As the first light of dawn bathed the land in its gentle embrace, Harald stood at the edge of the hill, his gaze sweeping over the sprawling landscape before him. The air was crisp and refreshing, filled with the promise of a new day and the whispers of unseen possibilities. Still reeling from the shock of his rebirth into this unfamiliar yet strangely familiar land, Harald took a moment to collect his thoughts and orient himself. Memories of his past life lingered like wisps of fog in his mind, tugging at the edges of his consciousness as he sought to make sense of his new surroundings.
With each passing breath, Harald felt a sense of calm settling over him, anchoring him to the present moment. He turned his gaze towards the village nestled in the valley below, its quaint charm beckoning to him like a beacon of hope amidst uncertainty. Descending the hill with determined strides, Harald noticed striking similarities between this place and his hometown. The timber-framed buildings with moss-covered roofs spoke of a simple yet enduring charm, reminiscent of the sturdy structures that had stood in his village for generations.
The sight of the lake, its tranquil waters shimmering in the morning light, stirred memories of home within Harald's heart. He recalled the days when all the boats from his village would be docked there, their weathered hulls bearing testament to countless voyages across the sea. Yet, unlike his fortified village, this settlement seemed remarkably vulnerable, lacking defensive walls or fortifications. Despite this, Harald sensed a resilience among the villagers—a quiet strength that belied their humble surroundings.
With renewed purpose, Harald made his way towards the village, his mind teeming with thoughts of the tasks ahead—finding shelter, securing food, and locating fresh water. As he drew nearer, the dirt road widened into a bustling thoroughfare, alive with the hustle and bustle of village life. Farmers toiled in the fields, merchants guided their carts along the road, and townsfolk bustled with purposeful strides.
Harald noted a diverse array of individuals among the villagers—some adorned in fine garments, others in humble attire. Despite his imposing stature, he blended seamlessly into the crowd, finding kinship with fellow warriors who shared his spirit of adventure. As he walked, a sense of belonging began to take root within him, buoyed by the warmth and camaraderie of the villagers.
Approaching the outskirts of the village, Harald's keen senses detected a hint of danger—a small child wandering into the path of an oncoming horse and cart. With lightning speed, he sprang into action, scooping the child into his arms and narrowly avoiding disaster. As the villagers erupted into cheers and warriors like him seemed shocked at his speed and strength, Harald's heart swelled with pride and relief.
Placing the small child gently on the ground, his mother rushed forward, enveloping her son in a tight embrace. "Thank you, thank you so much for saving him," she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. Her gratitude washed over Harald in waves, but amidst the heartfelt thanks, a sense of bewilderment gnawed at him. How was it that he understood their language so effortlessly when it was unlike anything he'd heard back home? It was as if some unseen force had granted him the gift of comprehension, a strange yet undeniable blessing that left him feeling both humbled and intrigued. As he pondered this newfound ability, a flicker of uncertainty danced in his eyes, mingling with the warmth of the villagers' gratitude in a symphony of conflicting emotions.
As Harald began to step away from the heartwarming encounter, a group of seasoned warriors approached him, their eyes alight with admiration and curiosity. "Hey there, friend! Are you some kind of gold-class adventurer?" one of them exclaimed with genuine awe. "I've never seen anyone move as swiftly as you did back there!"
Perplexed by the unexpected praise, Harald furrowed his brow, his mind grappling with the unfamiliar terms. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice tinged with confusion. "I'm just a warrior, nothing more, nothing less." His words were earnest, spoken with a sincerity that belied his uncertainty about his place in this strange new world.
The warrior nodded understandingly, his expression turning thoughtful. "Ah, I see. You must be new around here," he remarked, sympathy colouring his tone. "Have you never considered joining a guild? It's the way for us warriors to make a living in these parts. If that's not your style, there's always the option of joining the garrison, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other guards in the large cities."
With a practised motion, he reached into his tunic and produced a small metal badge, its surface tarnished with age and bearing the image of a hound etched into the metal. "This here's the mark of our guild," he explained, holding it out for Harald to inspect. "Every adventurer carries one, though the hound insignia is our village of origin. We call ourselves the Hound's Watch. We take pride in our work, protecting the innocent and upholding the law. If you're looking for a purpose and a way to earn your keep, you won't find a better group to join."
