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Chapter 25 - Outskirts Guild
🕑 Added 2023-11-22 17:50:44 +0000 UTCAdion continued teaching his fellow travelers from time to time in the following two weeks. When he wasn’t meditating, he would observe their auras with his aura sense. No one in the group had been able to improve much in their aura use, but they had all taken their first step, and if they worked hard, Adion didn’t doubt that they would be able to reach his current level in the future. However, Adion wasn’t planning on standing still, and they could only dream of catching up to him.
This has been better training than I thought. I have to remember to train my aura so that I won’t regret it when I reach the peak of Diamond. And it will be crucial to hide my element and strength once I get to Cyalis, where many of the strongest people on the continent are.
Adion was interrupted in his musings as the wagon came to a stop, followed by a shout for everyone to get off.
“Looks like we’ve arrived,” Leff said with a grin, “Let’s go.”
Adion followed everyone and jumped down from the wagon. When he looked around he was stunned by the view.
So this is Billford.
The caravan had stopped in front of the gate leading into the city. Adion found himself on a cobbled road towards the city gate, with many people milling about. Even though Adion hadn’t entered the actual city yet, the place was very lively. Buildings flanked Adion on both sides, and he could see smithies, inns, apothecaries, and food stalls with people shouting offers and trying to attract customers.
“There’s no need to enter with the merchant caravan now that we’re here,” Leff said to Adion, Helmer, Geoff, and Kiff, “There is a special line for mages to enter the city. I’m guessing you guys are planning on heading to the Outskirts Guild? We have to report on the mission we had in Lorn. You guys can follow us if you want.”
“Mm. Thanks,” Adion said.
“We will be going to my uncle first,” Helmer said, “He is waiting for us and will probably take us there later. He lives outside the city walls, so we will take our leave. Thank you for an enjoyable journey, everyone. I hope we meet again.”
“Alright,” Leff nodded, “Take care.”
Once Helmer and his friends had left, Adion joined Leff and his group as they walked towards the city gate, which was wide enough for six wagons to pass side by side. Leff led the way toward the line where mages could enter, and it didn’t take long for their group to reach the front.
When they showed their guild cards, the guards let Leff and his group enter without difficulty. As it got to Adion's turn to enter, the guard in charge looked Adion up and down and spoke in an authoritative tone.
“Reason for entering?” he asked.
“I’m going to join the Outskirts Guild,” Adion answered.
“Two silvers. Once you receive a card from the guild, you can enter for free.” The guard said.
“Fair enough,” Adion said and handed the guard two silvers.
Leff and his group had waited for Adion, and they made their way into the city together.
“This here is the 3rd Imperial Road,” Leff explained as they walked down the broad road deeper into the city, “It goes all the way from the city center to the south gate. The Outskirts Guild has three branches in the city. The one we’re headed to is the best place to get yourself registered as a member. Normally, we would be going to the branch on 4th Imperial Road to report on our mission, but both of them work fine. The final branch is located on 1st Imperial Road, but I’ve never been there. It is mostly the place for people working directly for the Guild, inner members as we call them, and where voyagers and conquerors report their missions.”
“Voyagers and conquerors?” Adion asked.
“Those are the highest ranks you can have in the Guild. You start as a rank 1 traveler, then rank 2 and 3 traveler, followed by rank 1 explorer. And then the same story followed by voyager and finally conqueror. The four of us are only rank 3 travelers. It is very hard to become an explorer without reaching Silver.” Leff explained.
“Does the rank depend on what stage you are in? Bronze for traveler, Silver for explorer, Gold for voyager, and Diamond for conqueror?” Adion asked.
“No,” Leff shook his head, “You should understand that the Outskirts Guild isn’t only about hunting beasts on the Outskirts, even if it might have started that way. There are all kinds of missions available. Anyone in need of a mage can post whatever mission they want. But the rank is solely reliant on fighting power. Every Iron mage can join as a rank 1 traveler no matter what, but to advance to rank 2, you have to be able to kill low Bronze beasts consistently, and peak Bronze beasts for rank 3. Then low Silver beasts for explorer rank 1, peak Silver beasts for rank 2 and low Gold beasts for rank 3, and so on all the way up to rank 3 voyager where you have to be able to kill peak Diamond beasts.”
