Aurelion — Morning
Noah finished reading one of his newly purchased books before leaving the mansion.
The book contained information about magical transportation and communication across Aetherion.
He had learned that different kingdoms used different methods of transportation.
Some relied on enchanted roads and magical carriages, while wealthier nations maintained extensive airship networks.
A few ancient civilizations had even developed spatial transportation systems.
The information was interesting, especially considering the First Architects' technology he had discovered.
After closing the book, Noah checked his belongings and left the hotel.
Today, he planned to explore the Adventurer District.
The Adventurer District
The district was located in the western part of Aurelion.
Unlike the Royal District, its streets were considerably louder.
Adventurers gathered outside equipment shops, merchants transported monster materials, and several groups discussed their next expeditions.
There were weapon stores, armor workshops, potion shops, training facilities, inns, and organizations providing services to adventurers.
Noah noticed a large building displaying the emblem of the Royal Adventurers Association.
He had visited the association previously, but only briefly.
Today, he wanted to understand how its facilities operated.
The Royal Adventurers Association
The association building was enormous.
Its main entrance opened into a spacious reception hall.
Several reception counters stood along the walls, while large mission boards occupied the central area.
Adventurers moved between the counters and the boards.
Some wore ordinary leather armor, others carried swords, bows, staffs, and heavy weapons.
Noah entered.
A few people noticed his horns.
One adventurer whispered something to his companion, but nobody interrupted him.
He approached the information counter.
"Good morning. Is there anything you'd like to know?"
"I'm interested in understanding how the association operates."
The receptionist smiled.
"Certainly. Are you registered with an adventurer association?"
"No."
"Then I can explain the basic system."
She showed him an information booklet.
ROYAL ADVENTURERS ASSOCIATION
Main Services:
- Adventurer registration.
- Mission distribution.
- Monster material appraisal.
- Expedition permits.
- Regional danger reports.
- Equipment and supply services.
- Emergency rescue coordination.
- Adventurer ranking and achievement records.
The association recognized several adventurer ranks.
Adventurer Rank Classification
- F-Rank — Beginner.
- E-Rank — Basic field experience.
- D-Rank — Intermediate adventurer.
- C-Rank — Experienced adventurer.
- B-Rank — Veteran adventurer.
- A-Rank — Elite adventurer.
- S-Rank — Exceptional individuals.
- SS-Rank — Extremely rare.
- SSS-Rank — Legendary-level adventurers.
The receptionist explained that ranks were determined through combat ability, completed missions, practical experience, and professional evaluations.
"Registration is optional for visitors. You can use the public facilities without becoming a member."
"That's useful."
Noah thanked her and moved away.
The Mission Hall
The largest section of the building was the Mission Hall.
Several enormous boards displayed available missions.
Noah casually examined them.
Selected Public Missions
| Mission | Rank | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Collect Moonleaf Herbs ×30 | E | 8 Gold |
| Eliminate Forest Goblins ×15 | D | 35 Gold |
| Escort Merchant Carriage | C | 80 Gold |
| Investigate Monster Activity | C | 65 Gold |
| Collect Frostbell Flowers ×10 | D | 42 Gold |
| Hunt Ironfang Wolves ×5 | D | 50 Gold |
There were also higher-ranked missions involving dangerous monster territories and unexplored ruins.
One A-Rank mission requested an expedition into the western mountain region.
The reward was considerable, but the mission had several restrictions.
Noah read the description.
The association had recorded unusually high monster activity in that region.
He wasn't interested in taking the mission.
He simply wanted to understand the dangers adventurers faced.
Near the board, two adventurers were discussing a completed escort assignment.
"That merchant paid us less than promised."
"You should've checked the contract before accepting it."
"I did. The route was supposed to be safe."
"Nothing is completely safe outside the city."
Their conversation made Noah smile slightly.
Adventuring wasn't always glamorous.
Sometimes it was simply dangerous work with unreliable clients.
The Adventurer Information Library
The association also maintained a public information library.
