Chapter 18 - The Adventuring ( Part 1)

After I was done with Sunday’s work, I logged in to ArCiel. Last few days were uneventful, filled with work and book reading. Normally, if the subject is interesting, I can read continuously for several hours straight, and I was very interested in magic...but...

I looked at books sprawled on the floor and could not find any inclination to read them. It somehow disappeared right after I logged in…

I moved around in dance like steps, trying to decide what to do now. I found it strange that idle twirling around could keep me occupied, while books couldn’t.

I couldn’t stifle feeling of wonder when I moved, especially when I was able to perform acrobatic motions, which I could not do properly in real life. I made a cartwheel and succeeded despite heavy costume I was wearing.

I looked at the books again and forced myself to pick up one. It turned out to be one that I read already. It was outlining Channeling techniques and got me really interested in that Casting System.

I could not shake restlessness, which kept gnawing at me. I kept feeling my newfound mana and could not even use it.

-’ Argh! ‘, I despaired, while looking around the wooden room. My reason barely kept in check my desire to try the magic here. I could not stand my anguish and gave up.

-” Damn it, I will just go try it somewhere else “, I exclaimed and moved to the door. Last slivers of reason made me back away and put on both scarf and a hat.

I walked outside my room and found myself at the end of the long corridor. Without hesitation I moved forward, heading for the stairs.

As I neared the stairs, I saw that there was someone sitting at the table near them.  I paid no heed to a boy that was reading the book, but as I passed him he suddenly stopped me.

-” Ey? Wait! Where are you going? “, he asked in slightly panicked voice. I looked at him and noticed that he seemed to be around twelve year old, had chubby face and big brown eyes. His clothes were plain, but neat.

-” Outside “, I answered simply, disregarding him on the spot. His face reddened in panic.

-” Wait, you can’t! “, he said quickly and insistently.

-” Why? Is something the matter? “, I stared at him blankly, wondering why he is so stirred up.

-” Yes! Your clothes, you can’t go in them “, he exclaimed and I had to agree with him. My costume was not the best thing for touring the city. Also, I was curious what exactly is he doing here.

-” And why does it matter to you? “, I asked and realized that he was probably posted here by the maids.

-” I am supposed to watch over this floor… “, he said quickly, but I interjected him:

-” Then can you get me some plain clothes? Something with a hat... “, he blinked at that, but was quick on the uptake.

-” Yes. Please wait in your room, I will bring you something soon “, he said quickly and bolted to the stairs. Before he went down, he gave me one last anxious look, making sure that I am not going down. I giggled at his openness and hardworking attitude.

I returned to my room and started undoing various claps and knots of my costume. I had no time to even start properly when I heard knock at the door. I let the boy in and checked what did he bring me - soft leather laced up boots, brown tunic and breeches, mesh green woolen cape and pointy wide brimmed felt hat.

I liked the clothes that he brought.

-” Nice clothes, well done… what was your name again? “, I praised him and asked for his name. As I looked at him he seemed flustered and anxious for some reason…

-’ Ahh, that’s right. My murderers mark ‘, I forgot that my Mark would shine without my scarf and hat.

-” Don’t worry, I am Almisha. I won’t hurt you, I promise “, I said sympathetically and smiled.

-” Ah...um...nicetomeetyou! I’m Nolbert! “, he unleashed almost incomprehensible barrage of words and bowed nervously. I looked at him, trying to figure out reason behind his strange behaviour.

I tilted my head and gave up. I did not want to waste time.

-” Samewise. Now Nolbert could you help me with getting out of this thing? “, I said and inclined my costume.

He looked at me and seemed ready to bolt, like a scared rabbit. I reacted on instinct, before he had chance to escape I positioned myself between him and the door. He made a step back. I could not understand why he was backing away from me, while breathing heavily.

-” Umm...I...need to go…really... “, he said looking at me with big eyes of cornered animal.

-” Not yet... “, I said slowly and he looked me over strangely, then swallowed hard.

-” Not before you help me with that. There’s no way I can get to those damn knots on my back “, I said in annoyance and pointed on my back.

I was puzzled by his relieved expression at my words.

-” Y...Yes, I can do that “, he said while nodding his head, he seemed like he tried to convince himself of something.

After Nolbert undid the clasps on my back, I sent him away. I was struggling for at least forty minutes to get out of my costume. I really missed Maids help.

Eventually I gotten into my new clothes. They were a bit too large and didn’t fit me too well, but it wasn’t bad enough to complain… and they felt so light in comparison to my costume. It was surreal.

I felt sudden surge of elation and could not stop myself from trying to do a flip. To my surprise I succeeded before losing balance and falling on my butt.

I laughed at sudden rush of adrenaline.

I jumped to my feet and grabbed mesh green hat from the floor. Before leaving I took scarf from my costume and wrapped it around my face. I did not give a damn about red and green combo.

As I passed Nolbert while rushing to the stairs I said chirpily:

-” Thanks for help, I will be back...sometime later “, then I laughed and ran downstairs.

On the ground floor, I slowed down and decided to leave through coach house. Plain clothes I had did not fit with expensive stuff worn by the customers of the tea house.

I went on the street and joined the flow of people.  I walked with spring in my step, though I was unsure where I was heading to yet. Vibrant atmosphere of the city and my curiosity melded in unstoppable feeling of freedom. Freedom which I did not know that I was missing so severely.

I remembered that almost a month had passed since release of ArCiel. I was curious how adventurers were faring now, as I saw only occasional newbie running errands, nothing close to the beginning when you could find them at every step.

Without hesitation, I approached guardsman.