“Then what about conquerors?” Adion asked.
“No idea,” Leff said, “I’ve never met one. But I imagine they have to be able to kill soul beasts. Can’t imagine there are very many of those as they are strong enough to be a patriarch of a noble family clan.”
“So, how do you rank up? How many beasts do you have to kill?” Adion asked.
“It depends,” Leff answered, “Let’s say you are a rank 2 traveler; then you would have to finish 100 missions corresponding to your rank first. There is one kind of permanent mission that you can always take: killing beasts in the Outskirts and bringing back the body. The reward is primarily due to the meat and beast core, but the Empire also sponsors the mission at times, as killing beasts and conquering more land is something the Empire values. Once you have finished at least 100 missions at your rank, you can advance at any time as long as you finish a beast-hunting mission of a higher rank. So a rank 2 explorer would have to kill 100 low Bronze to high Bronze beasts and one peak Bronze beast to advance.
“There is a shortcut for people who join the Guild as stronger mages, though,” Leff continued, “And that is to do 20 beast-hunting missions of one rank higher or 3 beast-hunting missions of two ranks higher. But that won’t be relevant for you. I wouldn’t suggest trying to hunt Bronze beasts before reaching Bronze yourself. There are very few who can pull that off. I think you should hunt Iron beasts and temper your Will for now so that when you advance to Bronze, you simply have to kill a low Bronze beast to rank up. There are a few areas known for having more Iron beasts. They are a few days away from Billford, however.”
“Mm, thank you,” Adion said
How should I do this? I can’t hunt peak Bronze beasts as a peak Iron mage without causing a commotion. But I also won’t get stronger if I hunt beasts that are too weak for me. And I would need the money from the missions. I’m starting to get poor.
If I reveal my middle Bronze strength, it will also attract attention. Perhaps I could hide my age and pretend to be older?
Adion thought about it for a few seconds before deciding not to.
That could very well just lead people to figure out my skills in using aura, which might lead to my space core getting revealed. How bothersome.
Maybe I can get away with being a low Bronze mage. That young master from the Gratton family managed to reach Bronze before he turned 15, after all. But then again, he is from a noble family, and the biggest genius they have ever had at that. I’ll have to think about it some more.
Adion turned to Leff and asked, “You mentioned that there are places with Iron beasts around here. How can I find more information about that and other things I might want to know?”
“Well, the Outskirt Guild, of course. They know the best when it comes to these kinds of things,” Leff answered.
“What about if I want information that doesn’t have anything to do with the Outskirts,” Adion pushed.
“Well, all sorts of information is shared where enough people gather. I hear most things in the taverns. Of course, it is hard to distinguish rumor from truth.” Leff said.
“What are you looking for information about?” Feron asked, “Maybe we can help.”
“Hm,” Adion pondered. He had been hoping that there was a place made for keeping and selling information. That would have been practical. He hadn’t forgotten about his revenge and wanted to know more about the people who had killed his family. “Do you know anything about a group of people who wear white masks?”
“A group of people who wear white masks?” Feron asked and looked at the others, who shook their heads, “Sorry, maybe try asking about it at the Guild.”
That might be risky. I don’t want to draw attention to myself after all. I’ll find a different way.
It took them a while, but they finally reached a large building that stood disconnected from the surrounding buildings. It had a small patch of grass and a few trees in front of it, as well as a big sign with the words ‘Outskirt Guild’ along with the Guild’s insignia. A few people could be seen going in and out. They all had some kind of weapon and seemed rougher than the common man on the street. Adion also felt a lot of strong auras inside the building.
I can feel three Diamonds inside, as well as a few Golds. I wonder if there are any soul mages hiding here? From what I know, every soul mage should be the backbone of the noble families, but who knows if that is actually the case? There might be plenty of strong mages without any interest in forming a family clan.
