Over the next three weeks, Liam continues to work at the Tavern, diligently balancing his duties as a courier during the day and assisting Rolf at night. During this time, he gets to know many of the regular patrons who frequent The Slumbering Drake.
There's Thorne the grizzled blacksmith, with an iron spirit. His skin has a metallic sheen, and his hair resembles thin strands of steel. With his burly build and rough hands, Thorne is easily able to shape metal, forge weapons, and mend armor, making him an invaluable craftsman in the city.
Then there’s Luna, the kind-hearted herbalist, has the gift of communicating with plants. Her hair is a vibrant shade of green, and her eyes resemble the colors of blooming flowers. Her slender figure and graceful movements make it seem as if she is one with the natural world. Through her connection with plants, she is able to understand their properties and needs, allowing her to craft powerful herbal remedies.
Caelum, the wandering bard, wields the power of sound manipulation. His appearance is reminiscent of a bird, with feathery blue hair and sharp, angular features. Caelum's melodious voice and masterful lute playing can not only entertain but also heal, soothe, or even harm others, depending on his intent.
Kaela, the skilled archer, possesses enhanced agility and reflexes. Liam isn’t sure what type of spirit she has but her physiology is clearly enhanced. Her lithe body and cat-like eyes hint at her feline nature, and her ability to move gracefully and swiftly. Kaela can jump incredible heights, scale walls, and expertly dodge incoming attacks, making her a formidable opponent in any combat situation.
In addition to the regulars, the Tavern also attracts many travelers who seek a warm meal and a bed for the night.
One evening at The Slumbering Drake, as Liam goes about his duties, he notices a new face among the patrons: a tall woman clad in worn leather armor, with an aura of confidence and battle-worn experience. Her short-cropped, silver hair is offset by her deep, golden eyes that seem to pierce right through you. Intrigued, Liam approaches her to take her drink order.
As she sips her ale, she introduces herself as Elyria, a seasoned adventurer from the local guild.
Elyria leans in closer, her eyes gleaming with excitement as she starts to recount a particular adventure that had left a profound impact on her. "There was this one time when our guild was hired to recover a stolen ring, taken by a group of bandits," she begins, taking a slow sip of her ale before continuing.
"The client provided us with some information about the bandits and their last known whereabouts. However, instead of charging in headfirst like many rookies do, our team decided to spend a few days scouting the area and gathering more information about our adversaries. Basic stuff, you know?” she says with a smile.
“It's easy to get overconfident and think that a strong arm and a sharp sword are all you need, but let me tell you, knowledge can be the most powerful weapon of all."
She tells Liam about how they discovered that the bandits were not just a ragtag group of thieves, but a well-organized and skilled force led by a cunning and ruthless leader. In addition, they found out that the bandits had set up numerous ambush points and lookout posts throughout their territory.
"Because we had taken the time to research and scout, we were able to devise a plan that played to our team's strengths. Our rogue sneaked past the lookout posts to cause chaos on their defences while our mage created a diversion by sending in earth golems to draw the bandits out of their hideout. The bandits made quick work of the golems, but it was a good distraction.”
She pauses to take another sip of her drink.
”The rest of us moved in to recover the stolen ring, the bandit leader was strong but without any backup we made quick work of him." Elyria explains, her voice filled with pride.
"Without the information we had gathered, we would have likely walked right into an ambush and suffered terrible losses. We might not have even completed our mission. That experience taught me the value of preparation, of learning everything you can about the challenges ahead. Remember, Liam, a well-informed adventurer is a successful adventurer."
As Elyria finishes her story, Liam nods in understanding, the importance of scouting and research etched into his mind. It's yet another lesson he's eager to carry with him on his own journey.
Elyria visits occasionally and often recounts tales of her harrowing quests, battles with monstrous creatures, and the deep bonds she has formed with her fellow adventurers. Liam listens intently, his eyes wide with awe, as Elyria's stories feed his desire for adventure and self-improvement.
As the days passed, Liam eagerly anticipated the day he could finally join the adventure guild. He'd been working diligently at the Tavern, training his body as Rolf suggested, and absorbing all the stories and wisdom he could from the adventurers who passed through. He knew that this was the path he wanted to follow to become stronger and protect others.
The day after the new moon, Liam woke up earlier than usual, his heart pounding with anticipation.
