Sunlight trickled through gaps in the stone towers of Reslau, splashing gold across our faces as we stood at the bustling edge of a crowded plaza. The air hummed with chatter, laughter, and the shuffling of countless feet. Merchants called from colorful stalls, while exotic aromas from street vendors filled the air, mixing spices, sweets, and something that might've been smoked meat.
Brynn crossed his arms, giving me one of his serious but reassuring looks. "Well, Aleks, this is where we part. Are you sure you'll be alright on your own?"
"Of course," I said, forcing a confident grin. My stomach twisted nervously, but I kept my voice steady. "I'll manage. It's not like I'm completely helpless."
He laughed gently, shaking his head. "You say that, but I've seen your luck firsthand. Here, at least take this." He pressed a small leather pouch into my palm. The coins clinked softly as I took it, heavy enough to give a comforting weight.
Leif stepped forward next, his expression unreadable. Wordlessly, he tossed me two extra silver pieces. I caught them awkwardly. "Consider it a favor, kid. Try not to waste it."
"Thanks," I replied, smiling sheepishly. It felt strange—the idea of saying goodbye to people who'd been at my side through all the insanity.
Brynn nodded solemnly. "Just... don't get yourself killed, alright?"
"I'll do my best."
They turned and disappeared into the flow of people, leaving me standing there, alone, in the heart of the biggest fantasy city I'd ever laid eyes on.
"Shit," I muttered under my breath. "I'm really alone now."
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward into the sprawling streets of Reslau.
The city was breathtaking. Beautifully chaotic, elegantly intimidating. Streets paved with polished stone wove their way between towering buildings, their intricate facades carved from pale marble and dark stone, interlaced with vibrant banners bearing mysterious symbols. Balconies dripped with flowers, their petals glinting like gemstones beneath the sunlight.
Everywhere I looked, people moved and hustled—humans, dwarves, elves, and even reptilian beings with glossy scales chatting animatedly near colorful stalls. Orcs towered above the crowds, casually browsing through crates of ripe fruit, while small children scampered between legs, giggling.
I blinked, overwhelmed. It felt like standing in the center of Times Square if Times Square had elves selling magical relics and dwarves loudly bartering over enchanted armor. The sensation was dizzying.
I pushed forward, trying desperately to orient myself. My eyes flicked from building to building, searching for landmarks or street signs I could remember, but every alleyway, every building looked equally impressive—and equally confusing. How the hell did anyone find their way around this place?
I quickly lost track of how many corners I'd turned. My optimism shrank with every step, replaced by a rising anxiety. I had no idea what I was doing or where I was going. Hell, I wasn't even sure what I was looking for.
Eventually, after nearly an hour wandering aimlessly, my eyes caught on an ornate, towering structure ahead. A massive sign hung above its grand entrance, letters shimmering with golden light.
Guild Center
"That looks promising," I mumbled, hurrying toward it with renewed hope. If I could become an adventurer, even temporarily, I might earn enough coin to get by—and maybe even learn to control my Essence.
The inside of the Guild Center felt as grand as the outside suggested. Intricately carved pillars reached toward a vaulted ceiling painted to resemble a night sky filled with shimmering stars. Marble counters lined the walls, each manned by attentive clerks in uniform robes, calmly assisting adventurers decked out in impressive armor. A massive mission board occupied an entire wall, filled to the brim with quests, each neatly pinned and categorized.
This was it—my chance.
I approached the nearest clerk confidently, straightening my shoulders and smiling politely. The woman, probably in her mid-forties with sharp eyes behind small glasses, glanced down at me skeptically.
"Yes? How can I help you, young man?"
"I'd like to register as an adventurer," I said, hoping my voice didn't betray my nerves.
She raised an eyebrow, taking a quick assessment of my height and face. "Age?"
I hesitated, then admitted quietly, "Sixteen."
She sighed heavily, already shaking her head. "You have to be at least eighteen to register as an official adventurer. Guild rules."
My heart dropped, frustration twisting in my chest. "Isn't there anything you can do? Just a temporary pass or something?"
"No exceptions," she said sternly, clearly annoyed. "Come back in two years."
I opened my mouth to argue, saw her expression harden further, and thought better of it. Defeated, I stepped back, heat flooding my face from embarrassment.
"Fantastic," I muttered, kicking at the marble floor as I exited. "Absolutely fan-fucking-tastic."
Outside, the city's noise wrapped around me again—bustling streets filled with people laughing, merchants shouting, and wagons rumbling past. But beneath the lively sounds, my frustration bubbled slowly into anger. I'd come here feeling optimistic, only to be kicked down before I'd even gotten started.
"Adventurer, my ass," I muttered bitterly. The bustling street mocked my misery with its cheerful ignorance. I clenched my fists, shoving them deep into my pockets, trying to steady myself. At least I had a few coins Brynn and Leif gave me. Maybe it wasn't hopeless—
Wait.
My fingers brushed emptiness where the reassuring weight of the pouch should have been. My heart skipped a beat. Cold panic seized my chest, squeezing the breath from my lungs.
"No. No, no, no," I whispered frantically, tearing through every pocket in a desperate, futile search.
Gone.
