**Knock, knock.**

Leonardo woke up in his bed, with his notebook on his face and some drool on a side of his mouth.

'Uh, must have been really tired to fall asleep like that.. I dont remember ever falling asleep like that.' He thought as he got out of the bed and made his way to the door, thinking about who could it be disturbing him. Oppning the doors he found there that waitress from before waiting for him.

* Good evening sir, Bock is asking if you will come down for to talk, the dinner will be over soon. - She said.

* Yes, I will be down soon, you dont have to sir me – my name is Leonardo.

* A pleasure to meet you then Leonardo, my name is Mia. - The waitress Mia introduced herself to him with a polite bow. - I will inform uncle Bock, that you will come down shortly.

* Thank you.

Leo was about to close the doors, but Mia stepped closer to him while licking her left hand, she then fixed his bed hair.

* Dont worry I dont bite, unless you want me to. - Giggling she then turned around and left.

A little stunned and with flushed cheeks Leonardo closed the doors and cleared his throat. A moment later he took off all of his leather armor that he had fallen asleep with and changed his shirt, the precious one was looking wrinkled and had some drool on it.

As he walked down the stairs, now a lot more well rested than when he entered the inn, he admired the railing of the staircase – it was nicely carved like the bell on the counter. Bock had taken a table near the counter, he had already finished eating by the looks of it and was some kind of a drink, while waiting for Leonardo. Leo made his way to the Table and sat down on the opposite side, Mia soon brought him a plate with some mashed potatoes, vegetables and a few home made sausages. Leonardo quickly thanked her and then looked up to Bock, who has just finished his drink and let out a big belch.

* Better outside than inside right? - Bock just laughed his lack of table manners down and motioned for Mia to bring him some more of whatever he was drinking, then his attention returned to Leonardo. - So Leonardo, my dear customer – what would you like to know?

* Yes, it's better to let it all out. - Smiled Leo while playing along, not wanting to make his companion annoyed. - Some directions to the local adventurers guild and some information if you have any about any new settlement expeditions going out soon?

* Well, I can provide you with the directions, but about those expeditions.. I might know something, but my memory is a little dizzy... Though I think if you bought me a few drinks while we talk it would become a lot clearer. - Said Bock without any shame.

* Hahaha, very well, the drinks on me this evening then.

Leonardo ate the surprisingly tasty sausages with well spiced vegetables and mashed potatoes, while Bock was giving him directions to the adventurers guild. He already knew where the guild was, but it was better to keep playing his role as a wanderer, that was in the capital for the first time. Soon though, Bock began to talk about what Leonardo was truly interested in – the expeditions that were going to make new villages.

* So, with that last war being won by our side, our dear old king decided to expand... you know population growth and all that stuff, but my own personal thoughts are that the king just wants to assimilate those lands quicker making our people spread there. As you are a wanderer I dont know if you have heard, but the king has some pretty big ambitions about going to war again with one of our neighbor countries in a year or so, greedy fat bastard. - That last part Bock muttered silently with his head lowered. - Anyway, back onto the topic – the expeditions!

He took a few big gulps from his mug, burped and continued to talk not letting Leonardo to even say a word.

* In this last month four expeditions have already left for the conquered lands of Shield's kingdom, last one left just two days ago. And this is all only from the capital, only god knows how many have left throughout the county. As much as I know, the next one to leave is still preparing and looking for more people, their leader is an old gnome going by the name “Tarkh”, hes a crafty one with a good nose for money. Dont know about their destination though, but wherever that guys has planned to go – that place will bring him and his companions some coins. - Bock took another big sip from his mug. - Thats about it, no other expeditions are currently preparing to leave, that I know of. But hey! Im just a simple inn owner, who knows maybe you will learn some more about them when you visit the guild.

* Thanks for all the info. - Leo said. - I think I will retire to my room for the evening, a good night's rest is in order for me. Haha.

* Yes yes, rest well Leonardo, see you tomorrow. - Bock wished him well as he was seeing him off, his big dwarfish nose red from drinking.

