They walked down the street, Tali looking up in awe at the large buildings and crowds of people.
Bryan just looked around, checking out the merchandise being sold.
Tali said, “This place is amazing, isn’t it?” The excitement was almost palpable in her voice.
I mean, it’s big… but pretty certain there’s not one proper toilet.
“Sure, it is big.”
They walked the side path among a crowd of people, while horses and carriages rolled steadily down the center road. Some people occasionally glancing at her with side eye.
They had to keep stopping at intersections for carriages to pass, checking signs as they went while looking for the guild.
Odd - the roads are laid out like a modern town.
Bryan stopped, noticing Tali was no longer next to him. He looked around and saw she was a few shops back, ogling a window the black stripes in her blue hair contrasting strongly in the bright sunlight.
Walking back, he asked, “Hey, why did you stop?”
“The clothes are so nice here. I’ve never seen this many dresses,” she said, awestruck.
Oh yeah, dresses… that tracks.
“Yeah, great. We don’t have all day though.” A bit of frustration in his voice.
Tali had a slightly sad expression. “Ok, you’re right. Time for that another day.”
She rushed back tail swinging and caught up to him, they set off at a brisk pace.
Until they came upon a very large building with a sign similar to the Dawnstead guild. Looking down her blue hair is level with his shoulder.
Finally here. And I managed to avoid a shopping montage - like a pro.
Pushing the large door open, they entered the guild. Dozens of adventurers milled around inside, their voices bouncing off the stone walls in a chaotic buzz.
The building was large, clean, and made mostly of carved stone.
They waited in line at the reception desk for a while.
Ah yes queuing - just like home.
At the front, they saw the receptionist: a black-haired woman in a similar outfit to what Milan wore.
With an expressionless face and a monotone voice, the receptionist said,
“Hello, my name is Tina. How may I help you today?”
“We’ve come from Dawnstead. I think we need to register,” Bryan said, showing his badge.
“I’m steel rank.”
“Present your letter of authenticity, without which you will start at stone.”
She actually looks more bored than Milan did.
How is that possible?
He rummaged in his bag and handed over the letter.
She looked it over quickly, turned to the desk behind her, and stamped it.
“Ok. You will be registered as steel rank. Hand on this stone, please.”
She gestured to the stone.
This should be painless.
Bryan placed his hand on it and a small screen popped up.
“Ok. Level 34 and a strange job. Now the girl.”
Tali timidly placed her hand on the stone her claw like nails extending out.
“Level 15. No job registered. Recommend taking the copper exam.”
Hmm, lower than I expected. Might need something to help with that.
“Erm, ok. Thank you,” Tali said softly.
Tina stamped some documents.
“Quest board to the right of the building, bar to the left, and training area in the basement.
Next,” she said, ushering them away.
Bryan quickly spoke up. “Sorry, but is there a skill to help train people?”
Tina sighed. “Yes. There is a skill for XP sharing. Only really useful for training low levels though.”
Hmm… might have to try to figure that out.
“Ok, thank you,” he said before they walked away.
“Are we taking a quest now?” Tali asked excitedly.
“No. Got to find an inn first. I’m not sleeping on a guild bench again.”
Yeah, that buggered my back. And I think Tina might actually be meaner than Milan.
They walked toward the exit.
On the way out, Bryan spotted a flyer near the board warning about demon sightings in the east and advising caution.
Hmm… so classic demons exist? Cool. Definitely not ominous at all.
Bryan walked out onto the busy street, Tali following just behind. They walked on, keeping an eye out for an inn.
They walked in tandem for a while, Tali looking up at the buildings, distracted.
“Don’t you think this place is amazing? And it smells oddly nice.” She beamed.
Nope. All I smell is the sewers with a light floral overtone… shouldn’t demoralize her though.
“Sure. It is pretty cool,” he said, forcing a smile.
Wait shouldn’t she have a much better sense of smell than me? I’m confused.
Tali, still glancing upward, bumped into a servant holding a large vase of liquid. The contents tipped onto the man beside her.
