012 | Etho & Eugene

Linda continued.

"Another popular service we provide is work! The AU will buy or sell materialistic goods of all sorts! You can apply to become a trader or a mercenary. The former is mainly for owners of their respective businesses while the latter is for those that are more suitable in battle."

In my previous world, you could also request some missions or quests, and strangers that claimed they are heroes would do said quests. One time during a war against a stubborn kingdom, our Empire issued out loads of quests and missions that would leave a negative impact upon our enemy.

"Ah! Did you know Rowan here is also a mercenary? In fact, there are WAY more people who are mercenaries than there are traders!"

I looked over and stared at Rowan. I mean, he does look like a mercenary. He's in attire that is perfect for martial artists. Even though he claims he isn't one.

I asked Linda another question. Depending on her answer, this will help me conclude something else about this world.

"Is there a hierarchy for mercenaries or traders?"

As expected, Linda showed no hesitation when answering my question. She didn't even pause to think about answering. She's very well trained.

"There is! Both traders and mercenaries have five different ranks. The requirement for ranking up is different and it may require a test, examination, or a certain amount of contribution to the Union. For traders it starts from Bronze to Silver, to Gold, then Diamond, and finally Black Diamond. For mercenaries, they are simply given a star for each rank they go up. It starts at One Star Bronze then Two Star Silver, to Three Star Gold, then Four Star Diamond, and finally Five Star Black Diamond. Rowan here is a-"

Rowan shook his head as he put his finger on Linda's lip.

"Well, that's classified information I guess~"

She gave me a warm smile. That's some perfect customer service face if I'd ever seen one.

Based on the information she gave me, the Adventurer's Union has everything enforced and kept in balance. They must have enough power and authority to keep order in their system. I should come back and apply as a mercenary. As someone who was raised to be on the battlefield, I don't see why I shouldn't make use of my skills.

Perhaps later on. As large of a worldly organization the Adventurer's Union is; they can't possibly accept children as mercenaries.

I looked at Rowan who seemed a bit smug. Is his mercenary rank that high to be boastful about? Although to be completely fair, it's not like I have a clue about the strength difference between each rank.

While Linda and Rowan conversed about idle topics and asked about the well-being of each other, I scanned around the place. It was lively, filled with different races unlike what you see outside in the city where it's teeming with Dark Elves. There was a board with 16 pieces of paper lined up in a straight row and went down a few columns. They were blank until another receptionist went up and put her hand over them. Words and images magically appeared and the mercenaries that were sitting at their tables got up. I can already infer that it must be new missions.

I heard someone say "commissions" so I guess that's the correct term. Either way, it hits the mark.

A male Dark Elf wearing similar clothing to Linda except without the jabot and skirt. Instead, he had black trousers. He seemed pretty tired with those huge eye bags. If he wasn't slouching, he would've reached the height of Rowan's chin or shoulders. He has short white hair and his red eyes were dim. He gave a crate to Linda who patted him on the shoulder.

"You can do it!~"

The Dark Elf mumbled as he turned around and trekked back to where he came from.

Linda gave the crate to Rowan, "Here's your package! It seems commissions have just been put up so we're going to be facing quite a big rush soon."

Rowan smirked, seems like the guy was REALLY excited about his package, "Don't worry, we're just here to pick up this package. Let's go, kid."

I had to keep up my reputation as the lovable and adorable child. Otherwise, I'd lose the possibility to get more information.

"Bye pretty lady!~"

Linda smiled wholeheartedly as she waved us goodbye. Her genuine smiles quickly switched to customer service mode when she was approached by some mercenaries.

When we went out. Rowan pushed his crate forwards and it simply disappeared.

I was absolutely astonished, "What the f**k?!"

The nearby Dark Elves, Rowan included, simply stared at me as if all time was paused. How could a little human child just swear like that?

Rowan cleared his throat and the other Dark Elves continued walking like nothing ever happened.

"I-Is something the matter, Asher?"

"How did you just make that disappear? Did you put it into some sort of magical artifact?"

"No? I used a spell. It's basically an inventory that expands based on your mana capacity. Lots of people already know about this."

Lots of people already know? Interesting, "Then I presume lots of people already use it?"

Rowan winced, "Well, not really. It's pretty rare for someone to be able to use it. You'd have to be able to have some sort of affinity with a few magic components."

