Chapter 1 – We got the right place!
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After about one hour of mostly silent traveling, we reached Whitewind’s gate, I could fly over it if I wanted, but I can’t imagine the amount of trouble we’d go through if I actually did it, so I lowered my flight’s altitude until I was near the ground while slowly reducing the speed until our progress halted. After putting the broom in my back, I walked towards the gate, where a guard was doing inspections on those entering… I hope he doesn’t ask for a fee.

After a small queue of people went through, it was finally my turn. None of them seemed to have given him any money at least, so I have hopes. “What are your business in Whitewind, catwoman?” Oh, this is the capital? Glad we got the right place this time, thanks for clarifying that with your first question mister guardsman.

Looking from up close, he had a shiny armor that looked very new. I’m amazed, gate guards in Nyllia never had this kind of gear, I thought only knights were able to afford this kind of stuff… I wonder if they’re actually provided this kind of gear for free? I can’t even imagine what must be their wages if the kingdom is willing to provide such impressive armor.

Oops, I’m taking too long and raising suspicions, I cleared my throat before answering, “I’m Aria, a mage from Nyllia, I came to join the Heroes’ Guild.”

He seemed surprised, “From Nyllia? That’s quite far to the South, you certainly traveled a lot just for that, missy. I assume you’re quite confident in your skills?”

What a weird question to ask, does a guard really need to know that before letting me in? “Rather than being confident, I just wanted a fresh start in a place where I could put my skills to use, especially one that didn’t involve mages, mages and more mages.”

His expression seemed troubled, hopefully that was not a bad answer… He turned his head towards Iris, who was sitting in my shoulder, before continuing, “What about her?”

“She’s Iris, a fire fairy and my familiar. As you can see, she won’t burn anything unless she wishes to, so I can assure you she’s not dangerous.” Otherwise my clothes would be burning from entering into contact with her flames, that would be troublesome.

“Quite the unusual pair you are… Well, it’s alright, just make sure to inform yourself properly at the guild’s reception or you might regret what you’re getting into. Anything in that bag that I should know of?” He asked while pointing to the bag I carried in my back.

“Just food, clothes and a few coins.” I answered, he smirked and then asked to check… He’s not a pervert that will smell my underwear, is he? That would be gross.

Luckily, he was very professional and quickly looked over the contents before handing the bag back, I guess he just wanted to make sure I wasn’t lying… Smart procedure to ask first before checking, I’m glad I had nothing worth hiding. “You’re clear, welcome to Whitewind.” Yay, no tax! That’s a nice start!

Just as I was about to enter the gate, Iris tugged my clothes. I turned towards her a bit confused and she said, “Aria… Aren’t you forgetting something important?”

“Forgetting…?” I tilted my head, “We didn’t decide what we will have for dinner today?”

Iris sighed, “You forgot to ask where the Heroes’ Guild is!” Ouch, no need to shout in my ear! I’m sorry, I’m sorry!

I apologized to the guardsman for taking more of his time and asked for the guild’s location, apparently it was located in the town square and it should be easy enough to recognize once we got there.

We entered the city and dear gods was it impressive, never saw anything as big as this one. From the very entrance I could see plenty of stores that were extremely opulent… I’m definitely not going to purchase anything from this district.

Still, it was amazing, the design of some of the dresses I saw on display were so enticing that made me want to buy them on the spot, not to mention the extremely fancy decorations all around the buildings. That alone is probably worth more than all money I saw in my life… Both me and Iris stared in wonder while we leisurely walked towards the town square.

The central district was a lot less impressive, it seems like the southern area is the rich one. The buildings here were fairly simple, but clearly well made and maintained, we walked around looking for what might be the Heroes’ Guild… It shouldn’t be too hard to spot, considering what the guard just told us…

Didn’t take too long to find a group of people with impressive armors entering a building not far from us. If those aren’t heroes, I don’t know who are, so let’s follow them inside.

The building itself wasn’t really remarkable though, it had two stories and looked very plain. I guess the easy to notice part was referring to the people?

The inside was pretty clean and simple, the first room was a large hall with a counter at its end, to our right I could hear some loud merry noises coming from behind a closed door, I suppose there is a tavern within the guild? Quite convenient.

