Where am I, looks like some kind of forest. Now that I am in this world, what should I do? I don't even know any direction. Panic began to set in, but I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Wait, if the system works like a game, then... "map!"
I spoke the word aloud, and to my relief, a holographic map appeared before me. "Oh, I was right!" I exclaimed, feeling a surge of hope. There is a map navigation system here too. Let's see, the nearest city would be Saythan. I felt a spark of determination ignite within me.
Before heading to the city, I sat down on a moss-covered log to collect my thoughts. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves.
"Okay, first things first," I muttered to myself, clenching my fists. "I have to stay alive no matter what. Survival is key." My stomach growled, reminding me that food and water would be a priority.
"Second, I need to earn as much money and fame as possible." I envisioned myself standing triumphantly before crowds, wealth and renown at my fingertips. The thought gave me a boost of motivation.
"And third," I stood up, raising my fist to the sky, "I will not die single in this world!" With that declaration, I let out a primal scream, the sound echoing through the trees. I felt a strange sense of liberation, as if the forest itself acknowledged my resolve.
With renewed determination, I set off towards Saythan, ready to face whatever challenges this new world would throw at me.
"Okay, so this is Saythan," I mumbled to myself, taking in the sprawling cityscape before me. It was much larger than I had anticipated, its towering buildings and bustling streets a stark contrast to the quiet forest I had just left. Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the city, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Upon entering, I checked my map again and navigated my way to the Adventurers' Guild. The prospect of becoming an adventurer filled me with anticipation, and I quickened my pace, eager to reach my destination.
The guild hall was a grand structure, buzzing with activity. As I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and stepped inside, all eyes turned towards me. The sudden attention made me feel self-conscious, but I shook it off and approached the reception area with as much confidence as I could muster.
"Hello, ma'am. Can I know how I can join the Adventurers' Guild?" I asked, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach.
The receptionist, a young woman with a kind smile, looked up at me, her eyes widening slightly. "What a cute guy," she muttered under her breath, then added more loudly, "Yes, sure! I'll help you with that. You just need to go through a little paperwork first."
"Oh, it's okay. I don't mind," I replied, feeling a bit relieved by her friendly demeanor.
She handed me a stack of forms, and I sat down at a nearby table to fill them out. The atmosphere in the guild was lively, with adventurers sharing stories of their quests and exchanging tips. I couldn't help but feel a sense of belonging, as if I had finally found a place where I could truly thrive.
As I completed the paperwork, the receptionist approached me, her presence almost too close for comfort. Her chest was nearly brushing against my face, and I quickly turned my head to the side, feeling a flush creep up my neck.
"Oh, so you completed all the paperwork, huh?" she said, her voice light and teasing.
"Yeah, all done," I replied, handing over the forms.
She glanced over the documents and then looked at me with a curious expression. "Okay, so here it says you have two classes, huh?"
"Is that odd?" I asked, trying to gauge her reaction.
"No, not entirely. There are many people with dual classes. But a warrior and a mage? Those two classes aren't exactly meant to go together, so I was just a little confused."
"Oh, is that so, huh?"
She nodded, still looking intrigued. "Well, the last thing you need to do is take an exam to decide your rank."
"Rank? What is that?"
"Here, we determine ranks based on your strength. The lowest one is F, followed by E, D, C, B, and A. Then there are the three strongest classes: A-A rank, S rank, and S-S rank. S-S rank is the highest somebody can get."
"Oh, so I need to be tested, huh?"
"Exactly," she said with a smile. "The exam will assess your abilities and place you in the appropriate rank. Don't worry; it's not as daunting as it sounds. Are you ready for it?"
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "Yeah, I'm ready."
"Great! Follow me, and we'll get you started," she said, turning to lead me to the testing area. As we reached the testing grounds, I was taken aback by the sheer size of it. It was a vast, stadium-like arena with several people sparring, probably to test their strength and skills. The atmosphere buzzed with energy and anticipation.
The receptionist led me to a formidable-looking man in the center of the arena. "Hello, sir. I have a new applicant, and he has a dual class. Would you mind testing him?"
"Hmm, dual class, you say? Let's check," the man responded, examining me with a keen eye. "Warrior and magic, I see. Now I understand why you brought him to me. Let's test you, kiddo," he said, drawing his sword.
I stood there, confused and slightly intimidated, until the receptionist explained, "Oh, allow me to introduce you. This is the guild master. His name is Pordox, and he is an S-S rank adventurer. He also wields two classes, warrior and magic, just like you."
"Oh, now I understand. So he is just like me, and because of that, he will test me, right?"
"Yes, now then, you two shall begin," she confirmed.
"Wait, I don't have a weapon to fight with, and he has a sword," I pointed out, feeling unprepared.
"Oh, no worries. Just take a sword from that area," she said, pointing towards a weapon rack. I picked up a sword, feeling its weight in my hand, and then prepared to start the fight.
"Wait, before that, can we shake hands as a gesture?" I asked, trying to show some respect.
Pordox interrupted, "Oh, sure, I don't mind." I shook his hand firmly.
"Impressive, kid. You didn't crawl on the ground like others," he said, sounding genuinely impressed.
"What do you mean, sir?" I asked, puzzled.
"Oh, you didn't even feel it?" he started laughing. "Kiddo, I used gravity magic to show my pressure to you, but you didn't even flinch."
I blinked in surprise. "Really? I didn't notice anything."
Pordox's laughter faded into a serious expression. "That's quite something. You've got potential, kid. Now, let's see how you handle yourself in a fight."
We squared off, the arena falling silent as everyone watched. I took a deep breath, gripping my sword tighter. This was my chance to prove myself. With a nod from Pordox, the fight began.
He moved quickly, his sword slicing through the air with precision. I barely managed to block his first strike, the impact sending vibrations up my arm. But I held my ground, focusing on his movements. His strikes coming faster now. I countered with a burst of magic, a fireball that he easily deflected, but it gave me an opening to attack.
The clash of steel and the crackle of magic filled the arena as we fought. Pordox's skill was evident, but I could tell he was testing me, pushing me to my limits without overwhelming me.
After a series of exchanges, he suddenly stopped, lowering his sword. "That's enough," he said, smiling. "You did well, kid. Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild."
Breathing heavily, I lowered my sword, feeling a mix of relief and pride. "Thank you, sir."
"From now on, you'll be a C rank adventurer. And with your potential, I expect great things from you," Pordox said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Now, go and make a name for yourself."
I nodded, determination burning in my chest. This was just the beginning, and I was ready for whatever came next.
To be continued.......