Chapter 32. Choosing a Quest

When Arthur and Anya approached the quest board, they immediately realized their expectations had been met. The board was literally covered with quests, each containing a description, conditions, and a reward. The quests varied in difficulty: from simple errands, like gathering rare herbs in remote areas, to dangerous expeditions into uncharted territories.

The crowd of students that had blocked their way the previous day hadn't appeared yet, so they could study each quest without interruption. Arthur focused intently, scanning scroll after scroll, carefully reading the details. Time flew by unnoticed. After half an hour, his gaze landed on a parchment neatly pinned in the lower corner of the board.

"Wanted: Apprentice Wizard for work with magical materials.

Location: Seagull Bay City.

Quest Description: The city regularly suffers attacks from flocks of sea ravens—weak magical creatures that dwell both in the air and coastal waters. Though the local knights easily handle them, an apprentice wizard is needed to process the magical materials harvested from these creatures. The task requires basic magical skills and fundamental anatomical knowledge to extract and preserve magical components.

Reward: 320 academy points.

Additional: Before the quest begins, the apprentice will be provided with a book on sea raven anatomy and detailed instructions on working with their magical materials."

Arthur couldn't believe his luck. It was the perfect quest. First, the reward of 320 academy points was substantial—enough not only to improve his status at the academy but also to purchase new resources. More importantly, the quest offered a chance to deepen his understanding of magical creature anatomy. Arthur had long felt stagnant in his studies of animal transformation magic, and understanding the structure of magical birds could provide him with essential practical knowledge.

He imagined studying every detail of a sea raven's wing, their feathers brimming with magical energy, and their internal organs.

"I think I found what I was looking for," Arthur said, turning to Anya, who was reading another quest.

"Really?" she asked, looking up with curiosity. "What kind of quest is it?"

"Seagull Bay City is plagued by sea ravens. I'd be helping process their magical materials. The reward is decent, and it's a great opportunity to study magical bird anatomy. I might even make progress in my transformation magic."

"Sounds impressive," Anya smiled. "You always know how to pick quests that are useful."

Arthur chuckled and carefully took the scroll from the board, feeling a flutter of excitement inside.

"How's your search going?" Arthur asked after securing his quest.

Anya, still focused on the board, pointed to a scroll pinned slightly above the middle.

Arthur leaned in to see it better.

"Investigating Cultist Activity in Ateleria.

Quest Description: Suspicious cultist activity has been reported in Ateleria, the cultural capital of the kingdom. Travel there and gather information.

Danger Level: Moderately High. Possible encounters with dangerous magical forces.

Reward: 500 academy points."

Arthur raised his eyebrows in surprise and turned to Anya.

"Are you sure? That's not an easy quest. Why this one?"

Anya's green eyes sparkled with anticipation as she smiled.

"I've read about Ateleria in books," she began, her voice soft and almost dreamy. "It's not just a city. Every building, every street is a masterpiece. Imagine houses adorned with intricate patterns and frescoes, streets where each cobblestone is painted in vibrant colors. The air filled with the scent of fresh paint, wood, and clay, mixed with melodies from lutes and violins drifting from open windows."

She paused for a moment, as if vivid images of the city filled her mind.

"Artists, musicians, poets—they all live there. Everyone can find something special in Ateleria. Want to see the workshop of a famous elven painter? You can. His paintings are so full of magic and color that they seem to come alive. And the minstrels? They perform ancient ballads and lively dance tunes right in the squares. If you love books, you can visit one of the many bookshops, filled with works by the kingdom's greatest writers."

Arthur listened, captivated. Her words painted such vivid pictures that he, too, longed to see the city.

"Ateleria is where art and creativity are part of everyday life," Anya continued, smiling softly. "I can't miss the chance to go there, even if the quest is a bit dangerous."

Arthur nodded, still absorbed by her description.

"It sounds… incredible," he admitted. "I'm a little jealous. I'd love to see a city like that."

"Maybe you will someday," Anya winked. "But first, let's get through our first quests."

Checking the time, Arthur glanced at Anya.

"We still have plenty of time before classes. Should we register for the quests now?"

Anya nodded enthusiastically.

"Great idea! That way, we won't be stressing about it all day."

They headed to the academy's administrative building, a structure with tall arched windows and shimmering runes on the walls. The narrow corridors were lined with pale stone, and signs on the walls pointed toward various offices. Finding the door marked "Field Quest Registration," they knocked and entered.

Inside, they were greeted by an unusual woman. She was short and plump, but her warm smile immediately put them at ease. Her eyes sparkled with a lively green light, and from her thick green hair—somewhere between foliage and real strands—tiny flowers grew. They bloomed and withered right before their eyes, releasing a delicate scent of lavender and something fresh and springlike.

As the door opened, she looked up. The flowers in her hair seemed to perk up at the presence of newcomers.

"Oh, what lovely first-years!" she exclaimed happily, setting aside her quill. Her voice was melodic, with hints of playfulness. "Come in, come in! Don't stand there as if you're facing the stern headmaster! I'm Liviana Flor, the field quest registration supervisor. How can I help such young—and hopefully future great—wizards?"

Arthur smiled, trying not to show his slight bewilderment at her vibrant energy. He stepped forward and handed over his scroll.

"We'd like to register for quests, Madam Liviana," he said politely, pointing to the scroll. "I've chosen the one in Seagull Bay City, involving processing magical materials from sea ravens."

Anya quickly handed over her scroll too.

"And I've chosen the investigation of cultist activity in Ateleria."

Liviana took both scrolls, her eyes sparkling with interest. She unrolled Arthur's first, scanning the text with delight.

"Ah, sea ravens," she mused, stroking her chin. "Nasty little things. Their materials are tricky to handle. But if you manage, boy, you'll learn a lot. A fine choice for someone interested in transformation magic, isn't it?"

Arthur nodded, slightly surprised.

"Yes, I'm really interested in that school of magic… How did you know?"

Liviana winked.

"Oh, dear, I can see right through students like you. Sea creatures are perfect for studying body structure and energy flow. Pay close attention, and you might discover something unexpected."

She then opened Anya's scroll, her expression turning thoughtful.

"Ateleria," she said with admiration. "The city of art and inspiration. But behind this quest lies something darker. Cultists aren't a joke. Why this quest, dear? It's moderately dangerous. Are you sure?"

Anya's eyes sparkled as she answered confidently.

"I've read about that city and have always wanted to see it. Ateleria is a masterpiece! It's so inspiring! I couldn't miss the chance, even if it's a bit… risky."

Liviana laughed, her flowers quivering with her laughter.

"Oh, such a brave soul! But yes, art is worth the risk. Just be careful. Cultists can hide behind the prettiest facades."

She set the scrolls aside, pulled out a thick, dusty book with golden embossing, and began recording their information. Her quill glided effortlessly across the page, as if it knew exactly what to write.

"So… Arthur, quest in Seagull Bay… Anya, investigation in Ateleria…" She neatly noted the details, then looked up with a kind smile. "You're officially registered. You have until the end of the school year to prepare. Don't forget to collect your instructions and materials before heading out."

She leaned forward, her green eyes sparkling with pleasure.

"And remember: adventures rarely go as planned. But it's in chaos that we find the real lessons. Return with new knowledge… and hopefully, without too many extra scars."

The floral aroma in the room intensified slightly, emphasizing her parting words. Liviana offered her hand to each of them.

"Good luck, young wizards. May your paths be bright, and your magic true."

Arthur and Anya thanked her, and as they left the office, their magical maps glowed, confirming their quest registrations.