I woke up to the sunlight going through the window next to my bed. The room was very quiet. I stood up and made my bed. Celvar's house is huge, with many empty rooms, except for this one he let me stay in. It has a great view of the city of Bosoru and contains a bed, a desk, and a closet. I haven't explored the city yet, but it looks enormous. There are so many people and horse-drawn carriages below. Looking closely, it seems like everyone has their own life and their things to do; they're all rushing to jobs or school.
This adventure I started isn't going so well. I got hit, and I watched a girl get killed right in front of me. Maybe I should abandon it and go back.
But I can't. There's another reason I began this journey, after all.
When I told Celvar about the village, he said it didn't exist. So does that mean even Ria was just an illusion? But I got hit, so it must have been real, right?
I don't get it; what should I believe, and what shouldn't I? Even the supplies I got from the village are still in my bag. The only way to know if the village existed is to go back, but not yet. I need to get stronger first. Celvar helped me a lot, but apparently, he didn't find my axe or the knife I bought because he didn't see them next to me. All he found was my bag. Unfortunately, they also took the gold coins I had.
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40 minutes later, at the dinner table...
Celvar and I prepared dinner and sat down to eat.
Hmm... That was a good meal. You can cook very well, Von.
T-thanks.
Well, Von, it's time to start your first day of training.
Before we began, Celvar paused. But first, Von, I can tell you're hiding something. I'm a very old man, after all, and I can tell when something is wrong. Your eyes look empty... So, tell me, what's going on?
A-alright, I'll tell you. But only because I feel like I can trust you.
Some years ago, I woke up on the ground in a forest, with no idea who I was or where I'd come from. I was surrounded by people who helped me-they even seemed to know me-and they took me to my family.
My family told me my name was Von, and that before we lived in Zoda, we'd lived in another city. Since then, I've had flashes of memories, but to this day, I still don't remember everything. So I decided to start a journey, partly to heal from the murder of my family and partly to find a way to get my memories back.
I didn't know about your family. I'm sorry for bringing back those memories, Celvar said, sounding sincere. But listen, Von, since you were honest with me, I'll be honest with you. There is a way to get your memories back, but it won't be easy.
I'll do anything-just tell me what it is, Celvar.
There's something called the One Wish. And to earn it, you need to obtain the three world licenses.
World licenses? I asked.
Yes, but it isn't easy. The three licenses are: first, the Adventurer License, which isn't too hard to get; second, the Mafia License; and third, the King's Family License. The last two are the hardest to get, especially the King's License-you'll need both the Adventurer and Mafia Licenses to get it.
How many times did he just say "license"? I thought.
So if I get all three licenses, I'll get one free wish?
Well, that's what the old books say. But whether it's real or not, I have no idea, Von. Still, if you want your memories back, it might be worth trying.
All I've wanted for years is to get my memories back. There's nothing I want more... but...
Celvar, let's say the wish is real. Would I be able to bring my family back?
No, Von. There are three rules for the wish that we know of. You can't bring people back from death, you can't reset or roll back time, and you can't use it to hurt or kill anyone.
If I can get my memory back, that's all that matters, I thought.
Alright, Celvar. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to get that one wish.
Just remember, Von, it won't be easy. But I'll tell you the first two steps you need to take. First, I'll teach you the secret martial art passed down through generations in Mafia families. Step two is for you to attend an adventurer school for two years and earn your Adventurer License.
For two years? That's a lot, but I'm willing to do it, Celvar. Wait-did you say a Mafia family martial art?
Yes, let me explain it, Von. The world we live in is controlled by the government, which includes both the kings and the Mafia families. At the lowest rank are the adventurers, whose job is to eliminate those who oppose the government and the kings and to hunt monsters. And I am the head of a Mafia family, which is why I know the secret martial art.
So... you're someone important?
Celvar laughed. Haha, yes, Von, you could say so.
Well, this old man is strong and muscular, and he did give me some kind of healing soup. He's probably telling the truth. I need to trust him and see where this leads me.