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3rd Pov
The trees rustled as the wind blew. Ember looked out of the carriage to see a huge wall in the distance," So that's Altena, huh?", he said, and the coachman laughed and said," Mister Elf, I see you are a magician as well, right? No wonder you are travelling to Altena, it's a haven for magicians and Elves."
" Hmm", he responded, it has been three weeks since he began his journey. If he was solo, he could have arrived earlier, however he needed a carriage to carry his money. He had converted all of his magic stones into money, amounting to 73 million valis, which was a considerable sum. He needed that money for a Magic Grimoire, so it was going to be emptied unfortunately.
Soon they reached in front of the gate, in front of which there was a considerable line of carriages and people. After an hour their turn came," State your name, nationality and occupation ", the guard asked some simple questions. The coachman showed gave his details and showed his affiliation with his commercial group.
Meanwhile Ember filled up his name, as Tithonus Ber, his nationality Alfian, and occupation as an Adventurer and showed his Adventurer card. Upon seeing that he was an Elf, the guard got the gist of his situation, and after taking a fee of 100,000 valis and creating a temporary resident identity for him did he let them enter. " The fee was quite hefty", Ember muttered as their carriage entered the city.
The moment he entered he could see a huge white palace from a distance. The coachman laughed," Well, here things are very systematic, and entry fee for outsiders is costly", he said, and Ember's eyebrows twitched. This was a militaristic nation headed by a single Goddess, Athena, however it welcomed people from all over the world, from different familiae, but obviously there were more taxes for outsiders than their own citizen.
While only Goddess Athena resided in capital, it had other four major cities where many familias resided, all in a cooperative relationship with Goddess Athena and her familia. Unlike Rakia which didn't tolerate other familias in their nation, Goddess Athena allowed other familias to settle down in her country albeit not in capital.
' Goddess Athena is truly well deserved of her title as Goddess of Wisdom ', he thought as he realized the deep meaning in the ruling system she had established. Her nation also had several level 5s and 4s boosting their prowess. In this Age where Hera and Zeus familia haven't reached their pinnacle, the situation was similar to post dark age of Orario, level 5s and Level 6s being the absolute powerhouses in this world.
Their first stop was the Guild, where he quickly deposited all of his money and only did, he breath in relief and went to get a rent. " The rent will be 17,000 valis per week, two meals will be included, one during morning and evening ", said the Inn hostess, he rented a considerable room and obviously the price wasn't cheap.
Finally, everything was set, and after paying 500,000 valis to the coachman of the carriage, did his initial expenses end. ' The entire day was hectic, tomorrow I will go to Guild to get information about Magic Grimoire ', he thought as he went to sleep, after having the dinner.
...
Ember Pov
As I entered the guild, I could see the place bustling with adventurers. No one paid attention to me, unlike in Argon Town. I made my way to the counter where Adventurers were taking guidance from the Guild receptionist. Once I came in front of a guild receptionist, she greeted me. " Hello Sir, how may I help you?", she said.
" I am new here, and I have something to ask... How can I get a Magic Grimoire?", I said, I was a little skeptical that some greedy adventurer will hear me, but I was as strong as peak Level 2, so I can handle pretty much anything in my way. Stronger Adventurers won't stoop low either, it is after all Altena not Orario. If someone stoles the purchased Grimoire, it will affect the country's reputation.
So, I wasn't very much worried about it. " Hmm, you want to purchase a magic grimoire? Then we will see which of the Item makers are free and will inform you shortly. Also, the cost of a magic grimoire will be 25 million Atlen, or 50 million valis", she said, I nodded and asked her a few more details about it.
Apparently, there are five Item makers each of them level 3 or above, possessing both Mystery and Mage Development abilities, making them capable of making Magic Grimoires. This number was very high, if we take into consideration that these five people possess both Mage and Mystery as their development abilities.
" Well, there is one last thing", I said to the receptionist, garnering her attention again and continued," I would like to purchase a property, so can I get some help?", and she smiled politely," Yes Sir, I can introduce you to a property dealer... However, it might take some time, how about you return tomorrow?", she replied, and I nodded," Thanks."
Leaving the guild, I wondered where I should head next. ' Let's see how monsters fare here ', I thought and quickly headed towards the exit of the city. After leaving the city, I went towards the forest designated for newbies. The farther one leaves from the city, the more monsters they encounter.
I could see several adventurers on the periphery of the forest. I hopped on a tree branch and surveyed my surroundings. There were lush and green trees as far as my eyes could see. It also made me appreciate the beauty of the forests. No matter how many times I see the green scenery, a sharp contrast to my past life's memories.
' Not to mention life in an overpopulated country was anything but easy ', I sighed and started jumping from one tree to another. I located Goblins, and kobolds. However, ignoring them, I set my sights at Hellhounds. I have fought with these monsters' countless times before as a level 1, which is totally insane for a level 1 to challenge.
However, I have always emerged victorious, though there were times where I had skin scorched from simply near dodging their flames. ' Now I am level 2, let's test my strength ', I smirked and jumped down in front of the hounds. They were five in number; they quickly took a battle stance upon seeing me.
