stamina and resting, got it?”

“And you also need to take good care of Cecilia. Don’t bully a newcomer out in the wild.”

After speaking to Lance, she turned to Cecilia again and said in a tone of entrustment:

“Cecilia, you should also help me keep an eye on Lance. Don’t let him take unnecessary risks just to complete the mission.”

This series of words was flawlessly executed.

Between the lines, it was filled with the goodwill and concern of an older sister, while invisibly placing herself in an extremely intimate position with Lance.

Lance’s expression at the side turned a little strange.

Why did he feel that Nia was being a bit… subtly provocative today…

But after hearing these words—

Cecilia felt an extremely subtle sensation arise in her heart.

She looked at Nia’s sweet smile and listened to those instructions that, on the surface, were entirely for her and for her Senior’s benefit.

For some reason,

her heart felt as if it were being lightly constricted by an extremely fine spider thread, leaving her slightly suffocated.

It was as if every word spoken by this Sister named Nia contained a long stretch of time that she and her Senior had never shared.

That tone of naturally instructing her Senior to take care of her.

That condescending feeling…

Cecilia felt her breathing become slightly unsteady.

A rare instinctive emotion began to grow from the depths of her heart.

It felt as though a territory that belonged to her was being invaded by an outsider.

Every word Nia spoke seemed to stir ripples across her soul, making her feel unfamiliar with herself.

“I will…”

Cecilia lowered her head even further, making it impossible to see the expression beneath her hood.

Her voice was extremely low. Although her words still tried to maintain politeness, the tone had clearly become heavier.

“I will take good care… of my Senior.”

……

【Current Commission: Goblin Stronghold Extermination】

【Reward: 4 Skill Experience for each adult Goblin killed】

Lance and Cecilia had already entered the dim Copper Creek Forest.

Towering trees blocked most of the sunlight.

Lance carefully observed the surrounding Environmental Stability, selecting a relatively safe route and steadily advancing.

The terrain in the forest was rugged and difficult to traverse.

Lance quickly noticed that Cecilia behind him was in very poor condition.

Especially when going down a steep dirt slope, the girl stepped on loose stones several times, her body swaying unsteadily, nearly falling onto moss-covered tree roots more than once.

“Cecilia, what’s wrong?”

Lance stopped and turned to look at the figure walking with her head lowered.

“Ah?!”

Hearing Lance’s call, Cecilia jerked her head up like a startled rabbit, her ruby-like eyes filled with obvious panic.

“S-sorry, Senior.”

Her thoughts had completely drifted away just now, her mind replaying everything that had happened in the Adventurers’ Guild.