Aquatown

Am looked at his two friends and nodded. He agreed to lead me into Aquarain for my first visit.

His two friends Al, and Ax followed him after saying their goodbyes to Heller as they led me to the huge wall.

"This Wall is very ancient." Am said, not eloborating on his words as if he's just giving me a simple introduction.

The gates of the Wall were wide open, and there aren't anyone to stop us entering, so we entered the city of Aquarains quite easily.

As soon as we step in through the gates, a wave of noise hit my ears, as I become witness to a busy market.

"This is the Merci Market. You can obtain everything here, as long as you have enough gold." Am introduced.

"Even Skill Books?" I ask, half jokingly, and half seriously.

Am was silent for a moment, before he turned to look at me.

"I heard that the Auction house once sold a Skill Book for a 'million' gold."

Am stressed the word 'million', expressing that it was out of our league to think of the Skill Books.

But I'm happy to know that you can buy Skill Books. As long as it could be brought with money, it's not a problem for me.

My mood turned excellent after hearing such a good piece of information. My eyes that were looking at this trio from Roughwood become gentler.

At this moment, I've decided that these three will be my friends.

I put my hand on Am's shoulder and smile. "Won't we be able to buy it if we save our wealth for another 20-30 years?"

Am was first taken back from my sudden closeness, but he then strated to consider my words.

After a few moments of thought, he looked at me, and sighed.

"But is it worth 20 years of our life?"

He didn't wait for my reply, instead got out of my hand and continued walking into the market.

I shrug my hands at Ax and Al, making my way to Ax, and putting my hand on his shoulder.

"From today we are friends." I say to Ax, who was feeling uncomfortable with my sudden intrusion of his personal space.

He tried to say something, but I dragged him with me and followed Am, not giving him a chance to speak. Al followed behind, looking quite wary of me.

It took half an hour of our time to pass by the market, and enter the city center and that was only because we didn't stop to looks at the shops and what they are selling.

"This is the centre of Aquatown. Oh, this Headquarters is called Aquatown, I forgot to mention it." Am returned to his passive persona, and went back to guiding me.

"To the right, towards the east is the Main Headquarters, and five miniquarters of the Aquarains. People like us, who have temporary permits don't have the authority to enter that place. It's strictly guarded."

"To the left, towards the west is the residential quarters of the Aquarains. Again, we aren't allowed to step into this place."

"To the north, is the Houes street. It is essentially another market, but it also houses various hotels that people like us can stay in."

"Moreover, the people who sell things on Houes street are people like us, making it easier to interact with them."

"Heh, previously, Houes street only hosted hotels for guests, but after enough population gathered, these guests saw an opportunity to sell their unwanted possessions to their neighbours. Soon, It developed into a market without any planning."

"As it was beneficial to the Aquarains, they tactically approved of the market. Though they take a 5% cut in all transactions."

I listen carefully. Am really knew quite a bit about this place.

I'm also quite intrigued about how the market had come around through various coincidences, or maybe it wasn't a coincidence, but an inevitability.

Where there is opportunity, there will be humans.

"Why are you helping me?" I suddenly ask Am.

Am was silent. From my observation, he didn't want to answer me.

"It's because you are from Alesky."

It was Al who answered.

I turn to look at Al, asking him to continue with my body language.

"Alesky is a one of the gradeless worlds that has potential to become a grade 1 world. We wanted to form some connections with you since you are from Alesky."

I nod in understanding. This was good, since the trio alredy had plans on becoming closer to me, it easy for me to become friends with them.

But Am's silence was kinda suspicious. Anyway, it doesn't matter, so I chuck the thought away from my mind.

I then ask some miscellaneous information such as the library location, food prices, and the do's and don'ts before separating from the group of three, but only after getting the name of the hotel that they will be staying for the upcoming time.

Opening the map, I move towards the left from the centre of the Aquatown.

According to the location marked on the map, I have to meet Selena, who was supposed to be my teammate, or rather my boss in the rookie competition.

As I enter the residential quarters, I'm once again stopped by the guards.

"Verification?" They asked, streching their hands out.

I'm confused for a second because I haven't been handed any verification by Oleye that proved my identity as a member from Alesky, but then an idea flashes in my mind as I hand over the map I've been given to the guard.

The guard seemed to be satisfied as he looked at the map, nodded and handed it back to me. He then signalled the other guards to let me go, and that I've been verified.

Apparently, the only verification the guards need is verification that Aquarain issued. The map given to me by Heller was one such verification.

After a few turns and twists, I follow the map to find Selena's house.

But Instead of a house, it should be called a mansion.

This mansion alone could compete with the headquarters of my Alesky when it comes to size alone.

I had to once again show the map to the guards outside the gates of the mansion before they allowed me in.

"Young Lady Selena is on the third floor, in the training room." The guard said, handing the map back to me.

I take the beauty of the surroundings into my eyes as I stroll towards the mansion.

There were beautifully arranged gardens to the left and the right of the path, ancient statues that gave a holy feeling, and three fountains between the gate and the mansion, so the half a kilometer walk was quite pleasant.

Finnally, taking the last step, I enter the mansion.