"They are at level 1 of saint stage. Looking at you, you are emitting the aura of someone in the fourth level of the saint stage," the receptionist said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed Eldris's power level. The dim lighting of the Hunters Association lobby cast shadows across her sharp features as she spoke.
"Oh, am I, is that a good or bad thing?" Eldris said, his hand unconsciously moving to rub the back of his neck as he considered this new information. The weight of her words settled heavily in the air between them.
"It is not really a bad thing," she began, leaning forward slightly across the polished wooden counter, "but if you are in the midst of powerful people it is not a good thing." Her fingers tapped rhythmically against the surface as she spoke. "It is like a beacon calling them to an easy prey." She paused meaningfully, letting the implication sink in before continuing. "And know not all the powerful people are good, some gain their power and position through unlawful means." Her voice dropped to a near whisper. "And imagine yourself doing business with a powerful person, you may be able to talk but being the weaker person will put you in a bad position."
The scent of ink and old parchment filled the air as Eldris considered her warning. "Okay I have heard," he finally said, nodding slowly. "I will tone down my aura." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other before changing the subject. "So how about me selling this sparks or buying from you?"
The receptionist's professional mask slipped back into place as she shook her head. "I am sorry," she said, her voice returning to its normal volume, "although I like the way you handle yourself, it is still beyond my capabilities." She gestured to the badge on her chest. "I am just a worker. We can't do business with non members."
The rejection stung, but Eldris pressed on. "Okay, but I want to join the Hunters Association," he said, his fingers tightening slightly around the straps of his pack. "How will I join? You said I have to do a test and have my permanent ID. Can't we tweak the rules a little?"
Her expression turned apologetic but firm. "No sir we can't," she said, shaking her head more vigorously this time. "If you are not a permanent resident of the fifth kingdom, you can't perform the test." She spread her hands helplessly. "There is nothing we can do about that." Her tone softened slightly. "If there is something else I can do for you, you can ask. I will try my best to do as long as it is in my capabilities."
Eldris sighed deeply, his shoulders slumping slightly in defeat. The sounds of other hunters coming and going in the background suddenly seemed louder, more distracting. "There is nothing you can do for me," he said, turning to leave.
As he was about to push through the heavy oak doors, he remembered something important and turned back. "Yes there is something you can do," he said, retracing his steps to the counter. "Where can I find a library?"
The receptionist blinked in surprise at the sudden question. "A library, hmm," she mused, tapping a finger against her chin. "There is a library at Terra lane." She gestured vaguely eastward. "That's the closest and only library in the fifth kingdom." Her expression turned slightly apologetic. "The next library is in the next kingdom."
Eldris's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "Wait, how is a kingdom only having a single library?" he asked, his voice rising slightly in pitch.
The receptionist just shrugged, her shoulders lifting and falling in a careless motion. "We once have a lot of library, like five," she explained, "but since the age of technology we destroy all the library and build a large building to be the library." She waved a hand dismissively. "Any knowledge we need is on sky-ray."
Eldris's confusion was evident on his face. "What's sky-ray?" he asked before he could stop himself.
The receptionist's entire demeanor changed instantly. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously and she leaned forward, studying his face with new intensity. "Who are you," she demanded, her voice dropping to a whisper, "why won't you know sky-ray?" Her fingers tightened around the edge of the counter. "Even a new born baby living in this world will know sky-ray." Her eyes widened slightly. "Aren't you from our world? Are you a chosen of the gods?"
Eldris felt a cold sweat break out on his back but forced a loud, unnatural laugh. "Haahaaahaa, no I can't be the chosen of a god," he said, waving his hands in front of him in exaggerated denial. "Me never." He scrambled for an explanation. "I don't just have any idea because of some issue on my last travel." He forced another laugh. "You are funny, me a hero."
He denied it immediately, though he did not know why he did. Some instinct deeper than conscious thought told him that was the right thing to do in this moment.
The receptionist studied him for a long moment before finally relaxing slightly. "Yes, my bad," she said, though her eyes still held suspicion. "You can't be the chosen of a god. All the chosen are alive and well." She tilted her head slightly. "But the hero of sand had been rare to see." Her gaze turned assessing. "And even if you are a hero, you are supposed to be in the royal house. But you are not." She gave a small, apologetic smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Sorry."
Eldris almost wiped the imaginary sweat on his forehead, catching himself just in time. The tension in the air slowly dissipated as the receptionist seemed to accept his explanation.
"Yes the sky-ray is a place where all information and data are located on the web," she continued, her voice returning to its normal professional tone. "Any information you ask, you will find it on the sky-rim." She gestured to his empty fingers. "And to access the sky-rim is by buying the alliance ring."
The information swirled in Eldris's mind as he processed this. "Okay, thank you for the information," he said, nodding politely.
He hesitated for a moment before asking his next question. "Okay, where can I get my residential ID card fast, like under a week?"
................................................................................................................pls read and vote for my book and I assure you no chapters mistake will be made again.