As morning brightened over Arling, Mio found herself excited for the day ahead. This was her first real outing as an official member of the guild, and Reina and Aron seemed equally eager to show her around. They strolled through the bustling streets, weaving between market stalls and shops as Reina and Aron animatedly pointed out their favorite spots.

“First stop, sweets!” Reina said, tugging Mio toward a small shop tucked between a bakery and a weaver’s stall. The shop’s window was filled with colorful displays of candies, cakes, and pastries, each more inviting than the last. A sign above the door read Sweet Willow, its letters painted in soft pastels.

Inside, the air was warm and filled with the rich scent of sugar and honey. Mio’s eyes widened as she took in the assortment of sweets, her mouth watering. Reina approached the counter with a smile, waving to the shopkeeper—a cheerful woman with rosy cheeks and flour-dusted hands.

“Morning, Mrs. Elara!” Reina greeted her. “We’re bringing a new friend today.”

Mrs. Elara beamed. “Ah, a new face! Welcome, dear! Anything catch your eye?”

Mio glanced over the displays before settling on a small pouch of honey candies. “These look wonderful. I’ll take these, please.”

Reina selected an assortment of treats, and they found a table in the corner of the shop. Mio unwrapped one of the honey candies, savoring the rich, sweet flavor as it melted on her tongue. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed simple pleasures like this.

“This place is like a second home to Reina,” Aron teased, grinning. “If she’s not at the guild, she’s here.”

Reina gave him a playful shove. “Hey, it’s important to keep your energy up! Plus, Mrs. Elara makes the best sweets in town.”

After they finished their treats, Reina led them toward another shop, her eyes alight with excitement. “Next up—the magic shop!”

The shop was small but packed with all manner of magical items. Shelves lined the walls, holding everything from simple spell scrolls to potions and enchanted trinkets. Reina’s eyes sparkled as she browsed the selection, occasionally picking up a scroll or a charm to examine.

“Since I’m one of the only magic users in town, I have to rely on scrolls and books to learn new spells,” Reina explained. “I’ve always wanted to study more, but getting my hands on the right materials can be difficult.”

Mio watched as Reina picked out a scroll labeled “Minor Shield.” It was a low-level protection spell, but it could prove useful in a pinch. Reina placed the scroll on the counter, turning to Mio. “Magic is fascinating, isn’t it? There’s so much we still don’t know.”

Mio nodded, glancing over the various scrolls and trinkets. She could appreciate Reina’s love for magic, and the shop reminded her of her early fascination with spells, back when she was designing her game. Each scroll and item here felt like a piece of that same world.

Once Reina had made her purchase, they left the shop and headed to Aron’s destination—the blacksmith’s forge. The building was sturdy, with thick walls and a wide entrance leading into a spacious workshop. Inside, the air was hot, and the rhythmic clanging of metal filled the room as the blacksmith, Arnulf, hammered away at a piece of steel.

Aron greeted Arnulf with a respectful nod. “Master Arnulf, I was hoping to upgrade my blade. And I’d like a buckler if you have one available.”

Arnulf grunted in acknowledgment, examining Aron’s current sword. “Been holding up well, I see. But if you’re moving up in the guild, you’ll need something sturdier.”

He selected a heavier blade from his collection, passing it to Aron with a critical eye. Aron tested its weight, giving it a few practice swings before nodding in approval. Arnulf then picked out a small buckler, sturdy but light enough for Aron’s swift fighting style.

“Excellent choice,” Aron said, securing the buckler on his arm. “I’ll feel a lot better up front with these.”

Mio watched him, noting his focus and determination. Aron took his role as the party’s frontline seriously, and she admired his dedication. With new gear in hand, the three of them made their way to their final stop: the library.

Mio’s eyes lit up at the sight of shelves packed with books of all sizes and colors. Though small, the library had a certain charm, and the faint scent of aged paper filled the air. As they browsed, Mio picked out a book titled A Brief History of the Kingdom of Tonnes. She knew understanding the political landscape and history of this kingdom would be essential if she planned to establish herself here.

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Another book caught her eye: Basic Household Magic. Flipping through the pages, she saw that it contained simple spells, many of which closely mirrored the lower tiers of General Magic she was familiar with—spells like Create Fire, Tie, Repair, and Create Music. It was intriguing to see that even these simple spells were still considered “household” magic and required study.

