I have requested books about currency, economy, ecology, and a map of the world. The speech and vocabulary lessons are not over, but it should only a few more days. After those books, maybe I should read about the philosophy of this world’s people…if there are any books about it.

Just like yesterday, Zell is out of the room and Faeran is awake, rolling around my bed. We went to where Eraisa stays in the morning, and of course she was there swinging a wooden sword.

She was swinging her sword in a different manner compared to what she usually does. Her sword was gently moving around in continues circular patterns, which made all her swings look like one smooth motion. She noticed me and waved her hand before she continued swinging the sword.

Her movements got more complicated, yet still had both elegance and balance. I could see all of her movements, yet I feel like she is moving faster than her own speed. The intervals to her movements are the same as mine, yet the speed she is showing is completely faster. She had a bulky build and she looked more like a warrior instead of a lady, yet in my eyes all I could see was a beautiful maiden dancing with a blade in her hands.

When she finished, all I could do was show respect to her beautiful display of power. She walked to me, so I initiated the conversation.

“That’s amazing”(Sania)

She looked surprised from hearing my words, but regained composure and replied with a smile on her face.

“So you could speak ***?”(Eraisa)

Eh? I didn’t know the last word, but I have a gist of what she is saying.

“Yes, but just simple words.”(Sania)

“Good, I wanted to ask you something.”(Eraisa)

“…What is it?”(Sania)

“**** like what I asked you yesterday, do you want to learn my sword style?”(Eraisa)

So that’s what she asked me yesterday. I don’t see a reason to decline. In fact, learning from her will help me a lot.

“If it’s ok with you, then my answer is yes.”(Sania)

She said I could start a bit farther from her current students, since I more or less have experience in fighting. Well, I’ll only get lessons from her every other day, since she has to train the people aspiring to be a sword master. In other words, my first lesson should be the day after tomorrow. By that time, I hope my vocabulary is enough to encounter less unfamiliar words.

When got back to the room, Zell was already there.

___

The first book I read was about currency and the basic economy of Seltia Kingdom.

The currency used is called Roan, which is based on the largest sea on Avia Renta. Roan is a globally used currency, which means that it can be used in any part of the world.

Different minerals are used to create coins, and each of them has a corresponding Roan value. Black coins are equivalent to 1 Roan, brown coins are equivalent to 10 Roans, gray coins are equivalent to 100 roans, yellow coins are equivalent to 1000 Roans, light blue coins are equivalent to 10000 Roans, and transparent purple coins are equivalent to 100000 Roans.

The bronze coins I got were probably the brown coins stated in the book. So, I’m basically poor right now.

Seltia kingdom’s main source of income is craftsmanship. The kingdom is rich with rare minerals and is considered the source of the best quality weapons in the continent. People of Seltia kingdom trained to be blacksmiths one after another, which lead to the decline in military power. Since the continent was at a peaceful state and the kingdom still had sufficient military strength, they supported the people aspiring to be blacksmiths.

At some point, the mercenary system reached Rivania continent and Seltia kingdom welcomed the concept with open arms. The mercenary system filled the gap that the military left vacant, to a certain extent. With the mercenary systems, odd jobs which would require a lot of man power were solved, which increased the production of the Seltia kingdom. The other parts were basic concept and theories of how money flows, which I already knew.

The second book was ecology of this world, which closely resembled the ecology of earth. Monsters were divided to those that eat plants or those that predate other monsters. There are also times when a slightly different monster is born and would grow stronger than the others. They are called Praetors by the people, or raid bosses based on the interface.

Praetors are known to lead a group and it was even possible for a praetor to lead an entirely different race. Praetors have unique personalities, but it is a fact that most of the praetors exhibit greater intelligence compared to their race. There are a lot of different praetor, but are classified into 3 types.

The first and the most common are the wandering types, which don’t stay in one place and are usually moving around with a few of its kind, like the Kinsmal Ape. The second are the dormant types, which are highly territorial but stay on one place, like the Alpheous Ursus. The last and the rarest of all are the leader types, which usually governs a small village of monsters.

A monster type is given a rank based on its threat level, and the highest known is at calamity class. There are 4 ranks based on how much damage a monster could do. In descending order, the ranks are: Calamity, Tyrant, Chieftain, and Spawn.

Looks like deity class monsters are not a part of the list. Anyways, calamity class monsters are those that can pose a threat to a group of kingdoms, an empire or even a continent. Tyrant class monsters are those than can destroy a kingdom or at least a group of cities. Chieftain class monsters are those that can destroy a city, village or at least a group of people. The last is the Spawn class, which is the weakest of all the classes.

I still don’t know the prices of things around me, I still don’t know much about the world except for the basic concepts, and I still haven’t perfected my language…but, I could probably move around with the current knowledge I have. Maybe, I’ll go out with Zell when he buys books tomorrow.