It contained maps, monster records, regional reports, and expedition journals.
Noah entered.
A librarian explained the available resources.
"Public records are available to everyone. Certain classified reports require an association permit."
He found several useful books about monster habitats, regional dangers, and common expedition formations.
He spent nearly an hour reading.
One report described the ecological differences between ordinary monsters and magical beasts.
Another discussed how monster populations changed depending on mana density.
Noah found the information useful.
It could help him understand the regions he planned to explore in the future.
Before leaving, he copied the titles of several restricted reports for possible later reference.
The Training Grounds
Behind the association building were several outdoor training grounds.
Different areas were reserved for swordsmanship, archery, magic practice, and group combat exercises.
Noah walked along the outer viewing path.
A group of adventurers practiced coordinated sword formations.
Another group trained against wooden monster-shaped targets.
Nearby, several mages practiced elemental spells under an instructor's supervision.
A young swordsman missed his target and stumbled forward.
His instructor shook his head.
"Again. Your balance is more important than swinging harder."
The student returned to his position.
Noah watched for a few minutes.
The training was fairly ordinary, but the instructor seemed experienced.
He appreciated the practical approach.
Power wasn't simply about possessing strong abilities.
Control, technique, timing, and experience mattered too.
He continued walking.
The Equipment Market
The street outside the association was filled with equipment shops.
Noah entered a weapon store.
Rows of swords, daggers, spears, bows, and magical staffs covered the walls.
The owner approached him.
"Welcome. Looking for a weapon?"
"Not particularly. I'd like to see your enchanted equipment."
The owner showed him several items.
One was a silver sword capable of conducting lightning mana.
Another was a defensive shield reinforced with earth magic.
There was also a bow designed for long-distance magical attacks.
Noah analyzed a few.
Most were ordinary equipment for adventurers.
He didn't need to purchase another weapon, but one item caught his attention.
[SYSTEM ANALYSIS]
Item: Portable Enchantment Repair Kit.
Grade: Rare.
Contents:
- Enchantment Stabilizing Powder ×3 Bottles.
- Mana Conductive Thread ×10 Meters.
- Rune Repair Ink ×2 Bottles.
- Precision Engraving Tools ×6.
- Enchantment Testing Crystal ×1.
Properties:
Suitable for repairing minor enchantment damage and maintaining magical equipment.
Price: 24 Gold Coins.
Noah purchased one.
It was a practical addition to his collection.
The Potion Market
Next, he visited a street specializing in alchemy products.
Small shops displayed healing potions, mana recovery mixtures, antidotes, and various temporary enhancement potions.
Noah examined the products.
Most were low-grade.
However, he found a shop selling high-quality alchemical ingredients.
The shopkeeper was an elderly elf.
"Are you an alchemist?"
"No. Just interested in the materials."
"Then take your time."
The elf showed him several ingredients.
There were dried Moonleaf Herbs, Frostbell petals, mana-rich roots, and preserved monster glands.
Noah purchased a small collection for future research.
[Purchase]
- Moonleaf Herbs ×20 — 2 Gold Coins each.
- Frostbell Flower Petals ×10 Packages — 3 Gold Coins each.
- Mana-rich Silverroot ×5 — 4 Gold Coins each.
Total: 90 Gold Coins.
The shopkeeper carefully packed the materials.
"Keep the Frostbell petals away from excessive heat. They lose their magical properties if stored improperly."
"Understood. Thank you."
Noah placed the packages inside his spatial ring.
A Conversation with Adventurers
By midday, Noah entered a nearby inn.
It was popular among adventurers and expedition teams.
He ordered a simple meal and sat near a window.
At the neighboring table, three adventurers were discussing their recent journey.
One was a human swordsman.
Another was a beastkin archer.
The third was a dwarf carrying a heavy hammer.
"We're leaving for the eastern forest in two days," the swordsman said.
"Then we need another healer," the archer replied.
The dwarf shook his head.
"Finding a decent healer at short notice isn't easy."
Noah continued listening casually.
