As the first light of dawn filtered through the cracks of the caravan, Nate stirred awake, only to find Gwen nestled against him. For a fleeting moment, he admired the peaceful look on her face, her chestnut hair slightly disheveled and her sea-blue eyes still closed in slumber. However, as soon as she woke up, her eyes widened in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a soft pink.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Nate teased, smirking as she quickly pulled away. "Comfortable night?"
Gwen, flustered and embarrassed, shot him a glare. "Shut up!" she snapped, though the corners of her lips curled into a reluctant smile. "You were using me as a pillow half the night."
"Can't blame me for that," Nate replied with a wink. "You're a great pillow."
Gwen huffed, her embarrassment turning into playful annoyance. She raised her hand, summoning a small gust of wind that blew directly into Nate's face, ruffling his hair and sending dust into his eyes.
"Alright, alright! I yield!" Nate laughed, shielding himself from her wind magic. "I promise not to tease you too much."
Gwen grinned triumphantly, lowering her hand. "Good."
As the caravan trundled along the road, they fell into a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional sounds of nature outside. After a while, Nate began sharing stories about his life in the village, recounting the antics he and Sam had gotten up to. Gwen listened quietly, her expression softening as she absorbed the tales of his childhood.
When Nate asked about her past, however, Gwen remained tight-lipped. She offered vague answers and quickly steered the conversation away from her family, leaving Nate with the impression that there was more to her story than she was willing to share.
Before long, the capital city of Eldoria appeared on the horizon, its towering spires gleaming in the morning light.
"Look at that," Gwen said, pointing out the window. "It's even more incredible up close."
"Wow," Nate breathed as they approached the city's gates, the grandeur of the capital becoming clearer with every passing moment. "This is... something else."
As the caravan came to a stop, Nate and Gwen made plans to meet at the academy's entrance exam the next day before parting ways. Nate wandered through the bustling streets, searching for the merchant guild where his older brother, Kristoff, worked. The capital was a whirlwind of activity, with vendors shouting, people rushing by, and the scent of freshly baked bread filling the air.
"From herding sheep to navigating city streets in just a few days," Nate muttered to himself, a mix of excitement and apprehension coursing through him. "What a whirlwind."
Eventually, Nate found the merchant guild—a large building with a carved wooden plaque showing a set of scales balancing gold coins and precious gems. Before entering, he paused and decided to test his new Appraisal skill. Focusing on the building, he was surprised to see information materialize in his mind:
[Merchant Guild Headquarters] Importance: High Security: Moderate Notable Features: Houses valuable trade information and contracts
Intrigued by this new ability, Nate made a mental note to practice it more as he stepped inside. The guild hall was bustling with merchants bartering, clients negotiating deals, and the clink of coins exchanging hands.
As Nate was about to ask for directions to his brother's office, a burly shopkeeper thrust a dagger into his hands.
"You look like a man who needs a good blade!" the shopkeeper barked, pushing the weapon into Nate's grip. "What do you say? Only five gold pieces!"
Nate chuckled nervously, trying to hand the dagger back. "Actually, I'm just here to see my brother, Kristoff."
The shopkeeper blinked in surprise. "Kristoff, eh? Why didn't you say so? Come with me." He led Nate through the maze of stalls and crates to a small office at the back of the guild hall.
Kristoff looked up from his paperwork, his face lighting up when he saw Nate. "Little brother!" he exclaimed, getting up to embrace him. "What brings you here? Shouldn't you be off charming all the girls at the academy by now?"
Nate laughed, returning the hug. "I wanted to check in with you before I get started."
The two brothers sat down and caught up, bantering about everything from life in the capital to Nate's engagement with Sam. Kristoff's eyes gleamed with mischief as he teased Nate about getting married before him, and Nate shared his apprehension about the academy life ahead.
As their conversation wound down, Kristoff offered some advice. "You should consider joining the adventurers guild while you're here. It'll give you a way to earn money and gain some experience."
Nate nodded thoughtfully. "I'll definitely check it out. Thanks for the advice."
After leaving the merchant guild, Nate made a quick stop at a tailor to pick up his academy uniform. The dark blue jacket with silver embroidery and crisp white shirt felt strange in his hands, but he knew it was part of the new life he was about to begin. With his uniform in hand, he headed to the inn Kristoff had recommended.
The innkeeper, a plump woman with a warm smile, welcomed him and showed him to his room. After dropping off his things, Nate wasted no time heading toward the adventurers guild, eager to follow his brother's suggestion.
The guild building looked more like a tavern than anything else, with a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Inside, Nate approached the counter, where a cheerful receptionist named Mini guided him through the registration process.
"Welcome to the Bronze rank, Nate!" Mini said, handing him an adventurer's badge. "You can now accept Bronze-level quests from the board over there."
"Thanks, Mini," Nate said, feeling a swell of excitement as he clipped the badge onto his jacket. His adventurer journey had officially begun.
Curious about the types of quests available, Nate approached the quest board, activating his Appraisal skill once more:
[Bronze Rank Quest Board] Current Quests:
Herb Gathering in Whispering Woods (Difficulty: Low) Rat Extermination in City Sewers (Difficulty: Medium) Escort Merchant to Neighboring Town (Difficulty: Medium-High)
Nate's excitement grew as he realized the variety of tasks available to him. From simple gathering missions to more dangerous escort quests, there seemed to be something for everyone.
"Mini," Nate called out, turning back to the receptionist. "Quick question - what's the most popular quest for new adventurers?"
Mini smiled brightly. "Oh, most start with herb gathering. It's safe, and you get to learn about the local flora. But," she leaned in conspiratorially, "if you're feeling brave, the sewer rat quests pay better. Just be prepared for the smell!"
Nate laughed, appreciating her candor. As he left the guild, he felt a sense of anticipation building. The academy, the Adventurers Guild, the bustling city - it was all so different from his village life. Yet, instead of feeling overwhelmed, Nate felt ready for the challenge.
After a hearty meal back at the inn, Nate climbed into bed, his thoughts swirling with anticipation for the days ahead. "Tomorrow, the entrance exam," he reminded himself as he drifted off. "And after that... well, let's see what adventures await." With a final, deep breath, Nate allowed himself to drift off into a peaceful sleep.