(BL) Hunting The Field Guide

"Alright everyone. I hope you are ready. Gather round." Kellen barked, and the Guides moved closer to Kellen, even if they appeared uncomfortable. Once everyone was close in, Kellen began.

"We know that some of you have an idea about what Field Guides are. We are, in some ways, emergency rations when inside of a gate. At least, that is what most of the outside world, and new Espers view us as. But, we are more than that.

We are informational booklets themselves. We are healers in a pinch, tour guides of an extreme ’adventure park’, and yes, in some cases, rations themselves. It is our duty to have more knowledge than everyone else that enters the gates. Sometimes, that includes other Guides, but it definitely includes Espers.

We need to know what is safe, venomous, poisonous, any dangerous areas to look out for, what type of monsters roam certain areas, details about those monsters, what flora grow in the area, what type of gate, etc. There have been times when knowing the breeding period of certain monsters can be the difference between you making it out of the gate alive, or in a body bag.

Some of this can be learned through books, and we will do our best to depart as much information as possible, but most of this is learned through experience. As a Guild, our mission is to go to the front lines and close gates, which means we have access to as many gates as we need to make you lot good Field Guides.

My job is to take all of the base knowledge you have as regular Guides and turn you into spectacular Field Guides. I have seven years of active experience. Most Field Guides last 2 years, and then they retire. That is fine. If you last two years going in and out of gates, wear that with honour.

But keep some things in mind. You are a Guide in the truest sense as a Field Guide. With all of the information and physical prowess we are going to drill into you, your job is to make sure everyone you brought into the gate, makes it back out alive. Injured? No big deal. Potentially missing a limb? Healers are outside waiting for a reason. As long as they make it out alive, you’re golden. But if they don’t make it out alive? You better have a damn good reason why someone didn’t make it out.

Which takes us to why it is so important to be physically fit. I do not care what size you are. That has never been a concern of mine, and never will. My biggest focus while you are my students is to make sure you can get yourself, and others, out of a dangerous situation. Sometimes, that’s a few seconds of effort, and other times, it is several minutes to hours. You will need to have stamina, you will need to have guts. We are going to push you to your limits, and further. You will need to know how deep your powers go. What are your true limits? Because that will be the difference between life and death for you. There is a saying that goes around the front lines. Brent?" Kellen turned to Brent, who nodded.

"An untrained Guide is dead weight, and dead weight gets left behind." Kellen nodded.