It was gone.
"Fuck!" I spun sharply around, eyes scanning the crowd. A flash of movement—a small, ragged figure weaving hurriedly between bodies. In the thief's hand, I saw the unmistakable glint of my stolen coins.
Anger surged through me, pushing aside logic. Without thinking, I lunged forward, shouting, "Hey! Stop right there!"
I crashed clumsily into surprised passersby, pushing them aside in my frantic chase. Angry shouts and curses erupted behind me, but I ignored them. Right now, my entire world narrowed down to that little brat sprinting away, my money clutched tight in his dirty fist.
The kid suddenly darted down a narrow alley between two massive stone buildings. Without hesitation, I dashed after him, shoes pounding against the uneven cobblestones, adrenaline spiking in my veins.
"A dead-end, kid! Give it back!" I yelled, heart hammering in my chest. But as I turned sharply into the narrow street, my blood froze in my veins.
The kid was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, three shadows stepped forward from the gloom. Three muscular men with rough faces and sneering expressions, eyes glittering with malice.
"Aw, look at this one," one chuckled, stepping forward casually. His voice was deep, gravelly, dripping with mockery. "Young and fresh. Could sell for a pretty penny on the black market."
I staggered back instinctively, breath catching in my throat. "W-wait, hold on, you've got this all wrong—"
Another one stepped from behind, blocking my only escape route, flipping a wickedly curved dagger lazily between his fingers. "Poor little runt chose the wrong fucking alley."
Panic clawed at my throat. I raised my hands defensively, trying to keep my voice calm despite the trembling that shook my limbs. "Listen, guys, I'm not worth your time, okay? I don't have anything. That kid stole everything I had—"
A fist smashed into my stomach with a terrifying force—charged unmistakably with Essence. Pain exploded through my body, tearing the breath from my lungs and folding me to the ground like a ragdoll. I gasped for air, agony ripping through me, tears stinging my eyes.
Through blurry vision, I saw the third man smirk, satisfaction etched into his cruel eyes. He cracked his knuckles slowly, enjoying every second of my helplessness. "Can't hurt him too badly," he said mockingly. "Slavers don't pay much for damaged goods."
Shit, shit, shit!
Adrenaline surged, fueling a desperate panic. I couldn't afford to be taken—couldn't afford to be their helpless victim. Gritting my teeth through the pain, I lunged forward, swinging my fist blindly at the nearest man.
My knuckles cracked painfully against his jaw. The thug cursed, momentarily staggering back in surprise, grip loosening for just a second.
That second was all I had.
Scrambling to my feet, legs weak and trembling, I sprinted past him, bolting toward the bustling street beyond. Angry shouts erupted behind me, echoing ominously off the walls.
"Get back here, you little shit!"
Ignoring them, I burst from the alley into the dense, moving throng of the street. My heart raced wildly as I ducked low, weaving frantically between bewildered pedestrians, desperately trying to blend into the crowd and lose my pursuers.
Minutes passed, maybe more—I couldn't tell. My pulse roared deafeningly in my ears. Finally, unable to run another step, I stumbled to a halt on the edge of a quieter street, gasping heavily for air, every muscle burning. My stomach churned painfully, dizziness washing over me.
My knees buckled. I sank onto a worn wooden bench at the riverbank, watching numbly as the evening sun cast golden-red hues across the calm water. The adrenaline faded slowly, replaced by bitter despair and aching exhaustion.
A sharp sting in my side reminded me of my bruised ribs, where the bastard had punched me. I grimaced, leaning forward, elbows resting heavily on my knees, head bowed in defeat.
No money. No friends. No direction. And now, I was injured too.
"Great first fucking day, Aleks," I muttered bitterly, voice shaking. "You're really acing this whole fantasy hero thing."
I forced myself to look up, staring at the distant silhouette of the Academy looming gracefully above the city. Its majestic towers and arches shimmered in the fading sunlight, like something from a dream.
A dream so far out of my reach, it felt like a sick joke.
"How the hell am I supposed to survive this month?" I whispered miserably. Hunger gnawed at my gut, fatigue dragged heavily at my limbs, and my spirit felt utterly crushed.
Just yesterday, I'd imagined myself strolling into that prestigious Academy, signing up for some grand tournament and meeting Cealith. Now, that vision seemed absurd—naive, even. I couldn't even manage a single fucking day in this city without nearly getting kidnapped or robbed blind.
My eyelids grew heavier with every passing second. Exhaustion seeped into my bones, the bench beneath me uncomfortably hard but offering little alternative. I shifted awkwardly, curling into myself as much as possible, wrapping my arms tightly around my aching stomach.
"Just one night," I murmured quietly, trying to reassure myself, despite the creeping doubts and fears that whispered cruelly in the back of my mind. "Just tonight. Tomorrow, I'll figure this out. Somehow."
I closed my eyes slowly, bitterly aware of how pathetic I must look, curled up miserably on a bench in some strange fantasy world.
This wasn't how adventures were supposed to go.
But it was my reality now.
The last thought I had, drifting uneasily into a restless sleep, was one of resigned frustration:
"Tomorrow better be fucking easier."
But deep down, I knew better.