Anime Fantasy: Mage's Path

"Identification, please."

Near the castle gates, a humongous city guard stood between Merlin and Kazuma, wearing fully plated steel armor without a helmet. On his side was an iron sword sheathed in his scabbard.

"Umm... We are looking for lodging and work?" Merlin stammered, clearly out of his depth in such a situation—something he had only seen in movies and novels.

The guard's eyes narrowed suspiciously at Merlin's vague and uncertain response, causing his hand to hover over the hilt of his sword.

Seeing the situation growing tense, Kazuma quickly stepped forward and whispered to Merlin from behind, "Seriously? You're gonna get us both arrested for being spies or something."

Placing himself between Merlin and the guard, Kazuma pulled a rectangular card from his pocket. It was his adventurer's card. "We are adventurers, see!" Kazuma pointed at the card in his hand, repeatedly placing it close to the guard's face.

The guard, still skeptical, glanced at the card in Kazuma's hand and shook his head in annoyance. "Don't cause any trouble. We will immediately apprehend folks trying to make a mess of the city. Welcome to Parada Kingdom."

With an understanding nod, the two of them entered the city gates that stood as large as the walls themselves. Merlin felt a wave of relief wash over him, thankful that Kazuma's experience had saved them from a potentially dangerous situation.

As they entered, Merlin found himself in awe of the breathtaking scenery before him. The bustling streets were filled with people mingling and going about their daily business. But what left him in shock was the diverse and unique features of the city's inhabitants.

Races!

Humans were not the sole inhabitants of Parada. Everywhere Merlin looked, he saw people of different races. Elves with long, pointy ears and pale, ethereal skin that reflected the morning sun. Dwarves, half his height but with bulging muscles that indicated years of hard work and dedication. Beast-folk with animalistic traits, such as fur, tails, and ears, mingled harmoniously with the other races.

Merlin's thoughts raced with excitement. As a game addict, it was his first time seeing such fantastical creatures up close and personal. Cosplayers didn't do justice to the way these beings represented their races—they were uniquely beautiful, detailed, and special.

"I need to know more about them," Merlin thought, his academic side bursting with passion. His peers had always called him names like Genius, weirdo, and nerd, but he didn't care. They didn't have what he had.

La Passion

The dedication to learn everything. This new world had ignited the flame in his heart even further, revealing endless possibilities and encounters.

Kazuma, watching Merlin's euphoric expression, patted his shoulder. "You'll get used to it after a while."

"How could I? This is all so amazing! Seeing them on a screen is one thing, but seeing them in reality is on a whole other level."

Kazuma chuckled. "Alright, alright. As much as I'd like to get to know you better, I have to find my party members. Let's meet here at the city gates in a week's time, capisce?"

Merlin nodded in response. Despite Kazuma's harsh words about his team, Merlin sensed that deep down, Kazuma cared for his companions even if they were a handful.

This separation was what Merlin needed as well—a moment of solitude to think. Although he appreciated Kazuma's company, especially given their shared circumstances, he required time alone to process everything.

'Evolution comes from dire circumstances,' Merlin mused, his gaze drifting over the bustling cityscape.

The only way for him to properly adapt to this new environment was to stand on his own. He understood that relying too heavily on others might hinder his growth. Thus, he wasn't particularly disheartened by Kazuma's departure; in fact, he found it reasonable.

As Kazuma walked away, they exchanged casual waves. Watching Kazuma's figure blend into the crowd, Merlin took a deep breath. The reality of his situation settled in—a new world, unfamiliar faces, and countless uncertainties.

He needed to address three essential needs to survive in this world: Shelter, Food, and Money.

Shelter was paramount. Sleeping on the streets was out of the question as it invited disease and danger. The last thing he needed was to be mugged or kidnapped in some dark alleyway.

Food was a given. Without sustenance, he'd wither away into a corpse before making any progress.

But to secure both shelter and food, he needed money. Therefore, finding a way to earn income was his top priority.

'First things first,' he thought, clenching his fists with determination.

Merlin ventured deeper into the streets of Parada, his eyes scanning for any opportunity. The city was alive with activity: vendors hawking their wares, street performers entertaining passersby, and citizens of various races going about their day.

He caught a glimpse of his reflection in a polished metal mirror outside a shop. A young man with sharp features stared back at him. High cheekbones accentuated his well-defined face, and his eyes, a deep crimson—gleamed with curiosity. His medium-length black hair, adorned with white highlights at the front, framed his face, giving him an enigmatic allure.

"I don't look like this," Merlin murmured, touching his cheek. He was undeniably more handsome than before. Guilt pricked at him—had he taken over someone else's body? The body felt familiar in build and height, but the face was different.

"You're gonna buy something or keep admiring yourself?"

Merlin snapped out of his thoughts. The storekeeper, a gruff man with a stern expression, eyed him suspiciously.

"Ah, apologies. I wasn't—"

"If you're not buying, move along. Don't block my storefront."

Merlin hesitated before an idea struck him. "Actually, could I ask you a few questions?"

The storekeeper raised an eyebrow. "Depends on the questions."

Seeing an opening, Merlin pressed on. "I'm new in town and looking to understand more about... well, everything. Could you spare a moment?"

The man studied him for a moment, his gaze softening slightly. "Fine. I've got a few minutes before the lunchtime rush."