"Oh, sorry, my name is Paul. Nice to meet you," Paul introduced himself, extending his hand for a shake. Harald reciprocated with a firm grip. "Harald, Harald Gunnulf," he replied with a nod.
At the mention of his full name, Paul's demeanour shifted almost instantly, his posture straightening as if he'd suddenly realized something. "Oh, forgive me, my lord. I didn't realize you were of noble birth, Sir Harald," he said, his tone deferential as he addressed Harald with newfound respect.
"No, no. I am not a noble," Harald quickly corrected, feeling a bit perplexed by the sudden change in Paul's demeanour. He had never been addressed as a noble before, and the notion felt foreign to him. Reflecting on the situation, Harald realized that perhaps he should be more cautious about how he introduced himself in the future, opting to simply use his name without the full title.
"I see. Thank you, Harald," Paul said, still a bit tense, but he pointed Harald in the direction of the town centre where the adventurer guild was located. With a nod of thanks, Harald continued on his way, sparing a glance back to see Paul and his companions visibly relax, their tense expressions softening as they watched him depart.
As Harald continued on his way, the encounter with Paul and his companions left him pondering. Were nobles feared or held in such high regard in this land? It was a question that lingered in his mind, one he resolved to explore further when the time was right. But for now, his immediate concern was more primal—his stomach grumbled insistently, a reminder of the basic need for sustenance. With a wry smile, Harald realized that regardless of one's station in life, hunger was a great equalizer. He needed to find a way to earn his keep, and perhaps a hearty meal would provide the clarity and energy he needed to navigate this new world.
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Taking Paul's advice to heart, Harald made his way towards the town centre, his thoughts consumed by the prospect of finding work at the adventurer guild. The notion of contributing to the community, whether through building and maintaining boats or hunting wildlife in the nearby lands, appealed to his sense of purpose. As he drew nearer to the guild, its imposing structure stood out amidst the surrounding buildings, its sturdy stone construction a stark contrast to the humble log cabins that dotted the landscape.
Stepping across the threshold and into the adventurer guild, Harald was momentarily blinded by the radiant glow emanating from within. As his eyes adjusted to the brilliant light, he found himself transported into another world altogether—a bustling hive of activity teeming with life and energy. The spacious interior was adorned with well-carved tables and stools, arranged in neat rows throughout the massive room. At the far end, a large counter beckoned, its polished surface gleaming under the warm glow of flickering torches.
Along one wall, Harald's gaze fell upon a massive notice board adorned with a myriad of papers, each one bearing the promise of adventure and opportunity. Warriors like himself mingled with merchants seeking trade and labourers offering their skills, their voices blending into a cacophony of bustling activity. Amidst the throngs of people, Harald noticed a few individuals who stood out from the crowd—seasoned veterans offering their expertise to those in need, and compassionate souls extending a helping hand to the less fortunate.
In one corner of the room, a group of individuals busied themselves with the task of updating the notice board, adding new postings and removing outdated ones with practised efficiency. It was a scene of organized chaos, a testament to the vibrant spirit of camaraderie and cooperation that permeated the guild's hallowed halls. As Harald took in the bustling activity around him, he felt a surge of excitement coursing through his veins, eager to immerse himself in the boundless opportunities that awaited him within these walls.
As Harald approached the counter, he was greeted by a friendly face—a woman whose warm smile seemed to banish the lingering traces of uncertainty from his mind. "Welcome, traveller. What may I help you with today?" she inquired, her voice carrying a soothing lilt that instantly put Harald at ease. He could feel her gaze assessing him, sizing him up with a keen eye for detail.
"Yes, I'm looking for some kind of work, anything works," Harald replied, his tone infused with a sense of determination. He met the woman's gaze squarely, his eyes betraying none of the apprehension that churned within him.
"I see that you're no merchant, so adventurer's work, I would guess? Are you registered to any adventurer guild nearby?" the lady inquired, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity as she began to sift through papers on her desk. Harald nodded, "I'm not registered. Would it be possible to do that here?" he asked, his voice tinged with a note of uncertainty.
