After the four months were up, Kayn was officially 14 and his father had just left to return to his duties. Kayn asked to take a week of rest before he left for Myrem though. His father let him rest for a total of a total of seven hours each day. Six hours for sleeping and the other one hour for his meals.
Zerana was more than happy to have her son home for another week. She wasn't ready for both of her children to be out of the house for her to be be left all alone.
She even asked Lydia if after she finished escorting Kayn, she would want to come back and stay there. Lydia happily agreed to Zerana's request since she could easily go back and forth between the capital.
Lydia didn't have many responsibilities aside from reviewing submitted healing spells. The Emperor had given her time off and allowed her to come and go when she wanted with fewer responsibilities after the incident.
She would be more than happy to spend her time with what she considered her new family. Especially since she didn't exactly have a social life, and didn't want to be lonely either.
…
The week passed with Kayn mostly sleeping or reading in the garden with his mother. Lydia was away for this week to pick up some spells to review during the trip and also grab her personal research that she wanted Kayn to look over since he could often come up with solutions to the problems in her research.
The day finally arrived when Kayn would leave home for Myrem. He gave his mother a big hug, told her he loved her, and promised he would be safe.
Zerana couldn't help but cry seeing her last child leaving the nest and the sense of security she felt having them at home. However, she was glad that Lydia would be coming back to her so she wouldn't be alone while both her children and husband were away.
Kayn and Lydia climbed aboard two horses that had traveling supplies packed on them and began their journey. They decided not to use a carriage this time since the group was smaller and just using horses alone would be faster.
Kayn's personal bag contained a couple of new notebooks for his research, the outfit his father gave him along with new short swords, 49 silver coins, 100 copper coins, and lastly a multi-communication crystal that allowed him to talk with his mother, father, and Lydia. He Analyzed the new gear as soon as he got it, and the results of his ability excited him.
…
The travel lasted around a month since they didn't rush, but traveled at a moderate pace to enjoy the journey.
Lydia taught Kayn many things about different plants and how they can be used. She also instructed him on how to spot areas where rune beasts had set up their territories as she did field research for a time.
Two of the books that Kayn received from Lydia for his time alone were guides to magical plants and rune beasts. These would help Kayn with identifying useful plants and knowing which parts of rune beasts were highly desired and how each one lived in their natural habitat.
Before Kayn and Lydia entered Myrem, Kayn had decided to change into his new clothing before entering the town since he would be going to the Adventurer's Guild first thing. When Lydia saw him next, she was slightly surprised. Not only was it hard for her to keep her attention on him, it was also like it was harder to see him while he was in shadows.
Kayn was wearing a tight long sleeve black shirt and gloves. A tight full-face mask covered his head and neck, reminding him of a full-face balaclava ski mask from Earth, the only part revealed were his eyes and the bridge of his nose.
Over this was a black sleeveless tunic that had dark purple embroideries on the hems of the tunic. The tunic also had a hood but this was looser and was more to cover up the head again.
Lastly, he had semi-tight black pants that were also embroidered with dark purple, and black boots. Attached to his back were his new swords that were placed in a cross pattern to be unsheathed easier in a cross-draw pattern.
Ezekiel explained to him that the tunic and pants combo were enchanted to misdirect attention away from the individual wearing them. He included the slightly silly looking mask as a joke, but also told Kayn to wear it anyway because it would cover his unique hair color. The swords however were made of a type of enchanted steel that increased their durability and sharpness.
They reminded Kayn of a typical Jian sword with a blade length of 40 cm each. Kayn was extremely pleased with these new swords since they were the perfect length for his current height, double edged, and easy to flip into a reverse grip.
"Wow, your father really went all out to find you the perfect clothes, didn't he?" Lydia asked as she watched Kayn approach.
"Yep! Dad did great, he said that they are even highly cut resistant. I'll still feel the blunt pain, but at least I shouldn't bleed to slashes from claws of normal or low rank rune beasts. Plus, he said with my body growing along with my core, I won't even need to worry about regular weapons once I have a stage 3 core."
Kayn smiled as he arrived by her side, he had the face mask portion pulled up so that Lydia could see his face.
"Well, it's time to separate Master. Thank you for everything you have done for me and everything you are continuing to do. I will be sure to keep in contact and also update you if I make any new discoveries or think of something for your research." Kayn said as he suddenly hugged Lydia. She was his master, but also more like an aunt that he loved just as much as his normal family.
As a tear silently slid down Lydia's face she responded, "Be safe Kayn. I know you're strong, but the world is cruel as you've experienced before. Call me if you need anything, I'll arrive as quick as I can." Lydia returned the hug plus some, reminding Kayn that his master was still slightly, no much, stronger than him.
…
Lydia began her travel back and Kayn pulled down his mask and began his walk towards the entrance to Myrem.
Since Kayn didn't have an identification token for his alias, he needed to pay 50 copper coins just to enter into the medium sized town. He was told that if he didn't provide an ID token or plate, most towns on the north end would charge him for entry every time. After that he was warned to get an ID, or else they would probably restrict his entry, especially since he wouldn't show his face.
Since he didn't want to have to pay a fee whenever he left and came back to the village, his first priority was to visit the Adventurer's Guild and register.
He had a token that had his real name listed, but he didn't want people to know who he was. He was going to purchase a new ID plate from the guild for his alias and an ID token from the town hall that just listed his given name and that he was a resident, as these would let him move more freely.
Upon arriving at and entering the guild building, he noticed that it was a lot more organized and statelier than he thought it would be. His fantasy world thoughts were a bit ruined. There was a bar, but it was off to the side and the patrons were not being disorderly or loud and no one came to provoke him as a newbie.
There was also a line formed in front of the receptionist, so he just joined the line and remained quiet. When he arrived in front of the receptionist, he said that he would like to register as an adventurer to which the man behind the desk responded as if he had said the same thing several times already today.
"The fee for registering is 5 silver coins, if you can't pay now, you can still register, but the guild will take a fee from each of your completed missions until you have paid for your fee plus 10 copper coins extra per week it isn't paid off.
Every new member begins at E-rank and can take only E-rank missions until they apply for a rank-up mission which will be a D-rank mission. You must complete 10 E-rank missions before you can apply for the rank-up mission.
Each rank has different requirements and you will be told them as you rise to the next rank. Will you pay now or through your missions?"
'Man, at first I thought they were scamming people, but a 2% interest rate really isn't that bad.' Kayn thought to himself while out of his mouth he said, "I'll pay now." Thus, Kayn placed 5 silver coins on the counter.
The receptionist placed a brass plate in front of Kayn while saying, "Place a drop of blood on the plate while thinking of your name and it will be engraved to belong to your mana signature."
Kayn followed the instructions and placed a drop of blood from his finger on the brass plate. Slowly the plate formed words in red lettering that stated the following: Shin, E-Rank, 0 missions complete.
Kayn smiled as this was the start of a new adventure.