"You see, since Players started appearing, with their more and more complicated Classes and Races, we had to adapt a bit." She explained. "So this is a Class Appraising Crystal, which give us a better estimate of what someone could have talent for.
Sometimes there might be a Class named "Blazing Dragon Sword" or something, one might think they got talent for warrior, but they end up being a more magic-focused class that summons swords of fire instead! You get it?"
"O-Oh, I see." I nodded. "But then… this? What does it mean? There are so many classes… it gets confusing."
"I know, I know, that's because you're just that incredible! Gyahahaha!" Laughed the granny. "Planta! You're not just a Farmer, aren't you?! Your Stats must be really high for someone at your Level! And above all, your Skills!
Your abilities! Everything is calculated! If you have so many affinities with every single class type out there, it means you possess the talent to join any Guild!"
"E-Eh?!" I was shocked. "I-I mean, I did expect swordsman or something, I'm getting better at using swords but… I'm pretty sure I use the Spirit and Nature Magic the most, that's a Druid's job, right?"
"Certainly, but you seem more than just that, Hephaestus Successor." She laughed.
"S-She learned that too?!" Rita cried. "Is there a secret you don't know, granny?!"
"Well, the dark spirits said you don't wear underwear below that dress! Gyahahaha!" Granny laughed, splashing the water around her feet. "Don't you have any shame, lass?"
"E-EEEH?! Those damn spirits! How dare they! Traitors!" Rita felt embarrassed for once in her entire life…
"Well, Dark Spirits are known for being mischievous, you should had expected pranks eventually." Granny laughed. "Anyways, do you still want to register in this shabby place, little seedling?"
After seeing her Status and finding out she was Level 300, that she can seamlessly talk with all matter of spirits without restrictions, and that she's a Witch of the Swamp, with a Class named "Divine Mother of the Swamp" I have to become her pupil no matter what!
Even if she's a bit funny looking and all… I am nobody to judge, seeing how I'm just a pile of wood and leaves in the shape of a woman. And sometimes I even pretend to be a dragon…
Also, if she's so old and knowledgeable… Maybe she could also know something about Cloudia, the Overseers of Time, or more about Yggdrasil's past and the Yggdragon.
"Yes, of course!" I nodded. "Granny, please, make me your pupil! I promise I'll behave."
"Ohoho, what a sweet girl." She giggled happily. "Don't worry dear, I am not that strict of a teacher! Sign this and that!"
She gave me a signing paper similar to the one from the Adventurer Guild, it had the most basic things, so after reading it, I signed it and was instantly registered.
[You have been registered in the [Druid Guild]!]
[Your Adventurer Card has gained the [Druid Guild] insignia!]
[You can now take on {Special Class-related Quests} from the [Druid Guild] to further increase your Rank in the Guild and your Class Powers and Skills!]
The Adventurer Guild's Card suddenly glowed brightly, gaining a green-colored insignia resembling a small witch hat wrapped on vines, covered in flowers, and with a little grasshopper on top. It had the small letter of F-… so they also have their individual ranks, alright.
"You like that? It's the insignia I designed!" Granny giggled. "I added a grasshopper because I think they're cute little critters!"
I guess she really loves all of nature, including the creepy crawlies.
"And done…" I sighed. "It does looks nice, granny. Now I guess… what do we do now?"
"Hmm, how about we talk about your current form, Yggdragon?" She asked. "Let's sit down for a bit, you said you were in a hurry, but I'm sure you can give me ten minutes of your time, no?"
We looked at one another, we were all guessing she knew something about the Yggdrasil's legacy and the Yggdragon, so it was worth sacrificing some time before arriving at the forge.
"Alright, we'll stay for a bit." I agreed.
"Perfect! Little guys, how about you make us a nice living room to sit down and talk?" Granny asked, the spirits got to move immediately.
A huge wooden table emerged out of the wooden floor. Then several chairs, and then a few other spirits brought old and cracked cups, pouring some tea over them.
"Well done, you gained yourselves a treaty!" Granny said, giving the many spirits a bit of her spiritual energy. "Ahem! Come on, what are you looking at? Sit down! All of you too! Let's drink some tea and talk!"
She barked at us as we swiftly decided to sit down below her commands. Everyone was slightly nervous, but at the same time, they began to relax once they noticed how lax she really was.
Although the smell of swamp and fresh soil was rather strong inside this small building, it felt right at home for most of us, which lived in the Forest of Beginnings, filled with these kinds of smells.
"So… Granny, do you know what Planta is?" Asked Mark. "We've been looking for clues ourselves. What we found wasn't much but… Do you know something more about Yggdrasil's Past, and the Yggdragon Myth?"
"It is not exactly a myth, the Yggdragon is real." The guild master spoke, her tone of voice become more serious. "It was the first "perfect creation" of the Gods, after Erebus, the God of Chaos… I know very well about this because the Divine Spirits I've made contracts with have told me so, revealing me the truth of this world, bit by bit. But even at my age, my knowledge is limited.
This world is truly fascinating, full of so many mysteries. You players, are also a mystery, what are you exactly? Where do you come from? Why do you possess immortality? What is your purpose? I wonder these things every day…"
"I guess… I don't know how much we can reveal of that, and it's not like we can tell you anything else than just where we come from." I sighed. "I know that there are penalties so…"
"Don't worry, you don't need to pay me back. Now, sit down and listen well, I'll tell you what I know…"