The lady looked up, a faint furrow creasing her brow as she regarded Harald with a curious gaze. Despite his weathered appearance and the unmistakable presence of weapons strapped to his back, there was an air of sincerity about him that piqued her interest. She had seen her fair share of adventurers in her time and this person in front of her seemed like a warrior through and through.
"I see. You could go over there, and my coworker can assist you. She will check your status, and after that, she will get you registered to this guild here in Blank Point," the lady replied, gesturing towards another woman stationed at the end of the counter. The woman seemed prepared, already holding some papers in hand. Thanking the lady, Harald made his way over, and together they proceeded into another room.
As Harald stepped into the room, he couldn't help but notice the stark contrast in its appearance. The walls transitioned into smooth white stone, giving the space an almost ethereal quality. At the centre of the room stood an altar of sorts, adorned with a mysterious orb that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy.
"You may step into the magic circle and place your hand on the magic orb now," the woman instructed, her voice carrying a hint of solemnity. Harald complied, stepping forward and extending his hand towards the pulsating orb. The moment his hand made contact, a tingling sensation coursed through his veins, leaving him momentarily disoriented.
Despite his curiosity about the nature of the orb and the magic it wielded, Harald's thoughts were consumed by more immediate concerns—finding work and securing food to sustain himself in this unfamiliar land.
As time flowed by, Harald watched with intrigue as the colour of the orb shifted and morphed before his eyes. From a tranquil blue to a pristine white, then to a fiery red, each hue seemed to carry its significance. Yet, it was the sudden transition to a vibrant orange that caught his attention, its brilliance illuminating the room with an intensity that demanded notice.
Beside him, the woman overseeing the ritual appeared visibly agitated, her brow furrowed in concentration as she frantically sifted through her papers. With a sense of urgency, she instructed Harald to remain in place and wait, her hurried demeanour betraying a sense of mounting tension.
As she hastily exited the room, leaving Harald to ponder the significance of the orb's changing colours, he couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation that hung in the air like a palpable weight—minutes stretched into an eternity as he stood alone in the dimly lit chamber, his senses attuned to the slightest sound or movement.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the heavy silence was broken by the arrival of a new figure—an authoritative presence whose demeanour radiated confidence and authority. As their eyes met, Harald sensed a subtle shift in the room, as if the arrival of this newcomer heralded the beginning of a new phase in his journey. With a curious blend of apprehension and excitement, he waited with bated breath to discover what fate had in store for him next.
As the figure drew nearer, he extended his hand in greeting. "Hello there, I’m Wals," he introduced himself with a warm smile, "the guild master here at Blank Point." Harald reciprocated the gesture, firmly grasping Wals' hand. "Good to meet you, I’m Harald," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity. With the pleasantries exchanged, Wals motioned for Harald to follow him. Together, they ascended the stairs leading to a room, most likely the guild master chamber.
Taking his place behind the desk at the centre of the room, Wals settled into his seat and regarded Harald with a thoughtful expression. "Well, Harald," he began, his tone measured, "if what I heard was correct, you may be an anomaly here. Orange power scaling has never been seen before." With a flourish, Wals produced a sheet of paper adorned with a myriad of colours and symbols. Each hue corresponded to a different type of magic or attribute: green for nature magic intertwined with creatures of the wild, red for fire magic or sheer physical prowess, and blue for moon magic often associated with ice manipulation. Yet, amidst the familiar spectrum of colours, there was no mention of orange. Its absence spoke volumes, as for all time, they have been able to rank someone's strengths.
"I would love to find out what you can do. Would you like to join me in the courtyard in the back for some testing?" Wals proposed, gesturing toward the training yard visible through his windows. However, before Harald could respond, his stomach emitted a loud growl, betraying his hunger. "Sorry, I haven't eaten in some time. Could we do it after I grab something to eat?" he requested sheepishly.
Wals chuckled good-naturedly at Harald's admission. "Of course, why not? Follow me. I can treat you this time, but you'll have to pay me back later," he joked with a playful grin. With that settled, they departed together, making their way to satisfy Harald's hunger before delving into the exploration of his newfound abilities.