Leonardo wasnt tired at all, since he had that unexpected nap earlier, he was feeling quite refreshed. As he made his way to his room, he decided to spend some time practicing with his gloves magic and now that he had some time – to finally try and connect to his mana trough meditation, but before that he first was going to take a bath.

Luckily for him, he found the bath empty of any other people – it was late, near midnight already, so others, might have already taken a bath, but he was thinking that they might be just too lazy to wash themselves as he had seen a very dirty human entering the room before, without a hint of a thought to get himself washed. Leonardo's elfish nature didn't let him to be unclean, nor did he liked to stink and look dirty.

In the bathroom he found a bunch of towels all clean and nicely folded placed on a small bench for the people staying in the inn to use, there also were a few small pieces of soaps left near the towels in a wooden box. He took one piece of soap and a towel and then entered the baths.

It took him no more than half an hour to wash himself as he wanted to practice and try this meditation method he had read about in that arrogant mages book, so he was back in his room quite quickly.

Leonardo practiced for half an hour with his gloves diligently, trying to switch between spells as quickly as he could, he also tried to use two spells simultaneously, but with no success. After that half an hour and one accidentally ruined shirt later when he lost his focus and ripped it with a weak wind blade spell he moved onto meditation.

He sat down on the floor and made himself comfortable his legs placed on one another in lotus position. ' Lotus position? What the hell.. im having more and more of these strange thoughts lately.. ugh.. might I be going insane?' He thought for a moment, but then just shrugged and cleaned his mind out of any thoughts.

Leonardo followed all the instructions in the book, he relaxed and calmed himself, his head free of any thought's he then slowly began to go deeper into himself, shutting his mind from external senses – smell, touch, hearing eyesight and all others.

He didnt know how much time had passed, but he found himself floating in a strange place, that should be his soul – where his mana resides and is being collected. First step to connecting with it was to understand it – that was the hardest part as it had to be done while keeping his head out of any thought, just by using instincts and his subconsciousness. Leonardo was surrounded by darkness, small light shards floating around – myriads of them, each seemed to be surrounded in a bluish mist – that should be mana his soul was collecting from around him to fuel his body and itself. Oddly enough – the book wrote that he should find only one big shard that should be his soul, but there he was looking at myriads of them. His confusion almost broke his meditative state, but he managed to stay in it. Deciding to just go on with the next step he willed his mind to float closer to one of the shards, while also willing it to approach him. After some effort it was now floating in front of him.

Moving onto the third and final step – connection, he willed his mind to stretch and wrap around this shard of light, as he did so the blue mist surrounding it slowly began to move his way, soon enveloping his mind. He had established a connection with his mana pool – his soul. Soon, some memories of his past were played in his mind.

The book wrote, that it was all there was to do, but Leonardo didnt feel like this was the end – as he now felt his own mana it seemed to be weak and low in quantity, so he decided to try and bring one more shard to connect with.

As he connected with another shard, there was another playback of memories – but these were strange – he saw cities with tall houses, something called “skyscrapers”, he saw hundreds of people going about their business in a city that was a hundred times bigger then the capital of Selvok, all of this seemed alien to him and yet.. it all was strangely familiar.

'Is this really my soul? Why is it full of memories I dont have, nor have ever experienced???' With this thought finally breaking all Leonardo's attempts to keep any thought's at bay he exited his meditative state.

He was feeling confused to say the least after this otherworldly experience, his mind full of questions he had no answers to. Leo got up from the floor, the wood creaking under him as he did so – he looked trough the window seeing a small ray of sun already over the mountains in the distance. 'I really did spent quite some time meditating..' With that thought he laid back into the bad and soon was asleep, his dreams full of strange sights and things that he saw within that soul shard of his.

It was already mid-day, when Leonardo woke up, he didnt feel too well rested as the visions from his meditation kept popping as dreams while he slept – one thing he knew for sure, that they wont stop now, that he has connected to that soul shard of his. Sighing to himself as he was putting his clothes and leather armor on he made mental plans for the day.

