Chapter 16: Chapter 16—Guardian of the Tower
After fixing the problem with the contract between me and Micha, Fae took me to one of the stores in the Ranger Tower to allow me to buy a Tamer outfit.
Apparently being able to contract is the necessary step to be truly considered a Tamer.
"There isn't really a suitable outfit for a Tamer, but the basic outfit is customizable and adapts easily."
A salesman in front of me hands me a sort of leather harness similar to the one Fae is wearing. There is a holster for a dagger near the ribs on the right and at the back of a sort of compact satchel firmly attached to the harness so that it does not move when traveling.
The harness is rather well designed and goes between my shoulders and my neck to join my back, it also goes around my waist with a belt that joins everything and finally surrounds my thighs. From what the seller tells me, I can add all kinds of things like places for weapons or even add pockets like the bag at the back and leather parts to protect certain parts. There are shoulder pads for example and parts that attach to all places on the body.
I decide to keep the harness light for the moment. I'm not sure exactly what kind of offensive class I'm going to take in second class and the harness might be useless later if I have to wear heavy protection.
I also take short leather boots which will undoubtedly be more practical over time than my old sneakers with which I left in the tower.
I also ask him for a basic dagger and a small leather pocket to attach to the harness at chest level so that Micha always has a place when I move. I also take a weapon maintenance kit to take care of the dagger and I put it in the bag behind my back.
The dagger is new so that shouldn't be a problem, but it's not very sharp and that's something I can't stand. When you know the effectiveness of a sharp knife, it's hard to go back to something that isn't.
For the moment the dagger is useless to me, but I prefer to have one since I have a place on the harness for it. The seller then offers me a cape or poncho and I ask for the difference.
"It all depends on what you do with it. The cape keeps you warm and you can use it as a blanket at night if you have to sleep outside. Hunters tend to like it. The poncho is less annoying when traveling and allows you to hide equipment underneath, on the other hand you will be less comfortable when sleeping. If you are using a ranged weapon take a cape, for everything else you better take the poncho which will not get in your way."
I decide not to take either and gently decline, since I'm not sure what to do yet, it would be foolish to buy equipment that I might not be able to use. He then offers me a first aid kit and a fire stone which allows me with the friction of the dagger to make sparks easily. I take both without questioning myself and decide to stop there. Most of the items will probably not be useful to me until I get inside the tower, but better to have them I guess. I decide to put everything I just bought in the bag. Then I try to move a little with the harness and realize that nothing is moving from the pockets. Micha inside the leather pocket is a bit shaken, but doesn't seem bothered more than that.
The leather outfit looks well designed. It doesn't stop me from moving or catch on to the clothes I'm wearing underneath.
I pay for everything and the seller, giving me the change, greets me by saying "The hunt is eternal" before turning around to take care of someone else.
Leaving the store, I ask Fae what the meaning of this phrase I had already heard the day before when the group of rangers gave an ovation.
—Oh that? It's because of Orion. She set up all the ceremonial stuff in the ranger tower. All of the people of the tower living in the Ranger Tower enforce its rules.
—And you don't apply them? I mean, I don't feel like we've done anything ceremonial since I arrived? Will there be lessons on this later or...?
—I might not look like it, but I'm a Tower Guardian too and I absolutely don't believe in such nonsense. She decided this on her own to create some kind of reverence. You saw it at work so you can understand what I'm talking about. Since the rangers have picked up all the people who wanted to become a Tamer and since Ephy is not interested in this kind of story, Orion has full power to do so.
—Who is Ephy?
—The third guardian of the rangers tower who takes care of the guide class. She remains locked in her wing, mostly.
Fae then explains to me that the operation of a secondary tower is based on the cooperation between the three guardians of the main classes. The other classes have a "Master" at their head but they have less power.
The guardian who has the most people in his class has the right to make more decisions about the operation of the secondary tower and unfortunately since the Tamer class is unpopular, Fae ended up losing all weight in the political balance.
Orion, on the other hand, has gained strength with the ranger class and has implemented new rules.
Ephy on her side did not react to any of this and never wanted to take part in politics.
—So if I understand correctly… . My teacher is a guardian deity of the ranger tower?
—All the more reason for me to ask you more in training, right? I took the time to accompany you during your purchase of equipment, but from tomorrow on the training will be based on your bond with Micha, how to use it and how to strengthen it. We will get to the center of the matter since you have acquired the basics of the class.
—Am I done for the day?
Fae nods and stops with me outside the Tamers wing door and crosses her arms.
"There's no point in getting started now since you've wasted a good part of the day by passing out… Again. Take the time to care for your mouse and affirm the bond you have with her in preparation for tomorrow. She likes you, but that can change.
If you don't know what else to do, I suggest you start training in the Survivalist class and inquire about a class that's right for you. You can of course just be a Tamer, but that would be silly considering the number of different classes that are available. Seeing other classes can be a good thing. You have time, take it to think. "
She then bid me farewell and went inside the Tamer's wing, closing the door behind her. It's late now and I almost expected to be out of there in several hours. Anyway. I stroke Micha's head in the leather pocket and decide to exit the tower.
It is there that of course, Cyrus waits for me and waves to me so that I approach.
—Cyrus, how do you appear like this every time?
—Guide secret or a lot of surveillance and waiting, you pick. Nice outfit by the way. I imagine you want to come back, am I wrong?
—I would love to visit a few side towers if possible before it gets dark.
—As you want, but it may take us several hours of walking unless you want to take a boat.
—Can we ?
—You did not have time to see it since you stayed near the tower of the rangers and the druids, but you can ask someone from the pirates to take you on his boat to move from a place to another in exchange for money.
—Are the pirates taking care of it?
—It's part of the pirate class. They offer themselves as a driver with their ships to earn a little money. Costs add up quickly in this class so it allows them to purchase equipment and upgrade their ships before entering the tower. I offer you the trip if you want.
I nod and Cyrus walks past me towards the back of the ranger tower, asking me to follow him.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone