Aurelius stood at the outskirts of Silverleaf, his eyes fixed on the town's bustling streets. But as he took in the sight, a realization dawned upon him—he was still naked. His tattered fabric had served as makeshift bandages for his wounds, leaving him without any suitable attire. The need for clothes became apparent if he wanted to blend in and avoid drawing unnecessary attention. His mind raced with thoughts of how to acquire the necessary garments. He considered approaching one of the townspeople and explaining his predicament, hoping for their assistance. However, Aurelius quickly shot down that idea — he was not nearly confident enough for that.

From the branch of a tall tree in the mountain range, Aurelius scanned the small town. His gaze shifted to the towering wall that enclosed Silverleaf, obstructing his path. Aurelius would need to find a way to bypass the wall and enter the town without drawing too much attention. Observing the outskirts, he noticed a section of the wall that appeared to be in a state of disrepair. The stones were loose and weathered, hinting at a potential weakness.

With cautious determination, Aurelius descended from the tree and approached the dilapidated section of the wall. He carefully examined the area, searching for a gap large enough to squeeze through unnoticed. After a few moments, he discovered a small opening partially concealed by overgrown vegetation.

Gingerly, he squeezed himself through the narrow gap, scraping against rough stone and thorny vines. It wasn't the most elegant entrance, but it served its purpose. Aurelius emerged on the other side, finding himself within the confines of Silverleaf.

Now within the confines of the town, Aurelius's priority shifted to finding suitable clothes. His previous observation of a bustling marketplace, where merchants displayed their wares, came to mind. However, the sheer number of people in that area meant that his presence would likely be noticed, and Aurelius quickly scrapped that idea.

Aurelius thought for a moment and realized that within the walls of Silverleaf, there must be a place where clothes were washed and dried. The launderer's establishment could be his best chance to acquire some garments without drawing too much attention.

With cautious determination, Aurelius made his way towards the heart of the town. He navigated through narrow alleys and side streets, avoiding the main thoroughfares where he would be more likely to encounter large crowds.

After some time, Aurelius spotted a sign indicating a launderer's shop. Peeking through the window, he saw clothes hanging on racks, waiting to be collected by their owners.

Using his chronomage teleportation abilities, Aurelius quietly teleported into the back room of the launderer's shop through a window. He tiptoed through the premises, careful not to disturb anyone working there. In a corner of the room, he found a stack of freshly washed clothes awaiting distribution.

Aurelius swiftly grabbed a set of clothes that seemed to fit him well—a pair of trousers, a shirt, and a cloak. Mentally apologizing for stealing the clothes, Aurelius teleported back out of the shop and found a place to get himself dressed.

Now dressed in his newly acquired clothes, Aurelius felt a sense of relief and gratitude. He took a moment to adjust his attire, ensuring a proper fit. Satisfied with his appearance, he ventured out of the back room and into the streets of Silverleaf.

As Aurelius made his way through the lively streets of Silverleaf, he couldn't help but feel a renewed sense of confidence. Clad in his new attire, he blended in with the townspeople, their bustling activities and conversations becoming the backdrop of his surroundings.

With his immediate need for clothes fulfilled, Aurelius turned his attention to the more pressing matter at hand: finding a way to earn some money. He knew that selling the hides and materials he collected during his future hunts could be a potential source of income. However, being new to the town, he had no knowledge of where he could sell his goods.

Approaching a local resident, Aurelius mustered the courage to ask about places to sell goods in the town.

"Excuse me," he politely addressed the passerby, "I'm new to Silverleaf and seeking information about where I can sell various items for future expeditions into the mountain range. I'm in need of funds to equip myself properly."

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The passerby, an elderly woman with a warm smile, regarded Aurelius with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy. "Ah, a young adventurer," she said kindly. "You're in luck, dear. There's a place called 'The Peddler's Square' not far from here. It's a bustling marketplace where merchants gather to trade their wares. You should be able to find buyers for your items there."

Aurelius nodded gratefully. "Thank you for your guidance. I truly appreciate it."

Extending a comforting hand, the woman introduced herself, "I'm Margaret. You're always welcome, dear. If you ever need help or have any questions, don't hesitate to find me. Silverleaf can be overwhelming, especially for newcomers, but we're a tight-knit community that looks out for each other. And trust me, I speak from 50 years of experience living here!"

Aurelius offered a sincere smile and shook Margaret's hand. "Thank you, Margaret. Your kindness means a lot to me. I won't hesitate to reach out if I need to."

With a final exchange of pleasantries, Margaret bid Aurelius good luck on his future endeavors and continued on her way. Watching her disappear into the bustling crowd, Aurelius felt a renewed sense of hope. The people of Silverleaf had been nothing but welcoming and supportive thus far.

Following Margaret's directions, Aurelius soon arrived at The Peddler's Square. The vibrant marketplace greeted him with a variety of sights, sounds, and scents. Stalls of various sizes were scattered throughout, each adorned with an array of goods—exotic fabrics, intricate jewelry, artisanal crafts, and more.

Aurelius walked through the marketplace, taking note of the stalls that appeared to cater to adventurers and explorers. Weaponsmiths showcased finely crafted blades, armorers displayed sturdy protective gear, and purveyors of provisions offered rations and supplies for long journeys. Among them, he spotted traders who specialized in buying and selling various items, including rare artifacts, magical curiosities, and valuable resources.

Aurelius’ eyes scanned the array of stalls, each one brimming with potential treasures for his future expeditions. His gaze lingered on the weaponsmiths' displays, where gleaming blades glinted in the sunlight, their craftsmanship evident. His heart skipped a beat, and a spark of excitement ignited within him.

His current weapon, a low-quality blade stolen from the guards, had served him well thus far. However, its once-sharp edge had dulled, and the signs of overuse and rust had taken their toll. It was time for Aurelius to upgrade his weapon.

However, before Aurelius could do so, he needed to secure funds. The realization didn't dampen his spirits; instead, it only fueled his determination to find a way to earn the necessary coin.

Aurelius reminded himself of his initial goal: to sell the hides and materials he would gather during his future hunts. With newfound resolve, Aurelius glanced around the marketplace once more. His eyes darted to the traders specializing in buying and selling various items. He contemplated the potential value of the hides and resources he could collect from the creatures dwelling in the mountain range.

Eager to gather more information for his future expeditions, Aurelius approached one of the traders. "Excuse me," he began, trying to capture the trader's attention, "I was wondering if you could tell me where I could find the best places to sell items for future quests in the mountain range."

The trader, a seasoned individual with a shrewd gaze, regarded Aurelius with a hint of curiosity. "Ah, another soul in pursuit of glory," he remarked, his voice carrying a note of amusement.

"You've come to the right place. The Peddler's Square is a hub for buying and selling various items, but for ventures into the mountain range, I suggest you visit 'The Expeditionary Outpost.' It's a gathering spot for fellow adventurers and explorers, where they trade in goods specifically tailored for the challenges that lie within the mountains."

Aurelius nodded appreciatively. "Thank you. I will make sure to visit The Expeditionary Outpost."

As Aurelius continued his exploration of the marketplace, his gaze wandered toward a prominent billboard adorned with vibrant posters and parchments. It was the central hub for adventurers seeking opportunities and challenges. Intrigued, he approached the billboard, scanning the assortment of quests and their corresponding rewards.

Among the various notices, one particular quest caught Aurelius' eye. It read: "Calling all brave souls! Four out of five Lothern Academy students in need of a fighter companion. Reward: 5 silver coins. Take this slip and meet at the marketplace early tomorrow morning. Task: Going hunting!"

Aurelius's heart raced with anticipation as his eyes landed on the quest description. He had of course recognized the name of the renowned Lothern Academy. Known for producing some of the most formidable High Elves, it was a prestigious combat institution nestled within the capital city. This quest presented Aurelius with a golden opportunity to measure his skills against formidable students, who were either his age or close to it. The reward also seemed like a substantial sum, a small fortune that could certainly help him in his current predicament. Without hesitation, Aurelius confidently tore off the slip from the billboard.