Leaving the mercenary guild, Debbie was still fuming, but Ye Chui felt rather upbeat. However, there was a more pressing matter at hand. “Debbie, since we’ve finally made it to the big city, how about I buy you some new clothes?”
Good grief, they needed to get Debbie out of those tacky clothes fast. Everywhere they went, she drew stares, yet the girl proudly told Ye Chui, “They’re all stunned by my fashionable outfit!”
It was just too embarrassing.
Shopping seemed to be a universal talent among women, regardless of the era. As they visited one clothing store after another, Debbie’s mood quickly brightened. She bought several outfits in one go and even remembered to pick out a few for Reisha. Despite their usual bickering, Debbie had grown to accept the younger girl after spending time together, though she’d never stop calling her “Auntie.”
They also stopped by the lord’s mansion in the city centre, a towering castle guarded by layers of soldiers. It was said to be enveloped in a powerful defensive magic array. Ye Chui and Debbie considered the possibility of storming in to grab someone but reluctantly gave up. Even with overpowered spirits like Teacher Saitama, the dragon, Gilga, and the Valkyrie, their chances of success were slim.
By evening, the two returned to the Dustsand Inn.
Green had arrived earlier and was waiting outside Ye Chui’s room.
They went to the hall for dinner, where the three shared their experiences from the past half-day.
“I might have found a way to sneak into the wedding,” Green said, surprising Ye Chui and Debbie.
“What way?” Debbie asked curiously.
“I discovered today that the lord’s mansion is recruiting chefs,” Green explained. “The wedding will be a grand affair, and the mansion’s cooks aren’t enough. They’re hiring extra kitchen hands and assistants. Also, since the Fourth Prince isn’t satisfied with the lord’s chefs, they’re looking for a new head chef to oversee the wedding’s catering. They’ll hold a chef competition soon.”
“So you’re going to try for the head chef position?” Ye Chui asked, mouth full of wheat bread.
“Me? A head chef?” Green shook his head quickly. “My cooking skills aren’t up to that. But I could try for a kitchen assistant role. I might be able to sneak into the kitchen that way.”
“Hmm, that’s a decent backup plan,” Ye Chui said thoughtfully.
Though he was determined to secure the last invitation, no one could predict surprises. If something went wrong, entering the wedding as a chef could be an option.
“If we can’t get the invitation, I’ll apply to be the head chef myself,” Ye Chui declared.
“You? A head chef?” Debbie and Green looked at him in shock. Green asked curiously, “Guild leader, can you cook?”
“Heh, you’ll see the skills of a culinary god,” Ye Chui said confidently.
Debbie and Green exchanged skeptical looks. A culinary god? Ye Chui couldn’t even fry an egg properly. Unless the judges’ taste buds were broken, how could he succeed?
They didn’t even consider the idea of a cooking spirit, as such a thing likely didn’t exist.
The three then discussed the issue of the last invitation.
The Two-Star guilds and mercenary groups clearly wouldn’t give it up easily. A tough fight was likely tomorrow, but their strength was probably similar to Kiss of the Goddess and Bullhead from Stan Town. Ye Chui wasn’t worried, and Green was even excited to join him and Debbie in action.
He wanted to test the combat skills he’d honed under old Merlin.
The night passed uneventfully.
Early the next morning, the three members of the Casual Name Magic Guild washed up, ate breakfast, and headed to the Coldstone Magic Guild’s headquarters.
Newly formed magic guilds and mercenary groups typically lacked fixed headquarters. Only after gaining reputation and resources would they build a base. At that point, clients would come to them, much like ancient Chinese escort agencies in another world.
The Coldstone Magic Guild, an established name, had an impressive headquarters. It was easy to find, and the trio arrived by carriage at a grand domed building.
Someone was already waiting. Seeing them step out, he approached. “You’re the Three-Star Guild people?” His tone lacked respect. After confirmation, he gestured. “Everyone’s been waiting for you. Come in.”
Ye Chui, Debbie, and Green adjusted their clothes and entered the guild hall. Ye Chui suddenly felt a pang of regret. Most guild members had their guild’s emblem on their clothing, but after nearly two months, the Casual Name Magic Guild still hadn’t settled on one despite numerous discussions.
Their current outfits were plain robes, and Green’s even had faint blue marks on the back, remnants of the Blue Horn emblem from his previous guild. He’d tried to remove it after joining Ye Chui’s guild, but the marks lingered.
“This looks too informal, no presence at all. After this, we need to finalize the guild emblem,” Ye Chui, as guild leader, fretted over their image.
His worries were pointless. With just three young members and such a casual guild name, it was hard for anyone to take them seriously.
As expected, upon entering the hall, the hundred or so people inside turned hostile gazes on them.
“That’s them? Hmph, I thought this outsider Three-Star Guild would be impressive, but it’s just three kids!”
“Heard their guild only has three members? What a joke!”
“A backwater place like Stan Town must be lawless to grant such a guild Three-Star status. Their rank has no credibility!”
“Drive them out! They don’t deserve to compete for the invitation!”
Mocking voices rang out, almost as if rehearsed.
Ye Chui scanned the crowd. From their clothing, they came from at least four mage guilds, plus several swordsmen, likely from mercenary groups. The chairman from yesterday was there, arms crossed, ready to watch the show.
A man with long black hair stepped forward, silencing the crowd with a wave. He approached Ye Chui. In his forties or fifties, he had cunning eyes and thin lips that gave a sharp impression. A mage, his robe bore the sharp stone emblem of the Coldstone Magic Guild.
“Guild Leader Ye Chui, I’m Panal, leader of Fengyan City’s Coldstone Magic Guild. On behalf of the city’s mages and swordsmen, I welcome you… heh, the Casual Name Magic Guild.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd at the guild’s name. Panal smirked, his expression turning cold. “However, after discussion, we’ve unanimously decided your guild lacks the ability to compete for the last invitation. Please understand.”
“We’re a Three-Star Guild. Do you have the authority to deny us the invitation?” Ye Chui countered.
“We don’t, but the invitation requires strength,” Panal said, eyes narrowing. “Speaking of strength, do you have it?”
“So, it comes down to a fight to convince you, right?” Ye Chui shrugged. “Enough talk. Set the rules. If you all come at us, it’ll save us time.”
This hundred or so people might just satisfy Teacher Saitama’s punch.
Ye Chui’s provocative words sparked a cold glint in Panal’s eyes.
An elderly mage with white hair and beard shouted angrily, “Kid, you’re too green to provoke us like that. But we won’t make it hard for you. You have three members, so let’s have three matches. Since you’re a Three-Star Guild, you should be stronger than all of us here. Win two out of three, and the invitation is yours!”
“Three matches?” Ye Chui looked reluctant. It sounded like a hassle. He didn’t mind them all coming at once. But after thinking, he nodded. “Fine, it’s a deal. Who’s first?”
“I’ll go!” The blond man from yesterday stepped forward, sneering. “Guild leader, let me test what makes a Three-Star Guild leader so great.”
“Your opponent is me!” Green interjected, looking nervous but forcing a calm expression. He glanced at Ye Chui and Debbie. “Leader, Miss Debbie, you two save your strength. Even if I lose, it’s fine. Let me try this one.”
“Green, you’re improving. Nice,” Debbie said approvingly. “Take care of this pretty boy. Go for it, don’t worry about the rest.”
“I won’t disgrace our guild,” Green nodded, summoning his magic book. He pulled out the brick old Merlin had solemnly given him and walked toward the blond man, holding it.
“Just so you know, this brick doesn’t have eyes. Don’t blame me if you get disfigured…”
