After checking with the guild receptionist for directions, I'm currently on my way to the closest tavern. I decided to leave my katana and pack at the inn, and I've just brought my dagger, coin purse, and the book on Azura's geography and history. I figure I'll read some while I wait for my food.
When I arrive outside the tavern, I can already hear raucous laughter from inside. Looks like they're busy. I open the door and step inside – it's well-lit. A bar runs along the back wall, protecting the entrance to another room that I assume is the kitchen. Everywhere else there are tables and chairs of varying sizes scattered about, with no apparent order.
The scene is quite chaotic – most tables are filled, and several people are dancing around between the tables cheering with their drinks. Not really my vibe, but I'm hungry.
The small table in a secluded corner near the entrance, which would have been my first choice, is occupied by two people in hooded cloaks. A man and woman, judging by their frames. However, there is a table near them that's empty, it's just closer to the door and a large, loud group. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.
I walk over to the bar and place my order, then tell them where I'll be sitting. I order a steak with boiled potatoes and carrots. Far from a culinary masterpiece, but that's the trade off in a world like this, so I'm not upset. Since I don't really like alcohol, and magic makes clean drinking water easy to acquire in this world, I just stick with water for my meal. I take my mug of water and get seated at my table.
I glance around, and I seem to be relatively inconspicuous. Good, I have something I want to try. I flow my magic out from my hand over the water in my mug, and I imagine my magic slowing the water molecules to drop the temperature. I continue doing this at a casual pace until I see the first signs of ice in the mug.
I release the spell and take a sip of the water. So refreshingly cold! I think I'm really starting to get the hang of learning spells and manipulating my magic.
Satisfied with the first cold drink I've had since arriving here, I pull out my book and begin to read about the lands and history of Azura.
Apparently, Elmesia is situated just inside the northern edge of a country-sized forest, called the Delmura Forest. The direction I traveled on my little magic boot camp was south, deeper into the forest.
Elmesia was the first of several planned settlement attempts within the Delmura Forest by a neighboring human country. They wanted to expand further and cultivate the land of the forest and harvest its resources. However, it turns out that not one but two of Azura's four Elder Dragons reside in the forest, along with several powerful Greater Spirits and the fey.
These beings that inhabit the forest were originally tolerant of the new settlement of Elmesia at the outskirt of the forest. When they learned of the country's plans to expand further into the forest, however, a fey representative was sent to dissuade them.
The fey's warnings were ultimately ignored, and a subjugation army was sent into the forest by the nation that founded Elmesia. Enraged, the Elder Dragon of earth wiped out the entire army single-handedly. Realizing they couldn't use Elmesia as a foothold to tame the forest, nor easily develop it further, the nation withdrew its soldiers from the forest and abandoned Elmesia.
Around 300 years ago, shortly after this incident, the small settlement of Elmesia began to attract humans from the founding nation that had grown tired of its tyrannical rule, as well as demi-humans and other sentient species that sought the forest's protection from human countries.
Over time, Elmesia developed into a thriving city, a council was formed, and Elmesia declared itself as a city-state free from the governance of any other country. For unknown reasons, this was not contested by its founding country at the time.
Around 100 years ago, with the steady influx of adventurers to Elmesia attracted by the forest, the guild established a location in Elmesia that solidified the city's economic influence.
Northeast of Elmesia is the human country and global superpower responsible for its founding – the Ralzen Empire. Two more human countries of smaller size and military power are on the eastern border of the Empire – the Freden and Balzuth kingdoms, with Balzuth being the more southern country that also borders the Delmura Forest.
Northwest of Elmesia, bordering the Empire, is the demi-human country. This country is not a monolith, but a collection of territories controlled by different demi-human races. West of the demi-human countries is a harsh mountain range with several active volcanoes, called Gelrod's Pass. The only sentient race that lives there is the dwarves, who exist in small, scattered villages throughout the mountains.
Further west, to the end of the main continent, is the mysterious Elven Kingdom. It is notoriously resistant to relations with other races, especially humans, and my book doesn't elaborate on it much.
Fortunately for me, all countries on the main continent seem to share a single currency. I'm excited that my counterfei…I mean, err, public services, will be useful in so many places.
Last, but not least, is the minor continent of Azura, closest to the western coast of the Elven Kingdom. It is a harsh and barren wasteland home primarily to demon villages, but also to the Elder Dragon of fire and some of its dragonkin.
There are also two polar ice continents on Azura, but no sentient races reside there. However, the elusive Elder Dragon of ice is rumored to roam the northern polar continent.
After almost an hour of reading, my food is brought to my table. Now, I'm enjoying the pretty mediocre meal in peace while I people watch. Honestly, this was the first full meal I've had since arriving on this planet. Obviously, after nearly 20 hours I am quite hungry, so despite the quality I'm really enjoying the food.