He stood there, stunned.
“Oh no, I’m so sorry. That was an accident.” Tali looked down and went to try wiping the liquid off the man.
Well… I can see where this is going.
“Don’t touch me, you disgusting creature!” the man shouted.
People passing by stopped to watch the unfolding scene.
Tali looked hurt and stepped back, her tail drooped down and ears flattened to head.
Two guards beside him each put a hand on their swords.
Ok. I may need to step in here.
Bryan placed a hand on his sword and locked eyes with one of the guards.
“Sir, I didn’t mean to - I’m so sorry…” Tali’s voice was sincere and sad.
The man cut her off.
“That does nothing to fix my clothes. Creatures like you may like being dirty, but someone of my lineage does not.”
Enough is enough.
His servant beside him panicked, furiously trying to clean the mess.
Bryan stepped forward. The guards went to draw their weapons.
Subtle Manipulation.
They felt pressure holding the weapons in their sheaths - subtle, but firm.
Bryan shook his head slightly. They hesitated but stayed alert.
“The lady clearly apologized. She is also very sorry,” Bryan said sincerely, bowing deeply.
Hmm. Time for British politeness.
The man fumed, mouth opening –
“Surely a man so refined as you wouldn’t stoop to common insults over such a petty mistake?”
Yeah. Suck it.
“Do you even know who I am? I am Delgard Delongprey the Third!”
Wow. Such an obnoxious name. He had no hope.
Tali began to speak, but Bryan shook his head and raised a hand, signaling her to stay quiet.
“I’m so sorry. You are a man great of esteem… my liege,” Bryan said before bowing even more dramatically.
Blink.
Bryan appeared behind him, placed a gold coin lightly on the man’s head, then blinked back to his spot before the guards could react.
Both the man and the crowd gasped.
“That should cover the clothes, my good sir,” Bryan said with a smile.
Delgard grabbed the coin and threw it away.
“This is beyond disgraceful! Where did a commoner steal that magic from?” His voice was nearly a growl.
“I believe it may have been the Lady Delongprey who taught me?”
Ha-ha, classic.
Delgard, now trembling with rage, gestured sharply to his guards.
Bryan held out his palm, displaying his basic stats. The guards froze mid-step.
“Sir, we’ll die to protect you… but you’d be alone if we do.”
Delgard took a long, deep breath.
“You’ve made a lifelong enemy. I will remember your face.”
With a dramatic huff, he stormed off, his guards and servant trailing behind.
The crowd murmured, then slowly dispersed.
“You really didn’t need to go that far for me,” Tali said quietly, looking sad and defeated.
Bryan placed a hand on her shoulder, meeting her eyes with a sad smile.
“Look… I don’t know you that well. But no one deserves to be treated that way.”
He handed her a small cloth from his bag. She sniffled into it.
“It’s not uncommon treatment, though.”
...the fuck.
“Well, it won’t happen with me around. I’m not scared of people like him.”
He forced a smile and gently took her hand.
“Let’s go find an inn with some crap food.”
She gave a small chuckle small fangs poking out. “Ok - but does the food have to be crap?”
“Well, no. But it will be, I’m sure.”
He chuckled too.
After a while, they found an inn called The Staggered Boar.
Inside, it’s large, with a fire pit on one side and many tables scattered throughout.
They approached the bar and spoke to the man behind it.
“Hey, I’d like to book two rooms, please. One week at a time.”
The man eyed Bryan’s clothes before replying.
“Ok, well it’s two gold a week per room.”
Damn, that’s a steep increase… capital, I guess.
Tali interrupted. “We don’t need separate rooms. I could sleep on the floor?”
Bryan handed over the money and was given two keys.
“I sleep naked. You don’t want to see that.”
He passed her a key, and they both chuckled a bit.
“Ok, I’m going to relax in my room a bit, ok?”
They both headed upstairs and he entered his room.
The layout was pretty basic - bed, cabinet, and bucket.
The dreaded toilet bucket… gross.
He lay on his bed and thought.
