The scents and sounds of bustling commerce filled the air, immersing him in the vibrant atmosphere.
"Have you been to these markets often?" Orion asked Edgar, fascinated by the variety.
Edgar chuckled. "Many times. These markets are the best places to find anything you might desire. From powerful weapons to mysterious treasures, there's something for everyone here."
Lucan guided the carriage skillfully through the crowded streets, occasionally shouting playful remarks to people he recognized among the crowds.
"Looks like Uncle Lucan is quite familiar with the place," Orion said, looking at Lucan playfully bantering with people on the street.
Edgar softly smiled. "He was originally from the Capital City. When Master visited the capital some years ago, Lucan begged him on his knees to teach him magic."
Orion's interest instantly piqued. "Did Grandpa agree to him?"
Edgar looked at Orion playfully. "Now I will let Master tell you that. I don't want to sp—" His words paused as he saw Orion slowly begin taking out a sword from his storage ring.
"Cough, so I was saying, of course Master refused to acknowledge him as his student. However, he didn't give up, and in the end, Master took him as his carriage driver. Ever since then, he has frequented the Capital for Master's work," he quickly finished speaking Lucan's backstory while wiping off the cold sweat from his forehead.
Orion nodded his head and put the sword back. He had shifted a few things from his inventory to his storage ring since he wanted to keep his inventory open for more useful stuff.
"Well… how should I say? I didn't expect him to be so shameless," Orion said, rubbing his chin while looking at Lucan.
Soon, their destination came into view—the grand building of the Adventurer Guild. It stood proudly among other structures, its towering presence intimidating to the weaker commoners, while those with adventurous souls were drawn to its aura.
The Guild's banners fluttered gently, displaying its emblem—a sword crossed over a shield.
"We're here," Lucan announced cheerfully, pulling the carriage to a stop near the entrance.
Orion stepped out of the carriage, looking at the Adventurer Guild. His heart raced with excitement. Edgar followed closely, calmly surveying their surroundings.
The guild's entrance bustled with activity. Adventurers clad in armor or robes, weapons of various types strapped to their backs or waists, entered and exited continuously.
A large notice board stood prominently outside, covered in postings detailing quests and tasks. A crowd was gathered outside the Guild, looking at the quests to take for themselves.
"Impressive," Orion breathed softly, looking at the lively scene.
"The Adventurer Guild is one of the busiest places in Stormspire," Edgar said, walking beside Orion. "Here, adventurers gather, seeking fame, fortune, or simply excitement. It's also where news from around the kingdom gathers quickest."
Curious, Orion approached the notice board. His eyes scanned the numerous quests posted—everything from monster exterminations to treasure hunts.
"See anything interesting, Young Master?" Edgar asked, standing slightly behind him.
Orion's gaze stopped at a posting mentioning a Noble House looking for information regarding a Dragon Egg. 'Quite daring of them, to look for a Dragon Egg so openly. Wouldn't a Dragon get offended and exterminate their House?' he amusingly thought to himself.
"Indeed," Orion replied with a chuckle, turning around. "We'll come back here later, but first, let's explore the Guild inside."
Edgar nodded and followed after him. Stepping inside, Orion felt the lively atmosphere intensify. The guild hall was spacious, filled with adventurers chatting animatedly, exchanging stories of past exploits, and planning new ones.
A large counter handled by several busy guild clerks stretched across one side of the hall.
"Welcome to the Adventurer Guild!" greeted a cheerful receptionist as they approached. "How can we assist you today?"
"We're just visiting for now," Orion replied with a friendly smile. "Can you tell us a bit about the guild?"
"Of course!" she replied enthusiastically. "Our guild is responsible for posting quests, managing adventurers, and providing assistance and information. We have branches all over the kingdom, but this is the main one here in Stormspire."
Orion nodded thoughtfully, his eyes wandering around the hall. "What sort of quests usually come through here?"
She smiled brightly. "We have everything from monster extermination and escort missions to exploration and treasure retrieval. Some quests even involve investigating ancient ruins or mysterious phenomena."
"Fascinating," Orion murmured, glancing at Edgar, who nodded encouragingly. "Can anyone take the quests here?"
She smilingly shook her head. "One must first become a member of the Adventurer Guild, and then they need to start with F Rank Quests. All adventurers get a ranking at the time they join, and it ranges from F to S Rank. F Rank adventurers can only take F Rank quests, and so on."
Orion thoughtfully nodded his head. "I see. So what's the rank equivalent of F Grade?"
She looked at him curiously. "Looks like you are new here. Hmm, F Rank is equal to the Awakening Stages. So, Tier 1 to Tier 3 comes under F Rank. But most adventurers join only after they reach Tier 3, since it's not exactly a safe profession."
He nodded his head and chatted with her for a few more minutes. Then he spent some time exploring and speaking briefly with several adventurers until he was satisfied.
He gained valuable insights into how adventurers operated and learned more about the types of quests available.
"Shall we move on, Young Master?" Edgar asked gently, noticing Orion's thoughtful expression.
Orion nodded. "Yes, let's visit the central marketplace next. I want to see what unique items we might find there."
Exiting the guild, they returned to the carriage where Lucan waited patiently, chatting animatedly with nearby merchants.
"Finished already, Young Master?" Lucan teased, grinning broadly as they approached.
"For now," Orion replied with a faint smirk. "Next stop is the central marketplace. Let's see how many people you know there and if you can manage to get us some discounts."
Lucan laughed heartily, hopping back onto the driver's seat. "No promises, Young Master, but I'll do my best!"
Edgar and Orion softly chuckled before boarding the carriage. The carriage continued to roll forward, changing direction and heading towards the marketplace.
Orion thought about the Adventurer Guild. 'Looks like I'll be able to become an adventurer soon.'
[Was it your dream to become an adventurer, Master?]
Lumi asked curiously.
Orion inwardly chuckled, 'Who hasn't dreamed about becoming an adventurer and slaying some dragons to get fame?'
[Congratulations, Master! You are one step closer to your goal now. If you commit suicide, then you can also gain the title of Dragon Slayer! (๑><๑)۶]
'…Should I have sold you on Temu?' he inwardly asked.
[Cough, let's look at the market, Master! Maybe we can find a hidden treasure there. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧]
Orion shook his head and looked outside, wondering when he could train to his heart's content.
The carriage rolled gently through bustling streets toward the central marketplace, filled with the shouts of vendors promoting their wares and buyers haggling passionately.
Orion looked calmly out of the window toward the vibrant, energetic atmosphere of the lively market district. Lucan swiftly drove the carriage, occasionally exchanging friendly waves and banter with familiar faces on the street.