Alex blinked awake, the soft slant of sunlight filtering through the thin curtains drawing him from slumber. He stretched, every limb tingling with gentle urgency. Rising from the bed, he pressed his palm against the cool glass of the window and gazed out over Pinetop town—alive and humming beneath a clear, sapphire sky.
Such a fine day... Alex murmured to himself, Perfect for setting out westward. But first... I need to secure a mount.
A soft knock pulled him from his reverie.
Yawning, Alex shuffled over to the door and twisted the knob. There stood the innkeeper, her warm smile inviting him to breakfast.
"Good morning," Alex greeted.
"Good morning," she replied, a subtle sparkle in her eyes. "Breakfast is ready."
"I'll be right there," he said, offering a polite nod.
Descending the eight steps from his room, Alex found her waiting near the hearth.
"Today you have two rolls and a cup of coffee. Please, sit anywhere—you'll have it in a moment."
"Understood." Alex drew out a chair and lowered himself down, his fingers brushing the worn wood.
As he waited, a quiet thought tugged at him. With a hesitant breath, he lifted his shirt just enough to glance at his stomach—where only yesterday, the glowing seal had held firm—now vanished.
The seal is gone. A wave of unease mixed with hope bubbled inside him. Did that scoundrel break it? Or does the mage's enchantment wane beyond a certain distance? Whatever the cause, at least my power's unlocked again.
The innkeeper approached with a tray, placing the steaming coffee and soft rolls before him.
"Here you are," she said gently.
Alex nodded, gratitude warming his voice. "Thank you."
He ate swiftly, savoring the simple meal before raising a hand to catch her attention.
"I'm leaving now," he said, producing the inn key.
Her face fell slightly. "I had hoped you'd stay longer — perhaps a month or so."
"Maybe next time," Alex promised, sliding a gold coin across the table. "By the way... you forgot my change."
"Oh!" Her cheeks colored as she realized. "You gave a gold coin and I don't have change at the moment. Please wait a moment."
Alex rose and wandered toward the door, idly observing the bustle of the town's waking life. Minutes stretched thin.
"Here's your change, and thank you for your patronage," she called out.
"Much appreciated."
On the edge of Pinetop, Alex unfurled a worn map, tracing his finger across the parchment. Just past the town lay the Shrouded Wood—dark, tangled, whispered about in every tavern tale—and beyond that, the treacherous Stonefang Pass. Then came Gallowgate, the first village of the Theocracy of Lumen.
Determined, he made his way to the horse fair, a lively enclave buzzing with traders and riders.
"Hello," Alex began, approaching a stout merchant. "How do I rent a horse?"
The man squinted, fingers tapping his chin. "Where are you headed?"
"To the Theocracy of Lumen, westward."
"Ten silver coins will secure a horse for that distance, son. But if you're not eager to ride yourself, there's a shared carriage leaving in just three minutes — costs two silver per seat, goes straight to Gallowgate."
Alex weighed the options, then smiled. "I'll take the carriage. Here are two silver coins. Which one's mine?"
"The first on the right," the merchant pointed.
Alex approached the wooden carriage and glanced inside. A striking lizard warrior sat there—his cobalt scales gleaming beneath silver armor, a thin sword sheathed low at his waist, tail coiled neatly. Beside him, a woman and a small girl, both with dark hair and modest garb, exchanged quiet smiles.
Sliding onto the bench next to the lizard man, Alex nodded.
"First time traveling?" the lizard asked, voice rumbling smooth.
Alex nodded. "How do you know?"
"Seen plenty pass through Pinetop. Never caught sight of you before."
Just then, the driver climbed aboard.
"We're leaving now," he announced. "Two hours until Gallowgate."
An hour passed in steady motion before Alex leaned in.
"Can I ask something? Don't you face discrimination... just for being a lizard man?"
The lizard shrugged, a melancholy flicker in his eyes. "The king's law in Lumen's Theocracy forbids discrimination against elves, demi-humans, and us lizard folk—he says we're worthy to coexist. But beyond these few races? Other nations? Well... small villages don't care much, but most places forbid others."
Alex's mind drifted. Probably why so many races avoid these lands. Slavery's still legal in much of this world...
The carriage rumbled into the looming shadows of the Shrouded Wood as dusk bled into night.
