The cobbled streets of Silvervale were unusually quiet as Alfred walked through the bustling capital. Normally alive with chatter and the hustle of daily life, the city seemed to hold its breath with every step he took. Eyes widened, whispers floated on the wind, and people parted like the sea before him.
"Those black hairs…" someone muttered.
"Could it be…?"
"Is he here for revenge?"
Alfred glanced around, visibly confused. The once vibrant streets now looked as though a ghost had wandered into the heart of the city.
(Oh, this is going even better than I expected! Look at them tremble!) Luna thought gleefully, hovering near Alfred's shoulder, though her outward appearance remained serene and composed.
Alfred, oblivious to the mounting tension, leaned toward Luna. "Why are they looking at me like that?" he asked, his voice low, almost hoping for an innocent explanation.
Luna stifled a laugh, covering her mouth with her tiny hands. "Oh, nothing, pfffufufu, absolutely nothing. It's just the color of your hair," she said, her voice wavering with amusement. "Black hair around here is… well… rare. And people who have it are considered rebellious. You know, a little bit of a troublemaker image, that's all."
(Or they think you're about to wipe out the entire city, but I'll keep that part to myself.)
Alfred frowned, running a hand through his unruly, jet-black hair. "But I was born like this," he replied, clearly bewildered by the implication that his natural hair color was causing a city-wide panic.
"Yes, I know," Luna said, barely able to keep her laughter in check. "But that doesn't change their perception, does it? It's quite a superstitious bunch, you see."
(Oh, Alfred, you sweet, clueless human. They think you're a harbinger of doom, and you're worried about genetics. This is too much fun!)
As they continued walking, the people they passed grew more and more uneasy. Some villagers whispered behind their hands, while others bowed respectfully and kept a wide berth, as if simply being near him could unleash some hidden wrath.
"Is he looking for someone to… challenge?"
"He's so calm… it's terrifying."
Alfred noticed a group of children huddled behind a stall, peeking at him from behind crates of fruit. When he smiled and waved at them, their eyes grew even wider, and they darted behind the vendor.
(Oh no, he's trying to be friendly! That's only going to make them more nervous!) Luna thought gleefully. She hovered near Alfred's ear and whispered, "Maybe… just maybe, don't smile too much? They might not be used to your kind of kindness."
Alfred's brows knitted together in frustration. "What's so scary about a smile?"
(Everything, apparently. Especially when they think you're a dark avenger from a feared lineage.)
As they walked deeper into the city, the crowd's reactions intensified. Alfred stopped by a stall to buy an apple, but the vendor trembled as he handed it over, refusing to take any payment.
Alfred frowned. "No, I insist," he said, placing a few coins on the counter. "I can't just take it for free."
The vendor paled, nearly stumbling over his own feet as he mumbled something about "the dark heir's generosity" before scurrying away.
"Generosity? I just bought an apple…" Alfred muttered to himself, scratching his head.
Luna couldn't help but giggle, floating just above him. "Oh, Alfred, you're so gracious," she said with mock seriousness.
(And terrifying, apparently. Who knew buying fruit could cause a mass panic?)
They continued down the main road, passing under the grand arches that led to the heart of the city. Guards eyed them warily, gripping their swords tighter as Alfred approached, though none dared to challenge him directly.
"They're… staring again," Alfred whispered, glancing sideways at Luna. "What is it this time?"
Luna fluttered beside him, trying her best to appear thoughtful while holding back her laughter. "It's probably just your posture," she said with a grin. "Very… authoritative. You walk like someone who owns the place."
Alfred straightened his back instinctively. "I'm just walking normally," he protested.
(Ah, yes, but "normal" for you is like an emperor parading through his domain to these poor souls.)
The pair approached a grand fountain in the city square, where a small group of nobles conversed in low tones. The moment Alfred entered the square, their conversation ceased, and all eyes locked onto him. One of the nobles, a tall man with a fur-lined cloak, visibly gulped as Alfred passed by.
"Do you think he's here to challenge the King?" a noblewoman whispered to her companion.
"Or worse, maybe he's here to recruit for some… dark army," another added, his voice barely audible over the gentle splash of the fountain.
Alfred, overhearing snippets of their conversation, shook his head. "I don't get it. Why do they all assume I'm up to something bad?" he murmured.
Luna, barely able to suppress her laughter now, landed on his shoulder and patted his head. "Don't worry, Alfred. They're just… cautious. You have that effect on people."
