Cassian, while strolling through the city, came across a building with a large wooden sign engraved: Adventurers' Guild.
He remembered Eric mentioning it.
This is where adventurers take missions, right?
Curious, he pushed the door open and entered.
Inside, the building was spacious and noisy.
Tables and chairs were scattered everywhere. Bulletin boards covered the walls, filled with scrolls and mission notices.
All sorts of people in various armors occupied the space. Most were in full gear—swords, bows, magic staffs, shields.
The smell of sweat, leather, and beer hung in the air.
A few glances turned toward Cassian.
A bearded man murmured to his companion:
"Who's the asshole who brought their kid here?"
His companion laughed.
"Damn, this isn't a daycare."
Another adventurer shook his head.
"Maybe he's lost."
But most people paid no attention to Cassian, too busy drinking, laughing, or discussing their next missions.
A receptionist at the desk, seeing that Cassian was clearly not an adventurer and clearly not there to register, approached him.
She was a young woman with black hair tied in a bun and round glasses. She wore a simple but clean dress.
She smiled kindly.
"Hello, young man. Are you lost?"
Cassian thought for a moment, then said:
"No."
The receptionist tilted her head.
"Are you with someone, then?"
Cassian was about to respond when someone approached.
"He's with me."
It was an elf.
She had long blue hair cascading to her hips, shimmering like silk. Her eyes were piercing emerald green, and her ears—long, delicate, and pointed—clearly protruded from her hair. She wore light green leather armor with engraved floral patterns, and a bow was strapped to her back. Her skin was pale, almost luminous.
She looked to be in her twenties, but with elves, it was hard to tell.
Cassian looked at her curiously.
Who is she?
The receptionist glanced at the elf, then at Cassian.
Ah, that explains everything.
She gave the elf a nod of understanding and stepped back.
"Sorry for bothering you."
Cassian asked the elf:
"Do I know you?"
The elf smiled, but it wasn't a warm smile.
"You'll get to know me very quickly."
She crossed her arms.
"Runaway."
Cassian's eyes widened.
How does she know I left the palace without notice?
The elf introduced herself:
"My name is Sera."
She pointed at Cassian.
"And you have no business being here."
Cassian frowned.
"Why?"
Sera sighed.
"You could've at least tried to be discreet. You're way too conspicuous."
She looked him up and down.
"Wandering around like this in human territory… you think no one will notice?"
Cassian didn't understand.
"Notice what?"
Sera tilted her head, surprised.
"You… you're joking?"
She made a vague gesture toward him.
"Your appearance."
Cassian tilted his head.
"My appearance?"
Sera clenched her teeth.
"Listen, we're not discussing this here. Follow me."
Some time later
Sera and Cassian were in an inn.
At a secluded table, far from the other patrons.
The inn was modest but clean. Candles lit the tables, and the smell of stew wafted through the air.
Cassian wondered:
What am I doing here? Why did I follow this lady?
Sera had a hand on her forehead.
This is unprecedented.
Then she crossed her arms.
"I'm taking you back."
Cassian protested:
"But I've barely explored!"
Sera shook her head.
"You're not old enough to live on your own."
Cassian frowned.
"How old do you think I am?"
Sera looked at him.
"I don't know. Fifty? Sixty?"
Cassian blinked.
"What?"
Sera sighed.
"You're young, that's obvious. Way too young to be this far from home."
Sera's gaze fell on The Shoreless Sea.
She asked:
"Stop keeping that water orb active. It's pointless."
Cassian tilted his head, confused.
Sera added:
"You might be proud of your little magic display, but everywhere in the world, people can do far more."
She paused.
"Or maybe it's training? To maintain the shape as long as possible?"
Cassian thought she was asking him to release The Shoreless Sea.
To stop keeping it compressed into a small sphere.
Yeah, I could do that, but I don't feel like it.
He didn't respond.
Sera said in exasperation:
"Youngsters are so disrespectful to their elders."
She assumed aloud:
"You'll end up tiring out eventually."
A silence settled.
Cassian finally asked:
"Why do you want to take me back?"
Sera looked at him as if it were obvious.
"Because you can't stay here. Human territories aren't safe for… someone like you."
Cassian frowned.
"Someone like me?"
Sera hesitated.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about."
Cassian shook his head.
"No."
Sera leaned forward, lowering her voice.
"Listen, I don't know how you got here, but you need to go home. Before someone notices and it becomes a problem."
Cassian asked:
"A problem for whom?"
Sera replied:
"For you. For everyone."
Cassian still didn't understand, but he was starting to realize this elf had completely misunderstood something.
She thinks I'm… what, exactly?
Sera stood up.
"Wait here. I need to go upstairs and get my things. Then we're leaving."
She pointed at Cassian.
"Don't move."
I need to get him out of human territories fast before someone asks questions.
Cassian watched Sera climb the stairs.
He waited until she was out of sight.
Cassian stood up quietly and headed for the exit.
He glanced at the stairs.
Sorry, but I don't feel like being taken back somewhere.
He pushed the door and left the inn.