The doors were three times Adion's height and stood open for anyone to enter, but Adion guessed no one intending to cause trouble would dare set foot inside.
After over two years fighting beasts in the Endless Forest, it's finally time to join the Outskirt Guild. Seems like I’m doing things in reverse.
Once inside, Adion found himself standing in a great hall. At the far end, he could see a few receptionists behind a wide counter. A few people were talking to them, and a few receptionists scurried around with papers in the back.
Around him, he could see a bunch of Outskirters talking in groups. Everyone had an Outskirt card hanging around their neck, showing their rank. There were hallways to both sides of the big hall Adion stood in leading off somewhere, and a lot of people seemed to go down a certain one, with the few stumbling out, giving away that there was a tavern further inside.
Right before Adion, a giant stone pillar stood with the words “In the Outskirts, we fight, we temper, we conquer.” engraved at the top.
“You can just speak to any of the clerks behind the desks over there to get registered,” Leff told him, “We will report on our mission and collect our reward.”
“Alright,” Adion nodded and headed to a clerk who was just made available.
A high Bronze mage is working as a simple clerk here. Billford sure is different.
When he arrived at the desk, the man behind the counter addressed Adion politely.
“How can I assist you today, sir?” The clerk asked Adion.
“I would like to register as a member of the Guild, please,” Adion answered.
“Alright, please fill in your information here,” The clerk said as he handed Adion a piece of paper and a pen, “It is 10 silver coins for a rank 1 traveler card.”
“Alright,” Adion handed over his last gold coin and the paper with his information. He had written down that his name was Adion without any last name and that he came from Farfield village and was a fire mage.
The clerk looked over the paper and looked at Adion suspiciously, as he no doubt thought someone with Adion’s strength and age came from a family clan. But he simply shrugged his shoulders and handed over 90 silver coins.
“I will go to have your card made then. You can sit down and wait until I call you. It won’t take long. You can also look through the available missions in the meantime. If it is a one-time mission, you have to register it before you go out.” the clerk told him.
“It’s fine. I think I will start off by hunting some beasts.” The man nodded, got up from his seat, and headed off somewhere to get Adion’s card made.
Adion went and took a seat and soon noticed Leff and his group approaching him.
“Everything working out alright?” Leff asked him.
“Yes, I am waiting for my Guild card to be made.
“That’s good. We’re gonna hit the tavern and celebrate our successful mission. You are welcome to join us if you’d like.” Leff offered.
“Thank you, but I think I will head straight for the Outskirts. I’ve been sitting still for weeks now,” Adion answered.
“Alright then, I’m sure we’ll meet again. Good luck in your hunting, and be careful.” Leff said as the rest of the group said their farewells before heading off.
It didn’t take long before Adion was called by the clerk and got his card. It was a simple Iron plate the size of Adion's palm. It had his name and the text “Traveler I” engraved on it, along with an insignia of the Outskirt Guild.
Just as he was about to head out, he remembered Villem, the Village head’s son, whom Adion thought might be able to show him around.
“By the way,” Adion said, “I’m looking for a man called Villem. He is also from Farfield village. Do you know where I can find him?”
“I’ve never heard of him,” The clerk answered, “But there are tens of thousands of mages in Billford and the surrounding area. How strong is he?”
“He is probably low or middle Bronze,” Adion answered.
“Then he is probably around one of the outposts to the southwest. Many low and middle Bronze mages gather around that area,” The clerk answered.
“Alright, thank you for your help,” Adion said before heading out of the building again.
I will head to southwest then. I would like to find Villem to see if he has any useful information, but if I can’t, I’ll just head towards an area with peak Bronze beasts.
Adion walked back the way he had come so as not to get lost in the big city, but before heading to the Outskirts, he needed to buy something that could ease his worries a little.
Comments
EsZeus
I am curious if he will try to develop more things with his space magic sometimes in the near future. Like a pocket dimension? He already thought about teleporting items back and forth as an "inventory". Kinda. Interesting so far :)