They discussed supplies, transportation, monster territories, and payment arrangements.
Eventually, the swordsman noticed Noah's horns.
"Are you a dragon?"
"Yes."
The three adventurers exchanged glances.
The dwarf lowered his mug.
"An actual dragon?"
"That's what I said."
The swordsman hesitated before speaking.
"Sorry. We haven't seen one before."
"That's understandable."
The archer looked curious but didn't ask any further questions.
The conversation returned to their expedition.
Noah finished his meal and paid.
He didn't particularly mind the attention, but he preferred not to become the center of every conversation.
The Expedition Supply Center
Before leaving the district, Noah visited the association's official supply center.
It sold equipment specifically designed for long expeditions.
He checked the available products and purchased a few practical items.
[Purchases]
- Emergency Medical Kit ×3 — 6 Gold Coins each.
- Compact Survival Blanket ×4 — 3 Gold Coins each.
- Magical Signal Flare ×10 — 1 Gold Coin each.
- Enchanted Rope ×100 Meters — 12 Gold Coins.
- Portable Cooking Equipment ×1 Set — 8 Gold Coins.
- Waterproof Storage Pouches ×10 — 1 Gold Coin each.
Total: 65 Gold Coins.
He stored everything.
Although his Personal Dimension provided almost unlimited comfort, carrying independent survival equipment was still sensible.
Afternoon — The Adventurers' Monument
Before leaving the district, Noah visited a public monument dedicated to adventurers.
It stood in a small square near the association.
The monument displayed the names of adventurers who had died during major expeditions and rescue operations.
There were thousands of names.
Some had belonged to famous S-Rank adventurers.
Others had been ordinary F-Rank beginners.
A plaque beneath the monument read:
"The wilderness does not remember the names of those who enter it. We remember them instead."
Noah read it quietly.
He stood there for a short while before leaving.
Personal Dimension — Evening
After returning to the hotel, Noah entered his Personal Dimension.
Archivist-07 was waiting near the research laboratory.
"Welcome back, Master."
"Any updates?"
"The First Architects Technology Fragment has reached 24% recovery. Additional information about spatial energy distribution has been reconstructed."
"Good. Continue."
"Understood."
Noah placed his newly purchased alchemical ingredients into automated storage.
"Register these separately. I may use them for experimentation later."
"Storage registration completed."
He then went towards the training grounds.
Today, he decided to practice his elemental control.
He created several small elemental constructs.
A floating sphere of water.
A rotating ring of fire.
A compressed wind blade.
A small stone pillar.
He maintained all four simultaneously.
At first, the constructs remained stable.
Then the wind blade began losing its shape.
Noah adjusted the mana flow and restored it.
"Better."
He continued practicing.
After thirty minutes, he stopped.
He was gradually becoming more precise with his abilities.
[SUPREME DRAGON SYSTEM]
Daily Reward Available.
[Reward Claimed]
- Evolution Points ×3,000.
- System Gold Coins ×50,000.
- Supreme Healing Potion ×3 Bottles.
- Random Knowledge Chest ×1.
[Random Knowledge Chest Opened]
Obtained: Advanced Monster Ecology Knowledge — Epic.
Effect:
- Improves understanding of magical creature habitats.
- Provides knowledge of monster territorial behavior.
- Improves identification of environmental warning signs.
Noah reviewed the information briefly.
It was useful knowledge, especially for future wilderness exploration.
[Updated Resources]
Evolution Points: 110,000.
System Gold Coins: 2,012,000.
Noah stored the potions and closed the system interface.
He sat on the balcony overlooking the lake.
Today, he had learned more about the adventurer community.
Some people entered dangerous territories for money.
Others sought fame, adventure, or personal achievement.
Many simply wanted to support their families.
It was a profession with considerable risks.
Noah had no intention of becoming dependent on the association, but understanding its structure could prove useful.
He leaned back.
"Tomorrow, I should probably explore somewhere quieter."
Aurelion had plenty of places left to see.
End of Chapter 24