Nico stepped into the bustling marketplace of Dawnspire, a vibrant tapestry of colors and sounds that enveloped him. Merchants shouted their wares, children ran through the streets, and the enticing smell of grilled meats and sweet pastries wafted through the air. For a moment, he felt like a kid in a candy store, completely overwhelmed yet thrilled.
"So, what's first?" Nico asked Lila, who was already scanning the various stalls with a determined expression.
"Let's start with the Weapon Shop," she suggested, leading the way through the crowd. "You'll need something to defend yourself, especially with all the dangers lurking outside the town."
As they approached the weapon shop, a tall, burly man with a thick beard stood behind the counter, polishing a gleaming sword. The walls were lined with weapons of all kinds—swords, axes, bows, and even a few magical staves that sparkled with enchantments.
"Welcome! What can I do for you two today?" the shopkeeper boomed, his voice resonating through the shop.
"I'm looking for some gear for my friend here," Lila said, nudging Nico forward. "He just had a little… altercation in the woods."
The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, glancing at Nico with interest. "Oh really? You must be the one who took down Magnus, then."
Nico scratched his head, a bit sheepishly. "Uh, yeah, that's me. But I didn't mean to—"
"Don't be modest!" Lila interjected, a playful grin on her face. "He's basically a level 1 legend now."
"Level 1? Ha! You must have some hidden skills," the shopkeeper chuckled, eyeing Nico with newfound respect. "What type of weapon are you looking for?"
"I—uh—don't really know yet," Nico admitted, scanning the array of weapons. "What do you recommend for a beginner?"
"Most level 1s go for a basic sword or a dagger," the shopkeeper replied, pointing to a selection on the wall. "But if you have a knack for magic, a staff could also be a good choice."
"Staff?" Nico echoed, intrigued.
"Absolutely! A staff can channel your magical abilities and enhance your spells," the shopkeeper explained. "It's great for someone like you."
Lila stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You should definitely go for the staff! Imagine the fireballs you could unleash with it."
Nico felt a rush of excitement. "Alright, let's do it!" He approached the wall of staves, his fingers grazing the polished wood of several. One in particular caught his eye: a beautifully crafted staff made from dark oak, adorned with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with magic.
"This one!" he exclaimed, lifting it off the rack. As soon as he held it, a warm energy flowed through him, igniting a sense of power that sent shivers down his spine.
"Good choice!" the shopkeeper said, nodding approvingly. "That's a Runic Staff. It'll enhance your fire spells significantly. Just be careful with it; it's not a toy."
"Thanks! How much?" Nico asked, still reveling in the feeling of the staff.
"Since you took down Magnus, I'll give it to you for half price," the shopkeeper said with a wink. "Two hundred gold pieces."
Nico's excitement faded momentarily as he glanced at Lila. "Uh, I don't have that much gold."
Lila stepped forward, a sly grin on her face. "Don't worry; I'll cover you this time. Consider it a welcome gift to Elysium."
"Seriously? You don't have to!" Nico protested, though he felt a warmth spread through him at her generosity.
"Just think of it as an investment in your potential," she replied with a wink. "You'll be able to pay me back once you start raking in the loot."
Nico couldn't help but smile. "Okay, then. Thanks, Lila!"
After finalizing the purchase, Nico felt a surge of pride as he swung the staff experimentally. "This feels amazing!"
"Just wait until you try it out!" Lila beamed, her enthusiasm infectious. "Now, let's grab some potions before we head out to practice."
They made their way to a nearby potion shop, where colorful bottles lined the shelves like jewels. A short, elderly woman with spectacles perched on her nose stood behind the counter, mixing ingredients with dexterity.
"Welcome, dear adventurers! Looking for some potions?" she asked, her voice warm and welcoming.
"Yes, please!" Lila replied. "We need healing potions and maybe something to enhance Nico's spells."
"Ah, a wise choice," the woman said, her eyes twinkling. She reached for a few vials, placing them on the counter. "This healing potion will restore your health, and this mana potion will boost your magical abilities temporarily. Just a hundred gold for the lot."
Nico winced, knowing he was out of pocket. "Lila, I can't keep taking your gold…"
"Stop worrying," she said, rolling her eyes playfully. "Just take them! You'll need them for our training later."
He sighed but accepted her kindness, grateful for her support. "Thanks again, Lila."
"Now that you're armed and ready, we can head to the training grounds!" she declared, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes.
As they stepped outside, the sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the town. They made their way through the bustling streets, and Nico could feel the curious glances of passersby. It was clear that news of his "legendary" status was spreading fast.
Arriving at the training grounds, they found a spacious area surrounded by wooden barricades, dummies, and targets for archery. A few other adventurers were sparring nearby, the sound of clashing swords echoing in the air.
"Alright, time to show me what you can do!" Lila said, grinning. "Let's start with some basic spells."
Nico nodded, gripping his new staff tightly. He took a deep breath and focused. "Okay, let's try this!"
He raised his staff, channeling the energy within him. "Fireball!" The spell ignited at the tip of the staff, swirling with flames before launching toward a nearby training dummy.
Boom!
The explosion sent wood flying everywhere, and Nico couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement as he watched the dummy disintegrate into a pile of charred remains.
"Nice! That was awesome!" Lila cheered, clapping her hands in delight. "You're a natural!"
Encouraged by her praise, Nico decided to show off a bit more. "Let's see how many I can do in a row!" He concentrated again, summoning the magic within him. "Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!"
With each command, he unleashed a rapid succession of fiery spells, each explosion louder and more powerful than the last.
Lila watched in awe, her eyes wide with admiration. "Wow! You're seriously going to be the strongest level 1 ever!"
Just then, a voice interrupted their training. "Hey! You think you can just come in here and show off like that?"
Nico turned to see a group of three adventurers approaching, their expressions a mix of disdain and curiosity. The leader, a tall man with a jagged scar across his face, stepped forward.
"Who do you think you are?" he sneered, crossing his arms. "Just because you took down Magnus doesn't mean you can make a name for yourself here."
Nico felt his stomach twist, but Lila stepped in front of him, unwavering. "Back off, Orion. He's not here to cause trouble; he's training."
"Training, huh?" Orion mocked, glancing at Nico. "Why don't you prove it by taking on one of us? Let's see if you can handle a real fight."
Nico felt a rush of nerves at the challenge but glanced at Lila, who nodded encouragingly. "You can do this, Nico! Just remember what you've got."
Taking a deep breath, Nico raised his staff, determination swelling within him. "Alright, let's do this!"
Orion grinned, signaling to his comrades. "You're on. Let's see if the mighty 'level 1' can back up his words!"
Nico's heart raced as he faced off against the trio, his hands tightening around the staff. This was going to be a test of everything he had learned.
Lila stood nearby, a look of fierce determination on her face. "You got this, Nico! Show them what a noob can really do!"