After passirials, Li was eager to begin her adventuring journey. However, she discovered that beginner adventurers like her o form a party of at least three to take on most missions. Depressed but determined, she set out to find party members, only to face repeated rejes. Despite her spirits dipping, she refused to give up.
---
Li sitting outside the guild, staring at the every adventurers ing and going. Zora leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, with a sly smile. "Well, it seems the universe has decided for us," he said, faking . "Since you 't find a party, maybe it's time to head bae. No shame in it, you know." Li shot him a gre, her frustration visible. "Not a ce, Papa! I'll find a party no matter what it takes!" Zora sighed, shaking his head but smiling inwardly. "If only you were this determined about cooking lessons," he muttered to himself. Li sprang to her feet, her resolve reigniting. She marched bato the guild hall, determiain.
Taking a deep breath, she approached a group of three adventurers seated at a table, their gear worn but polished from use. "Hi! I'm Li," she said with a bright smile. "I'm looking to form a party and was w if you'd like to joihe leader, a grizzled swordsman, barely g her before shaking his head. "Sorry, kid. We don't have time to babysit rookies. "Li's smile faltered, but she nodded politely and moved on.
, she approached a lone mage, a young woman dressed in flowing robes with a staff leaning against her chair. "Excuse me," Li began nervously. "Are you looking for a party? I just started, but I'm a hard worker, and—"The mage raised an eyebrow, cutting her off. "A beginner? Sorry, I don't want to waste my time on someone who'll slow me down. "Her blunt words stung, but Li forced herself to keep going. She spotted a trio of archers ughing at the bar aated for a moment before approag them. "Hi! I'm Li, and I was w if you—"One of them burst out ughing before she could even finish. "You? With that gear? Pass." "But—" Li tried, but they turheir backs on her without another word. As the rejes piled up, Li's fidence began to waver. She found herself standing awkwardly in the middle of the guild hall, unsure of who to approaext. Her earlier determination started to feel like a distant memory. She approached a dwarf with a massive axe slung over his back. "Excuse me, sir, are you—""Not ied," he grunted without eveing her finish, walking away. Her shoulders slumped as she turo leave, but then she spotted a kind-looking womaed he notice board. ging to a thread of hope, Li approached her. "Hello, I'm Li. I'm looking for party members and though, "The woman smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, dear. I already have a full team. But good luck!"
She approached adventurer after adventurer, introdug herself and asking if they'd join her party.But reje after reje followed.
"Sorry, kid. I've got my own team.""You? A D-rank? Not ied.""Maybe try someone else."
The kind words were little fort. Li stepped outside, her spirits crushed. She sank onto a benear the guild's entrance, her head in her hands. With each reje, her shoulders slumped a little more, but her eyes remained fiery.
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It was te afternoon, and the guild was starting to empty out. Li, in her frustration, wasn't paying attention and bumped into someone as she turned a er. "Hey, watch where you're—" she started but stopped mid-sentehe young man she had bumped into was already bowing apologetically. He had short, dark hair, sharp green eyes, and a demeanor so calm and refihat Li couldn't bring herself to be angry. "I'm terribly sorry," he said, his voice smooth and polite. "I was lost in my thoughts and didn't see you. Please five me." Li blinked, her frustratioing away. She stammered, "Oh, um… it's fine… I guess…" The young man straightened up, his expression soft and approachable. "I'm Adrian Valmont," he said, extending his hand. "And you are?" "I-I'm Li," she managed, shaking his haantly. Adrian smiled warmly. "o meet you, Li. You seem new here. I don't think I've seen you around before." Li nodded, her words stumbling out before she could stop them. "Yeah, I just passed my trials a few days ago, and now I'm trying to find party members because, well, apparently, beginners 't take missions alone, and I didn't know that, and—"Adrian, holding up a hand to stop her. "I see. So you're looking for party members?"
Li nodded, her cheeks flushing."Well then," Adrian said with a slight bow, "if it's alright with you, may I join your party?" Li froze, her mind rag. Is this a dream? Is this really happening? She quickly turned her face away, hoping Adrian wouldn't see her blush. Adrian, misinterpreting her rea, quickly added, "If you don't wao, that's fioo. I uand—" "Yes!" Li shouted, turning back abruptly. "I mean, yes, you join my party!" Adrian's face lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Li! I promise I'll do my best." Before Li could react, Adrian took her hand and shook it enthusiastically. "I'll see you tomorrow m at the guild," he said. Li, now red as a tomato, quickly pulled her hand away and mumbled, "Uh, yeah, tomorrow… m…" before dashing off.
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That night, Li y on her bed, clutg her pillow and grinning like a fool. "I found a party member," she whispered to herself. "And he's so… cool." Meanwhile, Zora watched her from the doorway, shaking his head. "Kids these days," he muttered, though he was gd to see her happy again.
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The m, Li woke up early, brimming with excitement. As she got ready, though, she realized she still needed one more party member. Her excitement dimmed slightly, but she shook it off." Oep at a time," she said to herself. "I'll find someone else. I have to!" With Adrian as her first ally, Li's scouting mission tinued.