With a thought he projects his status into the air above. His body stat has climbed up to 8 and the progress is clear on his body. Meditation and cycling his light energy has also helped improve his spiritual stamina with Energy now showing as 40 maximum.
Liam could now slightly enhance his movement for hours without feeling tired, although maintaining mirror cloak still drained him quickly. Especially when he tests it in daylight or when moving.
As he walks toward the Vanguard Coalition Liam fondly remembers his race with Ander a few days ago.
Liam had been watching Ander with a growing sense of competition. He admired the other courier's speed and agility, but he also couldn't help but feel a burning desire to prove that he was just as fast, if not faster. With his newfound light powers, Liam thought he might have a chance to match Ander's spiritual air abilities.
One day, as they were both finishing their assignments, Liam approached Ander and suggested a race to settle their friendly rivalry once and for all. Ander, never one to back down from a challenge, accepted with a confident grin.
As they prepared for the race, they agreed on a set route that would take them through the city and back to their starting point. Both couriers were eager to showcase their enhanced speed and skills, and the air was thick with anticipation.
At the starting line, Liam and Ander faced each other, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. With a nod from a fellow courier, they took off like lightning, their feet barely touching the ground as they darted through the city streets.
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Ander immediately tapped into his spiritual air ability, the air around him shimmering and swirling as he propelled himself forward. He seemed to glide effortlessly over the cobblestones, his speed almost otherworldly.
But Liam was not to be outdone. As he ran, he called upon his light powers, drawing in the energy from the sun above. His muscles infused with energy working overtime and propelling him onward with incredible speed.
The two couriers raced through the city, their enhanced abilities creating a blur of motion as they passed startled pedestrians and narrowly avoided obstacles. They seemed to be evenly matched, neither one gaining a significant lead over the other.
As they neared the finish line, both Liam and Ander drew on their powers for one final burst of speed. Ander's air abilities created a powerful gust that pushed him forward, while Liam's light powers seemed to give him the weightlessness of a feather. The two raced neck and neck, their faces etched with determination and grit.
In the final moments of the race, Liam managed to harness his powers just a little more, propelling him ahead of Ander by mere inches. He crossed the finish line first, his heart pounding and his breath ragged from the exertion.
Ander slowed to a stop, his eyes wide with surprise and admiration. He extended his hand to Liam, acknowledging his victory and the incredible display of power they had both exhibited.
Liam stood at the grand entrance of the guild hall, taking a deep breath as he prepared himself to step inside. The imposing structure loomed over him, its ornate stonework and richly carved wooden doors giving the building an air of majesty and history. It was a place where countless heroes and adventurers had begun their journeys, and Liam could feel the weight of that legacy pressing down on him as he reached for the door handle.
With a push, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the bustling interior of the guild hall. Liam hesitated for a moment, feeling a mixture of excitement and trepidation as he took in the scene before him. The vast space was filled with people from all walks of life and all corners of the world, each one of them unique in their appearance and abilities. He saw powerful warriors clad in gleaming armor, mages wielding arcane energies, and rogues with sharp wits and quicker blades. The sheer variety of individuals was almost overwhelming, and Liam felt both awed and humbled in their presence.
As he stepped further into the guild hall, the sounds of laughter and camaraderie filled his ears. It was a warm, welcoming atmosphere, despite the intimidating nature of some of the members. Here, people shared tales of their adventures, exchanged tips and tricks, and formed bonds that would last a lifetime.
Liam hesitated for a moment, taking it all in. He knew that he was far from the most powerful or skilled person in the room, but the thought of becoming a part of this community and learning from these experienced adventurers filled him with determination. He knew that this was where he belonged, and that this was where he would find the path to becoming the strong and capable protector he longed to be.
With a deep breath, Liam strode further into the guild hall, eager to make his presence known and begin his journey with the city adventure guild. As he approached the registration desk, he felt a surge of pride and anticipation coursing through him, knowing that his life was about to change forever.
As Liam approached the registration desk, he was greeted by a friendly, middle-aged woman with warm, welcoming eyes. She introduced herself as Jara, the guild registrar, and asked how she could be of assistance. Liam expressed his interest in joining the guild, and Jara nodded with a smile, understanding the excitement and curiosity that radiated from him.
Before she guided him through the registration process, Jara explained the guild's ranking system to Liam, wanting him to be familiar with the structure of the organization.
