Part 1
After signing up as an adventurer, and getting the information that I needed.
I walked out of the Guild.
Stepping out onto the dusty street, I blinked in the afternoon sun. My hand instinctively went to my hip, where my trusty sword usually hung. Then, a hollow feeling hit me – it was gone. Lost in that chaotic fight with the wyvern.Just as a plan for finding a new blade began to form, a voice froze me in my tracks."Senjar?"The voice was hesitant, laced with surprise. I turned to see Lirien standing on the steps of the Guild, her brow furrowed in concern. Her fiery red hair seemed to hold the faintest hint of dust from their travels, and a staff that she was holding in her hand.My initial reaction was one of disbelief. "Lirien? What are you doing here?"A flicker of worry crossed her features. "We were worried sick, Senjar. You were unconscious when we left, and when we returned to the tavern, your bed was empty."Shame washed over me. I hadn't meant to cause them trouble. "I woke up later," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze. "I… I thought you'd left already."Lirien's expression softened. "Leave you? Why would we do that? You're practically one of us now, after everything we've been through."Her words hung in the air, a mix of camaraderie and a gentle reminder of the debt I owed them. "So, where are you headed now?" She asked, her gaze flickering to the empty space at my hip."Actually," I confessed, "I was just about to look for a new sword. I lost mine in that… fight."Lirien's lips curled into a faint smile. Relief seemed to mingle with a touch of something else—perhaps a flicker of pride? "Well, then," she said, her voice firm, "let's not waste time. I know just the place."With that, she turned and began walking down the street, her confident stride a stark contrast to my own uncertainty. A warmth spread through me—they hadn't abandoned me. In fact, it seemed they were ready to embark on this new chapter with me.Part 2Lirien led me through the bustling streets of Merton, weaving between carts laden with goods and merchants hawking their wares. We stopped before a weathered wooden storefront adorned with a crossed-swords emblem. The rhythmic clanging of metal echoed from within, a symphony of hammer meeting anvil."This is 'The Iron Bull'," Lirien announced, pushing open the creaking door. A wave of heat and the sharp tang of metal flooded our senses. Inside, a burly dwarf with a thick beard and a booming voice greeted us."Lirien! Good to see you back, lass! What brings you to my humble forge?""Actually, Gundahar," Lirien said with a smile, "it's my friend Senjar who needs your expertise. He lost his sword in a bit of a scrape and needs a replacement."Gundahar's bushy eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Losing a sword, eh? That's not something you see every day."Lirien chuckled. "He's a special case, Gundahar. Now, show him what you've got."Gundahar rumbled a laugh and turned to me. "Alright, lad. Tell me what you're looking for. Longsword? Short sword? Something fancy or something that'll get the job done?"I ran a hand through my hair, considering my options. "Honestly," I said, "I need something versatile. Not too long, not too short. Lighter than those two-handed beasts some folks carry, but strong enough to take a hit."Gundahar nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Sounds like you need a good, well-balanced bastard sword. They'll give you some reach without weighing you down." He disappeared into the back of the shop and returned with a couple of swords, their hilts wrapped in worn leather.He handed one to me, the cool metal surprisingly light in my hand. I swung it a few times, feeling its balance. "This feels good," I admitted, surprised."Aye," Gundahar boomed, "that one's seen its share of battles. Sturdy steel, good for blocking and slashing."Lirien, however, had been eyeing another sword on the counter. It had a simpler design but glowed with a faint inner light. "Gundahar," she said, "what about that one?"The dwarf's face grew serious. "That's no ordinary blade, lass. That's a mage-forged steel, enchanted to channel mana. It'll cost a pretty penny, though."My heart sank. I didn't have a fortune to spend. Lirien, however, nudged me and gave me a reassuring look. "We can discuss payment arrangements later," she whispered, then turned back to Gundahar. "Let him hold it, Gundahar. See how it feels."Hesitantly, I picked up the enchanted blade. A warmth spread through my hand as I held it, a feeling of connection unlike anything I'd experienced with a normal sword. This was different. This felt like… power.But the price tag was a harsh reality. "Gundahar," I said finally, "the enchanted sword is amazing, but…"He cut me off with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry, lad. I see the spark in your eyes. Tell you what – you take the magic sword for 5 and the bastard sword for 2 gold coins. So, Total 7 gold coins. Do we hava a deal?"Relief washed over me. "Thank you, Gundahar," I said sincerely. "We have a deal."I was really lucky.Magic swords were the most expensive swords in the world.They costed quite a fortune.But I was able to buy one in such a low price.Lucky, Indeed.We ended up leaving the shop with two swords – the sturdy bastard sword for everyday use and the enchanted blade, a symbol of potential yet to be unlocked. My coin pouch was lighter, but the weight of the weapons at my hip felt reassuring. This was a new beginning, and I was ready.Part 3As we exited the Iron Bull, the warm afternoon sun felt a welcome contrast to the heat of the forge. Lirien nudged me playfully with her elbow."So," she said with a grin, "new swords. Feeling like a proper adventurer now?"I hefted the bastard sword at my hip, its weight reassuring. "Definitely more prepared," I admitted. A glance at the pouch hanging from my belt confirmed my dwindling funds. "Though, a bit lighter in the coin purse."Lirien chuckled. "We'll manage. Besides, that magic sword is an investment." Her voice turned serious then. "Speaking of the future, Senjar, I noticed something during the fight with the wyvern."I braced myself, unsure what she was about to say."You channeled a massive amount of raw mana into your sword. It surprised even me. Why haven't you focused on developing your magical abilities?"My throat tightened. "There were reasons," I said finally. "Back in Stonecreek, with no one to teach me…" Memories flooded back – my mother, skilled in the magic; my father, a stern warrior who insisted I hone my swordsmanship. "I trained with a blade to impress him," I confessed, the words heavy with past hurts.Lirien's gaze softened. "Do you still seek that path, Senjar? Or has something changed?"Her question hung in the air, echoing the shift within me. The near-death experience against the wyvern had been a stark wake-up call. Did I truly want to wield a sword, or could I embrace the magic that pulsed within me?Why couldn't both?"Yes," I said, the word firming with each passing second. "Yes, I want to learn magic. But how?"Lirien's lips curved into a smile. "Well, Senjar," she said, "you might just have yourself a teacher right here."Gratitude surged through me. A free magic tutor? It seemed too good to be true. "Are you sure?" I blurted, the doubt lingering. "I wouldn't want to take advantage of your kindness.""Nonsense," she replied, her voice firm. "Honestly, I think you have the potential to be an exceptional mage. Besides, wouldn't it be fun to turn the tables on your father's expectations?" A mischievous glint lit up her eyes.I couldn't help but chuckle. The thought of defying my father's wishes, while also learning from a skilled mage, was undeniably appealing."Alright," I said, a newfound determination in my voice. "Let's do this. But first, do I need a staff or something..."Lirien's smile faltered for a moment. "Staff?" she echoed, a thoughtful frown replacing her grin. "Actually, Senjar, that might not be necessary right away…"Her words trailed off, and she seemed lost in thought. "Listen," she finally said, "why don't you head back to the tavern and relax for a bit? I have some errands to run, but I'll meet you back there later. We can discuss your magical training then."Before I could protest, she turned and headed off down the street, leaving me standing there with a head full of questions. A free magic teacher was definitely unexpected, but the lack of a staff and Lirien's sudden hesitation cast a shadow of doubt. Still, a spark of hope flickered within me. Today, I had acquired new weapons and a potential path towards unlocking my magical potential. The future, once shrouded in uncertainty, seemed to hold a glimmer of promise.