"I need... to stop. A quick moment?" Alex asked urgently.
"Make it quick, kid," the driver said.
Alex slipped out, retreating into the brush. Muttering the quiet enchantment, "Fire Bird. Only one will be enough," he summoned a small flicker of flame to light his way, then returned to the carriage.
Thirty minutes later, Alex peered from the window. The edges of the dense forest gave way to the rugged trails of Stonefang Pass—a winding path slicing the mountainside.
We're climbing already. Almost to Gallowgate, he thought with relief.
At last, the driver's voice broke the silence. "We've arrived at the village."
Alex stepped out, stretching beneath a sky strewn with stars. The lizard man fell into step beside him.
"So, where to now?" he asked.
"Hungry," Alex admitted, rubbing his stomach. "Gonna find food, then hunt for work."
"You look like an adventurer," the lizard said with a knowing smile.
Alex smirked. "Maybe not yet. I'm only fifteen. Adventure comes later."
The lizard stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well, besides the Adventurers' Guild, this village offers a chance to trade as a merchant. Or... you could try the Shaded Path Guild. No age limits there."
Alex's eyes lit up.
The Shaded Path Guild... perfect.
"Thanks for the tip," he said eagerly.
"Be careful," the lizard warned. "That place? It's kill or be killed."
"I'm ready."
Navigating the crowded market streets, Alex paused by a fruit stand.
"How much for an apple?" he asked.
"One bronze coin," the merchant woman replied with a smile.
Alex exchanged the coin and bit into the crisp fruit, savoring its tart sweetness. Pulling his map from his pocket, he checked the directions.
"Excuse me," he called politely to a passing villager, "where's the Shaded Path Guild?"
"Three streets ahead, then turn right," the citizen pointed.
Alex's heartbeat quickened as he followed the path until a narrow alley opened to the guild's ominous black doors.
Stepping inside, his gaze swept the dim room. To the left, two figures cloaked in midnight robes whispered in shadowed corners. To the right, another assassin studied the request board intently. At the center stood the reception desk, behind which sat a white-haired man masked by a black horned visor.
Approaching, Alex cleared his throat.
"Hello. I'm Alex. How do I register as an assassin here?"
The receptionist, Kaito, pulled a smooth, round crystal from beneath the counter and set it before Alex.
"Place both hands on it," Kaito instructed. "It will gauge your elemental affinity and mana reserves."
Alex followed without hesitation, palms resting on the cool surface.
Moments passed, the crystal pulsing softly.
"Element: Fire," Kaito pronounced, reading the faint glow. "Mana: 1482. For your age, that's substantial. Fire element's a strong start, and you wield a sword? You've got the making of a formidable mage-swordsman."
"Come with me," Kaito beckoned, leading Alex down a narrow corridor and up five worn steps to a cluttered room.
There sat an elderly man, bald and broad, immersed in ancient tomes.
"Mr. Muguino," Kaito said respectfully, "we have a new member to register."
Muguino glanced up, nodding. "Name?"
"Alex."
"Very well." The old man muttered a Creation Magic enchantment, his voice a low chant weaving through the air. "Done."
He thrust a sleek black card across the table.
Kaito smiled. "This is your assassin card and rank—starting at B. Our ranks run D, C, B, A, S, and the revered SS and SSS. When you reach Rank A, you may join special teams for high-stakes contracts."
"Be aware," Kaito warned as they descended stairs, "all jobs here are approved by the Theocracy of Lumen. Targets are confirmed criminals. If you capture without killing, that's commendable."
Alex nodded, absorbing every word.
"Anything else?" he asked.
"It's nightfall," Kaito said, "but there's an inn just one street back."
"Thank you."
Back outside, Alex found the inn, a modest building named The Veiled Lantern. Inside, an elderly woman swept the floor, her lilac dress worn but clean, a small black mole marking her face beneath a gentle smile.
"Good evening," Alex said. "I'd like a room for a month with meals included."
"That'll be 63 silver coins."
Alex handed over the payment.
She offered a brass key. "I'll prepare your dinner."
Sitting by a wooden table, waiting, Alex exhaled slowly.
Everything's falling into place. He took a small bite of fresh bread, resolve hardening in his chest. Time to grow stronger. Time to walk the shaded path.