-” Excuse me, could you tell me where all the Adventurers had gone? I was away for a bit and now I see precious few of them “, I said openly and received stern glance for my effort.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I felt sudden surge of excitement at the thought that he might notice that I am covering my identity.

-” Most of them took up normal work, mainly as mercenaries or crafters. I believe many of them don’t even admit that they are Adventurers anymore. If you want to find some try Mercenary guild or something… “, guardsman said finally, suspiciousness draining from him.

-” Thank you, Sir. Keep up good work “, I said chirpily and walked away.

-’ Hmm, I wonder what kind of work those mercenary tasks are about ‘, I wondered, distinctly itching for some kind of change.

I was at a loss whether I should find a calm place to practice or visit the guild…

My need for decision disappeared when I turned at the corner. Ahead of me I saw wooden sign depicting sword and wand crossed on the purse of coins.

I smirked at that and soon found myself inside big building. First two floors were made of stone, while top two floors were wooden. Inside, on the ground floor, I found packed earth floor, several heavy tables, multitude of benches and sizable counter. Along the walls were rows of notice boards, covered with scraps of parchment. Between all the equipment veritable crowd of vastly different people gathered.

I did not want to stand in the entrance like some bumpkin and walked inside. I quickly scanned the boards, looking for signs of some kind of ranking system, but i found none. I shrugged and investigated closest notice board.

I blinked.

-’ Hmm, interesting ‘, I thought as I categorized what was in front of my eyes. Mainly I could see simple job requests - like weeding! Actually, that was a job offer for gardener at some mansion. Anyway, apart from typical job offers you could find at any Job Center in RL, I noticed some requests that fit more into game category.

I categorized them in three general categories - bounty letters, like for wanted criminals, rare plants or animal parts; assistance requests, for miscellaneous kind of one time works, bodyguard services or investigation of something for example; and subjugation requests, when there was one ruffian too much in the woods.

I sighed wistfully. I wanted to do something simple for a change…

I stared blankly at the notice board wondering where I should go to train my magic.

-’ I need something bare - like plain earth or stone ‘.

-’ Hm, docks would probably suffice, but they are too ostensible ‘.

-’ I bet Mages Guild has some training space, but I could get exposed… ‘.

-” Excuse me, are you taking that request? “, sudden voice brought my attention back.

-” What? “, I responded in surprise, while turning to the speaker.

-” I was asking whether you are going to take that investigation request that you are staring so intently at “, he said calmly and confidently.

I looked at him and blinked in surprise. I recognized dark reddish mane of unruly hair which hanged just past the ears and intense blue eyes in which I gazed so intently last time we met, when I killed him.

It was the boy from Training Center, though he didn’t look like a newbie anymore. I was shocked by his change, he seemed marginally more muscular, but what surprised me was his presence. No longer one of the hapless boy and more of the, well, young man…

I shook my head.

-” Please, go ahead and take it if you want “, I responded softly, I hoped that he won’t remember my voice.

He smiled and I relaxed in relief.

-’ Great, he didn’t notice ‘.

-” Thank you! If you are looking for people you can come with us. We could use one more person “, he said and gave me another big smile.

-’ Ok, now he looks like a noob again… ‘, I thought while looking at his innocently grinning face.

I was struggling with the decision. My reason screamed to just walk away, but it had tough time facing against wicked idea of joining newbie’s invitation. What tipped the scales was my need to finally get some adventure going.

I nodded.

-” I will gladly accept your invitation “, I responded happily.

Suddenly his expression turned to that of the pure horror.

-’ Oh, damn he might have picked on my voice ‘.

-” Is something the matter? “, I said in wispy voice, trying to conceal my blunder.

He shook his head and smiled at me weakly.

-” Ah, sorry. Some bad memory is all. Please do not worry… but you are not an assassin by any chance? “, he said and suddenly inquired intently.

I blinked and responded instantly.

-” I am not a mage, but I practice magic if you need to know… “, I said, this time remembering to use soft voice.

-’ Well, it’s not a lie anyway ‘, I smirked to myself.

-” Ah, sorry for asking “, he apologized.

-” Some kind of problem with an assassin? “, I inquired innocently.

-” Yes, though please do not mind it. Anyway, we need to go, we can’t keep others waiting. Please wait outside while I complete the formalities “, he said in apologetic tone.

I nodded in understanding. I watched as he picked the request and headed for the counter. I shrugged and went to wait outside.

Soon I was joined by him. Again, he ruined his capable outlook by blundering his first sentence.

-” I am sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am called Forest, nice to meet you “, he said and bowed.

I gave him a nod in return.

-” Don’t worry about it. I am called A...udentia, nice to meet you too “, I said softly and stuttered on my name.

He straightened up and smiled at my hesitation knowingly.

-’ Heh, if he only knew what the hesitation was truly about ‘, I smiled under my scarf.

-” Anyway, let us meet the rest of the group “, he said warmly and started leading the way. In the meantime he explained about his party.

-” There’s four of us. Lysanthir, he’s an elf and he’s really good with the spear. Hamon, he claims to be a bard, though he is using great axe... Well, he can sing so I guess it’s ok. Also, there’s Wolga, she’s...special. Just don’t say that she’s barbarian or you will get hi… “, he was interrupted by sudden blow to the abdomen.

I watched as he fell to the ground.

-” Who are you calling the barbarian? Whelp! “, muscular woman said aggressively, while towering over Forest and me…

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Hey~, Author’s here~

Forest is back :)

[ Kill him again! ]

[ -” … “ ]

[ *smack* Ouch ]

Khem, anyway I hope you will like The Adventuring chapter.

Comments are appreciated as always.

Cheers,

Mea

NEXT CHAPTER: Chapter 18.5 - The Adventuring ( Part 2 )

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