บท 10: Problem Resolved
With his registration complete, Zephyr turned to leave. But before he reached the exit, a question lingered on his tongue. He stopped and looked back at Enya, a touch of awkwardness creeping into his demeanor.
"Excuse me," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "One more thing… where can I sell Magic Stones?"
A peal of laughter, genuine and warm, erupted from Enya. She covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Oh dear," she chirped, the laughter subsiding into a series of giggles. "We buy them, silly!"
Zephyr's cheeks flushed a slight crimson. He had been fumbling since he entered this Building. His confidence was taking a hit.
"I-I see," he stammered, his blue eyes downcast in embarrassment.
Enya, sensing his discomfort, quickly composed herself. "Don't worry about it," she reassured him with a friendly smile. "It's a common mistake for newbies. There's a designated area within the Guild where they handle Magic Stone transactions. Just follow the signs that say 'Exchange.'"
A flicker of gratitude washed over Zephyr's face. "Thank you," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
"No problem at all," Enya replied, her earlier amusement replaced by genuine warmth. "Welcome to Orario, Zephyr. May your adventures be filled with fortune and glory!"
With a final awkward nod, Zephyr turned and walked out of the Guild, his steps infused with a newfound determination. He had a lot to learn, a lot to experience, but one thing was certain – his journey in Orario had just begun. The city, with its towering buildings, bustling streets, and endless possibilities, stretched before him.
Orario's bustling streets unfolded before Zephyr, a vibrant tapestry woven from merchants' shouts, haggling customers, and the rhythmic clip-clop of passing carriages. The city map he'd procured from the Guild crinkled in his hand, its intricate lines a foreign language compared to the sprawling maze of buildings that surrounded him.
His quest now? A clothing shop. Not for himself, though his well-worn cloak could certainly benefit from a cleaning (or perhaps even a replacement), but for his treasure – the gems he'd collected during his journey. Excluding the magnificent diamond, a dazzling beacon of light nestled securely in a pouch at his chest, he possessed a collection of smaller stones, each with its own unique brilliance.
The problem? Most adventurers, Zephyr had learned from his brief conversation with Enya, opted to sell their Magic Stones directly to the Guild. But these weren't Magic Stones – these were simply beautiful stones, polished by time and nature, with no magical properties to speak of. While valuable to the right buyer, the Guild wouldn't be interested.
He scanned his surroundings, his gaze flitting across brightly colored awnings and shop signs. "Blacksmiths… Tavern… Bakery…" None of them seemed promising. Perhaps, he thought, a clothing shop might be his best bet.
Just then, a flash of movement caught his eye. A young woman with fiery red hair and a mischievous glint in her ruby eyes moved through the crowd, a gaggle of awed men trailing in her wake. She bumped into Zephyr, sending the map fluttering from his grasp.
"Oh dear! I'm terribly sorry!" The redhead exclaimed, her voice laced with mock concern. She bent down and retrieved the map, her eyes widening slightly as she glanced at its contents.
"Lost, are we?" she teased, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Zephyr scrambled to his feet. The redheaded girl, barely reaching 5'5" with her light red hair and red eyes. She was dressed up in tomboyish or male attire, mainly jeans and a shirt that shows off her stomach. She had her hair tied up in a simple ponytail.
For a fleeting moment, Zephyr's surprise overwhelmed him. 'A twink?' he thought, bewildered. But then, something else clicked. Her playful demeanor, the way she spoke… could it be?
"That's a girl..?" Zephyr blurted out, his voice barely a whisper.
The redhead's grin widened, morphing into a playful smirk. "Indeed I am," she declared, her voice laced with amusement. "Though from the look on your face, I gather some find the concept of a tomboy a bit… surprising."
"N-no.. not at all, miss." Zephyr stammered.
A flicker of something akin to disappointment flitted across the girl's face, but it was quickly replaced by her ever-present smirk. "Oh, but you were thinking of something rude, weren't you?" she teased, her ruby eyes sparkling with mischief.
Zephyr's was sweating bullets. He knew he was caught. Denial would be futile. "Of course not," he muttered, the lie catching in his throat.
The redhead's eyes narrowed playfully. "Don't you know," she began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "that you can't lie to a God?"
This time, Zephyr couldn't hold back a flinch. The playful facade had evaporated, replaced by a hint of something more potent. 'A Goddess?!' screamed his mind. This wasn't some fiery-haired prankster; she was a deity in human form, walking amongst the mortals of Orario.
The goddess tossed the map back at Zephyr, a playful glint returning to her ruby eyes. "Well," she declared, her voice regaining its teasing lilt, "let's leave the topic aside for now. Here's your map, clumsy adventurer."