Well, for now let’s look at the world map, which was made by someone called the wanderer and was updated by the people of this era. Little is known about the wanderer except for the fact that he introduced the world map a long time ago, even before the empress tried to conquer the world.

 http%3a%2f%2fs27.postimg.org%2fdieqz8kgz%2f2nd_phase.jpg [http://s27.postimg.org/dieqz8kgz/2nd_phase.jpg]

I have a lot of questions regarding the creation of the map, but since I don’t know much about the world, I’ll stay quiet. Just like usual, the rest of the day was used in speech lessons.

___

The next days were spent with Zell and Faeran while learning about different things. I finally started my training with mrs. Dorall, and I have slowly improved my swordsmanship. It took 3 weeks after my training started, but I’m finally fluent with the language, which was called the Roan language. For friends…Well, I have gotten acquainted with mrs. Dorall’s current students and a few more citizens of the city.

Zell also started training under mrs. Dorall, after a few days of persuasion. Well, he wasn’t doing anything after our lessons ended, so instead of wasting time, he should train…or at least, until he finds something he wants to do. He would also guide me around from time to time, but we have never entered the mercenary guild…not like I’m rushing things, so I guess It’s ok?

The first thing I learned was how to reduce my wasted movements and how to anticipate the enemy’s next attack. She told me how a flow attacks should be and different attack patterns I could use based on the situation. There was also the part where I sync my magic attacks with my fighting style. I will spar with mrs. Dorall from time to time and she will always force me to move my lightning swords around while fighting. She even attacks me without warning, saying that it’s to sharpen my senses…even if we’re not training; she will find a way to attack me. Well, her daughter kept apologizing to me because of it.

The old hag has a lot of different fighting styles or forms. Sometimes it’s power oriented, sometimes it’s speed, sometimes it magic,…and other more styles. Seriously, how much is she hiding? It’s like she has mastered more than 10 fighting styles.

Anyways, I also self studied about prices at the market. I compared prices of different stores, asked how to check for the quality of the product and even tried to haggle just to check if I can get items for a lower price...just in case I run out of money. I also cook once or twice a week, since I’m no longer tied with my studies. When the old hag heard about it, she got curious and tried my food.

Since then, the old hag would ask me to cook breakfast or she would kick me out of the inn. She would also ask for a few things, like a back massage or helping her daughter with groceries. Well, since she is helping me get stronger, I won’t complain and even though she is irritating at times, I can’t seem to hate her. At a certain time, when I felt like I know the price for my clothes, I tried selling one and got 2 mithril coin, 7 gold coins and 5 silver coins(27500 roans).

Since I was going outside a lot, my name started to spread. My strength, ability to haggle and race made most of the people I see, look at me with respect. Some noble of the city tried to invite me to his houses, but when the old hag heard about it, she picked up her sword and marched to the noble’s house with Zell and an army of burly men. Starting then, none dared to act funny around me.

Magical technology has not developed to a level comparable to the earth’s technology, it’s still interesting though. When a city is under siege, the leader of the city can activate a magic shield and magic cannons to protect the city. When it’s night, the leader can activate the floating orbs to create light. There are a lot of possibilities with the magical technology, and I’m excited to see how it will evolve in the future.

Anyways, I have slowly adapted to a city life, you could even say that I feel at home here. I have Faeran, Zell, an annoying old hag, and friends that are fun to be with.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

___

I woke up, and the other 2 were sleeping. Since it was still early, I decided to check my stats; to see a certain information.

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NameSania Pendragon Age1GenderFemale Level52Charisma??? HP2174/2174MP674/674 Strength196(+98)Defense234(+12)(+35) Dexterity367(+37)Agility327(+33) Magic power187(+47)Magic Defence144(+7)(+15) Required exp for the next level59675

Ok, so today is my first birthday…and I’m the only one who knows about it. Well, people of this world celebrate only their 10th and 100th birthday. So, it’s fine if none celebrates my 1st birthday.

I stood up and went to the back of the inn, only to be welcomed by another surprise attack. I stepped to the side and kicked the old hag’s wooden sword away. She expected me to do that and had another spare of wooden sword on her waist. She swung the 2nd wooden sword at full strength, but I pushed her arms upwards and pointed my arms on her neck.

“Good”(Eraisa)

It’s her student’s time to train, so I’m only here to watch. Besides, my training is already finished. She didn’t tell me all of her techniques, but she left me in a level where I could find my own fighting style. I actually want to stay here, but I need to reach level 300 before I could relax. The fact that there is a possibility of the empress showing up makes me feel uneasy.

I already told mrs. Dorall about the phantom fortress and she already sent a letter to everyone that could help. Since the current king has a lot of trust in her, he believed the story and is now mobilizing the kingdom’s army. It’s not sure when the empress will come, but it’s better to be ready.

