Aidan stepped out the main doors of the temple. Pig and Slick had already returned inside, closing the door behind him. “Guess they don’t want to be around me. I can’t blame them when I have Priestess after me. Hmm, What was her name… Ah, shit. I didn’t ask. I guess I’ll have to ask her the next time I see her. Hopefully, she doesn’t remember what I said.” Aidan laughed as he looked around, ensuring no one had heard him.

The Wildwood Crossing town lay before him as he recalled what the two guards had told him. Pig and Slick mentioned that the Priestess of Wildwood was almost an outcast; she had been forced from the main temple in the capital, Valeris. Rumours had spread that she performed dark rituals and demanded that the princess be handed over for trial and execution.

Aidan was pretty sure that if anyone else had demanded that a princess be handed over to be executed, they would be executed themselves. The religion here must have a lot of power. When Aidan asked further, he was told to stay quiet. People had been executed for asking questions on the subject of her forced relocation to Wildwood. He was told to be careful around anyone loyal to the Priestess. She was very touchy on the whole thing.

After Aidan told the two of his level, asking for advice, Pig told him that his level was unheard of; most people received their levels at ten years of age, and by the time they turned into adults at Sixteen, they were usually around level 10. Even with his made-up story of a curse removing his level, they both still struggled to believe him. Slick looked at Aidan like he was contagious.

Aidan knew they felt pity for him. As much as that annoyed him, Aidan played along. They mentioned the adventure’s guild down the road from the temple. They said Kyra had told someone she had left his things there for collection. Aidan hoped they had his pen, not knowing if he could find it if someone stole it.

The sunlight bathed the cobblestone streets in a warm glow as Aidan walked through the streets. This section of the town housed the merchants and other businesses. Stalls lined the sides of the street, and people shouted out about the deals they had. The cost of things still confused him. Everything could be brought with one of the four main coins, Copper, Silver, Gold and Aurorium.

He didn’t ask how the value system worked, not wanting to seem completely stupid. He was playing the role of a merchant, after all. Aidan still wondered what Aurorium was. From how Slick spoke about it, it was scarce and valuable. Aidan shrugged. Either way, it was certainly not a metal he knew of. And it indeed didn’t exist back on Earth.

Aidan stopped before a large three-story building. It had a sign hanging over the front doors. A sword and bow on top of a shield. ‘Huh. This must be the adventure’s guild they spoke of.’ Mused Aidan as he pushed the front door. ‘Hopefully, I can get some answers here. Maybe a way to make money to live.’

Pushing open the front doors, Aidan stepped into the main hall of the adventure’s guild. He was greeted by a collection of sounds and sights that immediately captured his attention. The space was bustling with activity, filled with adventurers of all shapes and sizes.

Aidan noticed a dining area to his left, a spacious section of the ground floor adorned with long wooden tables and benches. Hungry adventurers sat together, swapping stories over hearty meals and mugs of ale. The smells of roasted meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, reminding Aidan of the last time he had eaten, his growling stomach gurgling loudly.

The guild’s administrative section sat on the other side of the hall. Counters lined the back wall, where four diligent workers stood ready to assist members with their inquiries and paperwork. Scrolls and parchments were strewn across the counters along the noticed boards that lined the wall.

Aidan slowly made his way further into the guild hall as he approached the nearby receptionist, a friendly-faced woman with a quill tucked behind her ear.

“Excuse me,” Aidan began, catching the receptionist’s attention. “Could you tell me more about this guild? I’m new here and looking to learn about your services and join if possible.”

The receptionist smiled warmly, her demeanour welcoming as she gestured towards the notice boards behind her. “Of course,” she replied. “Here on the ground floor, we have the guild tavern and the reception area where you can pick up new quests, place notices, and find groups to join. Upstairs on the second level, you’ll find our short-term rooms and healing facilities. If you need a place to recuperate or seek medical attention, that’s where to go. The third floor is for employees only, so please stay away from that floor. The guild leader does not take lightly to people entering uninvited.”

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Aidan nodded gratefully. “So. Ah… How do I join?”

“Certainly.” Said the receptionist, pulling out a sheet and placing it before Aidan. “Please fill this out. If you are unsure about anything, ask. We need everything answered before we conduct the Status card scan and testing.”

Aidan stared at the sheet of paper. At least he thought it was paper or this world’s version. He looked back at the receptionist before looking back at the paper. Aidan sighed as he pushed the paper back towards her. “I’m sorry, but I. Ah. I can’t read this.”

