Author's Note: Hello again! Welcome back to the second chapter which will be posted today. The first chapter earlier today had a very big twist and, that is just the start. Since the last chapter had a huge impact on Luscia's life, let's see if Alex will have any life-changing moments in this chapter as well. As usual, Wednesday will be the day the next chapters will be coming out. Enjoy!
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After I passed security, and crossed a sizable distance away from the gates, I separated from the shadow of the person I was inside of and shifted into an alleyway. I am so happy that alleyways exist in huge cities like these.
So, the name of this city is Audaceus, right?
The City of Adventurers.
I walked out of the alleyway and relied, as always, on my tendrils to help me navigate while I was still lost in thought. The name 'Audaceus' is related to two words from the language humans spoke when I was still Zeta.
I think those words were 'audace' and 'deceus'.
'Audace' meant journey or quest but, in this case, it would be adventure. 'Deceus' would mean gathering or meeting but, in this case, it would mean city. The name of this city is basically some old words mixed into one to create a new meaning.
But, if that is the case, then the one who named this city is probably someone who is familiar with the old tongue, was taught it by someone, was able to decipher this language, or is straight up a person who lived in the ancient era.
However, I don't remember a city with that kind of name and I wasn't familiar with adventurers until I actually read the name of their Guild back in Vulcan. That means, the founder's family is a survivor of those times.
I think I am overanalyzing just the name of this city but, I like doing this. When I have nothing better to do, I like thinking deeply about simple matters that wouldn't usually make someone start scratching their heads. This is just some sort of hobby of mine but, would probably be boring to another person if I was ranting about this in front of them.
That was when my tendrils picked up someone running towards this direction at high speeds. Since I was distracted, I didn't have enough time to fully dodge them so, we ended up colliding into each other.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Don't worry. More importantly, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I am."
My tendrils pick up some books that the person was carrying. These are lots of books. Are they being delivered somewhere?
"Here."
"Huh? Oh, thank you. Sorry, I can't talk right now so, bye!"
The figure started picking up all of the books on the ground very fast and started running again. I turn around and call to him before he is completely gone.
"Watch where you are going this time!"
"I will!"
Huh.
That voice sounds awfully young. It is also sounds quite feminine as well so, was that person a girl? Why was she delivering those books? Is child labor that prevalent in this city? Oh wait. I think that kind of thinking is a bit too extreme.
Maybe she was just told by her parents to bring those books home. I don't even know any more. Since I was curious, once I started walking again, I asked Calido some questions.
(Hey, you definitely saw all of that, right?)
(Yes, I did.)
(So, what did the little girl look like?)
(Why are you so interested in that?)
(Well, I will obsess over anything that catches my interest. That little girl did exactly that so, you want to tell me already?)
(Okay, fine. The first thing I noticed was their weird hair color. It had so many colors in it that their family must be famous for their 'genetic mutants' or whatever you said about that before.)
(You mean 'genetic mutations'.)
(Yes, that one.)
Okay.
If it was enough for Calido to attempt to use a word I told him before then, it must have been very strange indeed. I don't think any random person would have that sort of thing going on with them so, I'm even more interested now.
(What else?)
(They looked young. Younger than even you, actually. They also looked like a cross between a boy and a girl and I couldn't tell at all if they were the former or the latter.)
Huh?
A child younger than me doing work? Is their family poor or something? Also, an androgynous person? I don't think you see a person like that everyday, unless you're friends or are acquainted with one. Alright, time for the last question.
(What were they wearing?)
(Oh, they had simple brown clothing on. However, there was one thing that seemed interesting. On their chest was a small symbol that was red in color. It probably denotes a status of sorts.)
Ah.
An organization of sorts recruiting children. That definitely sounds like something I should avoid when I am not using my shadows to make myself appear as an adult.
And so, we continued on our merry way. I would occasionally ask some random people passing by on the street where the Adventurer's Guild was. To make sure that they didn't become suspicious of my motives, I then added that I wanted to find a family member who was an adventurer.
Of course, if they tried to ask me who it was, I would just shift into my shadow and disappear. That is what I call my 'Art of Evasion'. People in the future could probably learn from my example. Alright, that should be enough boasting for now.