"Like?"

"Well, you'd need to understand Space Magic, Sealing Magic, Summoning Magic, and I'd even recommend further studying Matter Manipulation Magic. All four of these, at a high mastery, will allow you to make full use of the inventory spell I use."

Splendid. In my previous world, the concept of "summoning" was just being researched, and I pioneered that study. Concepts such as Matter Manipulation or Space Magic were non-existent. It was hypothesized and experimented with, but we never actually had anyone successfully perform it as it says. We lack information, but it seems in this world, they have already advanced to such a degree.

Rowan and I walked away from the Adventurer's Hall, I had no idea how we were going to get back but I leave my life in Rowan's hands. I should be fine.

Although, Rowan seems to be leading me in another direction, completely opposite of the gates. It's not really my business and he's the only one who can bring me back.

"Can't you just use Summoning Magic to get whatever you want?", I asked.

"If you have an inanimate object, typically you can't use Summoning Magic with it as it's not living. However, if it possesses a will or a spirit inside of it, that option now becomes available."

I nodded my head to concur with what Rowan was saying.

"Also, there's a common misconception that Summoning Magic lets individuals summon whatever they wish. That's completely false. You can only summon things you are bound to. Beasts you have a contract with, or like my previous example, an inanimate object with some sort of will. Summoning Magic can substitute as an inventory, but not to the degree that it can store everything."

I understood. To summarize, Summoning Magic only works for the items or beasts that the summoner is bound to. I can already guess that you'll need a contract of some sort to bind one another.

I asked the more important question, "Where are we going?"

"Visiting an old friend. He runs a clothing store so I'm sure he'll accept my offer."

"A clothing store?"

* * *

Sure enough, it was a clothing store. Stopping in front of a luxurious building that had three floors, excluding the knowledge of whether there was a basement or not. If there is, then that would make it have five floors. Upon entering, it looked like a place for high fashion. Commoners or even nobles who don't know a single thing about fashion would not belong here. Aisles of different articles of clothing were neatly organized and lined up in respective categories.

Rowan didn't seem to look at anything, the customers that were shopping inside didn't even pay any attention to us. Seems like they were too absorbed in choosing their dresses.

I followed Rowan up the stairs all the way to the highest floor. There was a long decorated hallway with a hooded man standing beside a closed door at the end.

Rowan walked up to the hooded man and...gave him a fist bump?

"It's been so long, Eugene."

The man took off his hood. He was clearly not a Dark Elf. He was a tall and buff person. Taller than Rowan as well. Right, I forgot to mention what really separates him from the norm. He has a red horn branching out from the left side of his forehead and his dark crimson hair was split in the middle. His face was kind of scary.

It's not like I was scared of it, he just looks like a gangster. I wonder what he is...A dragon?

The man greeted Rowan back, "Yes. You have not visited."

He had a pretty deep voice but with a thick and heavy accent that made it almost incomprehensible.

"Eugene, is Etho in the office right now?"

"Yes. Brother works all the time. Do not go out."

The man looked at me. He bent down to lower himself to my level and patted me on the head.

"Good kid. You are finally free now."

That was the biggest shock I got since I came here. There could have been a different meaning behind those words, such as him believing I was some slave that Rowan rescued, but what I chose to believe was: I am finally free from my past life.

"Don't tease the kid too much, Eugene. Is Etho too busy right now?"

Eugene smiled at me and...

To be honest, if only he didn't have that face, he wouldn't have looked like such a child predator. Though, I know he has good intentions. Unlike some other people I knew.

"Brother is on break. Very lucky you are. Go in, go in. You are a friend."

Rowan grinned and thanked Eugene. He beckoned me to follow him in, of course, I would've done that nonetheless. Rowan seems to have lots of connections. As Eugene put his hood back up and opened the door, we entered a large organized office. A wooden desk faced away from a window that, when looked through, you could see the city.

The black leather chair behind the desk that had piles and piles of paperwork slowly turned around.

Presumably, the man named Etho eyed Rowan up and down. Like his brother Eugene, Etho had crimson hair as well albeit a brighter shade. He has smooth hair with bangs that covered only the right side of the forehead while on the left side, a red horn branched out. He took off his monocle and clasped his fingertips, carefully studying the guests who had just entered his office.