In the lively town plaza, the trio indulged in their beloved ice cream, the sweet flavors mingling with their lively chatter. "Hey Isao, is it okay that you aren't around your family?" Sylveria's query regarding Isao's absence from her family brought a reassuring smile to her face. "They stopped by to ensure I was healing properly, and since I'm on the mend, it's fine for me to stay with you both," she explained, scooping another colorful swirl into her cone.

"How are you feeling, Isla? Any improvement in your mobility?" Isao's concern for Isla's well-being was evident in her question, her brow furrowed with worry. "My body's still a bit stiff, but I'd rather rush through a quest to stretch these limbs than linger idly," she admitted, her eyes gleaming with a hunger for action. 

The trio grinned with excitement as they hurried out of the ice cream shop, eager to reach the Adventurers' Guild.

At the reception desk, Isao stepped forward enthusiastically. "Hey, Ms. Receptionist! We're here to take on some quests! We want to climb the ranks from zero-star novices to one-star adventurers," she declared with a bright, confident smile. Across the room, Clemente lounged on a stool, a mischievous glint in his eye. Seeing the trio, he let out a chuckle, laced with amusement and mockery. The receptionist shot him a sharp look, her tone tired but firm. "Clemente Clementine, are you really still mocking them after Veldina put you in your place last time?" she sighed, clearly exasperated.

"Oh, he got scolded?" Isao's question drew a knowing smirk from the receptionist, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Indeed, she gave him quite the tongue-lashing," she confirmed, relishing the memory of Veldina's ire. "Well he is a dog. And despite that, he is all bark but no bite." Isla's remark about Clementine earned chuckles from the gathered adventurers, the guild's patrons familiar with the mercenary's reputation for bravado. "All bark but no bite, eh?" one of them quipped, eliciting further laughter.

 "Big sister Veldina took revenge for us then." Sylveria's casual comment about Veldina's revenge sent the trio into fits of giggles, their mirth infectious. "Big sister really showed him who's boss, didn't she?" the princess laughed, her eyes shining with mischief.

As the receptionist consulted the guild's schedule, Isao leaned in conspiratorially to her friends. "Alright, let's hope we get something challenging. I want to prove we're more than just Veldina's little siblings,"

"Cheeky brats! Who are you calling all bark with no bite? For your information, I am a 5 star Adventurer!" Clementine's outburst fell flat, his attempt to reclaim dignity lost on the trio as they remained engrossed in their discussion. The receptionist, meanwhile, merely raised an eyebrow at the mercenary's boast, her expression unreadable. Undeterred, Sylveria stepped forward, assuming the role of party leader with characteristic poise. "Ms. Receptionist, we'll take the Goblin Clearing Quest, the Slime Quest, and the Boar Quest." she stated, her voice clear and decisive. "All three are monster subjugation quests, perfect for our level."

The receptionist nodded, her fingers dancing across the parchment as she recorded the assignments. "Very well, young adventurers. These quests should provide a suitable challenge for your current capabilities. Good luck, and may the road rise up to meet you."

With their objectives set, the trio bid farewell to the guild, their steps purposeful as they prepared to face the challenges ahead.

"Damnit! I didn't even get back my damage pride!" Clementine's sulky complaint met with a sympathetic yet unyielding sigh from the receptionist. Her pitying gaze settled on the disgruntled mercenary, the weight of her words landing like a gentle rebuke. "Really, haven't you learned your lesson yet? First, there was the guild repair fiasco after your altercation with them, leaving you bankrupt. Then, you went and provoked Princess Veldina with your derogatory remarks about the royal family and their instructors. And now, they've outright ignored you, treating you as the insignificant pest you've become," she lamented, her tone more sorrowful than accusatory. The harsh reality of Clementine's actions sunk in, a stark reflection of his selfish nature and inability to recognize the impact of his words. His pride, once a driving force, had become a liability, causing him to lose the respect and camaraderie he once enjoyed.

"Yeah Clemente, it's like you have a thing for kids." Clementine's annoyance turned to simmering rage at the fellow adventurer's comment, his face flushing with humiliation. "That's enough, Luthar! What the hell are you insinuating?" he snapped, slamming his fist on the bar. "Just because I'm stuck dealing with those spoiled brats doesn't mean I have some perverted fixation on them." The guild's patrons watched the scene unfold with a mixture of fascination and wariness, knowing full well the dangers of provoking the irascible mercenary. Clemente's eyes blazed with affront as he fixed Luthar with a searing glare, his hand involuntarily twitching toward the hilt of his sword. "Next time, keep your poisonous whispers to yourself before I teach you the meaning of real hurt, you arrogant buffoon."

"Stop it you two. Look Clementine, no one is accusing you of anything. We are just worried that if you keep teasing those kids, your reputation might drop even more. As you previously experience, all of your antics have backfired against you." Lean's calm intervention served as a much-needed damper on the escalating tension. His words, laced with a fatherly wisdom, carried weight, particularly when coupled with the subtle pressure of his hand on Clementine's shoulder. "You're right, Lean," Clementine grumbled, his anger dissipating somewhat under the older adventurer's steady gaze. "I just...can't stand being mocked and ignored all the time. But I suppose I need to learn to pick my battles better." Lean nodded sympathetically. "That's the spirit, Climente. Sometimes, walking away and cooling off is the best course of action. Take this opportunity to reflect on your behavior and consider how you can improve your relationships with others."

With a final pat on his shoulder, Lean turned to depart, leaving Clementine to ponder his advice in relative solitude.