Relief washed over Merlin. "Thank you. First off, where exactly am I?"

The storekeeper chuckled. "You're in Parada, lad—the Jewel of Marlay."

"Marlay..." Merlin echoed. "Could you tell me about it?"

Right now, information was needed to accomplish his current goal and knowing more about the place he is at would give him a better understanding of what to expect in this world.

The man leaned against his stall. "Marlay is one of the four great continents of this world. A melting pot of races and cultures: humans, elves, dwarves, beast-folk—all coexisting after the First Great War."

Merlin listened intently as the storekeeper continued.

"Then there's Diador, the Demonic Continent." the man said, his tone dropping. "Home to demons and the undead. Off-limits to most folk. Nothing but trouble comes from there."

Merlin remembered Kazuma mentioning demon lords and how it was supposed to be his duty or something. "What about the other continents?"

"Aurora to the north," the storekeeper replied. "Land of the elves. Mystical place, or so they say. Dense forests, ancient magic, and rumors of a sleeping god."

He gestured eastward. "And Mongrel, a land of rugged terrain and dense jungles. Dominated by the beast-folk. Rich in resources but dangerous to traverse."

Merlin absorbed the information, his mind racing. A world with four continents, each with its own unique cultures and mysteries. The possibilities were endless.

"Thank you," Merlin said earnestly. "This helps a lot."

The storekeeper shrugged. "Always willing to help a curious mind. Anything else?"

Merlin considered his next question. "Actually, yes. Where might I find work? I'm looking to earn some coin."

The man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Depends on your skills. The Adventurers' Guild is always looking for capable individuals. If you've got knowledge in magic or combat, that's a good place to start."

Merlin glanced at the satchel containing the magic tome. "Magic, huh..."

"Alternatively," the storekeeper continued, "there are workshops and merchants in need of assistants. Not glamorous, but honest work. Go to the Merchant's Guild if you want to know more."

Merlin nodded. "I appreciate the advice."

As he turned to leave, the storekeeper called out, "Hold on a moment."

Merlin paused.

"Here," the man said, handing him a small loaf of bread. "You seem to be from a place faraway. On the house."

Surprised by the gesture, Merlin accepted it gratefully. "Thank you, sir. I won't forget this kindness."

The storekeeper waved him off. "Just doing my part. Take care out there."

Walking away from the store, Merlin felt a renewed sense of hope. His first interaction had been positive—a good omen, perhaps. But he didn't want to jinx it.

As Merlin continued to walk on the cobblestone road of the city, he marveled at its width—almost 40 meters. He guessed it was due to the size of Parada, a kingdom so vast that it required such broad roads to accommodate its bustling populace.

At the side of the road, he noticed multiple help wanted posters nailed to a wooden board. The board itself was weathered, bearing the marks of time and numerous postings.

As Merlin approached, he could see a variety of job opportunities displayed. The posters ranged from mundane tasks like cleaning cattle pastures to more demanding ones, such as repairing a mansion.

He dismissed those that seemed too unsanitary or complex for him to handle at the moment, his eyes lingering briefly before moving on.

His attention was drawn to a particular poster advertising a position for a librarian at a nearby library. It was simple yet manageable, and it piqued his interest.

The poster stated that the librarian would be paid 50 copper coins per day. This was enough to cover his daily necessities with a few coins to spare.

Taking the poster off the wooden board, Merlin approached a passerby, a middle-aged woman carrying a basket of fresh apples. "Excuse me," he called out politely. "Could you tell me how to get to this library?" He showed her the poster.

The woman smiled warmly. "Of course, dear. It's not far from here. Just follow this road until you reach the main square, then take a left. You should see the library on your right."

"Thank you very much," Merlin replied with a nod of gratitude.

After a few minutes of walking, he arrived at the entrance of the library. The building was impressive, comparable to any modern-day mansion on Earth. Its stone facade was adorned with intricate carvings, and large windows allowed natural light to flood the interior. At the top of the building, bold letters read: The Parada Library.

Steeling himself, Merlin walked forward with the poster in his hand and entered the library. The wooden doors creaked slightly as they opened, revealing a cozy interior.

The library was a haven of knowledge, its walls lined with tall bookshelves that seemed to reach the ceiling. The scent of aged paper and leather-bound volumes filled the air, evoking a sense of nostalgia.

He approached a female receptionist sitting behind a wooden desk, her attention focused on a book. "Hello," Merlin began, "is the librarian job still available?"

The receptionist, who seemed to be dozing off, jolted upright. Her face turned beet red from the embarrassment of being caught sleeping on the job. "Y-Yes? Come again?"

"I said, is the librarian job still available?" Merlin repeated, his voice calm and steady.

The receptionist awkwardly scratched her cheek. "Ah, yes. We always welcome new librarians since the Parada Library is always short on staff."

"I see. So do I just start, or..." Merlin's words trailed off as the receptionist took out a pen and paper.

"Ah, please sign here first," she replied, handing him the documents.

The paper was a document stating the clauses and conditions of the contract. Merlin took a minute to carefully analyze the paperwork, ensuring there were no loopholes that could be used against him. Satisfied, he signed the contract.

It seemed that he would be working an 8-hour shift daily. It wasn't bad—no, it was great. On his first day, he had found a place where he could earn money for his daily needs.