The very first thing on his list was breakfast – preferably, just as tasty as yesterdays late dinner.

On the first floor of the inn, Leonardo found quite a few late birds eating, some also were having early supper. Some of the people here were sitting in small companies – probably groups of friends or acquaintances, others were alone. Leo found the table he was using in the evening empty, so he took a seat in the same spot as before, his back turned towards the entrance into the inn. Soon Mia walked over to him with a smile on her face.

* Good day Leonardo, I see you are a late bird. - She said him smiling, her eyes playful.

* Looks like that, what will I be having for this late breakfast of mine? - Returning the smile Leonardo asked.

* Bock, has prepared scrambled eggs and some ham to go with it for the breakfast, alternatively I can offer you some left over soup from yesterdays supper if you want.

* No, thaks I think ill have those scrambled eggs with bacon you mentioned.

* Sure thing, ill bring it in a minute.

As promised to, he got his food soon and without any ceremonies dug into it. His stomach was demanding food and Leonardo didnt feel like going against it's wishes. After breakfast and a cup of hot tea, that he had to pay an extra copper coin, he was feeling full and had a satisfied expression on his face.

Leaving the inn Leo turned towards the direction, that the “Adventurer's” guild was located at and slowly began to move there, on his way browsing the stalls merchants had set up and looking at the glass showcases of the shops across the sides of the streets he passed.

Leonardo reached the guild licking his fingers after he had finished eating an apple covered in caramel, a tasty little thing that he bought a few minutes ago from an old lady.

“Adventurer's” guild was located in a building made out of stone, it looked quite old, but well maintained. Inside as he entered he saw many people – some dressed in simple clothes – probably residents of the capital that had some small tasks for adventurers looking for work, some were wearing more expensive clothing – merchants looking for protection to hire on their trips and finally many many men and women wearing all kinds of armor from all kinds of races.

There were three counters set up one at each side of the main room and one near the back room. On the left there was a counter to register as an adventurer and for people to put up requests it also served as an information point having three women working behind it, at the middle one adventurers reported of their completed tasks bringing all kinds of proof and on the right they lined up selling various materials that they had collected during their trips.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Leonardo took a place in the line at the left counter, his wait wasnt long.

* How may I help you today? - A middle aged beast woman of bear tribe asked him as he approached.

* I would like some information first, I have heard that there is an expedition preparing to leave soon?

* Yes there is, you want to join them as a settler or a guard? - The woman asked him fixing her glasses that hung loosely on her big nose.

* I would like to join as both, also I would like to register myself as an adventurer.

* Very well. Take these papers and fill them up, once done deliver them to me and we will have you tested for the category you have opted for.

Leo did as he was instructed, he sat down at one of the tables in the corner and looked over the papers he was given – one was his adventurers application, the second was another application to join the expedition, the first one asked just some basics – his age, his gender, where hes from, why he decided to become an adventurer and what kind of a fighter he is – melee, ranged or a mage. There were also some questions asking him if he wanted to sign up for some paid training sessions. Done with the adventurers application quickly he moved onto the second – now here he needed to answer a lot more questions – some were the same as in the previous paper, most of the new ones were about how could he help the new community to be established.

When he was finished with both applications and felt quite strongly about his expedition application he stood up from the table he was occupying and again took a place in the line to the left counter.

* Very good, for your adventurer's test go trough the back door into the guilds inner yard, there you will be tested, to get information if you were chosen to join the expedition come tomorrow in the evening, you can also come this evening, but I dont think that old gold obsessed gnome will manage to sort trough all the applications till then. - Said the same woman who gave him the applications.

Nodding to what he had heard and after saying thank you Leonardo went to the inner yard of the guild. There in the inner yard a few adventurer's were training and two instructors were helping them, no mages could be seen in sight – they probably had their own quarters assigned to them Leo thought.

