| Starter Town: Lanier |

I uncover my eyes to see a town bustling full of people, haggling merchants, and playful children.

Looking down at my feet to see a stone bridge above a river embedded into the town.

To my left, is a group of houses that are a multitude of colors but aren't too eccentric. My right contains a marketplace with tents and stands selling fruits, wood, and an assortment of items.

This is so coo—

Wait, something's not right.

Looking down at my clothes, I'm still in my school uniform.

What the hell?

"Hey, Seraphina!"

I look into the sky.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

Dam, she's loud!

"Turn down the volume! You trying to make me go deaf?"

"You've only been there for like, five seconds. What is it now?"

I gesture at my clothes.

"I'm still in my school uniform..."

"How am I supposed to get my game on if it looks like I need to get my ass to class?"

"What? Figure it out! Aren't you like a gamer geek or something? Go find a shop or something to get some clothes?"

Why this little—

"With what money, you guys didn't give me any?"

Seraphina groans.

"You're so needy."

10 golden coins float to stack neatly in front of me out of thin air.

"Now go! And don't call my name unless it's something extremely important!"

Dam her...here I am looking for some guidance in a new and unfamiliar place, and she couldn't care less!

Picking up the coins, I walk towards the marketplace.

// 10 Coins, acquired!

. . .

"I need to locate a town map or find a place that sells clothing."

I continue walking down the lively town, hearing merchants and sellers call out to potential buyers.

"Get fresh and juicy apples here!"

"Need any firewood? Get your acres to keep you warm at night!"

This is incredible! I'm actually in a world that's similar to Callistus!

"Townspeople of Lanier, I send word of the Rite of Passage for the Knight Sect in Phoenia."

Looking forward, I see a group of people clumped together, looking at a knight covered in steel armor sitting on a horse holding a scroll.

"The capital calls upon its finest and most capable citizens to come forth and fight for the kingdom and face the evil tyrant terrorizing our lands."

The crowd murmurs amongst themselves as they continue to listen.

"If you wish to uphold your sword against corrupt and monstrous foes, come to Phoenia in three months."

The knight closes the scroll and kneads the side of his horse, which starts to gallop away from the crowd.

This 'Rite of Passage' sounds interesting. If I'm able to become a knight, I'll have enough influence to travel and do as I please—an easy way to gain status in this new world.

Looking around, I notice the low number of guards stationed and the cheerful attitude of the villagers.

My gamer intuition tells me that this is perhaps one of the farther cities away from the fighting and monsters plaguing the land. I suppose it would be better to stay in this town to get some additional information and travel.

I guess now's a better time than ever to get going and—

"THIEF!"

I hear someone holler. Looking back, it's the apple merchant from earlier.

A male in a brown shirt and black pants rushes through the crowd carrying an abundance of apples, dropping some as he makes his escape.

"OUTTA MY WAY!"

He dashes, knocking down people who're unlucky to be in his path.

I guess there's thievery in this world too.

The thief pushes his way towards the crowd listening to the knight, and they all back away in fear.

He brushes past me, but before he does, I stick my leg out, and he stumbles.

"GAAH!"

He falls to the ground dropping all of his stolen apples.

"D-dam you..."

The thief picks himself up from the floor and takes out a dagger.

Snickering, I tilt my glasses forward.

Heh, guess I triggered a flag.

I look around me and take notice of the myriad of people who made a circle around us.

I'll use this chance to defeat him and earn some reputation for an easy life around these parts.

All I need is to bust out my blade and—

"W-wait, where's my sword?!"

The thief lunges at me as I flinch in terror.

This is not how my story is supposed to begin, dammit!

Suddenly, I look to my right to see a young blonde-hair girl dash past me and clash with my attacker.

The golden-hair maiden wields a rapier, a long yet slender saber, confidently as she pushes him back using a quick and powerful parry to make his dagger fly into the air.

The thief stumbles back, and the dagger flies in front of him, landing on the ground.

The sword-wielding maiden holds her rapier in front of the attacker.

"You've been defeated, concede."

The crowd around us all cheered for the sword wielder's valiant actions.

"Aiyoma saved that poor defenseless girl!"

Defenseless?!

"If Aiyoma didn't intervene, she would've been done for!"

Done for?!

Are these guys kidding me? If it wasn't for me, he would've been long gone by now!

She turns around to look at me. Her hair beams in the sunlight

"My name is Aiyoma Saki,"

She sheathes her sword.

"A proud knight of the Phoenia Empire!"

. . .

Dam her!

I grind my teeth together as she turns to wave at the crowd.

This was supposed to be my big moment, and she goes playing hero and takes my thunder!

Seraphina has a lot of explaining to do. Where the hell is my sword?!

"Y-you totally saved me back there...thanks a lot."

"It was a team effort; You did subdue him."

We look to see the criminal being taken away by some guards.

"If it weren't for you he probably would've gotten away."

I gasp in shock.

S-so she did see my contribution!

Aiyoma turns back over to me and gazes at my clothes.

"I haven't seen you around here, and your clothing is quite odd."

I look at my uniform and smile faintly.

"Y-yeah still working on that part, Ahaha.."

The crowd starts to disperse back to selling and buying in the town's square.

"Tell you what,"

The sword maiden points over to a tavern.

"Let me get you something to eat, my treat."

I back away hesitantly.

"I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble."

"Nonsense!"

Aiyoma takes my arm and pulls me toward the tavern.

"I'll arrange for you the best food in town as thanks for your help!"

I look at her genuine smile as we walk towards the tavern. She doesn't seem that bad, maybe one bite wouldn't hurt.

. . .