Felix Jaeger, known to his friends as Flapjack due to his quick temper and fiery personality, trudged through the dense forest with a mixture of exhaustion and frustration etched across his face. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that danced eerily among the trees. His clothes were tattered, his boots worn, and his face was smeared with dirt from days of wandering through the wilds since the Lightning Fall. Everywhere he had been was desolate, destroyed, and overrun with roving bands of bandits and monstrous creatures that attacked anything that moved.

As he pushed through a particularly thick underbrush, Felix’s keen eyes caught sight of a narrow trail. He paused, wiping the sweat from his brow, and examined the path. It was a man-made trail, carefully cleared and maintained. His heart skipped a beat at the thought of civilization, something he had not encountered in a long while. With cautious optimism, he decided to follow the trail, his senses alert for any signs of danger.

The trail wound its way through the forest, and Felix marveled at how well maintained it was. Fresh footprints and the occasional hoof print indicated recent use. Birds chirped overhead, and he even spotted a deer grazing in a nearby clearing. The signs of life were a stark contrast to the desolation he had seen elsewhere.

After about an hour of walking, Felix’s jaw dropped as he emerged from the forest into a bustling village. Schoolville, as the sign at the entrance indicated, was a thriving community nestled in the heart of the wilderness. Well built houses lined the streets, children played in open spaces, and the streets buzzed with activity. In the center of it all stood an enormous group of trees that towered over the area. The village was surrounded by sturdy walls that looked like they had grown from the ground. Smooth, swooping lines of earth and roots holding the structure together. Guards were patrolling the perimeter.

Felix stood there, stunned by the sight before him. He had expected ruins, chaos, and danger, but what he found was a beacon of hope and resilience. He took a deep breath, feeling a mix of relief and astonishment wash over him.

A villager noticed Felix standing at the edge of town and approached him with a friendly smile. “Hello there! You look like you’ve had a rough journey. Welcome to Schoolville.”

Felix nodded, still trying to process what he was seeing. “Thanks. I… I didn’t expect to find a place like this out here. Everywhere else I’ve been has been destroyed. How is this place thriving?”

The villager chuckled. “We’ve had our challenges, that’s for sure. But with good leadership, cooperation, and a bit of luck, we’ve managed to build something special here. My name’s Tom, by the way.”

“Felix. Friends call me Flapjack,” he replied, extending a hand.

Tom shook his hand firmly. “Nice to meet you, Flapjack. So, how can I help?”

“I guess I’m just trying to figure out how things work around here. I could use some guidance,” Felix admitted.

“Of course. Schoolville is organized into different sections, each serving a specific purpose. We have the market where you can buy and trade goods, the residential area where most of us live, and various workshops for crafting and repairs. But I think you’d be most interested in the Adventurer’s Guild. It’s a large building near the center of town, kind of like a small mall with multiple shops and a food court inside. It’s where people gather for quests, get supplies, and plan expeditions.”

Felix’s eyes lit up at the mention of the Adventurer’s Guild. “That sounds exactly like what I need. How do I get there?”

Tom pointed down the main street. “Just follow this road, and you’ll see a large building with a sign that says ‘Adventurer’s Guild.’ You can’t miss it. If you’re looking for work or just a place to rest and get some supplies, that’s the best place to start.”

“Thanks, Tom. I appreciate it.” Felix said, feeling a surge of hope.

“Don’t mention it. And welcome to Schoolville, Felix. We’re glad to have you,” Tom replied with a warm smile before heading back to his tasks.

Felix took a deep breath and set off down the main street, his spirits lifted by the unexpected discovery of a thriving community in the midst of the wilderness.

Felix pushed open the large wooden doors of the Adventurer’s Guild and stepped inside, his eyes widening in amazement at the sight before him. The interior was vast and bustling with activity, filled with adventurers of shapes and sizes. There were multiple shops lining the walls, each offering a variety of goods and services. In the center was a large open area with tables and chairs, where people were eating, drinking, and sharing stories of their latest quests. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, a stark contrast to the harsh wilderness outside.

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A cheerful greeter standing near the entrance noticed Felix’s astonishment and approached him with a warm smile. “Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild! Is this your first time here?”

Felix nodded, taking in the bustling scene around him. “Yeah, it is. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”

The greeter chuckled. “It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it. My name’s Elena. We like to make sure newcomers feel right at home. If you need to freshen up, I’d highly recommend visiting the baths. It’s a great way to relax after a long journey.”

Felix glanced down at his dirty, torn clothes and nodded. “That sounds amazing, but I don’t have any money.”