Inside the yard he quickly made his way to the melee instructor, that is supposed to test him. After telling the man what he came here for he was ordered into a small circle used for duels – the rules were simple they fight until one falls unconscious, surrenders or the instructor thinks that he has seen enough. For this test he was given three choices of weapons – sword, spear and mace. Both the sword and spear were blunted, the mace was made out of light wood and had a few metal circles placed around it to prevent it from breaking, it was a mock battle after all.

Leonardo chose sword, as he was the most familiar with it, instructor too seeing his choice took a sword, they positioned themselves inside the circle on the opposite sides of it.

The first to make the move was the instructor that Leo was up against, the man nearly dropped to the ground before kicking it with his feet launching himself quickly at a surprised Leo, but was a soldier trained to overcome confusion quickly, so he quickly pulled himself together and stepped to the side trying to let the instructor dash past him, but the man stabbed his sword in the ground and using his momentum kicked Leonardo straight in the chest, he was unable to block such an unexpected attack. Staggering back a few steps Leo tried to ignore the pain coming from his chest and again raised his sword, now in an offensive stance – the man in front of him was too experienced for him to defend against, all he could hope to do was to demonstrate his skills and get a rank as high as possible.

Leonardo feinted going for a horizontal low slash and executed an attack coming form below, while scratching dirt with the tip of his sword – trying to throw some dirt with it into the instructors eyes. Seeing that, otherwise this emotionless instructor smirked and side stepped Leo's attack, he then lightly slashed trough his back, so that Leo would feel it the next morning he woke up.

* Zero to one greenhorn, want to keep going? - Leo was getting mocked.

* Oh yes honorable instructor. - Trough clenched teeth Leo responded as his back was sending some signs of a beautiful morning that was awaiting him tomorrow.

Again Leonardo took a stance, but to everyone that was watching surprise he lowered his sword and simply began to walk towards the instructor, who tightened his defensive stance. Leo's sword shot forward like an arrow aiming straight for instructor's throat, as the man blocked it a low punch into the side of his ribs found its way. Now it was instructors time to take a step back, but Leo didnt let him and began to assault him with every attack he knew – forcing the man to defend.

Leo was doing very well suppressing this instructor, but unexpectedly the parasite within him moved making him flinch... that was all that the instructor needed. The last thing Leo saw before passing out was a swing coming towards his temple.

* Ahh, and this was getting interesting wasnt it.. - said the other instructor who was observing the fight.

* Yeah, the kid has some good training, but still needs to polish it... I would say D rank maybe?

* Nah, give him E, hes too good for those kid requests at F, but I think still needs some training to work in group for D and higher. Staying a month or two in E will do some good for him.

* Good thinking, E it is then. Want to go grab a drink in the evening? That new receptionist promised to bring her friend with her..

= Le some time later. =

Leonardo woke up with a headache and an wooden ceiling above him, the ceiling he didnt recognize, sitting up in the bed the memory of his mock battle returned. 'So I lost huh.. Damn parasite!' Angrily he shouted within himself.

* You should lie back a little more, you got hit pretty hard even if it was with a practice sword. - An unfamiliar rough voice addressed him.

Leonardo raised his head and looked at the one speaking – it was a gnome, the gears in his head quickly began to spin.

* Its okay. - saying that he took out a small flask with red liquid inside it and downed it. He felt better almost immediately.

* Ah, yes forgot you were an alchemist, by the way I accepted your application to join our small expedition. - said this gnome, while continuing to look tough papers on his desk. - The names Tarkh – leader of this expedition.

* A pleasure to meet you, im Leonardo, but you should know that already form my application.

* Yes, that potion of yours seems to be quite potent.. have another one? - Tarkh asked as he lifted his eyes from the papers.

Leo handed one more flask over to the gnome, that he took out from under his armor.

* Thanks, these piles of never ending papers were causing me a headache for day now. - Said Tarkh as he gulped down the liquid in the vial. - Oh, this really is good! I can feel my headache going away already.

* Uhu, these are my best ones so far.

* Good, we will need them where we are going to. The guild has already made you an adventurer's identification plate, they left it with me after I informed that I will accept you into the expedition. - Said Tarkh in one breath, while he leaned back in his chair. - I also asked them to move you here, so that we could talk as soon as you woke up if you are in any condition to talk.