I approached the counter which was manned by a woman with pointy ears and blond hair, her dress seemed a bit hard to move around, so I assume she doesn’t get out much. She was handling some parchments while talking to the heroes that entered before us. Once they were done, we got closer and she asked, “Welcome, you’re new here, aren’t you? What can I help you with?”

I answered with a clear tone, “I’d like to register, this is the Heroes’ Guild, right?”

She looked me up and down before replying, “So young, are you sure you’re up for the job? It’s not easy being a hero, you know?”

“I still have much to learn, but I believe my abilities may be of use here.” Was my answer, I could see Iris nodding in approval from the corner of my eye. Yes! I knew practicing how to do professional exchanges would pay off!

“Quite humble, aren’t you? That’s not a bad trait though, what’s your name and what do you specialize in?” She asked before picking a feather, ink, and a sheet of parchment.

As I started talking, she started writing something in the parchment, “I’m Aria, my specialties are in the areas of Fire and Arcane Magic, my spells work primarily with glyphs, which I can also use to enchant items.” I didn’t mess up, right? Oh gods I’m so nervous, why is it so hard to just say what I’m good at doing!? I felt Iris gently caressing the back of my shoulder with her hand though, I think that’s her way of comforting me… It works.

“No surname I assume?” I nodded, “Alright then, please confirm that everything is written properly.” She then showed me the parchment…

“Iris, what’s written there?” I asked, Iris flew near the parchment to read it, but the woman immediately pulled it away, “Iris won’t burn it, please let her read it…”

“You… Don’t know how to read?” She asked back.

“Should I?” Was my answer.

The woman said with a troubled smile, “… It’s a skill most heroes are expected to have.” Iris then turned towards me and gave me a triumphant smile… Don’t give me that! It’s too complicated! No matter how many times you try teaching me, I won’t learn! “But if your familiar can read it, I suppose it’s alright. Though you’ll pay if anything happens to the parchment.” She said as she put it back on the counter.

Iris flew over it quickly before confirming that the information there was accurate. The lady then proceeded, “Very well, we’ll be glad to welcome you to the Heroes’ Guild, Aria. We just need you to pay a small registration fee of 5 small copper coins.”

I blinked a few times at that, “Iris, how much is that in Nyllia’s currency again?” That cute and lovely fairy sighed… Math is hard! Don’t sigh at me!

“The amount of copper in our coins is pretty small when compared to what Lzarier puts in theirs, so we need 3 copper coins for each.” She clarified... I started counting it on my fingers, 5… 10… 15…? 15!? That’s so expensive!

“Can’t you give us a discount…?” I asked the woman at the counter, which gave me the deadliest and scariest smile I have seen in a long time.

“Dearie, please understand that a hero’s job is one that demands a great amount of selflessness and complete dedication to your job of helping others in their most dire moments, you will never be a proper heroine if you aren’t willing to part with your money for the sake of saving others in their times of need.” Even though she said all that in a neutral tone, I got huge chills from it… And what’s up with ‘time of need’!? You’re clearly not in desperate need of money, I am!

… Her expression didn’t seem to leave any room for discussion though, so I meekly took a few coins out of my bag and started counting them… I had… 18 left? Or rather, 3 as I handed the 15 to her… I wonder if this will be enough to rent an inn room, I don’t want to sleep in the woods again… “Will that be all? I said dejectedly.”

“It is indeed.” She said as she put the money behind the counter, “Welcome to the Heroes’ Guild of Whitewind, I’m Thalia, one of the receptionists here. Talk to me when you wish to take on a job or claim your rewards from one that you brought the certificate of conclusion back.

“You will need this to both receive and clear requests by the way.” She gave me a small orange token with a golden cross in its middle, “It’s the guild’s badge, the symbol represents our patron deity, Kisara, the goddess of hope.” The guild has a patron deity? That’s amazing… I better take very care of this in order to not anger the goddess… I took it carefully and stored it in my bag.

“Okay, and how do I get jobs then?” I asked her.

“We have a board in which we put client’s requests in the tavern to the side,” she pointed to the door from which a lot of loud noise was coming from, “but since you don’t know how to read…” She stopped to think a bit. “Oh, I know, we received a request from the Frost Trolls of the Njord mountains, apparently an ancient seal was broken and they’re now being massacred by a frost wyvern and need urgent help, it should be an easy job for you to start with, right?”

At that moment, I simply froze in place, trying to process what I just heard.

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