Chapter 11 "The Journey to Liras City: New Beginnings and New Faces"

We arrived at the port of Sanderson late afternoon

Our timing was perfect.

“That ship is headed to Liras City,” Vlad said while looking at the ship.

The ship had many levels and masts, and sailors and workers were busy with various tasks. Some people were climbing the stairs, carrying cargo, and handling ropes. Others were unloading barrels and goods from the ship, while some were working inside the ship. Horses were also visible, helping to transport goods. The area around the ship was lively, with carts and crates.

I got off the carriage with my belongings and said goodbye to Vlad.

“Vlad, thank you for everything,” I said.

The people of Mitra Village have been good to me, but above all, it was Vlad's kindness that stood out. Vlad helped me adjust to life in this world, so far from what I was used to

Vlad smiled sadly. “Caelan, take care, and thank you for everything you’ve done for the village.”

I walked toward the ship, the creaking of the gangplank beneath my feet blending with the bustling sounds of the port. Once aboard, I turned back and saw Vlad still watching me. I waved at him with a smile, and he responded with a crisp salute.

For a moment, his expression was unreadable, but then he turned and urged the carriage forward, its wheels clattering against the cobblestones as it disappeared into the crowd.

With the last of the cargo finally loaded, the captain's voice boomed across the port, commanding attention. "All aboard! We’re setting sail for Liras City!"

The last of the passengers boarded, and with a steady lurch, the ship set sail, leaving Sanderson Island behind. As the island grew smaller in the distance, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of longing, but also the excitement of the journey ahead

From the ship, I can see the endless blue ocean stretching out before me, vast and inviting.

I run my fingers along the rough wooden rail, feeling its texture as it creaks softly under my touch. The salty breeze brushes against my face, carrying the fresh scent of the sea. The sun’s warmth rests gently on my skin, balanced by the coolness of the wind. The steady sound of waves hitting the ship creates a calm, peaceful rhythm.

“Do you like staying out here more than being inside?”

I turned and saw a woman. She had fair skin with light freckles that added a natural charm to her appearance. Her bright eyes sparkled with warmth and friendliness, and her wide smile felt genuine.

Her thick, curly red hair framed her face and fell softly onto her shoulders. There’s also a hint of playfulness and mischief in her expression, as if she’s about to share a joke She looked cheerful, full of energy and life. Her name was Rina. She worked at a tavern in Liras City. She was twenty-seven, a widow with two children. Her husband, who had been an adventurer, had already passed away.

With little to do on the ship, passengers often ended up chatting with one another. Rina was one of the people I spoke to. She told me a lot about herself and Liras City. Every year, she visited her family in Sanderson Territory. Now, she was returning to Liras City.

“I just want to enjoy the view,” I said, turning my gaze back to the vast ocean. The gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the sea, and the constant crashing of waves against the ship’s hull was strangely calming.

“You’re right. The view is beautiful,” Rina replied, her voice soft yet lively. She stood beside me, her red hair glinting in the sunlight like embers. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? The ocean looks endless, but somewhere beyond it is the place we’re heading to.”

I nodded, letting her words sink in. “Yeah. But this isn’t the first time I’ve seen the ocean. Honestly, I’ve always loved watching it. It’s always so captivating.”

Rina smiled. “You’re lucky. It sounds like you have a lot of great memories connected to the sea.”

“There are moments I’d like to relive,” I replied, a faint smile crossing my lips.

Before she could respond, a loud male voice called out from behind us.

“We’ve been looking for you, Caelan. So this is where you were! Let’s talk about what we’ll do when we arrive in Liras City.”

When I turned around, I saw three men—Jason, Niro, and Van. Like me, they were also heading to Liras City to become adventurers. So, we agreed to search together for an adventurers' guild to join and a place to stay in Liras City.

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Jason, the oldest among us, is twenty years old. He comes from Kran Village in Sanderson. His face is strong and well-defined, with sharp features and confident eyes. His dark brown, slightly messy hair adds a rugged yet youthful charm.

Jason wants to provide a better life for his family. He is the eldest of three siblings so he decided to go to liras city to be an adventure

Van has sharp, youthful features with vivid green eyes, light freckles, and a confident smile. His bright and untamed reddish-orange hair reflects his personality. His expression is full of charm, energy, and a bold, carefree attitude. Overall, his face exudes warmth, vitality, and confidence.

Niro has spiky reddish-orange hair, soft amber eyes, and a youthful face with a gentle expression. Because of his quiet and reserved nature, he appears both approachable and mysterious.

Van and Niro are cousins who were born and raised in the capital of Sanderson. Both are orphans with no remaining family. They dream of becoming knights and hope that by making a name for themselves as adventurers, a noble might take interest in them.

“When we arrive in Liras City, aren’t we supposed to look for a place to stay that fits our budget and register at a guild to become adventurers?” I said.

