Although the kingdom of Aeira was much smaller than the empire of Astria, Avrel was still a major city. The streets were bustling with trade and the local market stalls were selling a large variety of items.
While the market in Esteria focused on selling everyday items, such as clothes and home decorations, as well as food, the market in Avrel, in addition to having this kind of trade, had even more merchants dedicated to the novice adventurer.
Their displays included new and used equipment, sometimes questionable artifacts, potions, ... Everything needed to go on an adventure was available in Avrel.
Of course, trade was not limited to the market. To find the rarest items or those made by recognized professionals, it was necessary to explore the city to learn about their shops, or to rely on the plans that could be found in some places in the city.
Lilliana was currently in the marketplace. It was one of the largest squares in Avrel and among other things the heart of its market. On top of that, this square was also home to one of the most prestigious buildings in the city: the Adventurers' Guild.
As large as the merchant's guild hotel in Etheria, this building of light wood, white stones, and Romanesque architecture was as imposing as it was sumptuous.
Lilliana, although not very interested in architecture, could not help but admire such a work.
There's no denying it, the elves are pretty good when it comes to constructing large buildings. They have nothing to envy to the empire, in that respect.
Lilliana didn't waste any more time, she was eager to become an adventurer. Luckily, today was her sixteenth birthday, so she could officially enter a profession.
The interior of the building was just as beautiful as its exterior. The walls made of the same wood reflected much of the sun's rays.
Contrary to the ideas Lilliana had received, the interior was much better arranged than expected. She noticed a gigantic painting hanging along one wall. Many adventurers were gathered around it.
Opposite this table was the reception area. The number of adventurers was smaller, which left a few empty seats.
Lilliana mechanically approached one of the empty stations. The receptionist greeted her with a big smile:
"Hello, what can I do for you?"
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Alice
*Sigh*
It's quite boring in the morning here. Most adventurers take their quests at that time and come back in the evening. The few adventurers who come to us are beginners to get information, and occasionally people who want to become adventurers.
I have to admit that the idea of sending young adults into battle sometimes without any preparation bothers me a little, but they chose this lifestyle after all. I don't have to feel responsible if they die young.
*Sigh*
It's not an easy job, what a hassle... Whatever! This is not the time to complain, a customer is coming.
"Hello! What can I do for you?"
"Hello, I would like to register as an adventurer."
My new client's voice was calm and composed, yet powerful. One could easily have thought that she was an experienced young woman, but she was not: as beautiful as she was cute, she was probably not old enough to be an adventurer.
"You want to become an adventurer, then. Very well. It is customary for the guild host welcoming the newcomer to guide and advise the newcomer during their first few weeks. So let me introduce myself: my name is Alice Chandra, I will be your advisor for the next few weeks or even months."
She looked at me strangely. Perhaps she had misunderstood my name?
"Nice to meet you, my name is Lilliana. Lilliana Vanille." She finally answered me, smiling very slightly.
She tilted her head slightly to the right, probably waiting for me to tell her more.
"Well, to get started I'll need to fill out a form with your information."
I took a pencil and wrote his first and last name on the form. I questioned her further, including her age, place of birth, and some other basic information. After that, I handed her the completed form, which she took. I came out of my office and stood in front of her.
"Please come with me now. I will guide you to the final phase: the creation of your adventurer's card, which will replace your identity card."
She confirmed that she understood by nodding her head. I then went to the stairs leading to the upper floor. This floor was much more luxurious than the first floor.
This was due in part to the fact that it housed the master's quarters, but also the reception hall and some rooms made available to young adventurers in need.
Opposite these rooms was a small hall. This was the reception hall for new adventurers. Here you could find the status crystal, which converted the physical and psychic data of a person into numbers.
We quickly entered the room. A few people were already there, including two other young adventurers. One was a dark-haired man of average height with simple peasant clothes, probably in search of adventure or a better life.
On the other hand, the second person had a relatively rare profile: it was a young teenager with carmine hair, wearing a long dress. What set her apart from the others was the grimoire she carried on her back. This was direct evidence that she was a graduate mage of the Arcanist Guild.
They quickly finished creating their adventurer's card, so we took our turn to walk towards the crystal keeper.
"Hello Alice, the form please." He said in a cold, monotone voice, which matched the old man's muscular physique well. Frank was always like this, but there was no mistaking it: he was a very nice person!
So I handed him Lilliana's form. He read it quickly, then turned to the crystal. He mumbled a few words, and the clear rock lit up. He wasted no time in inserting a small map into a gap in the mineral itself.
After a few moments, he took the card back. It came out engraved. When he handed it to us, I could read this:
__
Lilliana Vanilla
16 years old Vagabond
Adventurer None
Rank: H
__
We could read the names and surnames, but also the age. We could also find the title, which referred to a particular feat or lifestyle. This allowed us to know who we were dealing with and to restrict entry into the city to criminals. This data existed on any type of card.
Here we could read the type of card, which also refers to the profession "Adventurer". Finally, the last data represents the class. It was not uncommon for beginner adventurers to have no class, because for that you had to take classes and be approved by a master.
The back of the card was also engraved:
__
Level 4
Vitality: 6(+2) (+1)=9 Strength: 6(+1)(+1)=8
Agility: 5(+0)(+1)=6 Spirit: 4(+0)(+0)=4
__
The inputs here were relatively complex: the numbers and statistics were an algorithmic representation of one's abilities. Each 6 point increase in statistics by any means increased the level by 1.
For example, a level 1 person will have a maximum of 6 stat points. In Lilliana's case, she has 21 stat points, so she is 4 points away from level 5.
The next values represent the stat gains offered by the equipment and the last one by the liabilities that could be revealed through the analysis spell that any decent mage had. The total was displayed on the right.
What surprised me the most was Lilliana's level. Indeed, it was rare for a beginner adventurer to exceed level 3 without having evolved in a school, but this was the case for Lilliana.
Nevertheless, I said nothing about it and gave her the card. After all, there were many exceptions and Lilliana's lifestyle certainly played a role in this.
"Congratulations, you are now an adventurer. Well let's go downstairs, I'll explain a little bit about how the adventuring business works!"
She nodded her head in agreement. Although she didn't say anything, I could see from her face that she was happy.
*Sigh*
I hope she won't end up like some...