The meeting went much better than Archie anticipated. I honestly was surprised by human decency... well, non-human decency too, as there were other races as well. Mostly other races. Humans are 'frail' creatures, that rarely live beyond one hundred, with the current headmaster being human and having one hundred and seven years worth of life experience.

I honestly thought they would send assassins after me, but considering that the golden goose, in their opinion, doesn't mind coming along with them, makes it so much easier than trying to steal it. I just wonder who's the goose, Archie or me?

When people came for me, that sounded wrong, but I have no idea how to say it otherwise. The following morning, representatives of the council came to escort me to the council as well, and I didn't really mind, as all I did there was to pass an aptitude test and answer some questions, about my world, what was that about core and other stuff. So, I provided armor and core, in exchange for my treatment. I know full well it's radiation poisoning, but I am not going to say I know what it is.

The magic aptitude test consisted of me guiding my mana into the orb to test my affinities, then it was guiding my mana into a stone tablet to test the amount of mana I possess, and then it was to test what spells I can use. I could've passed the test with flying colors if not for A, I have less 'pure' mana control than most, B, my affinities are not exceptional, aside from fire, C, I only know a few spells, even if they are devastating. You know, point B wasn't that bad, I mean, I am considered a prodigy in fire magic, due to the high affinity, but just having two affinities you are considered a prodigy as well, if the numbers are high enough. Mine were slightly higher than average, though they could only find out about six, and after I told them, seven. They have no way to tell if someone is a life mage or a death mage, but they can actually tell how qualified people in fire, water, earth, air, light or darkness fields. Weird, isn't it?

Still, I am considered a prodigy as well because my elemental mana control is exceptional, I have all affinities, even if I suck at healing, and my fire affinity is once again exceptional, and most mages tend to stick with a few spells they know anyway. Sure, the more the merrier, but mastery of fireball means you will ignore most other fire spells anyway.

Now as to my armor, I had to give it to them. With my under armor, but I don't really mind it, considering I was immediately given a neatly tailored robes from some sort of silk, though it's more of an undergarment than a robe, heavy fur outfit, because it's cold out there and, well, some money for the trouble. Which I immediately learned how to produce. They are NOT counterfeit, it's real gold, just made with mana. Of course I didn't tell I can do that, what am I, a simpleton? Too bad making items is quite costly.

“It went surprisingly well.” I nod to the Archie.

“Yes, I expected more underhand play from them. I am kinda curious if they manage to figure out how to recharge the core with magic, because the one I gave them is.”

“Did they agree to seek what's wrong with you?”

“Of course they did. An example of summoning gone wrong, how could they not?” Archie didn't seem to say anything. “They did agree on providing you shelter?” he nods.

“Ardrirosa is now my adoptive daughter.”

“Good, good.”... I don't have anything to talk with him about, aside from magic. Not that I care that much right now. Basics will do just fine.

“What are you going to do?”

“... I don't know.” I paused for a second. I didn't expect that. “I just go with the flow. Money doesn't seem to be an issue this time, but...” I sigh.

“You can't define a clear goal?” I nod.

“It's easy when you have an enemy you need to bring down, a carefully worded contract you have to complete. In free time I often watched anime, played games or gone to restaurants in order to taste all sorts of foods. Even if you told me how money work, I don't know what costs what.” he nods.

“Are you worried?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“More like I have no idea on what to do. Sure, I have money for now, but once I'm out of them, what then?”

“Register as a mercenary. If something goes wrong, you can always find job there.” hm... well, I thought about it but... wake up you cretin, you get stronger when you fight. So fight!

“A good idea. I'll do that.” I move out of the room only to get back a few seconds later. “Where's the guild?”

“You can ask the owner.” I nod and leave the premises of the building and go on a stroll around the city.

Surprisingly, the city itself isn't that cold, or filled with snow, unlike outside. For one, it seems like there is some sort of magic at work, that shields the entire city from the outside world, like a dome, I guess? I wonder what powers it though. Well, it's still cold in here, just not as much as outside, so it's no surprise some people dress relatively light for the weather.