“But if we arrive in the afternoon and it gets dark, we might not find a place to stay,” Jason replied.

“Hahaha, don’t worry! Liras City isn’t like a village or a small city. Liras City never sleeps. The city is always busy, and even at night, restaurants are open, as well as taverns and inns,” Rina said.

“If that’s the case, then we won’t have any problems, no matter what time we arrive in Liras City,” Van added.

“That’s right, no problem at all. But if it’s just about finding a place to stay, I can help you. I know Liras City well—I’ve been living there for eight years. I know a cheap place you can stay,” Rina offered.

“Really? If that’s the case, thank you so much, Sister Rina,” Jason said gratefully.

"If you have questions about being an adventurer, feel free to ask me," Rina said. "My late husband was an adventurer, and I work in a tavern where most of the customers are adventurers."

“How does being an adventurer work? We register at a guild, and then what?” Van asked.

“First, you need to register with an adventurers' guild of your choice,” Rina explained. “There are many adventurers' guilds in Liras City, and they all compete to attract adventurers to register or join them, so you won’t have any problems finding a guild.”

“So, we’re free to choose which guild to join?” I asked.

“Exactly,” Rina replied.

“What about ranks? I’ve heard adventurers have ranks based on their skills,” Niro added.

“That’s right. All guilds follow a ranking system. The highest rank is S, followed by A, and the lowest is D. Your rank determines what missions you’re allowed to take,” Rina said.

“So, as beginners, we’ll probably be stuck with boring jobs,” Van muttered.

“That’s true. It might seem boring, but those tasks help you gain the guild’s trust and experience,” Rina explained. “If you perform well, they might assign you to work with or recommend you to high-ranking adventurers for higher-level missions. That could lead to a promotion, depending on the mission and your performance.”

“What happens if we fail a mission?” I asked.

“It depends,” Rina said. “If it’s a minor mistake, you might get a warning or a penalty, like a deduction from your reward. But if it’s serious—like endangering lives or abandoning an important mission—you could be suspended or even expelled from the guild.”

“It sounds like there’s no room for carelessness. We need to take this seriously,” Jason remarked.

“Alright, but what about teamwork? Can we stick together as a group, or do we have to take individual missions?” Van asked.

“You can do missions together as a group, depending on the mission,” Rina replied. “Or you can also take them individually.”

“And how do guilds assign missions? Do we choose them, or are they assigned to us?” I inquired.

“Usually, you pick from a mission board,” Rina said. “Missions are posted according to rank, so you can only take ones that match your current level. But higher-ranking adventurers get first pick of the better missions.”

“I get it,” Jason said. “We need to start small, prove ourselves, and gradually work our way up.”

“That’s right,” Rina agreed. “It’s a long journey, but if you’re determined, you can rise through the ranks and make a name for yourself.”

“Make a name, earn a lot, and maybe even become a knight!” Van said, grinning.

“Haha, don’t get ahead of yourself, Van,” Rina chuckled. "Focus on registering and surviving first."

After nearly two days of sailing, Caelan finally saw Liras City on the horizon. So, this is Liras City, he thought, gazing ahead. This is it. If any place in this world held the answers he sought, it had to be here. His chest tightened at the thought. The question that had haunted him for over a year resurfaced: How can I return to the world I came from?

Hope filled him, but behind it lingered a trace of fear. What if all he found was failure and disappointment? What if the answers he sought didn’t exist at all? He clenched his fists, forcing himself to shake off the doubt. No. No matter how difficult the path, he couldn’t give up. there were people waiting for his return . I’ll do whatever it takes to make it back.

Caelan stood at the bow of the ship, his long black hair whipping in the salty breeze as the vessel cut through the waves. The summer sun hung low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water and reflecting off the sails. His sharp eyes scanned the distance, and there it was—a vast city, gleaming like a jewel amidst rolling green hills.

The city was enormous. Red-tiled roofs stretched endlessly, a sea of glowing clay interrupted only by towering spires and domes of grand buildings that dominated the skyline. High stone walls encircled most of the city, their weathered gray surfaces still imposing. Yet one section remained open, unfenced, and brimming with life—the harbor.

Caelan’s gaze fixed on the bustling port that stretched into the water. Dozens of ships, from small fishing boats to large trading vessels, were docked along the wide stone piers. The smooth gray surface of the docks reflected the sun’s rays, giving them a polished, almost metallic sheen. Sailors shouted commands, cranes groaned as they hoisted heavy cargo, and merchants argued loudly over prices. The shore was alive with activity—men hauling barrels and goods, wagons laden with supplies rattling over cobblestone streets, and the sounds of creaking ships and crashing waves filling the air.

“Liras City,” he whispered, the name heavy with the promise of new beginnings. Behind him, the crew busied themselves with preparations for docking, but he barely noticed. His attention remained on the city ahead, his mind racing with plans and possibilities as the ship approached the vibrant, colorful harbor.