Anyways, I’m just enjoying my last days on this city. My next destination is south of Seltia kingdom, the Aragoth Ruin. She said that chieftain class monsters live there. It’s also said that a few tyrant monsters were seen around the ruins. The Aragoth Ruin is empty, and only monsters are located there, so none goes to that place…except for us I guess. Zell said he would come with me and Faeran’s answer was obvious, so there will be a total of 3 people going there.

We have planned on checking the mercenary guild today. Since we are leaving anyways, might as well check everything in the city.

After the men’s training, mrs. Dorall and I cooked breakfast. By the time food was ready, Zell and Faeran were awake. Faeran was walking beside Zell and at the moment he saw me, he jumped to my shoulder.

“Good timing, food is ready.”(Sania)

___

After eating, we went to the mercenary guild. We have been walking in front of the guild for 3 months, yet this is the first time we will actually go inside.

When we entered, some of the people were familiar. They were people that would greet me from time to time. There were a total of 4 bulletin boards and tons of people looking at it. We waved at a few who greeted us and made our way to the counter.

“Is there anything that you need lady Pendragon?”(Man at the counter)

It’s no longer a shock to hear someone know about me, I mean, even those nobles at the inner most part of the city knows.

“…no need for formalities, I’m not even a noble. Anyways, we’re here to form a mercenary group.”(Sania)

“Ok, since you are still not a mercenary, we will also give you your plate. Although you have to start from the lowest rank, since it’s a rule to start from scratch no matter how strong or influential you are.”(Man at the counter)

I already heard the ranking system from Zell. In descending order, the ranks are as follows: Diamond, Mithril, Gold, Silver, and Bronze

Ortu Stella’s leader is at diamond rank while the other members are at mithril. The old hag’s rank is quite obvious, it’s diamond.

“That’s fine, but can we get high level missions even if my rank is low?”(Sania)

“Mercenaries are only allowed to pick a mission that is 1 rank higher than them.”(Man at the counter)

“Ok, just create the group for us.”(Sania)

After that, a man on the side guided us to the upper floor. We were given quite a spacious room; they better not charge us for this.

“Do you have a group name in mind?”(Zell)

I have nothing in mind…

“Not really, what about you?”(Sania)

“Then how about Ortu Solis?”(Zell)

What does Ortu Solis mean anyways?

“Sounds like we are just copying Ortu stella...”(Sania)

“Well, if we can’t think of anything then we should go with that.”(Zell)

We tried thinking of another name, and we did think of other good names, but in the end, we picked Ortu Solis, based on Faeran's suggestion .

___

SOMEWHERE IN AVIA RENTA

In the middle of a nowhere, there is a man singing. Blood and remains of monsters were scattered around him, yet his body was completely clean.

When the shadow of the past redeems itself

Total darkness will fall upon the world

4 lights will gather and 3 forsaken lights will follow

But the world cannot be saved

When all hope is lost, a goddess will appear

Followed by 7 beasts

The world will be free, at the price of…

“Ah, I forgot the next part.”(?)

A monster appeared in front of him and tried to attack him, but the monster’s attack passed through the man. With a smile on his face, he ripped the monster’s body without moving an inch from his location.

“Now where was I? Ah, I forgot…”(?)

He started walking and monsters appeared one after another. The monsters floated in the air, and got crushed by an invisible force. The man grabbed something from thin air, and held it near his body. Monster’s blood started to fall from the sky, but none of it reached the man.

As blood rained from the sky, the invisible force was dyed in the color of red. By the time the rain stopped, a man holding a red umbrella could be seen leaving the place from a far.

“Ok then, time to find a good place to sleep.”(?)

___

SANIA’S POV

It’s finally the day that we start our journey to Aragoth Ruin.  We have said our farewells to the people we got acquainted with, and we don’t have anything more to do in this city.

The old hag and her daughter walked with us to the city gates.

“Don’t forget to bring back souvenirs ok?”(Eraisa)

“Mom…”(Daughter)

“It’s ok Sheela, I’ll bring souvenirs for both of you.”(Sania)

Eraisa patted Faeran’s head and said something.

“Protect your master ok?”(Eraisa)

“Nuu”(Faeran)

“Big mom, thank you for the past 3 months.”(Zell)

“You still call me that? Anyways, you remember what I told you right?”(Eraisa)

“Yes”(Zell)

After a moment of silence, Sheela initiated the conversation.

“Sister, everyone, please stay safe.”(Sheela)

“We will.”(Sania)

“Good, then have a safe trip and enjoy your travel.”(Eraisa)

The three of us nodded and started walking to our new destination. We looked back one last time and waved our hands.

The next time I come back, I’ll be strong enough to handle anything that fate throws at me.

_________

Author's Note:

Spoiler :

This chapter is fast paced and it probably felt like reading a different story. The real story starts now, and I hope the plot is good enough.