Ash got home and was received by his brother, who seemed to be very happy, probably because of the lies about his trait.
"Brother, how was it? Did you join a guild?" Ariel asked, already expecting a positive answer. It was impossible for a person with a D-rank trait not to land a position at a guild, even if it was only a small one.
Ash nodded. "Of course, but I won't tell you which one. It's a surprise! I came here to tell you I'll be leaving for three months to train with the guild. Here is half our savings."
Ash passed ten thousand Federation Credits (FC) to his brother. After working overtime on all kinds of jobs that nobody wanted to do for the last few months and living frugally, that was everything they managed to save—twenty thousand FCs.
"Ok, brother, take care," replied Ariel.
Ash's face grew serious as he said his final words. "If I don't come back within three months, please consider me dead, brother."
Arial appeared dejected after hearing Ash, but that was the truth that couldn't be denied. They lived in a dangerous world, and a ranker job was very dangerous—one could die at any moment without an intact corpse.
Not to mention that Ash wasn't even a ranker and only had a D-rank trait. The guild he supposedly joined wouldn't lose much if he died.
If Ash had money, he could buy two magic phones capable of interdimensional communication, but that wasn't a viable option in their financial situation.
Ash wore an old, worn-out cloak, got a battered black backpack he used in school, filled it with water, a first aid kit, and some dried rations, and gave his brother one last hug before leaving his house.
He went to the Federation's office. The government controlled all portals on Earth, all those who dared to create personal portals without permission would be persecuted and killed without mercy.
Luckily, because Crystalmouth could be considered a big city, they had a portal directly to Agan. He wouldn't need to take one to a big city before going there—it would cost him more, and he didn't have much money to spend right now.
Because yesterday was the awakening day, the influx of new graduates entering Agan was higher, so he had to wait an hour before it was his turn.
A young man, wearing black and silver, sleek clothes with an 'F' stamped on his right chest, received him. "1000 FCs for a passage to Agan."
Ash gave him the money, feeling pain as the coins left his hands—this was equivalent to ten percent of his whole savings. He already knew the price before coming, but that didn't mean he would be less sad when the time for him to pay came.
"Where do you wish to go? Allied Kingdoms, or Sidal Empire?"
These were the two forces Earth's humans had diplomatic relationships with.
The Federation had more friendly relationships with the Sidal Empire, for a simple reason—they paid better.
These two forces were antagonists to one another. The Sidal Empire wanted to rule the entire Agan, and for that to happen, they first sought to unite Agan's humanity.
To avoid a fate of servitude and war, the other independent kingdoms united under a single banner—Allied Kingdoms—to stop the Sidal Empire's advance.
"Allied Forces, please," replied Ash. The Sidal Empire paid better, but they weren't friendly to weaklings like him. According to what Ash's heard, he would have a better chance of improvement at the Allied Forces.
As Ash stepped inside the portal, his surroundings abruptly changed. A beautiful blue sky greeted him. The blue soon changed into green as he vomited water and stomatal fluids onto the ground.
Luckily, he was a poor grown-up adult who didn't need to eat three meals a day, so he didn't have much to spill out from his stomach.
"First time, kid? Take it easy. That's more common than people think," said a man in the Federation's attire as he passed a sack to Ash.
Ash received the sack, and in a few moments, color started to return to his face. "Thanks. I didn't know a portal could be this bad. I've heard a lot about the other world, but nothing mentions this.
"Hahaha, maybe that's shameful for most, so they usually talk about it. " Said the officer with a laugh. "Even if you knew, there was nothing that could be done. You only have to get used to it."
"All right, since you are already done, get going, kid. You are in the way," the officer continued.
Ash nodded. This was an open space with some wooden buildings close to the Allied Kingdoms' biggest kingdom—Meridonia.
Earth first arrived in Agan twenty years ago. At first, they wanted to do the same that was done to their first explored planet, Hosis—subjugate the natives, make them work as slaves, and steal all resources.
Hosis natives, Hosians, were a peaceful race who didn't know war, so it was easy for humans to subjugate and steal their resources almost two hundred years ago.
It was too bad for them, Agan's population as a whole was way stronger than Earth's. They could only navigate politics and make economic exchanges to get the needed resources.
Many people from Earth worked here as mercenaries. They were usually better rewarded than doing the same job on Earth.
"Where can I exchange my FCs for Agan's currency? I also need translation magic equipment. I believe I can buy one of those here." Asked Ash to the officer before leaving.
"You can go to the counter close to the exit, an attendant will do the exchange for you, but there is a tax for that service. A translation ring is 2000 FCs, you can also buy it at the counter," replied the officer, pointing to a small tent about thirty meters away.
Ash nodded. 'Of course, dammit capitalism.'
Ash moved to the counter and talked with the lady on the other side, a petite girl with twin tails.
"Hello, I would like to exchange 7000 FCs for Agan's currency and a translation ring, please," said Ash as he passed the money through a small hole in the glass.
"Hi, one moment, please." The girl took Ash's money, put it somewhere under the counter, and took some silver coins from it in a guarded place. "Here it is. 69 silver coins, 30 copper coins, and your ring. 1% tax and the price for the translation ring were already deduced."
Ash took the money and ring from her hands, nodded, and went on his way. "Thanks."