Asher was amazed by the function of the device, and it functioned like a smartphone from his old world. There was even a map detailing the surrounding area. Asher began wondering how the enchantments were drawn in such an intricate way to create the effect and, more importantly, if he could recreate it. Asher thanked Talon before heading toward the main lobby of the merchant.
As Asher walked away from the desk, he was met with a man that Asher could describe as flashy and arrogant. The man was dressed in white armor decorated with pearls and jewels. His armor was hard to look at because it reflected light. His blonde locks were tied up in a ponytail that fell to the nape of his back. His green eyes were clear and shimmered with some intelligence. Behind him stood two beautiful women—one dressed as a mage and the other like a ranger with a bow on her back.
He laughed in the most annoying way Asher could imagine like he was amused with Asher's existence. "You poor pathetic soul. So unfortunate that the gods abandon you to your pathetic life. Fear not. In my benevolence, I will allow you to be of some use. I, William Thorn III, will let you be my porter if you beg me." Light shimmered around him as if he was an angel with a halo for offering Asher the job as a porter.
"How kind of you." The mage girl said.
"So noble," The female ranger said.
Asher was so annoyed that he could feel a vein bulge on his forehead. Who does this bastard think he is to talk to anyone like that? He used light magic to make that halo effect talk about tacky, Asher thought to himself. Asher focused on the rude man before him to trigger his scan ability.
[Scan complete]
Name William Thorn III
Species: Human
Title: Heir to the Thorn Barondom
Age: 15
LV: 4
HP: 20/20
PWR: 75/75 (octodecmage)
STR: 16
VIT: 40
AGI: 13
PER: 5
The stats of the man in front of him was appalling. He was five years older but barely more substantial than Asher. The only notable thing was that he was an octodecmage, meaning he had access to eighteen elements. Also, he had an Heir title which means he was a noble.
Asher knew of the Thorn Barony because it was one of the baronies under his own family. Asher's father controlled over a fifth of the entire kingdom, with the other eighty percent being handled by the six other dukes and the Royal family managing the capital and surrounding area. The Richt dukedom was the largest dukedom with the most land and was divided among lesser nobles to make it easier to manage.
Marque, Earl, Count, Viscount, and the lowest Baron were there. There were also lords, but they could barely be called nobles as lords would be put in charge of just a city while the others had entire territories.
Asher snickered slightly as this idiot insulted his parent's boss's son. It only got funnier as Asher thought about how they would both inherit their respective titles, and he would basically be his boss. He made a mental note to make this boy's life difficult in the future of his disrespectful attitude toward strangers.
Asher felt he should be punished just for his bluster when he had stats like that. If he were the standard for the guild, then Asher would have been one of the strongest individuals here. Though Asher could not believe he was that lucky. Thus there was only one logical conclusion Asher could make from the interaction.
This man was an absolute idiot. Even worse, a pampered idiot.
Willaim had a pleasant appearance that was offset by his poor personality. Willaim raised his head with his green eyes closed like he was basking in praise of the two women. Asher walked away as the women carried more about praising William than they did about him.
Asher did not want to stir up trouble when it was unnecessary. Even though he was a higher-ranked noble, he was parading around a commoner. Thankful, people don't see what they aren't looking for. The people generally describe what Asher, Heir to the Richt Dukedom, looked like, but they have never seen him in person. Even the parade for his awakening was just a passing glance. Asher and Veras would never be mistaken for each other since no one would expect a freshly awakened noble to sign up at a mercenary guild.
"Now you can thank me for giving your life meaning, you worthless peasant.." When he returned his attention to Asher, he found him gone. He turns to see the red-haired boy walking away. "How dare you insulant brat? I am kind enough to give you the honor of being my pack mule." Willaim sneered. He raised his hand, and a red light formed. "I will teach you not to spit on your betters."
Asher readied himself as some light started from on his waist as the broadsword began to form. He had never tried his skills in an actual fight. Asher held onto the hilt read to perform his quickdraw. He would only have one shot. Even if William was weak, he was slightly stronger than Asher. He ether struck him down, or he would be able to fire a second spell.
Before either of them could make a move, a familiar dagger was pressed against William's neck, and a hand on Asher's shoulder prevented him from moving an inch. Helen held Asher's shoulder, and Talon had moved behind William. At that moment, Asher understood that these two were some of the strongest people in the guild.
The fragments of light stopped forming at Asher's side, and the red glow of William's spell vanished as Talon spoke up. "How many times do I have to tell you, William? You cannot use your noble title to bully new members under any circumstance." Talon had a smile painted on his pretty face, but the smile told everyone there that he could kill him without much effort.
William left in a huff, angered by the disrespect he had received. Asher relaxed his body as William walked away. Helen just smiled like an old grandmother before speaking. "Now fighting in the guild hall, sweetie." She squeezed Asher's cheek lovingly and forcefully. "We wouldn't want to kick you out when you just join."
Asher's cheek glowed bright red from Helen's abuse. She was like that old lady at a family reunion that you didn't really know but always insisted on pinching your cheeks. Asher rubbed his poor cheeks as he walked to the back, where several large boards with flyers hung from hooks. Each job was vastly different from the ones around it. Asher pulled out his license and checked under the available quests.
Available Missions: 16|
G-grade mission: 16|
Bronze license Mercenary may not accept assignments above G-grade|
0 Successful Missions|
Asher quickly understood all the flyers had letters next to each one indicating the difficulty since he was the lowest rank, and he could only accept the lowest rank mission from the guild. Asher looked over some assignments ranging from simple errands to subjugating monsters or dungeons. Asher was shocked by the sheer range of the types of requests that the guild got daily.
One caught his eye that was interesting too him as well as a G-grade mission. It had a picture of a smile like the one in the monterpedia. The title on the flyer said, "Aquire Slime Residue." He snatched the flyer from the board and looked closely at what the job would entail. However, it did not have any description on the flyer. He checked the front and back, but all that was written on it was the request's name, the mission's grade, and the picture.
One of the older members grabbed one of the flyers and held a silver license over the flyer, and they glowed like the registration before. Asher followed the example, and his license glowed, and his system chimed as the license dimmed.
[You have accepted the mission, "Aquire Slime Residue"]
Mission: Aquire Smile Residue
Description: The alchemist, Cynthia, need smile residue to brew new health potions. Smile residue is a crucial ingredient in potions as the liquid body of slime is full of concentrated mana. She has requested that the guild brings some slime residue.
Completion Requirement: 0/5 liters of Slime Residue
Reward: 5 bronze pieces, +20 exp
Asher looked at his license and learned that it was the same information. However, the reward did not include the experience. Asher was somewhat interested in the name, and Cynthia was the same name on the magic shop he passed on the way to the guild. But what interested Asher the most was that this Cynthia was an Alchemist.
If Asher could get on their good side, he would have access to secrets about alchemy. Alchemy was one of the most complicated elements to learn, and it would be much easier if he could get a mentor to teach him how to use the element to its fullest. He asked some of the older members where he could find some slimes, which, he soon found out, were located just outside the city in a nearby forest.