"Healers are rare, always in high demand, so I'm quite well paid. I'm registered as a B-rank adventurer with the guild."
I nodded slowly, trying to suppress my impressed grin. "B-rank? That's… quite high. Your skills must be well above average at least."
Emily's gaze softened a little, and she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I usually stay in the capital for a few months, make some money, and then return to the countryside to visit my parents. That's why I was traveling with the merchant carriage. The roads are safer in numbers, and merchants are more trustworthy than hiring guards."
I nodded, absorbing her explanation. She was competent, professional, and confident—but also approachable in a way that didn't make her seem distant. I could see why anyone would feel the need to respect her; the balance between her abilities and practicality was clear.
Our food arrived just as I was about to speak again. The meat stew smelled rich and hearty, the bread warm and freshly baked, and my ginger ale was chilled with a hint of sharp spice. I picked up my spoon, savouring the first bite, and Emily mirrored my movements with her own meal.
The flavours hit me like a revelation. After a week of mostly cold bread and whatever scraps I could afford, this felt like a feast fit for a king.
Between bites, I glanced at Emily. "So, tell me more. Do you work alone often, or…?"
She shrugged, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Mostly in parties, alone, no. The guild assigns contracts, and as a healer, I'm often paired with adventurers for short-term missions. Sometimes I take longer trips for higher-paying jobs, which is why I came here. The capital has more work, more opportunities."
I nodded thoughtfully, letting the words sink in. She moved with purpose, yet there was an ease in her manner that made it clear she was accustomed to her life now.
I chewed slowly, savouring the stew. The meat was tender, the broth rich with herbs I didn't recognize but found immediately pleasant. I dipped a piece of bread into the broth, letting it soak up the flavour before taking a bite. I felt the warmth spread through me, and a small, satisfied smile tugged at my lips.
"So, you said you're a healer," I remarked between bites, curiosity edging my tone. "Does that mean you can really cure anything?"
Emily's lips curved into a modest smile. "Almost anything," she said. "There are limits, of course. High-level injuries or curses require multiple adventurers or magical specialists. But for most injuries and ailments, I can handle them."
I nodded, impressed. "Sounds like B-rank suits you well. I can see why the guild would value someone like you."
She flushed slightly, but her expression held a faint glow of pride. I continued to eat, letting the conversation flow comfortably as the evening sun faded outside, casting long shadows across the room. The fire crackled, warming the space and adding a homely rhythm to our meal.
Once our plates were cleared and the last of the stew finished, I pushed back my chair, resting my hands on the table. "Thanks for bringing me here," I said sincerely. "The inn, the food… it's perfect."
Emily's smile was small but genuine. "I'm glad you like it."
We lingered for a moment, neither rushing to leave, until the inn grew quieter. The few remaining patrons were finishing their meals or retiring to their rooms. I stood, straightening my back, and Emily followed suit.
Back in my room, the door clicked shut behind me, leaving me alone with the quiet hum of the inn. I sat on the edge of the bed, pulling my pack onto my lap, and let my thoughts drift.
Being here, in the heart of the capital, made everything feel unreal. The city, the academy looming somewhere beyond the inner walls, the system quietly humming in my mind—it was all too much to process at once. And yet, I felt alive in a way I hadn't on Earth.
I closed my eyes for a moment, thinking about the System's status display, the inventory functions I'd already become accustomed to using. The storage function alone had already saved me in ways I couldn't have anticipated—today's silver coin, appearing out of nowhere, was the perfect example.
I opened my eyes, gazing out the small window at the twilight streets below. The city glowed softly under lantern light, golden reflections dancing across the cobblestones. Somewhere above, the faint silhouette of the royal castle loomed over the city like a dark guardian.
I let out a soft chuckle. I had a week to acclimate, to rest, to observe. And then… the academy. That was the real challenge.
"Should I consider the possibility of failing the exam?" Now that I think about it, I wasn't even considering the possibility that I may not make it in. "Great, I have already developed main character syndrome."
The entrance exam would be brutal, no doubt. Only nobles and the rare, exceptional commoners ever succeeded. But I had the System, I had skill, and I had… well, ambition.
I leaned back against the bed, letting my eyes drift closed. I allowed myself a moment of simple reflection: the capital, the inn, Emily, the journey that had brought me here. Tomorrow would be another day, one full of preparation, observation, and perhaps the first steps toward greatness in this new life.
Even with my looks and my System, I reminded myself, nothing would come without effort. But for the first time in a long time, I didn't mind that. For the first time in my life, I felt like everything was possible.
I stretched my arms, letting the day's weariness settle into the comfort of the room. My thoughts drifted one last time to the upcoming exam, to the Royal Academy, and to the adventure that lay beyond the walls of the capital.
And then I let sleep take me, quietly, peacefully, while the soft glow of lanterns outside marked the beginning of my first real night in a world that was entirely, thrillingly mine.
The adventure, I knew, had only just begun.