Misha Port City
Unlike Milleta which is a trading hotspot, Misha is known for its shops that offer services. Milleta caters goods from all the four kingdoms (including Belham), while trading goods in Misha are minimal. In Misha, there are fewer merchant stalls, but blacksmith shops, bakeries, restaurants, potteries, and apothecaries are as many as the clouds in the sky. There are other miscellaneous shops too.
Earlier, while Morbius was boarding the ship to Misha, all he did was practice his [Foundation for Dummies] manual. Finding cultivation manuals in Milleta is so tough, if not impossible. During his travel, he practiced the stances taught in the manual. The stances are not for fighting, but for solidifying his foundation.
Morbius was never tested for his talent in his 4000-year life. Why? First, Belham Kingdom is not a cultivation-oriented Kingdom. Second, it is the Era of Legends. The Era of Legends is the current focal point of the appearance of Legends in this world.
What are Legends? Legends are beings that have been blessed by higher beings. They are either born in this world or summoned from another world. Legends could only be distinguished via talent assessment especially for those who are born in this world. Summoned Legends could be identified using the same method, but usually, they hide and blend with other people.
Morbius once dreamed of being one of those Legends, but he never really showed talent. He is also a commoner. Unless his talent is visible to people, he would have no chance to be assessed.
In his teens, when Morbius's parents died, the First King appointed him as a castle guard. He treated the First King as a benefactor. Back then, he was provided good food and a little bit of education. Before the First King died of old age, he gave a command to Morbius in which Morbius heed until now. That command is to change his name every 100 years.
Back then, Morbius did not know about his immortality. Due to his devotion to the First King, he did not mind anything and religiously guarded the castle gates. It seems that 4000 years is enough for devotion to fade that Morbius got fed up with the castle walls that he once worshipped.
While guarding the gates, he did not really have the luxury to pursue his dream. He let his 4000 years of time fade before his eyes.
When the ship docked, Morbius could see the busy City of Misha. A number signboards could be seen. The crowd in Misha does not pale in comparison to Milleta, but Milleta is rowdier than Misha. Merchants are a noisy bunch so, understandably, the noise pollution in Milleta is great.
People enter the shops from time to time. Aside from money, people carry a plethora of items with them. These items are not meant for bartering, but rather as materials for craftsmen. Due to the booming industry, the demand for materials and ingredients is high. Importing such items is costly.
For the supply to meet the demand, the Kingdom of Violeta established the Adventurer's Guild. The purpose of this guild is to provide manpower for procurement, subjugation of beasts, and freelance services. The guild gives opportunities to people to earn money and prestige by doing missions issued in the guild.
"First, I'll buy a cheap house.", Morbius muttered. He is looking around the bustling city to find a realtor. Realtors act as agents to purchase lands, buildings, or houses. After walking for a while, he stopped. He underestimated the complexity of the streets and got lost.
'I need to find a guide.',
Suddenly, a little girl approached him. "Hello, mister. Are you lost?".
Morbius looked at the little girl. The girl's hair is blonde. She is wearing simple but clean clothes often worn by commoners. She is a cute girl with unblemished skin no different from noble children. "Thanks for asking little girl. Actually, I am new here and I'm lost. My name is Morbius."
The little girl nodded and replied, "Hi, Mr. Morbius. I am Elle.".
The girl named Elle smiled. She looked around the area before looking at Morbius again.
"Mr. Morbius, this street here is the XX street near the Adventurer Guild. There are many restaurants and food stalls nearby this area. Aside from that, the best smithery is located here. Half of the buildings here are owned by the guild. Usually, shops that process beast skin are owned by the guild." Elle explained. Her little fingers pointed to different buildings as she explain.
Morbius nodded. He is amazed at the girl's knowledge about this area. "Thank you, young Elle. I am actually in need of a house. I am planning to find a realtor. Do you know someone? Or is there a real estate agency here?"
Elle pondered for a bit. Mobius looked at Elle and thought that this girl is too clean to be a commoner. Being a guard, he had seen a plethora of people from different walks of life. From commoners to royalty, he is confident to spot the difference between them. After thinking a bit, Elle answered him.
"Ah, I remember now. Due to the Adventurer's Guild, buying houses became harder. One needs to have both licenses for Adventurer's Guild and the Violeta Service Union (VSU). This is to ensure that every person is only allowed to own one property in this city. Owning a store is also mandatory which is also taxed by the guild." explained Elle.
She paused for a bit and continued, "Since then, all in realtors in Misha have been integrated into the Violeta Service Union and are deployed on the Adventurer's Guild. In short, one must become a business owner and adventurer to own a house here."
"Young Elle, you're so knowledgeable. I can't believe that you are a little girl.", Morbius is in awe. He is so old, that he could be considered a relic, but a girl not even 1% of his age is brighter than him.
Elle giggled, "I am not a little girl, mister. I am at the right age for marriage."
Morbius was amused thinking it was a joke. He laughed heartily until Elle showed her VSU license. Elle smiled and introduced herself in a more detailed way, "My full name is Elle Schultz, 25 years of age. Tee-hee. I am also the head of the VSU information department."
"B-b-b-but..." Morbius was shocked. Elle who looked like a 10 to 12 years old girl is actually 25 years old.
"You look like a brat. I-impossible! Also, those clothes..."
"Well, I am an information department head so it is easier to gather info when camouflaged as a commoner. People around me act naturally that way. I aid lost people from time to time. With extravagant clothes or working clothes, commoners tend to be tense making my job harder."
"Sigh, I learned something new." From this experience, Morbius learned that some people's appearance betrays their real age and status. Indeed it is more comfortable to interact with commoners than nobles since commoners are not restricted with decorum when talking with each other.
"Mister, you could enter the Adventurer's Guild and get a free talent assessment. The talent will be reflected on your adventurer license. The license is not free though. You need to pay 200 silver coins or 2 gold coins. The VSU license has the same price as the adventurer license, but your life skills are needed to be tested. Adventurer license allows you to enter hunting grounds. If there is a Legend at your party, then you could enter a dungeon as well. Beast or monster parts could only be legally sold with this license. Without a license, you could be jailed for poaching. VSU is simpler, it is a business license for services such as smithing, apothecary, alchemy, and many more."