Part 3: The Beginning of Lucian's Journey
Lucian walked through the crowded streets of Havenmoor, his gaze cold and detached as he studied everything around him. The village bustled with life, but he felt no connection to it. People chatted, merchants sold their wares, and children played in the streets—none of it mattered to him. He saw the rich lording their power over the poor, children from wealthy families mocking those less fortunate. But even as they bullied and belittled others, Lucian felt nothing.
Strength is everything, he thought. Knowledge was important, but it was clear that in this world, power determined who could rise above and who would be trampled beneath. And to gain power, he needed to become stronger.
"Strength is the key," Lucian thought. "In this world, being powerless is the same as being invisible. I need to become stronger—physically, mentally, and magically."
Observing the villagers, he assessed himself objectively. His current skill level was above average compared to the people of Havenmoor. He had picked up bits of swordsmanship, martial arts, and a little magic from the books he had read. But that was nowhere near enough. The books had hinted at countless supernatural powers beyond what he had encountered. If he wanted to survive and discover his origins, he would have to grow far stronger.
The first step was to secure resources. In Valeria, the currency was known as Crowns, and he needed them to acquire better equipment—whether it was a sword, a wand, or something else to enhance his abilities. Various ways to earn money passed through his mind: becoming a merchant, working in a shop, or even serving a rich lord. But none of these options aligned with his ultimate goal.
While listening to the locals earlier, he had overheard talk of adventurers—people who took on quests in exchange for Crowns. More importantly, these quests would expose him to real combat and challenges, pushing him to grow stronger. And if he was going to explore this world, becoming an adventurer seemed like the most efficient way to gather the information he needed.
His decision made, Lucian made his way to the Adventurers' Guild, blending into the crowd without much effort. The guild was a large building at the edge of the village, busy with adventurers preparing for their next tasks. Lucian's expression remained impassive as he observed them. They carried weapons, wore armor, and spoke with a confidence that came from having faced danger.
Walking up to the reception desk, he was met by a kind-looking receptionist who gave him a curious look, likely due to his youthful appearance.
"Hello," she greeted, her tone unsure. "Are you here to register as an adventurer?"
Lucian nodded, his face emotionless. "Yes."
She hesitated, eyeing him with concern. "You look very young…(~10-11 years old ) Are you sure you know what you're getting into? The life of an adventurer is dangerous."
"I understand the risks," Lucian replied flatly, his voice devoid of emotion. "I need the experience."
The receptionist looked conflicted. He could tell she was uncomfortable with his age, but guild rules were clear—anyone could register if they paid the fee. After a moment, she said, "The registration fee is 10 Crowns."
"I don't have any," Lucian said, his tone as calm as ever.
The receptionist frowned, sympathy flashing in her eyes she bit her lip, clearly torn. In her line of work, she had seen a few cases like this—children forced into the life of an adventurer due to circumstances beyond their control. She could feel a pang of sympathy for the boy standing in front of her, someone who appeared too young to be in such a harsh world. Lucian had anticipated this reaction. Humans were predictable in their emotions, and he had deduced that appealing to their pity would yield results. After a moment of hesitation, she reached into her own pouch and paid the fee for him.
"I'll cover it for you," she said softly. "Just be careful. You're still so young…"
Lucian accepted the gesture without any change in expression. "Thank you. I'll repay you in time."
The receptionist dismissed his words with a wave, still looking at him with concern. She assigned him a low-risk task—collecting medicinal herbs from the nearby forest—and handed him a dull, low-quality sword. "You'll need this to defend yourself," she said, patting his head. "Good luck."
Lucian took the sword, weighing it in his hand. It was inferior, but it would suffice for now. Without any outward reaction, he turned to leave. "I will complete the task efficiently," he said, acknowledging her kindness without emotion.
As he stepped back into the morning light, Lucian's mind was focused. There was no excitement, no fear, no doubt. Becoming stronger was a necessity, nothing more. His path was clear—he would complete the tasks assigned to him, gather the resources he needed, and, in time, unravel the mystery of who he truly was.
This is the beginning, he thought as he glanced at the forest in the distance. I will grow stronger and learn what I must. Nothing else matters.
With that, Lucian set off on his first task as an adventurer, the start of his cold and calculated journey through a world that held far more secrets than he could yet comprehend.