Zephyr fumbled to catch it, relieved to have the conversation shift. "Ah, thank you," he mumbled, awkwardly tucking the map back into his pocket.
The redhead, however, wasn't done with him yet. Her gaze lingered on him, a thoughtful crease appearing between her brows as she hummed thoughtfully, "Hm, hm, hm…" Her scrutiny made Zephyr squirm under her gaze. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on in that divine mind.
"Tell me, adventurer," she finally began, her voice dropping to a low murmur, "are you looking for something specific? You seem lost, but not lost like a newcomer. More like…" she trailed off, her eyes narrowing playfully, "lost with a purpose."
Zephyr's eyes widened as the realization dawned on him. This wasn't just a playful goddess, this was a being of immense power, capable of reading his intentions with a single glance. Gods truly lived up to their legends. "Yes," he admitted, a hint of awe creeping into his voice, "I am looking for something specific. You see..." He hesitated, revealing information of himself wasn't ideal but the one he was talking to was a god.
But the redhead seemed to understand his hesitation. "Don't worry," she interjected, a mischievous glint in her red eyes, "eternity gives you a knack for reading people. You're on a quest, searching for something, but first, you need to sell some non-magical trinkets and find a Familia right?"
The goddess chuckled, a sound like wind chimes dancing in a summer breeeze. She continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "a clothing shop might not be your best bet. But I can point you in the right direction for a pawn shop that deals with… miscellaneous goods."
A surge of gratitude welled up within Zephyr. This unexpected encounter, this stroke of divine luck, might just be the turning point he needed. "Thank you," he said sincerely, bowing his head slightly. "Your help is… invaluable."
The redhead straightened him up with a playful nudge. "No need for formalities, adventurer. Now, about your Familia…" Her voice trailed off, a suggestive glint returning to her eyes.
Before Zephyr could voice his doubts, she extended her hand towards him, a confident smile gracing her lips. "Well then, why don't you join mine? My Familia is always looking for strong and interesting additions."
Zephyr stared at her outstretched hand, his mind in a whirl. Joining a Familia, especially one led by a playful yet powerful goddess, was a decision not to be taken lightly. But then again, fate, or perhaps the divine intervention of a tomboyish deity, seemed to be pushing him in this direction.
Taking a deep breath, Zephyr grasped her hand, a flicker of determination replacing his initial surprise. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice firm despite the pounding in his chest.
The goddess's grin widened, revealing a hint of predatory amusement. "I see potential when I see it, kid. Now, welcome aboard! Welcome to the Loki Familia!"
Zephyr's mind morphed into a nervous chuckle. 'The Loki Familia?' he thought, a mix of apprehension and excitement swirling within him. The rumors painted a picture of a chaotic, troublemaking group, but whispers also spoke of their immense strength and the critical role they played in maintaining order within Orario.
He squeezed the hand in his, the touch radiating a warmth that contradicted the mischievous glint in the goddess's eyes. "I've heard stories," he admitted, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "About your… unorthodox methods."
The goddess, who Zephyr now recognized as Loki, the head of the Loki Familia, chuckled heartily. "Unorthodox, perhaps," she conceded, her voice brimming with amusement. "But never without purpose. We may be a bit… lively, but the Loki Familia is a force for good in Orario. We're the reigning champions, the ones who delve deepest into the Dungeon, keeping the city safe from the monsters that lurk within."
A spark of admiration ignited within Zephyr.
He wasn't naive, he knew there would be
challenges, but the idea of belonging to a group of strong, capable individuals who protected the city was more than appealing.
He looked into Loki's eyes, a newfound determination replacing his initial apprehension. "Alright then," he declared, his voice steady. "I'm in. Take me to your Familia."
Loki's grin widened, a hint of pride replacing the earlier mischief. "Excellent choice, adventurer!" she boomed, her voice echoing through the marketplace. "The Loki Familia is always looking for brave souls. Let's just say, your life in Orario is about to get a whole lot more… interesting. But most importantly, it's about to become a whole lot more heroic."
With a playful wink and a confident stride, Loki, the embodiment of mischief and the leader of Orario's most powerful Familia, led Zephyr deeper into the bustling city. A new chapter unfolded before him, a chapter filled with adventure, camaraderie, and the chance to prove himself worthy amongst heroes – all under the banner of the illustrious Loki Familia.
———[Chapter End]———
A/N: Now this might seem cliche, but trust me the Loki Familia might be the best familia for Zephyr to be in. They are an exploration type Familia, unlike the Freya and Hephaestus Familia they frequently go on Expeditions. And that's what Zephyr is going for, the Dungeon. Not a life under a goddess like Freya, and not a life as a blacksmith. The Loki Familia is a very proper bunch, and there are fun members In the Familia as well.
Any ideas you guys want to suggest?
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