[Just a fair warning, the next few chapters will be a bit more info-heavy as Felix tries to learn as much as he can about this world, he has memories of it but they won't do him much good past entering the city.]
The sun was just peeking over the horizon when he had finally got within view of the city. Reaching down he ruffled the Wolf's ears.
''While we're in the city, don't show hostility and follow beside me. If you feel something is off, send killing intent to me.''
Despite it being incredibly early, a large line was already there for entering the city, making sure everything he had was in kept order, he used a cleaning spell on himself and the wolf. Having already wore his best clothing, instead of looking like some country bumpkin he looked more like a city boy returning from behind the wall.
Also, the amount of mana concentrated around the city, and the and around it was much denser, not to the point that it became kind of strange but it meant a few things.
There were a lot of magic objects that centered here or passed through here or a lot of people with personal magic.
He didn't bother with it though, he was still going to play the, I can't see mana card until he had a good reason to show it off. He got to the back of the line, the person at the back was a bit surprised to see a boy traveling with a large wolf but with some assurance, and a few tricks he had the wolf do the person in line calmed down, along with quite a few others.
He was in line for about an hour, and he was nearing the gates, many people had ended up being behind him as it seemed the gates were especially active right now.
As he got near the gates a few guards were making patrols along the length of the line while keeping pretty near the gate incase they were needed, one group of three came up to him.
''Halos[1] Lad, you and your wolf are new to these parts?''
He put on a beaming grin as he rubbed his Wolf's head with affection.
''I finally turned 14 a few days ago, so I was finally allowed to leave the orphanage, I'm here to start my adventure journey! Oh, and to get my companion here registered properly, we didn't have anything that could back in the village.''
The people around the boy felt fueled! What an ambition, most kids his age would stay in the village for a bit and work under someone, but he immediately went out on his way? The gear he was wearing wasn't so bad for a novice either. One guard had to ask him.
''You're an orphan? You're pretty well geared for one.''
His grin only got bigger, as if he was waiting for it, just a kid near a man who wants to show off at the start of his path. ''Of course! Even when I was younger I did help a lot of the village, I learned hunting, reading and writing, blacksmithing, armor repair, some magic, and even got my first companion at 12!'' He straightened his stance, presenting himself in all his glory.
''So I can see boy, you already have a few ears on your belt even and your pack looks pretty bustling with stuff, come boy let's see a few things, I might even purchase a few.''
It wasn't seen, but it was felt. Felix felt strange, despite the bleakness of this world, people could still be nice, and even trying to actively sense their mana for any fluctuation of lies, they looked more to be just genuinely interested, almost proud that despite hot out the orphanage he's already trying his best.
Pulling his pack around he set it down and opened it, a lot of pelts, furs, and a bundle of meats was inside. After pulling a few out he ended up lightning his pack quite a bit, the only pelt he kept was the few that he was going to use to make sturdy insulation for a large tent later. Some were even surprised to see such a well-crafted bedroll
In a joke, he said that if they paid him in material and coin he'd make some for any would want one, when that was heard it seemed to have been taken seriously. One of the guards even said as he handed him a little wooden shield that fits in the palm.
''Take this to the guild once you get in lad, I'll help monitor any recommendations you get''
Felix took it with smiles, but he had no idea why, though the reactions of the guards around him suddenly cursing that he just stole a great seedling as they muttered and left him. He'd need to ask about this later.
Eventually, he was in the city, and can he say something? The place was beautiful, of course, there was the slums and some really shaky building's but the place was still pretty clean despite the whole medieval age thing, perhaps magic had a hand in it?
After asking a few people he got directed to the guild, he enjoyed the sights, smells, and even sounds, a sense of wanderlust taking him by surprise, the wish and will to explore the world to see all types of lands and people.
Once he entered the guild finally, a few people gave him a look, most of them grinning as they saw a wolf, he watched his wolf begin to get pampered by the rough-looking people. Some made a few comments on how well-behaved he was around people.
He noticed a few different types of people, different equipment, different personalities, a really colorful group of people. The inside of the large adventure building was pretty beautiful. Large vaulted ceilings and powerful-looking walls, a strong concentration of mana breathed through the building.
There was a bar that seemed to serve food and drink, barmaids and waiters bussing busy tables. He felt a bit conflicted, this place so far had been a bit... Kind? He wasn't expecting every single person to be out for his purse and the hide of his skin but it was weird to see just how many good people were so far.
Making his way to the counter there were stools lined up along the counter, it might be for dwarves, he hasn't seen any yet. He was shorter than most people his age, he always had been. When he transferred over the mana made him about the average of his old world but now he was below the average.
Stepping up onto the stool he stood there, and an average-looking man came up to greet him with a smile.
''How may I help you Lad?''
Setting the twine of ears onto the counter he took a breath.
''I'm sorry but I might take a bit of your time, is this okay?''
The man gave him a look before he nodded. ''Fresh out the fence then? Let's go to an info booth, let me get a few things a new guy needs to know.''
He assumed, fresh out the fence meant that he was just starting his journey to travel.
''Can I ask how you knew I was new?''
The man laughed a bit before he leaned onto the counter, pointing to Felix. ''Don't take this wrong, but it's your stance, the way you're looking around, how you talk, even in how you hold yourself. After a while you'll adapt a bit rougher way of speaking, it's just what life and death situations do to you.''
He then pointed down to the sword on his waist. ''Their well maintained, I'll give you that, you either learned properly or are just smart. But, now look to those guys at that table.''
He waved a hand over pointing to a group of men at a table, most of them were wearing heavier armor, but they all had one thing in common, they had hands-on, or near their weapons. Despite the friendly, great atmosphere, their eyes would occasionally wonder, taking in what's around them, always making sure of something.
''You stand like you're not used to a weapon being at your waist. Which is something all new people hold a weapon have in common. But your eyes are wide, looking in wonder, their eyes are relaxed but aware. They're making sure that there is a way out, and making sure that despite how safe they feel, they really are safe. How they hold their weapons? I don't know if you can use magic, but most people can't, and those who can't hold onto their weapon subconsciously, it is their lifeline.''
He then crossed his arms onto the counter relaxing. ''We are a pretty safe place, a bit far from the war front, but some of the people that are here just got back... Still a bit jumpy.''
Felix ended up giving a nod, he needed to remember this for later, it might help him to notice who's trained, or hardened and those who aren't. He would need to watch people a bit more in-depth, never know when you'll have to pretend to be something you're not, and really sell the story.
With that they left the counter, he was lead down a hall before entering into a rather nice room, sitting a bit awkwardly with his bow he ended up just taking it off along with the quiver and setting it to the side, his sword and knives were fine because his sword swung freely so it kind of stuck out beside his legs.
Soon the man came back in with a few books not too big really, but there was one that was rather large. The man sat down and set them onto the table. ''The names Alex by the way.''
''Felix.''
"Alright Felix, first off welcome to the Adventurer's Guild, what can I do for you?''