After returning to the city, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows over the buildings, and the streets were bustling with many different types of people. Despite it being so late, the scent of roasted meat and freshly baked goods wafted in the air near the main market.
Merchants shouted their wares, adventurers in battle-worn armor shared stories over drinks, and enchanters showed off their magical trinkets in glowing storefronts.
Nova took it all in, his body still aching from the trial but his mind as sharp as ever. He had barely made it through, but now he needed to figure out his next steps.
"You look like a man who has just been kicked by a furious bull and is about to pass out. First, stop is food, then we can talk about those blasted people at the organization," Sorev grumbled, his mood as grumpy as ever while glancing at Nova.
Nova's stomach grumbled as the exhaustion from the day began getting to him. "Food sounds like a great idea."
"I shall take no offense to what Sorev just said, even though I am a member of the organization. I know a good place to eat, if I leave you to him you might start wobbling at an early age," Crevan said, his tone a bit snarky as he walked off.
Upon hearing what he said, Sorev's brows twitched in irritation, but before he could retaliate, Crevan had already walked off and Nova chuckled, before following him.
They made their way through the city, dodging rushing messengers and avoiding a street performance in which a magician summoned wisps of flame in the shape of various types of animals.
As they approached a cozy tavern nestled between two stone buildings, the aroma of sizzling meat and spiced ale grew much stronger. A wooden sign above read The Ember Hart.
Inside, the tavern was cozy and lively. Adventurers and traders crowded the tables, sharing laughs and drinks. Sorev, despite his mood, led them to a corner booth, where a server delivered steaming plates of roasted meat, thick garlic bread, and spiced mashed potatoes. Nova wasted no time digging in, his exhaustion from the trial temporarily forgotten as he devoured his meal.
Crevan and Sorev ate their meals in silence until Crevan noticed another member of the organization sitting at the table across from them and his eyes narrowed.
He could feel the man's gaze on them, however, he feigned ignorance to his obvious eavesdropping and glanced at Nova and the wounds on him.
After a few moments of silence, Crevan leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table. "Now that you have passed the trial, you must decide what to do next. Do not worry about the elders, the result of the trial speaks for themselves, they cannot go against it, hence they will have to accept you, you do have a few options."
"That is good to know, that they will not be a problem, I read the pamphlet a few days ago, but what do you guys think my best options are?" Nova asked, as he swallowed his bite and looked up.
"You could train under a master necromancer, become an apprentice, hone your skills properly. There are guilds for that sort of thing, though they are not always welcoming to newcomers, though," Sorev grunted, then sipped his ale.
Crevan nodded. "Or you could choose the adventurer's route—travel, take jobs, and build your reputation. That entails risk, but it also provides more freedom, as does being a hunter. To be fair, it also pays much more, given the number of monsters out there these days."
Nova considered his options while running his fingers, through his messy hair. He had survived the trial, but there was still a lot he didn't know about his abilities, Etarion, and why he had ended up here in the first place, or why everything was so different than it was supposed to be.
He knew he had a long and dangerous path ahead of him; his gaming skills had come in handy, which he was grateful for; otherwise, he would have had a much more difficult time adjusting to Etarion's ways. He knew there was much more to play beneath the surface than what he had seen so far, and the thought made him uneasy, as he remembered the words of the stranger he met at the cathedral and his warning to him, he knew they were not just empty.
Not everything was as it seems, and as far as he could tell, they were not just words; there was more to what was going on than meets the eye, and he had a feeling he was becoming entangled in it; either way, he would fight for his survival, build himself a life, and discover the truth; it was a chance he could not afford to lose.
"Well, I understand, but, do I have to decide right now?" He asked, taking another bite of food.
"No, you do not, but you should think about it, as in all of it. The world moves fast. Standing still gets you nowhere," Crevan responded, with a subtle smirk playing at the corner of his lips, as he glanced in the direction of the sneaky man working for the organization, who had gotten up and left.
At the same time, Erna's voice rang through his mind. "Whatever decision you make, Nova, remember that your path is your own. Choose wisely."
"Then I will think about it after meeting with the elder tomorrow, I do not want to be rash and end up making a wrong decision when this is concerned, that is something that I cannot afford as well," He said, and Crean nodded.
"Alright, you have a point, there is no need to rush, but be careful there are snakes around, also, while at it, see a healer tomorrow, we cannot let you have any broken bones," Sorev added, and Nova nodded as they continued eating their meal in the tavern, each lost in their own thoughts.