There are a lot of stalls around the place, some sell food, some items, some... so far I only saw the food and items stalls, just small trinkets and cheap jewelery, just like on Earth. Shops on the other hand have much more variety than simple trinkets. I dislike jewelery, useless trinkets, but they fetch a high price for some reason, while not being that pretty.

I stopped at some shop, which looked to sell armor and weapons, with no forge in sight, so they either buy in bulk, or manufacture stuff somewhere else.

I was met with a relatively polite shorty, about meter forty, while browsing the wares, who helped me to a few relatively common weapons, and during this process I started thinking about what my goals should be.

First thing that came to mind, I was still irradiated, and while the rad-away doesn't cost that much, as well as iodine tablets, but I have my concerns about their effectiveness, it still cost me quite a bit in credits. I don't know for how long I need to use them, but I need credits, and a lot of them. Which means, I need to become a mercenary, assassin or a bandit, and I do not want to become a bandit. Sure, I don't mind spending a few weeks or months in the field, but being shoot on sight type of guy isn't something I want to become, and being assassin is kinda fun, but then again, troublesome. And considering that I can always become a mercenary and change my path, I think becoming one would be beneficial.

Anyway, I bought myself a relatively cheap steel sword, hunting knife and a set of throwing knives, consisting of four mini sheaths with said throwing knives. Afterwards I was given directions to the hunter guild, because monster hunters, and directions to the magic equipment shop.

Now I am standing before said guild and musing about the possibility of hunting monsters for money and loot. Simple, easy and fun. I only have to pass a combat test, and then an assignment under supervision, but I don't mind it that much.

“Raven.” I get up from the bench. “Follow me.” I nod and move on. I still house my armor, without a sleeve, which gives me a weird glances from the people around me, occasionally. Once we got to the training area the instructor grabbed a staff of some sorts. “Choose your weapon.”

“Can I use mine?”

“No.” I sigh, then grab a sword. It's made of wood, so not to kill person by accident, but it never stopped me from killing people with a toothpick, you just need to plunge it deep into the eye.

“Will this do?”

“This is a test of your melee combat capabilities. Go all out, but you are not allowed to use magic of any sorts.” I nod.

“Summons are not allowed as well?”

“Correct.” I sigh and usher my summon from my shadow to stay in the far corner. “Interesting choice of familiar. You may proceed when ready.” I nod and lunge at the guy, but instead of having our swords clash, the guy just evades and kicks me on behind. Of course without magic my melee combat isn't that great, or without tech, so everything I can do is to hit him a couple of times and block some of the incoming attacks. “Raw speed and strength are good, but it more feels like you never fought other people in close combat.”

“I fought, just not successfully. I usually fight at a distance.”

“Bow and arrow?” I shrug. “Magic it is then. But are you proficient with bows?”

“Yes, to a degree.” he motions for someone to come by and says “Grade D, but has potential.” what?! D? Then he motions to me. “Go to the archery range, the person here will escort you.” I nod and move behind the guy in robes. What's with the robes anyway?

“Say, why do you wear robes?”

“They're comfortable.” Well, that's one way to answer.

As we moved to the archery range, I noticed that the... well, nothing in particular. Not like there was anything interesting to begin with, considering that training areas are out in the open. At least archery class is going to be fun... hopefully. Speaking of which. Meet a new instructor at archery. A tanned man in his sixties with muscles like that of a barbarian. Is he really archery teacher?

“You're... here to gauge how good of an archer am I?”

“Yes. Now take the bow and shoot targets.” I nod and shoot the wooden dolls and painted targets. Kinda easy if you ask me.

“Good accuracy, but that's only for stationary targets. Small targets were shot at least once. I'd say as high as C. Throwing weapons?”

“Can manage too.” I grab the knives, axes and javelins and start throwing them at the targets, but this time, they're not as accurate. I do get hits, but only half of my throws hit the head or bullseye.

“Not bad. You seem to aim for the weakspots too. But some of the targets were missed this time.” I nod, but why should I admit that I aimed for the groin area? “Throwing weapon is also C though.” I nod again. Guess now it's only magic left?

Once I was escorted to the next area I sighed. Once again with the same tests as with the council. This is going to be a breeze.