So, he made up his mind. First, he'd go to the Adventurer's Guild. There, he could register, get his identity verified, and learn about available quests. Once he understood what kind of tasks he'd face, he could spend his silver wisely, choosing weapons and items that matched his role and abilities.
With that plan in mind, Aaron picked up his pace, feeling more confident. The path ahead was still uncertain, but now he had direction. And in this new world, that was a powerful start.
A few minutes later, Aaron arrived at the heart of town. The walk had taken him a while, but now he stood amidst a lively scene. Colorful shops lined both sides of the road, each offering trinkets, supplies, or curious items he'd never seen before. The air buzzed with chatter and the clinking of metal. Warriors moved through the crowd, men and women alike, carrying swords, shields, and even magical wands, their armor glinting in the sunlight.
Everything around him felt surreal. This wasn't just a different place, it was a different world.
Ahead stood the Adventurers' Guild, its wide iron gates swung open with no guards in sight. Instead, adventurers came and went freely, their footsteps confident, their expressions filled with purpose. Aaron paused only for a heartbeat, then stepped forward. No fear. No hesitation. It was time to see what this world had in store for him.
The hall was alive with voices, a constant hum of conversation layered with bursts of laughter, heated debate, and low murmurs of negotiation. Long wooden tables sprawled across the space, surrounded by rough-but-sturdy chairs where adventurers of every kind relaxed or plotted their next move.
Some lounged with mugs of frothy ale, exchanging tales of dungeon raids and monster hunts. One grizzled warrior recounted a run-in with a flame wyrm, gesturing wildly with a scarred hand, while a young rogue leaned in, eyes wide with awe.
Near the quest board, a cluster of adventurers discussed potential missions. A cloaked figure tapped a parchment with a dagger tip, pointing at a reward with a sly grin. Nearby, two mages debated spell theory, their voices calm but edged with pride, blue sparks occasionally flared at their fingertips as gestures became animated.
In one corner, a recruiter from a small guild held interviews, offering contracts and badges to newcomers. The atmosphere blended camaraderie and ambition, each person driven by glory, coin, or something deeper.
Despite the bustle, there was rhythm. The place felt lived-in yet energized, like the heart of something bigger than any one adventurer.
"Excuse me! Are you here to post a quest or looking for a job?"
The sweet voice pulled Aaron out of his thoughts. He turned to see a young woman standing beside him, her smile warm and welcoming.
She looked around twenty years old, with smooth wheat-colored skin and a slim figure that gave her a graceful appearance. Her straight black hair was tied back in a neat ponytail, and her deep brown eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She wore a crisp black-and-white waitress uniform, clean and formal, with a fitted vest over a long-sleeved blouse and a short skirt that matched the guild's colors. A small silver badge pinned to her vest read "Guild Assistant." Her sleeves were rolled slightly at the elbows, and a leather satchel hung from her shoulder, likely filled with forms or pamphlets.
Despite the crowd and noise around them, she carried herself with quiet confidence, effortlessly weaving between tables and adventurers before spotting Aaron.
Aaron took a moment to study her. There was something familiar in the way she smiled, not just polite, but genuinely interested.
Without hesitation, Aaron gave a firm nod.
"I'd like to apply to become an adventurer," he said. "Can you tell me what's required?"
Maria blinked in surprise, momentarily caught off guard by his directness. Her gaze wandered over the boy in front of her, his clothes were worn, and his limbs looked thin from hardship. He didn't look like someone who'd survived battles or trekked through monster-filled forests.
"You want to become an adventurer?" she asked softly, brows slightly raised.
"I thought you came here looking for work… something safer."
There was no mockery in her tone, just genuine concern. She looked again at Aaron's tired eyes and determined posture. Despite his frail appearance, there was something in his voice that told her he wasn't joking.
Maria let out a gentle sigh and said, "Follow me."
Without another word, she turned and walked through a side doorway, leading Aaron down a short hallway into a quiet, softly lit room. The noise of the guild hall faded behind them, replaced by a calm stillness that made Aaron's steps feel louder than they were.
The room was simple, just a wooden table placed at the center and two chairs across from each other. A small shelf with rolled-up scrolls lined one wall, and a faint scent of parchment and incense lingered in the air.
Maria walked over and gracefully took her seat, then motioned to the chair opposite her. "Please, sit."
As Aaron settled into his seat, she reached into her satchel and pulled out a small cloth-wrapped object. Carefully, she unwrapped it and placed a round crystal orb onto the table. It shimmered faintly, casting soft pulses of light across the wood surface, blue at first, then shifting toward violet.
Aaron stared at the orb, puzzled. He had no idea what it was meant for, but he could sense it wasn't just decoration. Something about the energy it gave off made him sit a little straighter.
Maria gestured toward the crystal orb with a calm smile.
"Place one hand on the crystal ball," she said softly.
Aaron nodded and reached forward. The moment his fingers touched the surface, a wave of warmth pulsed outward, not from the orb, but seemingly from within him. It wasn't harsh or blinding. Instead, it felt soothing, like sunlight filtering through water.
The crystal began to glow, starting with a faint shimmer before bursting into a vivid blue light. Pulses of energy swirled inside it, as if reacting to something deep within him.
Maria watched quietly, her smile deepening as the orb responded.
"All right, Aaron," she said gently, " You can remove your hand now."