Path of Adventurer’s

Alex woke to the warm aroma of something savory filling the air. The soft clatter of utensils in the kitchen signaled someone was already up and busy. Rising from his bed, he found Betty, the old woman who had kindly offered them shelter, stirring a pot over the hearth.

"Good morning," Alex said, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "That smells amazing, but I think we've intruded on you for long enough. We should probably find our own lodging today."

Betty glanced at him with a warm smile, waving off his concerns. "Nonsense, young man. This house is too big for just me, and it's nice to have company for a change. You and your friend can stay here as long as you're in the city."

Alex hesitated for a moment but then bowed slightly. "Thank you so much, Betty. We really appreciate it."

"Now, why don't you go wake your friend? Breakfast is almost ready."

Alex went to wake Emily, who grumbled but eventually got up. The two soon found themselves sitting at Betty's small dining table, enjoying a hearty stew with tender meat that tasted remarkably like beef.

"This is delicious," Emily said between bites, a contented smile on her face.

After finishing breakfast, Alex and Emily thanked Betty again and made their way to the church.

Inside the church, they were greeted by the same teacher from the day before. Today's lesson was about the world's structure and its mechanics, something Alex and Emily were eager to learn.

The teacher explained the currency system first: gold, silver, and copper. Ten coppers equaled one silver, and ten silvers equaled one gold. "This system is dominant across most of the continent, except for a few unique regions," the teacher added.

Next, he delved into artifacts and magic items. "Magic items are tools created by artisans who utilize magic to achieve specific purposes," he explained. "Artifacts, on the other hand, are ancient and possess unique properties. To use an artifact, one must form a contract with it. This contract requires a sacrifice—something of personal value, like a body part, a sense, or even a skill."

Alex and Emily listened intently, their curiosity piqued. The teacher went on to explain the fundamentals of mana and abilities.

"Mana is an energy that encompasses the world and resides within every living being," he said. "Magic is the act of drawing mana from the world to create phenomena. Abilities, however, belong to those who can only utilize the mana within their own bodies, like you otherworlders. This means you cannot use magic but must rely on abilities and strengthening techniques, which enhance your physical capabilities using internal mana."

"Is it completely impossible for someone with abilities to use magic?" Alex asked, intrigued.

"The only way," the teacher said, "is to form a contract with an artifact that grants magical effects or to use a magic item."

The teacher also revealed that the otherworlders had been scattered across six different citys in the country. If they didn't see their companions here, they were likely elsewhere in Eldranth.

"That's all I have to share for now," the teacher concluded. "If you're curious about anything else, I recommend visiting the Library of Areia. In the meantime, I suggest becoming adventurers. It's a good way to learn how to use your abilities while earning a living."

As they were leaving, a nun approached them and handed them a small pouch. "This contains ten silvers," she said. "All otherworlders receive this as a starting allowance."

Grateful, Alex and Emily accepted the pouch and headed toward the Adventurers' Guild.

The Adventurers' Guild was a lively place, bustling with activity. At the front desk stood a cheerful woman who greeted them warmly. "Hello! What can I do for you today?"

Emily stepped forward. "We'd like to register as adventurers."

"Of course!" the woman said, handing each of them a small white card. "Just prick your finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the card."

Alex held the card and paused for a moment. A strange sense of déjà vu washed over him. Shaking it off, he pricked his finger and watched as his blood was absorbed into the card. In an instant, his information appeared on the card in stark, blood-red text. Emily followed suit, her card glowing briefly before revealing her details.

The receptionist registered their names in the guild's logbook. Her expression turned serious as she spoke. "Becoming an adventurer means you're ready to face danger at any time. The guild bears no responsibility for injuries or deaths sustained on the job. Do you accept these terms?"

The weight of her words hung heavy in the air. Alex and Emily exchanged a tense glance before Alex finally said, "We accept."

The receptionist's smile returned. "Good! As new adventurers, you'll start at F-rank. Completing quests will allow you to rise through the ranks, from F to A, and then to S. As F-rank adventurers, the quests you can take are limited."

She paused, then laughed sheepishly. "Oh, I almost forgot. There's a one-silver registration fee each."

Emily sighed. "Seriously? How do you forget something like that?"

They handed over two silvers and approached the quest board. It was divided by rank, with numerous papers pinned under each section.

After scanning the F-rank section, Alex pointed to a quest. "This one's for gathering herbs for healing potions. Sounds simple enough."

Emily nodded, and they brought the quest slip to the receptionist, who logged their selection.

With their first quest in hand, Alex and Emily felt the weight of their new responsibilities. As they stepped out of the guild, the city of Areia seemed both daunting and full of promise. Their journey as adventurers had just begun.