It seemed that I would be able to gain Heart Points from showing films I didn't create as well. Although the 90% deduction was harsh, it was fair. The legendary Akira Kurosawa was truly master though— the five people who didn't even know the concept of films a few hours ago already loved the film so much that they produced heart points. They must have been truly inspired by the badassery of the Ronin from Yojimbo.
It was getting late though. With a tired body and mind, I drove the van to a nondescript corner of the square and parked it. Tomorrow was going to be the real start of my life in this world.
**
I woke up the next morning in a daze. It was a dreamless night but it felt like I've slept for a whole day. And that feeling was not far from the actual truth—it's already high noon. My body smelled like I haven't showered in five days, and that was also true since I didn't get to clean my body in the forest. I got out of the van and a chill air crept up to me. I was still wearing shorts and an aloha shirt so my clothing didn't protect me from the cooler temperature.
"Ah, Magus Marlon said he wanted to meet me in the Magus Association building or something" I recalled the soldier who accompanied me to the town square yesterday told me this.
I turned on the van. I checked to see that the car's power was still at 35%. I'll have to charge it under the sun soon. With that in mind, I set out from the city square to look for the Magus Association.
It wasn't difficult at all to find the location as nearly everyone in the city knew where it was. After asking around, I found the Magus Association building after around 30 minutes of driving. Although, I don't know if it's even accurate to call it a building. It was more of a tiny two-stories office with a sign that said "Magus Association" at the front of the building.
"Ah, I can read?" I seemed to have a bad habit of realizing things too late. I was also able to read the subtitles in the local language when I aired Yojimbo last night. But that's also odd, so most people here can read? The soldiers from last night and Leo could also read the subtitles. And since I have seen that most buildings and streets in this town have a written name, does that mean the people of this nation are literate? That's quite impressive and if so, I can't really compare this country to the classical medieval times of Earth I'm always picturing inside my head.
With those swirling thoughts inside my head, I got out of the van and locked the doors. I have also set the van to go to solar charging mode for a while since the sun is out. I started to walk inside the Magus Association building. What I found inside was something incredible, the interior was at least twice as wide as what the exterior showed!
"What the hell?" I muttered out loud. The sight of a spacious building inside of a tiny two-stories office is just too surprising. A middle-aged man sitting at the front desk who seemed to be the receptionist noticed my arrival.
"Young man, why do you look so surprised? Is this your first time inside a Magusian Building?" The middle-aged man asked me. I just nodded my head as a reply.
"This building has been enchanted by a Magus. Most Magusian buildings have also been enchanted. Apart from some features I can't tell you about, the interior of the building has been expanded with magic pulse. That is why the building looks smaller on the outside but it will be bigger on the inside." The middle-aged man explained.
I nodded my head in understanding. That is truly impressive. It seemed magic is highly developed in this nation. "I'm here to meet Magus Marlon Neester. I have been told I was supposed to meet him here." I told the middle-aged man.
"Ah, you're the foreigner! That's why I found your skin and clothing to be exotic. I see. Magus Marlon is waiting for you upstairs. You'll find his name embedded in the front of the door to his private room." The middle-aged man pointed at the stairway near the front desk.
I said thanks and went upstairs. It was also important to note that I have not seen any other Magus or anyone at all other than the man in the front. The building was oddly quiet and empty. I arrived on the second floor and found the door with Marlon's name. I knocked on it a few times before I heard a reply.
"Brandon. The Foreigner. Come in." The voice of Magus Marlon called out to me. That was odd. I didn't even say it was me on the other side of the door. How could he have known? But I guess he's a wizard. Not of the David Blaine variety either, the real deal. Although David Blaine may as well be a wizard with the physical acts he usually performs.
I turned the knob and entered the room. It was less grandiose than what I have expected. There was a tall bookcase with old, weathered books lined up and Marlon was sitting behind a wooden desk. There was already a chair prepared in front of it.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"Come. Sit." Marlon motioned me to sit in that chair. I sat down and faced the man in front of me. His wrinkled face did not serve to make him look old and brittle but instead give him the aura of a hardened veteran.
"How was your first night in Brent? Did the people treat you well?" Marlon leaned back in his chair to wait for my response.
"I had a good night sleep. I met one of your apprentices last night. I think his name was Leo." I replied.
He started to stroke his imaginary beard which was a feature one would expect a wizard to possess. "Yes. Leo has already told me about you....and your interesting magic."
I see. Leo and he thought my equipment was magic. Perhaps it's better not to tell them the truth and let them think it was magic so I don't have to reveal the underlying technological marvel behind it. But I also didn't want to outright admit that it was magic either.