"You see, dear," she began, "the city adventure guild employs a tiered ranking system that classifies our members based on their experience, skills, and accomplishments. This system helps us assign missions and tasks that are appropriate to our members' abilities and ensures that everyone is given a fair chance to prove themselves and grow stronger."
She gestured to a large board on the wall that displayed the different ranks in ascending order.
"Starting from the bottom, we have Copper rank. This is the entry-level rank for all new members. As you gain experience and prove your capabilities, you can advance to Bronze rank, followed by Iron, Steel, and finally, Gold. Gold rank represents the pinnacle of achievement in our guild and is reserved for the most skilled, experienced, and accomplished adventurers."
Jara continued to explain that a member's rank also affected the rewards they would receive from completing missions, as well as their overall standing within the guild.
"As you progress through the ranks, not only will the tasks you undertake become more challenging, but the rewards will also become greater. Additionally, your rank can also grant you certain privileges and responsibilities within the guild, depending on your role and accomplishments."
Liam listened attentively, absorbing every detail of the ranking system. He felt a spark of determination light up inside him, fueled by the prospect of rising through the ranks and becoming a Gold-ranked adventurer.
With a nod, Liam thanked Jara for the information and expressed his eagerness to begin the registration process. As Jara guided him through the necessary paperwork and formalities.
The entrance exam for The Vanguard Coalition was scheduled to take place in the guild's training grounds, a sprawling area filled with various obstacles and training equipment. The grounds were designed to test both the physical and magical prowess of aspiring adventurers. The air was tense with anticipation as a diverse group of applicants gathered, each hoping to earn their place within the guild.
The exam was to be led by a fearsome instructor named Torvald, known for his tough demeanor and unwavering commitment to forging capable and reliable adventurers. Torvald was a towering figure, his muscular build and battle-scarred skin evidence of his years of experience in the field. He had long, graying hair tied back in a messy bun and piercing, steel-blue eyes that seemed to cut through anyone they met.
As the applicants murmured among themselves, Torvald stepped forward and raised his hand for silence. The crowd hushed immediately, a testament to the respect and fear the instructor commanded.
"Welcome, aspiring adventurers," Torvald's deep voice boomed across the training grounds. "Today, you will undergo the entrance exam, designed to test your physical strength, magical abilities, problem-solving skills, and teamwork. Do not take this exam lightly, as it is the first step towards your future as members of the city adventure guild."
He paused, his eyes scanning the nervous faces before him. "You will face a series of challenges, each specifically crafted to push you to your limits. The first task will test your physical prowess, as you navigate a rigorous obstacle course. Finally, you will be grouped with other applicants to face a simulated combat scenario, where your ability to work as a team will be put to the test."
Torvald's intense gaze held each applicant's attention as he continued, "It is not enough to merely pass each challenge. You must demonstrate potential, determination, and a willingness to learn. We seek adventurers who can grow, adapt, and thrive in the face of adversity. Your performance today will determine your eligibility to join our ranks."
Torvald's piercing gaze swept across the applicants once more as he addressed them with a stern tone. "I must warn you all that the exam you are about to undertake is intentionally difficult. The purpose of this exam is not to weed out the weak, but to ensure that each and every one of you fully understands the risks and responsibilities that come with being an adventurer."
He paused for a moment to let his words sink in. "Far too many young, enthusiastic individuals join our ranks, eager to take on missions and reap the rewards without fully comprehending the dangers they will face. Being an adventurer is not a game or a simple means to an end. It is a dangerous and demanding profession that requires commitment, perseverance, and, most importantly, respect for the challenges you will face."
The applicants listened intently, some visibly swallowing their nervousness as Torvald continued. "Today's exam will test your mettle and determination, but it will also give you a taste of the trials that lie ahead. It is my hope that, by the end of this day, you will have gained a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be an adventurer. Some of you may decide that this path is not for you, and that is a respectable choice. It is far better to realize this now than to risk your life and the lives of others by underestimating the challenges you will face in the field."
As the seriousness of his message weighed heavily on the gathered applicants, Torvald gave a nod, signifying the end of his speech. "Now, prepare yourselves, and good luck."
With that, Torvald signalled for the exam to begin. As the applicants prepared to face their first challenge, Liam took a deep breath and steeled himself, ready to prove that he had what it took to become a member of the city adventure guild.