(And I'm loving every second of it. Honestly, I could write a book about this—'How to Terrify People Without Even Trying,' by Alfred Nightshade.)
They continued their journey through the city, Alfred's every move—from adjusting his coat to looking curiously at a map on a street corner—causing further gasps and murmurs. A small group of street performers, who had been juggling and playing instruments, abruptly stopped their act when Alfred glanced in their direction. One of them dropped a lute in sheer panic.
Alfred turned to Luna, exasperated. "I just wanted to see the show."
Luna's shoulders shook with laughter as she quickly composed herself. "Well, they might have thought you were evaluating their performance... for, uh, other reasons."
(Like whether or not to spare their lives, of course.)
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of confused and fearful stares, they arrived at the guild. The imposing stone building loomed ahead, its wooden doors adorned with carvings of swords, shields, and magical runes.
"This must be it," Alfred said, pushing open the heavy door.
The interior of the guild was dimly lit, with adventurers of all shapes and sizes gathered at various tables, drinking, talking, and inspecting their gear. The moment Alfred stepped inside, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations died, mugs stopped mid-air, and every eye in the room turned toward the newcomer.
"Black hair… Is he a Nightshade?" someone whispered from a far corner.
Alfred glanced around awkwardly. "Here we go again…"
Luna perched on his shoulder, her wings fluttering lightly. "Ready to register as an adventurer, Alfred? This should be fun."
(For me, at least. Let's see how many more misunderstandings we can stir up in here.)
As Alfred approached the registration desk, the guild receptionist—a sharp-eyed young woman with auburn hair tied in a neat bun—looked up from her parchment. Her gaze swept over Alfred, lingering just a little too long on his jet-black hair before her quill hovered over the form.
"Name?" she asked, her tone professional, though her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
"Alfred," he replied simply.
The receptionist glanced at his black hair once more, her brow furrowing. "Alfred… how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen," Alfred answered, trying to ignore the murmurs rising from the nearby adventurers.
"Sixteen? He must have been six when the Nightshade family was massacred," someone whispered from a corner.
"Six years old… and he survived?" another voice added, their tone laced with awe and suspicion.
(Oh, this is getting even juicier. Now they're turning him into some kind of child survivor of a dark tragedy!)
Luna, barely able to contain her amusement, fluttered invisibly above Alfred, listening with gleeful delight as the rumors spread like wildfire.
The receptionist cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure. "Did you… by any chance, complete your training at the soldier academy?"
Alfred looked puzzled. "No, I didn't. I'm… new here, actually."
There was an audible gasp from one of the adventurers. "He hasn't even trained as a soldier, and yet he walks around with such presence?"
The receptionist blinked in surprise. "You haven't completed the soldier academy?"
"No," Alfred repeated, now even more confused. "Is that required?"
The receptionist nodded, quickly grabbing a parchment from beneath the counter. "Yes, it is. Normally, adventurers must complete the basic training at the Silvervale Starfall Academy before they can formally register with the guild."
She began scribbling something on the parchment, her hand moving quickly, all while stealing cautious glances at Alfred's stoic expression.
(Oh, poor Alfred. He has no idea they think he's some kind of dark prodigy. This is priceless!)
When she finished writing, she stamped the parchment with the guild's insignia and handed it to Alfred. "This is a letter of recommendation. With your… background, I think it's best if you attend the academy to complete your training. Once you graduate, return to the guild, and we can proceed with your registration."
Alfred blinked in surprise. "A recommendation? But I'm not—"
The receptionist cut him off, her voice wavering slightly. "I strongly suggest you attend. It's… protocol." She cleared her throat, clearly uncomfortable but unwilling to argue.
(Oh, they're terrified of him. I couldn't have planned this better if I tried!) Luna thought, trying to suppress her laughter.
Alfred took the letter, still confused but not wanting to cause more of a scene. "Thank you… I guess?"
The receptionist exhaled in relief as he turned to leave, clearly glad the interaction was over.
As they exited the guild, Luna couldn't help but smirk. "Looks like you're off to the academy, Alfred! How exciting!"
Alfred sighed, glancing down at the letter. "I just wanted to register as an adventurer. Now I have to attend a school I've never heard of."
(Oh, trust me, Alfred, this is going to be a lot more entertaining than you think. And I'll be right here to enjoy every minute of it.)