After a while, I was finally able to piece together the way to the Adventurer's Guild and arrive there. When I used my tendrils to scout it out, it was significantly larger than the one I used to go to in Vulcan. There were also swathes of people inside. Well, I shouldn't be surprised by that fact. After all, this is the City of Adventurers.
Oh wait a minute.
I almost forgot to change my appearance. I slowly walk into a dark area nearby and use the shadows there to make sure that I look like an adult. No one is going to notice that this seemingly dark place has no darkness in it at all, right?
Once I finished changing my appearance, I walk towards the door to the Adventurer's Guild and open it. The moment I did, I was immediately blasted by the amount of noise inside created by all of the people talking all at once.
It is so weird to be in a place filled with so many people when I spent the last few months in complete solitude, aside from Calido, of course. It seems like Calido was also uncomfortable with the amount of people here as he said these following words.
(Um, I don't think I can adjust to such crowded places. I'll let you do everything that we need to do. Also, please make this quick. Oh! The counter over there has a woman behind it! I'll let you do the smooth talking here.)
After that announcement, he scurried off of my shoulder and into one of my inner pockets in my jacket.
Hey, you traitor!
I thought we would go through any kind of trouble! Through both thick AND thin! Also, how do you expect me to do smooth talking or whatever?! I never did it and I was in isolation for such a long time!
Oh well.
Aside from his betrayal, everything else is fine. I just need to speak as politely and eloquently as I possibly could. It's not like I won't be able to do this. I am the best in the world...!
Right?
I walk towards the place where the counter is and put my tendrils away underneath my jacket so that I won't look quite as suspicious as before.
"Hello, Miss. What's your name?"
"Yes, hello to you as well. I am the receptionist here, Shirley."
Alright, everything is going well.
"Miss Shirley, I am here to give my thanks to some adventurers."
"Oh, you are that person! I'll call them now."
Good. I think I'm able to actually talk to people normally already. That was a rather quick recovery from my isolation.
"Hey, it's you, Mister!"
"Nice to see you again."
"So, you came after all."
I then heard the voices of the adventurers I saved from the goblins nest a few days ago. Wow, that receptionist sure is quick.
"Yeah, I did come. I came to say thanks for all the help. So, thank you."
"You don't need to thank us! You were the ones who saved us! You're definitely strong enough to be an adventurer!"
"Eh, this is the guy you were talking about? He doesn't look that strong to me."
Ah, of course.
The annoying guy in almost every place in the world has come forward.
"Well, if I'm weak then, what does that make you? Pitiful?"
"Huh!?"
Brutal Kyra, I will never, ever forget the teachings you have bestowed upon me. I think that I must have already become a master at doing this.
"If you think you're so strong then, how about we see who's stronger!"
"No thanks. I'm still talking to the receptionist."
"Grr."
Alright, I should get information and leave.
"So, what cities are nearby?"
"Oh, well here they are-"
"Wait. Don't show me a map. I need you to tell me with words as I am actually blind."
"You are?!"
I kind of missed this kind of reaction.
"Then, I guess you never saw this coming!"
The annoying guy from earlier must have tried to attack me but, I grabbed his arm with my own, reinforced with my tendrils, to stop his swing. Oh, that's strong. He is actually much stronger than I anticipated. Maybe my tendrils aren't that strong. I should probably train my arm strength and the strength of my tendrils more.
"You're annoying. Can't you see that I'm still talking with Miss Shirley. Oh well. This warning will probably not get through your skull so, how about I become an adventurer as well?"
"""""WHAT!?!?!"""""
"Miss Shirley, may I register?"
"Um, sure. Here is the form."
I know I'm doing this out of vengeance but, I just realized I can't write when I don't know where it is. If it turns out that I am so bad at writing, I don't think my pride can handle it. So, I'll take the alternative route.
"I mentioned earlier that I was blind. So, could you just leave it blank?"
"What? Uh, sure?"
"Thanks."
*Uproar*
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(A few minutes later, after Alex left)
"Huh? Why is everyone so loud right now?"
"Oh, Shu, you're finally back. Well, some guy just came in and did some stuff. He also had these weird black tentacles coming from him as well."
"What? Wait a minute. Didn't the kid I bump into earlier have weird black tentacles coming out from his body as well? Was the one I ran into that guy's son or relative or something. Oh no, future vision time~"