“Household magic is the foundation for most spellcasters here,” Reina explained, noticing Mio’s interest. “It’s accessible to most people, but only up to a certain tier. The most basic spells are manageable, but third-tier spells are generally out of reach for anyone without specialized training.”

Mio nodded thoughtfully, recalling that her own skills were far beyond these basic tiers. Reina herself could cast up to fourth-tier spells, including her favored Magic Beam—a feat that seemed impressive in this world. Mio decided to purchase both the history book and the household magic book, along with a satchel to carry them.

As they left the library, Reina glanced over at Mio. “I’m curious, Mio. What kinds of magic are you familiar with?”

Mio considered her response carefully. She didn’t want to reveal too much but decided a little information wouldn’t hurt. “I’m familiar with a range of spells,” she replied vaguely. “Mostly general magic and a few specialized areas.”

Reina’s eyes sparkled with interest, but she refrained from pressing further, sensing Mio’s hesitation. Instead, she led them to a small outdoor seating area near a food stall selling baked pastries. The three of them sat down, and Reina ordered a round of pastries filled with sweet berry jam.

As they enjoyed their snacks, the conversation turned to their backgrounds. Mio was eager to learn more about her new companions, and the relaxed setting seemed to encourage openness.

“So, how long have you two been adventurers?” Mio asked, taking a bite of her pastry.

Reina smiled, glancing at Aron. “We’ve been adventurers for about a year now. We’re half-siblings, actually. We share the same father, but different mothers.”

Aron nodded, adding, “Our father was a minor noble, but we grew up fairly modestly. We didn’t have much, but we had each other.”

Mio nodded, feeling a sense of warmth at their closeness. She hadn’t known such familial bonds herself, and it was clear that their connection was a driving force behind their journey.

“I’ve always loved magic,” Reina continued, her gaze distant as she recalled her memories. “I trained at Weilief Magic Academy before becoming an adventurer. My main focus is what we call Arcane magic. It’s a mix of spells that grip the essence of magic, with great utility and a touch of offense. It’s versatile, but I still have a lot to learn.”

Mio was intrigued. “So, Arcane magic is a blend?”

Reina nodded. “Yes, and it’s one of the main disciplines taught at the academy. The others are Elemental, Healing, and Nature. Necromancy exists too, but it’s banned in the kingdom. Only rogue mages and outlaws would dare practice it openly.”

Mio raised an eyebrow at that, making a mental note. The mention of necromancy piqued her interest, but she kept her expression neutral.

“What about you, Aron?” Mio asked, turning to him.

He chuckled, a bit embarrassed. “My dream isn’t as ambitious as Reina’s, but I want to be strong enough to protect her. She’s the gifted one, but if I can stand by her and fight with her, that’s enough for me.”

Reina nudged him playfully. “Oh, please. You’re plenty gifted. I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.”

Mio smiled at their camaraderie, feeling a growing sense of connection with them. Their dreams were simple yet genuine, and their dedication to each other was inspiring. She knew they weren’t as powerful as she was, but their aspirations reminded her of her purpose here.

Reina shared her dream to wield powerful magic like the kingdom’s Elder—a legendary mage capable of freezing a dragon in mid-flight. Upon hearing this, Mio felt a surge of determination and a clarifying of her current goals. She wanted to help these two realize their dreams, to see them grow into formidable adventurers. They had shown her kindness and trust, and she felt compelled to support them in return.

Her next steps became clear in her mind. She would teach them what she could, subtly strengthening them without drawing attention to her full abilities. Aron’s strength and Reina’s magical skill could both be honed and refined, and she had the knowledge and resources to make it happen.

As they finished their pastries, the three sat in comfortable silence, watching the people of Arling go about their day. For the first time in her life, Mio felt a sense of belonging, a quiet purpose that went beyond her own goals. She wasn’t just an outsider here—she was part of something, and she intended to make the most of it.

“Shall we continue exploring?” Mio asked, glancing at Reina and Aron.

Reina grinned, standing up with a bounce in her step. “Absolutely! There’s so much more to see.”

Together, the newly formed party wandered back into the heart of Arling, ready to face whatever challenges and adventures lay ahead. And with every step, Mio knew she was one step closer to building something meaningful in this new world—starting with the two friends by her side.