I unsheathed my sword, and dashed," Growwllll!", they growled and charged at me, two preparing to unleash torrent of flames from their mouth. However, I sliced through their bodies with ease, in a few seconds of our encounter, all of them died, leaving behind only the magic stones on the ground as the proof of our battle.
' Powerful- This is totally different ', I thought as I turned and looked at the magic stones, the boost I received from ranking up was nothing to scoff off. I was already as strong as an mid to late average Level 2, before ranking up, and my magic alone touched the realm of Level 3, considering my normal magic attacks. My stronger magic attacks were at the level of 4, probably late 4 due to the courtesy of Mage.
" I can't get drunk in this power ", I muttered, I was a very strong Level 2, however I was still Level 2, in frontal combat I wasn't so sure against a proper Level 3, probably an early Level 3 I can handle, but stronger ones still posed threat to me. Only in Magic I outclassed people far higher in level than me. My journey has just begun, arrogance will only hinder my path.
After a self-monologue, I picked up the magic stones and hopped on a tree with a single jump. If a peak Level 1 counted as Captain America, then level 2 was downright superhuman surpassing limits of peak human. I quickly went deeper into the forest encountering many enemies like a group of Almiraj, few Orcs and two minotaur's.
There were fewer monsters than I expected, however it meant sense. Unless beast hordes pass through these areas, due to the Athena familia, these places were relatively safe. It was almost evening, when I encountered the infamous green monster 'Hobgoblins '. They are larger versions of Goblins, two metres in length. Having potential strength of a Level 2.
I spotted their group, and quickly hid among the leaves, watching them from above. There were nine of them, alongside a big group of goblins. ' Good, they will be a perfect target to wind up things ', I thought and jumped down from the tree, leaping on a hobgoblin and slicing it's head off. Scaring the goblins.
"Huhghhhhhh!!", a Hobgoblin roared, as I started concurrent chanting," O'Flames of Legends! Burn brighter... ", I stepped forward and sliced through several Goblins in a swift way, killing off another two Hobgoblins. The others took a step back, finally realizing that going against me was futile. But it was too late for them," Cremation! ", a torrent of blue flames manifested from short staff, raining upon them, turning them into ashes.
They cried in pain, as they died out. Goblins alongside their magic stones melted horribly, only the Hobgoblins' magic stones survived the fierce flames. All of them dead, I sighed and looked at the crumbled trees, turned into ashes. I watched for any burning trees, last thing I wanted a forest fire because of my actions.
Upon seeing a single tree was caught in flames, I used my congenital magic," Elber Justi, Moren... Vandsprojit !", a spray of water unleashed from my staff calmed down the raging flames. I could use twelve spells of Congenital Magic without any conflict to my acquired magic. After that I departed from that place, running back to the Atlena.
...
Next day, when I arrived at guild, the receptionist I had met earlier welcomed me. Taking me into a private room for discussion. " Sir, meet him... He is Sir Gandalf, one of the renowned item makers in Atlena, he is willing to sell you a Magic Grimoire at the cost of 52 million valis", she said introducing the man, I raised my eyebrow slight at the mentioning of his name, before politely greeting him.
" Nice to meet you Sir Gandalf, I am known as Tithonus", I said forwarding my hand for a polite handshake, he took my palm and shook it, a smile emerging on his lips. He looked very much like his name, an old man with big white beard, with a wizard's cap on his head. He said," Nice to meet you as well, yesterday I recieved a letter from the guild, and today I showed up in person to meet my buyer."
" I would like to thank you... To be honest I didn't think that I would get a response... So fast", I said honestly surprised. He laughed, stroking his beard and said," Selling a Magic Grimoire is no small matter even for me, I can do as much to hand it in person to my buyer... Here is the thing you need", he pulled out the grimoire out of his bag and placed it on the wooden table.
My eyes focused on the magic grimoire the moment I saw this, my breath hitched. He grinned and said," Sign this document of transferring 52 million valis and its yours. Also let me give a few details about it", I nodded, and he continued," First, it will surely grant you a magic and unlock a slot as long as you don't have magics greater than three, after that it depends on your luck", my eyes narrowed hearing it.
" Secondly, I advise to use it within the limits of Altena. If it is stolen outside Altena, the country or I will be held responsible for it, however if it is stolen within bounds of Altena or someone tries to coerce, you can ask for an Audience to her majesty. Altena respects its deals, and attaches great importance, that is all I have to say", he said.
I nodded and l took the document analyzing it carefully, I signed on it transferring 52 million valis to him. I felt pain seeing years of my savings being drained so quickly, however looking at the Grimoire I felt the money was well spent. Thankfully it wasn't Orario, where the price of Grimoire usually reaches at least a hundred million valis.
I took the magic grimoire and after some pleasantries, I bid goodbye them, telling the receptionist I will come for my property deal on over morrow. I left the place, heading to the inn while barely containing my excitement. I already had the idea on what type of Magic I needed, and once I reached inn, I quickly went to my room, ready to get a new magic.
To be continued...