'Does he think we are some adventurers or the likes? Well maybe because we managed to escape the ambush? Becoming an adventurer however isn't a bad idea. After all this is my new life and I need a stable income to survive. But that is something for tomorrow.'
With Myrna still clinging to my arm, we walk to the registration building which the city guard has mentioned. Inside the building shines a light so they should be open. I knock moderately at the door.
"Come in!" a woman calls.
Upon her call I open the door and enter together with Myrna.
"Oh two late adventurers I guess?"
"Kinda," I reply with a smile.
It makes me nervous all the time if people assume something which I probably could correct.
"Don't worry. The inspection process is fast and there's nothing to worry. Just come over here."
The woman looks like she's in my original age on earth like late second half of the twenties. Unlike Myrna, this woman has long, black hair reaching slightly over her chest. Her eyes are brown and her skin looks more like what I am used to.
"My name is Liana and I will help you through the identification process. For start, please put your hands down on the crystal next to me and state your name and age. The rest will be finished by the appraisal crystal."
It's hard to not swallow! An appraisal crystal could give us some problems I fear. Myrna is not even human and I have a rare skill which I would rather hide.
"No worries," Liana repeats "It's just to categorise the people in town and their skills so we know who enters with what abilities. It helps also in solving crimes including skills."
'The name of my rare skill is so vague, it could be used for anything I guess... I need to hide it for now.'
With the help of rune magic, instant cast, rapid chain cast, slight of hand and my rare skill I create a rune for Myrna and me. The rune under her clothes are to hide her actual race and switch out out with human, while the rune on my body hides the rare skill.
It's just 100 MP runes and also my last runes for now as my MP is in the lower two digits again, so everything left is hoping.
With the runes intact I go first. Possessing a rare skill is no crime and if it is shown in the appraisal, I have to think of a way for Myrna.
"Ryuu, 16 years." I say the moment I touch the appraisal crystal.
A status menue appears, howering over the crystal. It shows all my name, age, race even my stats and the skills...
'But it's missing unbound imagination!'
I take a deep breath. So my 100 MP runes are working fine to the degree to trick an appraisal crystal. Basically they feel like a cheat but I'm glad it's this way.
"Lvl 1, huh? You will get stronger soon I bet. Just work hard."
'Did she say it because I took a deep breath? Well, that's fine with me.'
"Now it's the little girl."
"Myrna," I whisper and give her a weak bump with my elbow. "State your name and your age on the appraisal crystal."
"Ehh?"
The moment I mentioned the appraisal crystal her eyes are wide open and she looks at me with fear written on her face.
"It's fine," I smile. "There's nothing to worry."
"O....okay," Myrna responds and steps forward to the crystal.
"Myrna, 15 years." she says.
Like mine, her status menue appears in front of us.
Seeing the stats I can't help but to be astonished.
HP: 250 (2500)
MP: 400 (4000)
Race: human
Level: 20
I'm curious about her skills but it wouldn't feel right so I don't bother looking at them. What I've seen so far is already astonishing. The rune works so well that even I, as the caster, can't see Myrna's original race even though I already know it. But more I'm wondering about the numbers in parenthesis. Her actual MP and HP are a tenth of them.
'Speaking of cheat characters... is this some sort of course which limits her powers?'
Even Liana seems to be astonished by what she sees.
"The appraisal is fine," she continues the process. "But you should go see a cleric or a priest to get rid of the condition on your stats, young girl."
Myrna and I both get a little card which shows our name, age and race.
"It's imbued with magic so it isn't easy to be destroyed. Stats and skills can be shown with magic but only with the consent of the owner, to avoid misuse," Liana explains. "With that the registration process is done. Welcome in Tovol, you two."
"Thank you very much," I respond. "Uhm, Miss Liana... do you know a cheap place to stay? We just entered the city and are on short money."
"Hmm. If it is like this you can visit my sister's Inn. She owns the 'Roasted Boar' in just down the road. Tell her that her bigger sister Liana sends you."
"I see. Again, thank you very much for your help, Miss Liana."
I can't help but talk to her in a formal manner. Somehow she reminds me of my bosses back then from work. This time, however, it feels more natural than back then.
Together with Myrna I leave the registration office and we head down the road, looking for a sign of the Inn.
Today has given me many things to think about but for now the thing we need most is a good rest.
As Miss Liana said the Inn is just a few hundred meters down the road. Outside hangs a big sign showing a boar on a spit over some fire. That should be the 'Roasted Boar'. Finally we can come to rest. It's not that I haven't worked through nights before, but getting used to something doesn't mean it's natural.
With Myrna in my arms I enter the Roasted Boar.
"Good evening," I say out loud, "Miss Liana said that you maybe have accommodation for us?"
The inside is not only an inn for nights but also has a bar which is empty right now. On the other side of the room I can see a girl which looks slightly younger than Miss Liana, but her features are the same. Black long hair, deep brown eyes. It's almost as if she is just the younger version.
"Haa.... she has done it again? Does she think I'm running a charity inn?" The girl sighs, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Well, anyway. Welcome to the roasted Boar. How may I serve you?"
"We need a room. I have money, but not much. Is it possible to pay you off another day after I went to the adventurer guild?"
"At least you have SOME money" she replies. "Sorry, but my sister is giving me real headache with newcomers who have nothing at all. The first room upstairs, left side. We will talk tomorrow."