Elena smiled reassuringly. “No worries! The first time is free for newcomers. It’s our way of welcoming you to the community. And if you’re in need of money, there are plenty of quests posted on the board over there.” She pointed to a large bulletin board covered in various quests posted on the board over there.” She pointed to a large bulletin board covered in various quest postings. “You can register for the guild and start taking quests to earn money and acquire items.”

Felix’s eyes lit up at the mention of quests. “That sounds perfect. What do I need to do to register?”

Elena gestured towards a counter near the board. “Just head over to the registration desk and they’ll get you all set up. Once you’re registered, you can take on quests, earn rewards, and become a part of our community.”

Felix felt a surge of hope and excitement. “Thanks, Elena. I appreciate the help.”

“Anytime! And if you need repairs for your clothes, there’s a repair service in the corner. They’ll patch you up in no time. Plus, there’s a store where you can upgrade your gear if you need to,” Elena added.

Felix nodded, feeling a sense of relief and gratitude. “I’ll definitely check that out. Thanks again.”

“Welcome to Schoolville, Felix. We’re glad to have you.” Elena said warmly before turning to greet another newcomer.

Felix took a deep breath and made his way to the baths, eager to wash away the grime and weariness of his journey. The baths were a luxurious oasis, with steaming pools and clean, comfortable facilities.

As Felix made his way to the baths, he was greeted by a friendly attendant named Samuel. Samuel was a tall, wiry man with a warm smile and a welcoming demeanor.

“Welcome to the baths, Felix. We offer a complimentary wash for newcomers. If you hand over your clothes, we’ll have them cleaned while you bathe,” Samuel said, extending his hand.

Felix handed over his dirty, tattered clothes with a nod of gratitude. “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

Samuel took the clothes and added, “Just a heads up, there’s a dog around here. It’s a pet, so no matter what it says, don’t attack it.”

Felix raisd his eyebrow. “What it says?”

Samuel chuckled. “You’ll see. Just trust me on this one. Now, head on over to the shower stall. Enjoy your bath.”

Felix followed Samuel’s directions to the walk-in shower stall. The stall was designed to look like a large wooden barrel that came up to his waist, with a gentle current flowing around it. The showerhead was fashioned in the shape of a large banana leaf, adding a touch of nature to the setup.

As Felix stepped into the stall, he noticed the faint green luminescence of the water. The moment he stepped into the stream of water, a warm, soothing cascade of water flowed over him, washing away the grime and dirt that had accumulated over days of wandering in the wilds. The aches and pains that had settled into his muscles began to melt away, leaving him feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Felix glanced down at his arms and back, noticing that some of his scars were beginning to fade. The water seemed to have a healing property, adding to its rejuvenating effects. At the bottom of the shower, the water turned grey from all the muck and dirt, but quickly faded away, leaving the shower pristine.

“Well, this is something else,” Felix muttered to himself, enjoying the rare luxury of a proper bath.

As he stood there, letting the water work its magic, a voice suddenly broke the serene atmosphere.

“Hey, you! Don’t forget to scrub behind your ears!”

Felix’s eyes widened in surprise, and he turned to see a large, fluffy dog with a mischievous grin on its face. The dog had piercing blue eyes and a sleek coat that shimmered in the green light.

“Uh… are you the pet Samuel mentioned?” Felix asked, unsure of what to make of the talking dog.

The nodded, its grin widening. “Nope, I am not a pet. Name’s Loki. Don’t worry, I hardly ever bite. Just make sure you get every bit of dirt off you. We like to keep things clean around here.”

Felix chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. “This place just keeps getting more interesting.”

Loki started to leave and disappear into the steam. “Yeah, In case I need to bite you, I don’t like the taste of yuckky butt. It takes forever to wash it out.”

Felix startled. “Wait! What?” But Loki was already gone.

After finishing his bath, Felix stepped out of the stall, feeling like a new man. Samuel was waiting for him with a fresh set of clothes and a bundle of his now-cleaned garments.

“All set, Felix. How do you feel?” Samuel asked, handing over the clothes.

“Like a million bucks,” Felix reported, pulling on the clean clothes. “Thanks for the heads up about Loki.” Felix paused before continuing, a look of concern on his face. “She won’t really bite me? Will she?”

Samuel laughed. “Oh, no. I’ve never seen her bite anyone.”

Felix laughed with relief. “That’s a relief.” He said.

Samuel continued. “Naw, she uses ice magic. She’d freeze you solid then smash you to itty bitty Felix chunks.” Samuel shuddered as if remembering something awful. Samuel clapped Felix on the shoulder. “So, no worries mate! No biting for you.”