The receptionist stopped what she was doing and stared at him in shock. She slowly shook her head as she regained her composure. “Sorry. Could you repeat that? It sounded like you said you couldn’t read it?”

Aidan felt his face grow red as he tried to hide his embarrassment. He didn’t understand why she was making this out to be bigger than it should be. He thought. How many people in this world could read? Aidan figured that the number wouldn’t be all that high.

“Yes. I can’t read whatever is written on the paper.” Replied Aidan as he tried to regain some form of dignity. “Would you be able to fill it out for me?”

“Just wait for a moment, please. I will get someone to help you.” Said the receptionist as she disappeared through a door behind her. Aidan looked around and waited for her to return. He noticed a few of the people in the room staring at him. Some seemed to be openly hostile, while others seemed intrigued.

After a few minutes, the receptionist returned with another person behind her as she spoke to Aidan. “Thank you for waiting. This is Noelle. She will help you with your paperwork and the registration.”

Noelle bowed as she approached the bench where Aidan stood. “Hello. As Ana just said. My name is Noelle. Please follow me upstairs so we can get you registered.”

Aidan bowed automatically in return. His time in Japan had embedded the need to bow in response. He groaned internally as he stood back up. The look of shock on both the women was evident. He hadn’t seen anyone else bow since he had been in this world.

Noelle regained her composure first as she hid a small giggle behind her hand. Lifting a section of the reception counter, she stepped through. Gesturing to the staircase to the second level. “This way, please.”

Looking around the room. The noise had dropped to almost a low hum as everyone watched Aidan as he followed Noelle. He could hear muttered whispers throughout the room as he strained his ears, hoping to get a gauge on the room.

He sighed as they reached the second floor. Despite his best efforts, he had managed to make a scene, not to mention that he didn’t catch anything that would help him from the whispers below.

Noelle opened a door and walked through before turning and gesturing for Aidan to follow. The room was sparse, with a desk in the middle with two chairs. A bookshelf sat against one of the walls with the window opposite the doorway, letting in the only light.

Noelle closed the door and set about lighting the candles that littered the room. “Please take a seat. I will be with you shortly. We don’t get many people through here anymore who can’t read. I would guess that you’re not from Valoria. Are you? It’s not a problem. We normally get many different merchants and traders through, though most of them can read our writing.” Said Neolle as she finally sat down. “Can you tell me where you’re originally from?”

Aidan gulped as he tried to come up with something believable. After a few moments, he gave up and decided to tell a mix of the truth. “Ah.” He stuttered as he started to talk. “I guess you could say I’m not from here originally. I was born in a place called Brisbane. I moved around a lot as a child before my parents died. My brother raised me. We settled in another place called Belle Glade. It was there my brother and I started our first company.”

Noelle nodded as she wrote down on the paper the receptionist Ana had first handed him. “Very good. OK. What is your full name and age?” She asked, twirling the pencil in her hand as she watched him with a smile.

“Ah… My name is Aidan Thornheart; my age would be twenty-five, I guess.” Replied Aidan as he looked at the ceiling, his finger stroking his chin. “Yeah. Twenty-five.”

“OK. Preferred weapons? Fighting styles? When we use the Scrying Stone, we will get to your class and stats shortly. After that, we have a simple mock battle. Once I have all this, we can issue you with guild cards and rank, and you will be able to accept quests.”

Aidan nodded as they finished up with the basic questions. Noelle stood, getting a thin stone slab from the bookshelf behind her. She placed it in front of Aidan and stepped back. “OK, Aidan. Please place your right hand on the stone. You will feel a tingle and warmth flow through your hand. Don’t worry. This is completely normal.”

Aidan Placed his hand on the stone. The room is lit with warm colours, each swirling around in some chaotic dance of colours. The stone grew warm as the light coming from it continued to grow. Aidan grunted as the stone grew hotter. His hand started to hurt as he could smell something like wood burning.

The light became blinding as sweat began rolling down his face. The stone was beyond burning hot now. Aidan tried to lift his hand but found he couldn’t. Something was keeping his hand in place.

“Noelle, is this meant to happen?” He asked, his voice showing his nervousness.

“No. This has never happened.” Cried Noelle as she struggled to understand what was happening. “I’ll get help. Stay there.”

Aidan laughed nervously as he tried to lift his hand free again. He heard the door open and close. A shout rose from the other side of the door as he heard footsteps running. Just as Aidan felt he was about to faint from the burning pain, the light stopped, and the stone turned cold. Aidan yanked his hand from the stone as he looked to see how bad the burns were.