"Ah, Leo told me I would need a permit from the mayor to conduct business here. May I ask an audience with her? If that's alright. I know she's your sister." I brushed off the topic of my equipment and asked him about the business permit instead.
Marlon stroke his chin again to think. "Hmm...that's right. But unfortunately, my sister has left the town this morning for a political trip to the capital. I'm afraid she'll be gone for at least a month." Marlon told me.
Ah fuck. I can't last an entire month without a source of income! Nevermind the food, I would need other basic necessities as well if I want to survive.
Marlon saw my distressed face and started speaking. "Ah, but don't you worry. I, as a Magus, can also give you a temporary business permit under the sponsor of the Magus Association. This permit will last you an entire month, just in time until my sister comes home."
My face started to light up. "That's great! I will be in your gratitude!" I expressed my happiness of his generosity. But I also remembered one thing. "But...why did you summon me here again yesterday? Surely it was not just to ask me how I'm doing."
Marlon's mouth formed a sly smile. "But that's exactly why I asked you here. The people of Brent is famous for their kindness with outsiders. Can I help you with anything else?" He asked me.
"Hmm....." I started to think about questions I can ask him.
"Can people here read? I noticed that many of the buildings have written signs on them" I asked.
"That's right. The Orient Republic is pretty well-off economically and the demand for literate individuals are increasing. We taught our children from a young age to read so they can compete with people from the big cities. And also, the development of Linguistic Magic by the Magus Association have also helped people to learn how to read a lot faster. This magic is still limited to some languages though. For example, we can't really use it on Solarisian language. Of course, the full explanation of why a lot of people are literate is quite lengthy so I'm just giving you the summary" Marlon explained.
"Uhh....I'm sorry but since you mentioned other kingdoms, I don't really know them since I'm not from this continent," I said to Marlon again.
"Indeed.." Marlon walked up to his tall bookcase and pulled a scroll. He unraveled it on the table and it seemed to be the map of the continent.
CONTINENT MAP: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/grandea-continent-thesilentone/map/2046b1fb-d4af-4fef-ab30-fe55b76f4970
"We are in the Orient Republic on the west of the continent. The Solaris Kingdom is in the southeast. They are quite aggressive as they are starting to invade their neighboring kingdom.
Sumar Kingdom in the south is a human country and is also our ally, so are Uang Republic in the east. Uang Republic is our economic rival as they produce a lot of high-quality goods but we are allies in the war against the Solarisian's tyranny.
Estavian is a nation of elves, near the holy elven mountain in the east. Unfortunately, they are starting to be invaded by Solarisian as well so we are also starting to give them some aid.
Ramol'tar Kingdom is a nation of orcs in the north of us, across the Grand Angker Desert. They are quite isolated geographically so we don't have any contact with them.
There is also Eroberer Kingdom in the far east, a nation that is slowly becoming a colony of Solaris Kingdom as well.
I think that's a short summary of the Grandea Continent. There are quite a few places I haven't explained" Marlon gave an overall big picture of the continent.
I was quite amazed. This continent seemed to be quite large. I don't know about its scale though. Perhaps if I can compare it to Earth, then this continent is quite similar to Europe.
"Thank you for your great explanation, Marlon. I would also like to ask, what is the currency of this nation and what is the general income of this town?" Since I was about to conduct my business, I have to know about this town's economy.
Surprisingly, Marlon's eyebrows furrowed. He was not pleased with the question.
"...Our currency is the Orient Gold. The denomination itself is quite simple. The largest one is the gold, which is worth 100 silver. A silver is then worth 100 coppers. This town's income is....not great. People here usually only earn 2 silver a month, which is lower than the standards in other towns...To put it in perspective, a day's worth of meal is already 5 coppers." His face was quite sad as he explained it.
"I'm sorry if this is rude...but is this related to the dragon incident 10 years ago? And....why does this town seem quite normal? I haven't seen any people that seem poor in the streets" I asked. This was quite odd. If this town was having a hard time financially, then why do the people seem fine?
"That's because of my sister's hard work. She's been giving a lot of subsidy to the people so they can survive. But Brent's economy is highly stagnating.....I'm sorry, but I have to work now." He didn't seem to want to answer any further. He completely ignored my question about the dragon incident.
"I see, thank you very much. I will not bother you any further." I stood up to leave but Marlon's voice stopped me again.
"I will tell you about the dragon incident another time....but perhaps it's better that you hear about it from my sister after she comes back. Also, I will send someone to give you the temporary business permit. I wish you a good stay in this town."
I just nodded and left the premises.