Ok, I think I need to figure out that trainer skill fast.
He spent some time contemplating and skimming the guild guide.
Ok… as far as I can see, seems like it’s some kind of XP sharing skill that works best in combat.
He sat up and concentrated, feeling the magic, his hands glowing.
Focus on sharing his experience…
Nothing happens. Slightly frustrated, he got up and walked out of the room.
Bryan knocked on Tali’s door. After hearing a brief stumble and crash, she opened it, looking a bit surprised.
“Oh, hey. Sorry - I was sorting out my things and I fell.” She looked embarrassed.
“I was wondering if I could come in and do something that might seem a little weird?”
Looking concerned, she said, “Erm… look, I’m really grateful you saved me again. But that seems a bit forward.”
Bryan placed a hand on his face.
“No, sorry. I meant it’s a new magic I want to figure out,” he said apologetically.
She sighed with relief. “Oh! Sorry for assuming. But you really should be more clear.” She smiled and laughed fangs glinting in the torch light.
She gestured him in and they sat on the floor.
“Ok, I’m just going to try this spell. We both face each other.”
She nodded, and he focused.
Tali… Give Experience… Teach…
He concentrated for a few minutes of awkward silence.
Hands glowing and with a light flash a paper flower appeared in his hand.
Wait what the fuck…
“Oh that is cool, is it what you wanted?” she said head tilted looking at his hands.
He sighed heavily “No, one second”
Concentrating again. Xp sharing…tali…flow…
Trainer Unlocked
“Yes! It worked!” he exclaimed.
His sudden outburst caused Tali to fall backward.
Point in that skill. Quickly read description…
Shares XP. Well, with the ‘Your Regret’ skill, that should work very well.
“Are you ok?” he asked as she sat back up.
“Yes, you just startled me. What worked?” She looked visibly confused.
He stood up. “Don’t worry. I just think we should try training a bit before taking on quests.”
She stood as well. “Erm… ok, sure.”
He saw her wave as he left, and he went back to his room to lie down.
Bryan rested for a while and made some sandwiches from his bag.
He heard a knock and headed to the door.
Ah. Training time.
He opened it. Tali was there, wearing all her gear.
“Where shall we train, then?” she asked earnestly.
“I think us trying the sewers might be logical.”
“Ok, I guess that’s a good idea,” she said, sounding a bit unsure.
They made their way onto the street and asked a guard for directions to the nearest sewer entrance.
“We should eat the food I made for us before we get there - bad idea doing that down there.”
She nodded, and they ate while walking.
As they approached the entrance, Tali edged closer to Bryan. The area is dirty and full of homeless people.
Hmm. Not all pretty, then, is it.
They opened the grate and walked inside, Bryan ducking slightly to avoid hitting his head on the low ceiling.
Tali gagged visibly. “This place is worse than I thought.”
“Only smells a bit worse than everywhere else to me,” Bryan shrugged.
“You’re a bit odd, aren’t you?” she said with a smile.
After about twenty minutes of walking through the maze-like tunnels, they found a large intersection full of rats.
Perfect. The rat noob quest.Trainer
His hand glowed briefly.
“You fight what you can. I’ll take the rest.”
She nodded, unsheathed her sword, and charged at the nearest one.
Bryan drew his own sword and began unleashing Fire Bolts, handling the creatures with ease, keeping an eye on her to make sure she wasn’t overwhelmed.
Tali stumbled and tripped once, but managed to take a few down.
After the last rat was dead, she turned to him, looking confused.
“Wait… why did I level up twice?”
Others don’t level up this fast… should probably keep my boost to myself.
“Well, there were a lot of them, and I have a new trainer skill to help. Maybe that?”
She looked puzzled for a moment, then smiled.
“Oh, so it’s just that you’re strong - and that new skill?” she asked earnestly.
Not sure I like lying to her.
But… needs must.
“Yeah. That must be it.”
They spent another hour or two down there, fighting rats and large ants.
She moved slightly faster and more confidently as they went.
They made their way back to the inn, smiling as they waved and headed into their rooms.