Chapter 7 - Hand Seals
There were several ways to join a Gaia Rift expedition, and technically, Tave already met the minimum requirement by reaching the Gaia Apprentice stage.
However, meeting the requirement was one thing. Actually getting in was another challenge entirely.
The first option was through the Adventurer Association. This was the most accessible path, as every newly discovered Gaia Rift within the kingdom was registered and made available for bidding. Adventurer parties that met the required qualifications could apply for access, with Rifts assigned based on their rank and reputation.
The second option was through the City Knights. While the Knights were primarily responsible for protecting the kingdom, enforcing law, and fighting in wars, they were also tasked with eliminating Rifts that adventurers failed to clear.
However, unlike adventurers, the Knights didn't get to choose their assignments. The Rifts assigned to them were often the ones too dangerous or too difficult for adventurers to handle.
And this was a huge problem.
Because Gaia Rifts had tiers.
A low-tier Rift could sometimes be cleared by a group of adventurers, but the high-tier ones? Those were rarely completed by adventurers alone, mostly due to the limited number of high-stage Gaia Awakeners in the city.
As a result, many high-tier Rifts were left unfinished.
This was why, despite their already overwhelming responsibilities, the Knights were forced to step in and deal with the Rifts.
But even they weren't enough.