“The study of arcanima will test your mental faculties to the point of perplexity. Are you
prepared to reason your way through predicament after predicament?”
Before me stood a large Roegadyn woman, her stature commanding the room. She was the highest-ranking person in the Arcanist guild, taking charge in the guildmaster’s absence. At least that’s what the receptionist told me.
The woman went by the name Thubyrgeim and I had been talking with her for a few minutes now. Or well, she had been talking to me. After accepting what in the game would be a quest called “Way of the Arcanist”, I was given a speech about the whole background of the “Arcane arts”.
Come. hurry up will ya. Just give me the starter grimoire and be done with it. New Game+ could do with a little skip button. But sadly this wasn’t a game anymore. This was real now.
During her whole speech my eyes seemed to drift off around the guild hall. It wasn’t the first time I had been here but it was amazing to see it in real life now. The main hall was unassuming, yet it held a certain charm. just a bunch of reception desks and some guild symbols on flags and banners that hung around the ceiling. Thubyrgeim was standing in front of a closet that had lots of drawers that were weirdly high up and big shelves containing all kinds of books.
The face of Thubyrgeim revealed a hint of anticipation to my answer. I nodded acceptingly while feigning my excitement that befit a new junior and eager Arcanist student
Her face had a smile that showed my way of answering her satisfied her.
“An unambiguous response—the kind I most prefer. Let us now see if the clarity of your words is matched by the sharpness of your mind. Here, Take this grimoire in hand, and we shall next judge your aptitude for our discipline.”
I hold my arms out to receive my first grimoire. It was a green book with some detailing on it. The moment it left Thubyrgeim’s hand, I found out how heavy those books were. In surprise of its weight I nearly dropped it but luckily was able to catch it just in time.
My cheeks reddened a little in the hopes nobody else saw my fumble around. It would have been pretty awkward to find out I couldn’t even lift the damn book, let alone hold my ground in a fight.
“It is a hefty tome, is it not? I promise you, a grimoire’s weight becomes a comforting anchor amidst the shifting seas of battle—a fact you will soon discover.”
A smirk appeared on her face while she spoke. Her eyes betrayed the fact that she must have enjoyed my little stumble. The rest of her speech was all about how she wanted to put me through a trial to test my worthiness in taking up the job of an Arcanist.
To the south of Limsa Lominsa I would find the Tempest Gate. I was to leave the city there and kill some ‘pests’, as she called them. Apparently she wanted me to kill Wharf Rats, Little Ladybugs and Aureliae. 3 of each species.
“Once you return from completing this preliminary trial, I will welcome you as an official member of the Arcanists’ Guild. May your judgment remain swift and clear”
“Thank you. I will return as soon as possible.” A small bow finished my interaction with the current Guild Master as I happily left the guild hall and walked into the open again.
To my right I could see some boats waiting for commerce at the ferry docks. If my memory serves me right, I should be able to travel to western Thanalan and Kugane. Though I wonder if I would be able to do that right now or if the world won’t even let me. I also wondered If it would be the wisest thing to do. I was doubtful at best, as I also knew that Kugane was something that would be introduced much later in the game. The strength difference between me, right now, and that of the animals over there would spell the end of me, that’s for sure.
To the left was West Hawkers Alley. That would lead to the main markets. The street there was lined with stalls where you can buy everything you need. Clothing, Armor, Weapons, Food, Accessories, and I can go on. In the game world it was always busy around here. Though on my way to the guild, I didn’t see that many people there.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
My stomach growled softly as I was getting hungry. I sighed, “damn, I really need to do something about money.” Taking a deep breath I readied myself. “Time to hunt.”
I started running for the Tempest Gate to get my first bit of action under my belt.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile at the Rogue’s guild
“Lonwoerd, buddy! How are you, my friend.” Haldceig had arrived at the Rogue’s guild and found his good friend standing at the door, as he usually was.
“Haldceig, it’s been a while. I'm doing well. How about you? Looks like the sea hasn’t gotten the best of you yet!”
The 2 Roegadyn friends embraced each other as 2 great friends would, who had not seen each other for good while.
“Bud, did you happen to talk to an Au Ra girl today? I told her to seek you out if she ever needed help getting around here.”
They both sat down on the edge of the raised walkway that created a path around the rogue guild’s building.
“Yeah, she dropped by. She asked where she could find stuff for new adventurers. So I pointed her to the Drowning Wench. The people there will most likely be able to help her more than I could, you know.”
Haldceig looked pleased. “I hope she will be alright.” Looking towards the big crystal that spun at the heart of Limsa Lominsa.
A mischievous smile appeared on Lonwoerd’s face.
“What is your relationship with this girl, Haldceig? You got an eye on her?” He could hardly keep his laughter down.
Haldceig jumped up at his statement and turned away from his friend.
“O-o-off course not!” He stated firmly though his speech did hint at some embarrassment at the question.
“Ow, come on Haldceig. I’m just messin with ya. But seriously, where did you find this girl?”
Haldceig sat back down with a face that turned a bit more serious than his friend was used to.
“While we sailed for Limsa we saw some wooden planks out there in the middle of nowhere. When we came closer we saw that there was a girl on one of the planks. Most likely a door or something.”
“Someone jumped into the water and we pulled her out. She was still alive and had no serious injuries. So we let her rest and when she woke up she joined me on the deck.”
Lonwoerd was confused and leaned forward while trying to make sense of his story.
“So you found the girl in the middle of the ocean floating on some wood?”
Haldceig nodded in agreement. “Yeah. She’s very lucky”
“That she is indeed. Was there no sign of anything else near? Just her and some wood?”
Haldceig looked at his friend as his mind was still trying to puzzle together what could have happened to her.
“Yes. I made sure to walk all around the ship, trying to find any sign of life or the remains of a battle but nothing. Just the wood floating around.”
Lonwoerd just nodded. “Hmm. That is weird. Maybe the ship she was on sank for some reason?”
“That is the only logical conclusion I could draw. Sadly, asking here will result in little result.”
Lonwoerd was surprised at the comment. “Why is that?”
“She lost all her memories. She couldn’t even tell me her name when she woke up.”
Haldceig hadn’t even realized it yet but he didn’t see the girl anywhere nor did she pass by ever since he met up with his friend.
“Now that you know about her, where is she anyways. I haven’t seen her on the docks yet.”
Lonwoerd laughed a bit at the comment. “Yeah, true and I don’t think she will be back here anytime soon either.”
There was a hint of worry after hearing his friend say it like that.
“What? You sound like you did something to her.”
Laughing more now Lonwoerd didn’t hold back.
“HAHAHA, No of course I didn’t do anything to her. She asked me where the Arcanist guild was. She wanted to take on the job of Scholar. Whatever that may be. I asked her what it was but she didn’t elaborate on it and just asked for where the Arcanist guild was. They probably know more about it, it seems.”
The two men looked questioningly at each other, wondering what this “Scholar” job was. After a moment Haldceig made a friendly punch on his friend's shoulder.
“Well, it seems she found her way then. No need for us to worry about her anymore.”
At that moment Haldceig looked up to one of the bridges that connected central plaza to The Tempest Gate to the west of the city and saw a familiar face running along it. He smiled and got up.
“Well, friend. Shall we get something to drink?”