Entering his modest home, Wes felt a mixture of nostalgia and a renewed sense of purpose. The one-story structure stood with a humble charm, its cobblestone foundation providing a sturdy base for the wooden upper level. A single door adorned the front, flanked by two windows fitted with wooden shutters that could be opened to invite the outside breeze and sunlight.
Wes stepped inside, his gaze sweeping across the interior. The home exuded a cozy atmosphere, each room reflecting the simple life led by its previous inhabitant. A quaint kitchen, furnished with basic appliances, greeted him as he walked further in. An eating area beckoned him to sit and enjoy a meal, while a device that resembled an old-fashioned television stood before a comfortable couch. In another corner of the room, two doors led to separate bedrooms, with a washroom nestled between them.
Approaching the room on his left, Wes opened the door with a mixture of reverence and trepidation. It had once belonged to his parents, a space filled with memories of their presence. The room remained largely untouched, a shrine to the past that had been carefully preserved. Dust had settled over the years, and Wes knew he had a duty to clear it away and bring new life to this space.
Turning his attention to his own room, Wes found it to be a simple sanctuary. A bed, wardrobe, and desk were the only furnishings, reflecting the modest lifestyle of the previous Wes. This room had been his haven, a place where he had spent countless hours reflecting on his dreams and ambitions.
Settling onto the couch in the living area, Wes turned his focus to the smartwatch adorning his wrist. He navigated its interface, pulling up his bank account to examine his current balance of 120 Q-Coins. The world of E-Currency and spirit stones had its own intricate system, with a conversion rate that Wes had quickly grasped. A single low-grade spirit stone equated to 200 Q-Coins, while 100 low-grade spirit stones are the equivalent of 1 medium-grade spirit stone. And similarly, 100 medium-grade spirit stones are the equivalent of 1 high-grade spirit stone, the process of refining stones into higher grades was arduous and often consumed more energy than the product therefore the exchange rate and rarity often varied. Elemental spirit stones, a rarity, were mostly confined to the realms of legends.
Sitting on the couch, Wes's mind raced with the endless potential that lay before him. The spirit stone-powered devices he had encountered were a testament to the fusion of magic and technology, a realm where his weapon expertise could find a new dimension. The thought of combining his knowledge of weapons and combat with the intricacies of spirit stone arrays filled him with excitement and determination.
He envisioned a future where his weapons would be enhanced by the same energy that powered the city's everyday conveniences. A sword that could channel elemental energy for devastating strikes, or a bow with precision-boosting arrays—these possibilities danced before his mind's eye. The thrill of innovation coursed through him, igniting a fire of creativity and ambition.
Yet, for all his enthusiasm, Wes faced an undeniable obstacle—he lacked the knowledge to bring these visions to life. His expertise in weapons was solid, but the intricacies of spirit stone arrays were a realm he had yet to explore. Frustration gnawed at him, a sense of helplessness that threatened to dampen his spirits.
He turned his gaze to the smartwatch once again, its interface a window to the world of spirit stones. His fingers danced over the device, attempting to glean insights from its functions and information. His eyes scrutinized the array of configurations on the appliances around him, his mind working to decipher their workings.
But the arrays remained enigmatic, their patterns and connections eluding his understanding. Wes sighed, his frustration mounting as he realized that his weapon expertise was just one piece of the puzzle. He needed to grasp the essence of spirit stone arrays—the delicate balance of energy, the intricate interplay of elements—that was a language he had yet to learn.
With a heavy heart, he leaned back against the couch, his mind swirling with a mix of determination and uncertainty. The road ahead was daunting, and his lack of knowledge was a formidable barrier. How could he bridge the gap between his weapon mastery and the world of spirit stone technology? How could he turn his ambitions into reality?
Wes's gaze settled on the TV, and he absentmindedly turned it on. The screen flickered to life, displaying a series of notices about the city—warnings of monster attacks, advertisements from different merchants, and a message from the city lord urging caution and restricting travel outside the city due to recent monster activity.
Amidst this information, one advertisement stood out like a beacon of opportunity. Wes's eyes widened as he read about academy enrollments scheduled for the next month. A memory from this world's past resurfaced—the significance of academies being reserved for heirs of merchant families or specialized artisans, like alchemists. The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.
Wes's parents had been hunters. While most people followed the path of their families or became soldiers and hunters, Wes saw a chance to carve his own destiny. The academy offered the chance to expand his horizons, gain knowledge that could complement his expertise, and unlock the potential of the spirit stone-powered devices that fascinated him.
A determined smile crossed Wes's face. He knew what he needed to do. He would enroll in the academy and learn the intricacies of working with spirit stone technology. He would fuse his knowledge of weapons with this newfound understanding, paving the way for innovation and success. His path was clear—to become a master of both weaponry and spirit stone technology, and to leave a mark on this world in a way that honored his family's legacy.
As Wes contemplated his decision, his frustration transformed into renewed determination. He was willing to put in the effort, immerse himself in learning, and overcome any challenges that came his way. With a resolute nod, he turned off the TV and stood up, his gaze fixed on the open doorway. The academy beckoned, a realm of possibility where he could shape his destiny and carve his own legacy.
His journey had only just begun, and he was ready to embrace every twist and turn it would bring. Armed with his passion for weapons, an eagerness to learn, and a burning desire to fuse the worlds of weaponry and spirit stone arrays, Wes stepped out of his home and into the bustling streets of Alzereth. The road ahead was uncertain, but his determination burned bright, illuminating the path to a future where innovation and achievement awaited.
As Wes's determination to enroll in the academy burned brighter, he grappled with the reality of his limited resources and lack of connections. The academy's requirements loomed over him like an insurmountable mountain. A letter of recommendation from a qualified runemaster or a hefty payment of 200 Q-Coins stood between him and his dreams. With just a month left before the enrollment test, Wes felt the weight of his circumstances pressing down on him.
His recent efforts to gather medicinal herbs had yielded a mere 5 Q-Coins, far from the amount he needed. The stark truth was that relying on herb collection alone wouldn't suffice. Wes's parents had taught him to survive in the wilderness, but survival skills were not enough to overcome the obstacles he faced now.
Wes sat at his desk, frustration and determination warring within him. He knew he needed a new approach, but his lack of resources and connections felt like an insurmountable barrier. He glanced at the communication-enabled TV, its screen displaying various advertisements and notices, mocking his current predicament.
The concept of merging his weapon mastery with spirit stone technology still burned in his mind, but the road ahead was uncertain. He lacked the means to collaborate with artisans, technicians, or runemasters. His lack of reputation in this new world further compounded his challenges. It was clear that he couldn't simply walk into a business and offer his services.
Wes's fingers drummed on the desk as he contemplated his dilemma. He envisioned himself crafting device enhancements that would improve daily life for the city's residents, even without a deep understanding of spirit arrays. But how could he make this vision a reality?
A spark of an idea glimmered in the depths of his mind. Wes remembered a dilapidated workshop at the outskirts of the city, a place he had stumbled upon during his explorations. It was a forgotten place, abandoned by its previous owner. Perhaps, just perhaps, it held the potential for him to realize his aspirations.
With renewed determination, Wes left his home and made his way to the outskirts of the city. The workshop stood before him, its walls weathered by time, and its windows covered in dust and grime.