The Seasonshore continent is a minor continent present in the southern oceans below the Landmoon continent and is completely disconnected from the rest of the world.
The continent itself is divided into 3 kingdoms -
Summerhawk - northeast of the continent
Winterdove - south of the continent
Springcrow - northwest of the kingdom
If one looked at the map of Zelrun, they'd think that Springcrow is the closest kingdom to Landmoon- however, Summerhawk was said to be faster to reach even though a roundabout path has to be taken because of the storms between the closest path between both continents
There was another threat that every kid who ever dreamed of travelling across the oceans by sea or by air, was taught about the moment they dreamed about it.
There is a saying "Never cross the Southern Dragon Ocean until you are mythical lest you want to become a forgotten piece of myth"
The continent was completely isolated and didn't allow normal visitors, the only place that is connected to it through a teleportation stand was the Rainsparrow kingdom in Landmoon and even that was only used for trades or important matters.
Although it traded with places all over the world, such action of isolation made various powers over the world wonder about their motives, after all- The history of its origin was infamous and people feared that history will repeat itself.
Now more than ever- the situation there seemed tense as the 3 kingdoms started trading more weapons and all kinds of things one would associate to-
War.
With whom? the common people outside of Seasonshore didn't know....yet
Nier knew of this and everything that the woman mentioned, he still asked to see if some new information was added. He had been researching a way to get there for more than 2 years by now.
Just recently- he snuck near the home of a guild higher up and learned about an opportunity, an opportunity to go there.
'I don't have enough time' thinking this, Nier asked- "How do I get the permission for teleportation?"
"If you are an A- and above adventurer then you can submit a reque-"
"I mean the test, the trial test that's about to-"
"How do you know that!?" The counterwoman exclaimed with a shout as she looked at him with a bewildered expression. No D+ rank should know about such a thing.
There was a camera at the top of the counter that scanned the clients and the information about the client came on the computer in front of the clerk.
The scanner worked by detecting the adventurer cards on the body of the client and matching the details mentioned in it to confirm cases of impersonations
Soon the clerk's face relaxed with a sigh- "I mean, seriously...How did you learn that?"
"Just some rumours" Nier answered indifferently. Originally, he had a plan in mind to trick the woman but seeing her expression relax, he realized that it wasn't that much of a deal to know about it and decided to be vague.
Recently a rumour had spread that a mission with magnificent rewards like instant promotion up to 2 ranks and some other rewards was going to be conducted.
Hearing the rumours, Nier sneaked up to the house of some official undetected and learned that it was related to Seasonshore continent and a trial was going to be conducted
He used anti-mana that only he had, as such- no one was able to sense him once he suppressed his mana
"Actually, we are not sure ourselves but there is going to be a test to make a team of adventures to travel to Summerhawk kingdom and complete a mission there.
The rewards are going to be instant promotion to +2 ranks and some other things, that's all I know...The test will be conducted this week itself somewhere in the capital and-
The smile on her face suddenly vanished as a grim expression came on her face
"There's only so much I can tell a D- rank about, the registration may or may not have already happened.
A grim expression came on Nier's face as he thought of his next actions when-
"Wait...D-? what do you mean by the minus?"
"Hmm...oh it seems that you haven't been to a WAO branch, but basically speaking, guilds can have different grading methods. Because of the nature of the YSAG, their grading system is really simple E, D, C, B, A, S.
However, the official World Adventurer's Organisation's ranking system goes like- E, E+, E++, D-, D+, D++.....and this goes on till S rank which doesn't have a negative or positive.
The signs are just a way of telling your rank amongst those of the same grade. It doesn't seem like you have participated in many missions or given any adventure report, your rank is D- as of now".
"I see, well anyways... I'll like to take a mission, the escort-to-Dainport mission," Nier said pointing to a paper on the notice board.
'What? did he see that paper just from here? the letters are written quite short yet he read the conditions? it must be the glasses, they must enhance his vision'. Quite shocked at Nier's visual prowess, she nodded and glanced towards the paper.
A thin light blue aura surrounded her and the paper that seemed like it was sticking to the board started floating as a similar aura covered the paper and flew towards the counter
Mental Energy!
Stamping the paper, now in her hands, she gave it to Nier.
"Give this paper to the clients, you'll find them in 3 hours in Soltown. I suggest you rent a mountain shine horse to reach there quickly" Telling him this the clerk woman drank another bottle of water as Nier left the building.
"Annoying brat"
*Sigh*
Picking up the telephone, she dialled a number and spoke-
"An adventurer inquired about the Seasonshore mission, sir. It seems like he needs a 6 petal lotus from there. He didn't say how he got such information"
"I see, it still isn't enough...there are ways he could've gotten such information but I hope it was his own prowess. Anyways, tell me the name and grade of the person"
A rigid voice answered from the phone
"Nier Silvernova, grade D-"
"I see"
*Beep*
A silence descended in the YSAG counter as no one except the 3 heard what transpired here because of the sound trapping array set in each counter.
___________________________________
Nier reached a large building titled "The Sharkshine Beast House" and entered it, the place had a green interior with a large counter divided into several parts at the end.
There were some banners on the walls containing information about the prices and choices of travel. There were nearly as many people as in the Guild Link which wasn't many.
Nier eyed the 'menu' and decided on a cheap and efficient stone-leg horse, he felt that while aerial travel was better, saving money was even more better.
Reaching one of the counters where the counter-crew tended to the people's requests-
"I'd like to rent a stone-leg horse" Nier demanded as he took out the fee.
"Rent...huh, that's...you'll have to either return the horse here or you can leave it in another branch and you'll have to return it alive without any crippling wound" The attendant answered.
"Is there a branch in Soltown?" Nier asked while handing the fee.
"Yes there is, and If you pass the Monland Forest, although you won't face too much danger, you'll have to protect the horse just in case, it is after all just common grade."
The attendant then gave Nier a token. it was brown in colour and the on it- was engraved the information about the horse.
"Do you want the horse immediately?" The attendant asked, to which Nier shook his head, "I'll come in half an hour or so"
Exiting the building, Nier started wandering around and found himself sitting in a restaurant. The restaurant wasn't particularly eye-catching but there were already several people eating food while laughing and talking which probably meant the food here was delicious.
Nier was sitting aside a window, looking at the menu and finally decided on Shwitzpeak pastry which was unsurprisingly shaped like a mountain called Shwitz and 2 large grilled sandwiches.
Soon his order arrived- a cold dark chocolate pastry in the shape of a mountain and from a tiny hole, white chocolate flowed like a river there were choco-chips of different size planted near the 'river', and 2 sandwiches which seemed average unlike it's food-mate.
The sight was.....mouth-watering.
Immediately digging in, Nier felt euphoric tasting the heavenly pastry and almost as good sandwiches when-
A blonde youth wearing a flashy orange overcoat atop a thin 'red-striped' black armor entered the restaurant along with a butler and a middle-aged man.
And immediately eyed the table Nier was sitting on.