* Ah and I was wondering why I was down here and not lying somewhere on the first floor.

* Hehe, yeah.. they thought about leaving you back there in the inner yard after checking on ya.

* Thank you.

* Dont mention it, now then since I have officially accepted you into our expedition – lets talk business. - Said Tarkh raking a sip from a small steaming cup. - What do you know about the former kingdoms of Shield lands?

* Nothing much.. they are mostly inhabited by humans, who were brainwashed with their stupid church's racist beliefs, so they look down on all other races than humans. Their land has rough terrain, mostly mountains on one side and plains on the other as they have cut down most of their forests on the flat lands over the last few centuries. Thats about it?

* Basic knowledge, well at least you know that much. The situation there currently is very unstable – with many groups of bandits formed out of former soldiers, some wild beasts are present there too. Recently reports came that an underground magic line has ruptured in the mountain region somewhere, some mana warped monsters have been sighted in the region.. unfortunately for us.

* Were going to the mountain regions?.. - Interrupted Leonardo a little surprised.

* Well yes we are, why? You will learn when we will arrive there. I need you in the expedition as out potion supplier and when youre not doing that as a guard, what do you say? - Said Tarkh with an emotionless face.

* Works for me, what about supplied I will need for my potions?

* Make a list of what you will need – potions for fevers, healing rashes.. poisoning and so on. I will get a few crates of ingredients you list for us, also here this is a small notebook about what s growing there – mark if you can use any of them, we will collect them on our way. - Tarkh handed him over a small book.

* Okay, I will read trough this and deliver you this list tomorrow early in the morning.

* Good, see you tomorrow then... Oh! Almost forgot. - Tarkh took out something from a drawer in his desk and handed it over to Leonardo. - This is a discount to buying slaves in my cousins shop – I suggest you get one or two if you can afford to help you out with your stuff when we leave.

* Thanks. - With that Leo left.

Exiting the room, he found himself on the second floor of the adventurer's guild, Tarkh probably rented a room here for convenience, or who knows what. The room below was just as busy as when Leonardo entered the building, he nodded to instructor who he fought against before, who now was relaxing talking to a girl. The man nodded back to him and with that Leonardo exited the guild.

It was well past midday, still having a lot of time Leo considered what Tarkh had told him before and getting himself a slave looked like a good idea, especially now – that he got a discount.

Half an hour of walking later he was in quite a shady district of the capital, not many guards could be seen here either and those who were here didnt even check people for illegal goods – pobably bribed thought Leonardo and he was right. The address on the discount note led him to a building near the city wall, a sign hung above the doors “Fursts Trading”. Entering this shady shop Leo looked around – inside was clean and well maintained, there were two beautiful beast kin woman behind bars at one side of the shop sleeping, in front of the doors, not too far from them behind a counter sat a gnome identical to Tarkh.

* Ah! A customer! Welcome, welcome! How may I help you today?

* I'm looking for a slave..

* Of course you are! Why else would you come here, ehehe.. need a woman, to keep your bed warm at night? A strong man to work at your farm or as a bodyguard? I have many “good's” to choose from.

* I see, I do not know what im looking for, so im hoping you will allow me to browse your “good's”? - Raising an eyebrow to this gnomes speech Leonardo spoke.

* Oh, yes of course! - Nodded Furst. - Tidor! Bring your lazy ass over here! We have a customer!

A skinny boy quickly ran into the room falling flat on his face as he tripped right in front of Leo.

* Waht do you need me to do master?

* Show my customer around, he wants to browse the “good's”. - Annoyed said Furst. - Dear customer, I advise you form touching any of the “good's” before buying, or I will have to charge you for the damage.

* I understand.

* Follow me please. - As politely as he could the kid said, but disgust evident in his eyes.

'Dont look at me like that kid.. we live in a harsh world.' Leonardo thought, but didnt voice it. Following the kid he went past the counter to look at what was up for sale, or better to say – who was up for sale.