I went on a date for the first time in my two lives.

It's "two" as I never went on a date in my previous life. So, when Ester invited (forced) me to go out on a date (shopping trip) with her, I was ecstatic. Ester offered to buy me a weapon of my choice and light amounts of armor before the two of us went to the guild. I initially declined the offer, but Ester persisted. So, I ended up following her throughout the town's streets while checking out the suitable female outfits of another world. I was mildly amused by the western Europe theme of the town and the general setting of this world. Strictly speaking from a gamer's point of view, it was one of those calm towns bustling full of life where the early adventurers can learn all sorts of trades and crafts.

As I was off in another world inside my head, Ester walked over to a nearby smithy. There were signs all over it, but unfortunately, I learned that I was an illiterate child when I was sent to this world. Boo. You'd think Kami-sama would at least give me an auto-translator of some sort, but I guess that isn't the case. Perhaps I got lucky that I most of the people in this area speak the same language as I do. Or do I happen to speak the same language as them? Wow, that's a mind teaser.

Ester called out to me while waving her hand in a beckoning manner. I followed her into the shop. Inside, there were all sorts of intricate tools ranging from swords of all shapes and sizes to the most poorly designed boots that were better suited to be displayed in an art museum.

"What is up with all these horrific boot designs?" I asked myself in a low voice.

""DON'T INSULT THE BOOTS!!!"" Ester and another person yelled at me.

"What? They look like deformed pieces of leather that a child dumped paint on."

"You just have horrible taste Luka," said Ester in a huffy manner.

"Indeed. Anyways, this gal needs a new sword?" asked the person by Ester.

"Yes. Can you show us the way Carol?"

"Wait, wait, wait! Her name is Carol too?! Are all irrelevant shop keepers going to be referred to as Carol from now on?" I was mildly astonished.

""No, just a coincidence."" Both of them denied the matter. Phew... I don't think I'll remain sane if every other irrelevant side character managing a shop or inn was named Carol. Ester and I followed the blacksmith, Carol, deeper into the shop.

"Here's where all of this week's swords are. Made them all with every bit of love I had!" Carol flexed her biceps as if to prove her point. Yeah, there's a lot of love going there...

"Find anything you like Luka?" asked Ester.

"Hmm.. I think this sword is calling out to me. It might be a legendary sword that's just rusting away with an incredible history scarring its blade and hilt," I replied.

"Sure... Just pick it up and try it out then." By this point, I think Ester was sick of my exaggerated remarks.

"Here goes nothing. Hmph!" I made an incredible effort to pick up a sword, but it was to no avail. Too heavy?

"Try this one here Luka. It seems lighter," Ester called me over. She was swinging around a thinner looking sword with only one sharp edge. Maybe it was an oddly shaped katana that was created to be straight? Upon handing it to me, I nearly broke my back and collapsed to the ground with the sword pinning my fingers to the stone floor.

"I can't pick up swords... Am I that weak?" I couldn't help but fall into another depression. At this rate, my goal to becoming the ultimate main protagonist in white armor holding the holy sword Excalibur was drifting farther and farther away.

Carol coughed a few times to get our attention and suggested to try out other weapons. Hence, a series of failures begun.

I picked up a mace and nearly lost my foot.

I tried to use the bow, but I could barely pull the string. When I did, it snapped for some reason and whacked me across the face in retaliation.

I attempted using a spear. The tip always found a way to lodge itself into the ground.

I dropped a shield on me feet.

I was too scared to pick up an axe.

I absolutely refused to use a knife or a short sword.

I finally settled with using a knife.

I sat outside and yawned. I completely exhausted myself from just picking up weapons. In my hand was a fairly long knife with a curved hilt and blade. It was my first time holding a fantasy-like weapon, but I still felt a sense of defeat. For the legendary hero to be unable to pick up a sword is an absolute shame. Ester soon joined me as she squatted down and took a peak at my ever glum expression. Nothing seemed to be going right for me recently.

"Do you want me to help train you Luka? Picking up a sword is something you should train for from your early childhood," Ester said. Perhaps this was her way of comforting me? I looked back at her and stared into her eyes. Not a single bit of scorn nor pity was contained within her genuine stare. How pure. In the other world, people just bashed you in for who you were. They would never accept you for what you were, but how similar you were to another. Judging difference was a common past time. The wimp was labeled a wimp. The jerks were labeled as jerks. Bullies labeled as bullies. One would never truly know their true nature behind the label. No one bothered to care what the person truly was in the first place.

"Ahh, Ester's cuteness provides incredible salvation to the mind." Whoops, I let that slip unconsciously. 

"Shall we head to the guild then?" Ester shrugged off my unnecessary compliment and got up. I was slightly disappointed at her indifference, but I guess it was time to go. The two of us walked off to the a large chapel-like building. A large sign at the front with multiple smaller slips of paper posted on it was set up. Ester led the way inside through the double doors of the chapel. Inside were plenty of other adventurers of all kinds. However, the gender orientation was predominantly male. I followed Ester to the counter in order to register myself as an adventurer myself. 

"Greetings Carol. I came to confirm the completion of my most recent quest and help this person register." Ester placed down a small bag with herbs on top of the bar-like counter. Behind the desk was another irrelevant character who happened to be named Carol as well. Is this a trend?

"Her name is Carol too? Are the three Carol's in this town related somehow?" I asked once again.

""No, just a coincidence."" Both of them refuted my assumption.

Carol, the receptionist, opened the bag Ester passed on to her and checked its contents.

"Yep. Ten out of ten magic basil plants. Here's your reward."

"Thank you. Now please help this one here." Ester motioned over to me.

"I see. Registration for an adventurer huh? Are you sure you want to do this Missy?" Carol warned me in a rather condescending tone.

"Of course I'm going to do this!" I got really fired up for no reason. To be honest, I just didn't like this woman's attitude.

"Huh. Well, here's your adventurer's card. Place your thumb on that star-shaped symbol at the corner and most of the information will automatically be filled up." Carol handed over a small slab resembling that of a credit card. I did as I was told and watched it glow slightly. 

Carol continued with her instructions. "When the card stops shining, you'll see some magical texts that show your rank, abilities, and titles. Well, since you just started, you should be a bronze rank."

My guild card stopped shining. Unfortunately, I was reminded again that I couldn't read a single bit. I tilted my card for Ester to see. She nodded as she glanced it over slightly. However, her nodding of confirmation turned to one of slight grimace, and she sighed. Now, she was shaking her head in disbelief. Curious to see what was occurring, Carol leaned over the counter and checked out my card. 

"Slime Conquistador?! How the in the world did you get that title?!" Carol was shocked. Ahh... Was that the reason for Ester's shock? Was I really that strong? Fufufu. Serves you right Carol. Don't underestimate the power of the main character.

"Before registering, Luka here saved me from an entire army of slimes while I was off gathering those herbs in the forest. She's my benefactor!" Ester said enthusiastically. Huh.. That didn't surprise her. What did?

"You're a gold rank too?! You're a freaking monster!" Carol exclaimed. Is this like LoL? Is gold rank relatively good? Am I this world's god yet?

"Come on Luka. We're going. Carol, we're taking that stolen goods quest. We'll be back before nightfall hopefully." Ester grabbed me by the arm and yanked me away. I'm pretty popular aren't I? 

In vain, Carol called out to me. "Wait!!! Luka!!! Tell me more about your-"

The doors slammed behind us. Ester dragged me out of the town, and we were about to go on our first quest. I was internally conflicted about this. Perhaps I can pick up girls in this world, but I definitely can't pick up a sword.