"Welcome! Oh, a new face. Here to register as an adventurer, aren't you?"
The voice that greeted Limon was light and cheerful, carrying a melodic quality. Behind the counter stood a petite figure, her youthful features framed by soft, flaxen hair. There was an undeniable charm to her, one that seemed to pull you in with its warmth.
Limon inclined his head slightly, confirming her guess.
Her gaze briefly lingered on his worn and tattered robes, and a playful smile curved her lips. "Judging by your attire, you must have gone through quite an ordeal to make it here. Allow me to introduce myself—Lalasa. I oversee the Adventurer's Guild here in Arizela. My job is to handle quest allocations and manage new adventurers like yourself."
As she spoke, Lalasa deftly produced a small notebook from beneath the counter, placing it on the surface with a soft thud.
"This is the registration form for new adventurers. Fill it out, and we'll add your information to the guild's network. It connects every Adventurer's Guild on the Avenir Continent. Once registered, you'll officially join the ranks of adventurers, ready to take on quests and, who knows, maybe even become a legend." She winked, her playful tone carrying a hint of encouragement. "Everyone starts somewhere. So, go ahead—let's see where your journey takes you."
Limon picked up the oddly shaped pen she had set alongside the form. The script was thankfully familiar, and the required information was straightforward: name, place of origin, and profession.
His pen hovered briefly over the profession section. The list of choices was intriguing: warrior, magician, priest, berserker, knight, windrunner, and more. His attention halted on "warlock," the closest match to his mysterious title of "demon warlock." Although he suspected the nuances of his abilities might differ, it wasn't like he had another option. After a moment of deliberation, he circled "warlock" and handed the form back.
Lalasa's sharp eyes scanned the paper, and a flicker of intrigue crossed her face. "Limon Darwin. A fine name. And a warlock, no less. That's a rare sight around here. You've chosen an unconventional path—fitting for someone who looks as if they've already braved a storm or two."
Her smile softened, and her voice took on a more serious tone. "Arizela may look bustling and safe, but don't let appearances fool you. The Star Wasteland is a dangerous place, especially with the recent surge of magic tides. Powerful monsters have been surfacing, and the southern rat tribes are growing bolder. For a fledgling adventurer, caution is your greatest ally."
Her words lingered in the air before she brightened once more. "That said, as a new adventurer, you're entitled to a little help. We offer a complimentary commission to get you started. But first, you'll need to make some preparations."
She gestured toward the room's layout. "See that large door on the left? It leads to the practice area—free for all guild members. Perfect for sharpening your skills. And to the right, you'll find a clothing store. They stock low-magic suits tailored for adventurers of various professions. If you ask me, a proper outfit can make all the difference. Arizela's heat can be merciless, and magic-infused gear that regulates temperature is worth every coin."
Lalasa leaned forward conspiratorially, her voice dropping to a teasing murmur. "Speaking of coins, don't be stingy. In Arizela, learning how to spend wisely is just as important as surviving a fight."
With a cheerful wave, she sent him on his way. "Off you go, then. Come back when you're ready to pick your first quest—but don't take too long, or I might forget you exist."
Limon sighed internally. Capricious as she seemed, there was something genuine about her demeanor. He nodded politely and left the counter.
As he crossed the lounge, he glanced at the pouch hanging from his waist. Inside, he felt the distinct weight of coins. Unfastening it, he took a look: several gold coins and an assortment of silver ones. It appeared he wasn't starting out completely penniless—a small blessing in this unfamiliar world.
His first stop was the clothing store.
The shopkeeper, a tall woman with golden hair flowing down her back, greeted him warmly. "Welcome. How may I assist you?"
Limon didn't waste time with pleasantries. "I need a set of robes for a warlock and a staff."
The shopkeeper smiled knowingly. "Ah, a warlock. Excellent choice. Please, follow me."
She led him through rows of meticulously organized racks, each brimming with garments in various styles and colors. The craftsmanship was remarkable, rivaling the quality of bespoke clothing from his previous life.
Stopping before a display, she gestured to two distinct sets of robes. "For warlocks, we offer two options. The first is the spider silk robe, woven from the sand scorpion spider's silk. It regulates body temperature naturally and comes with a hat inscribed with a 'focus' rune to enhance concentration. This set is priced at ten gold coins."
Her hand moved to the second set, a sleek black ensemble that exuded an air of refinement. "The second is the fir silk robe, a premium option. Both the robe and hat are inscribed with 'listening' runes, which improve magical affinity and slightly boost mana regeneration. This one costs twenty gold coins."
Limon didn't hesitate. He had enough funds, and he wasn't about to compromise on quality. "I'll take the fir silk robe."
"An excellent choice," the shopkeeper said with approval, retrieving the outfit from the rack. "There's a fitting room in the back if you'd like to try it on."
As Limon slipped into the black robe, he felt an almost immediate sense of ease. The material was lightweight yet durable, and the subtle hum of magic emanating from the runes was both comforting and invigorating.
When he emerged, the shopkeeper gave him a satisfied nod. "It suits you perfectly. A warlock's attire should inspire awe, after all."
Limon paid the twenty gold coins without a second thought, securing both his new robes and a modest staff to accompany them.
Leaving the shop, he felt better equipped—if not entirely prepared—to face whatever challenges this strange new world had in store.
With his preparations complete, he turned back toward the Adventurer's Guild, ready to take his first step as an adventurer in Arizela.