The two made their way to the inn and purchased a room. Unfortunately, Akeru did not have money on her, so Itsuki had to pay, and not only that, but they only had one room left with two beds in it. Akeru was not happy to share a room with someone she had just met, but she let it slide and lay on her bed. Itsuki sat on his bed and looked at her.

Itsuki: So…why did you need a Mage?

Akeru: This amulet I have, has a sibling. I wish to find it; I have a theory it is linked to my memories. While I don’t necessarily want to regain them, they were lost for a reason. I woke up with nothing but this amulet, so I searched for answers until I found out about the sibling.

Itsuki: So we are just looking for some jewelry..?

Akeru: It isn’t some jewelry! Were you not listening?! This is why I didn’t want a new Mage. But then again, I don’t precisely have the coin on me to pay for a higher Rank. Speaking of which, how is one’s Rank determined?

Itsuki: Oh! Well through this thing here…

He pulled out a blue half-sphere with bronze trim around it. It had small particles coming from it, and those particles vanished like ash.

Itsuki: It’s a Magica; it scans someone’s magic skill and is updated with the Guilds worldwide. It calculates your skill and feats as a Mage, like quests or even bounties if you go on a darker path.

Akeru: I see…so that’s how it works. Everyone is born of magic, so everyone is considered a Bronze in theory, correct?

Itsuki: I..guess so? I never tried scanning anyone but myself.

He pointed it towards himself, and it left out a small flash. Then, he pointed it towards the ceiling as it displayed his Ranking and the highest Grade spell he had achieved, which was only Grade 2.

Akeru: So you indeed are as new as they come… try scanning me.

Itsuki does so as she sits up. The Magica scans her, but instead of flashing, it sparked. Itsuki dropped it as he waved his hand around in pain a bit,

Itsuki: Ow! What was that about?!

Akeru: Because I possess no magic, it probably is unsure of what to do…intriguing.

Itsuki picked up the Magica and put it in his pocket.

Itsuki: So, do you have a lead on his amulet thing?

Akeru: I believe so. Right now, we are in Sanoptia, which is the Easternmost country. However, the amulet is more than likely in the Northernmost country, Arezilia.

Itsuki: Arezilia? That’s a long journey… the amount of money to get there is-

Akeru: 87,326 gold coins.

Itsuki: How did she know that?!

Akeru: You possess how much?

Itsuki: 100….

Akeru: Oh bother….so we need to create a plan then.

Itsuki: Well, I can take quests now, but…that amount of money would take forever!

Akeru: Precisely why I didn’t want to end up with a Bronze…but better than nothing. We just need to get you trained and on higher-ranked quests. So first thing tomorrow, let’s go to the Guild.

Itsuki nodded, and eventually, the two went to the Sanoptia Mages Guild. Inside were several chairs, tables, and patrons. Guilds are set to serve as a home for Mages and taverns with food and drinks. First, of course, the two of them went to the quest counter, where they were greeted by a busty blonde woman the Guild employed.

Woman: Welcome! How may I help you today?

Itsuki: I- We… uhm..-

Akeru: We need the highest level Quest he can do!

Woman: Well…let’s see here. I believe we have Bronze 2 Star available!

The Guild’s quest system separates all requests by Rank and then either a 1,2 or 3 Star ranking depending on the difficulty of said Quest in that order.

Akeru: What is the pay?

Woman: Oh, I believe it is…20 gold coins!

Akeru: Only 20 ?!

Woman: W-Well, yes! He is only a Bronze after all. . .

Itsuki: W-We will take it!

Akeru: Blasted all….

The woman nodded and took his Magica, putting it on a weird table in the back, causing it to shine. She gave it back to him, as the Magica displayed the Quest he accepted, alongside all previous information. Akeru stormed away as Itsuki followed, waving bye to the woman. Akeru looked back at Itsuki, who was reading the quest information.

Itsuki: I have to slay 5 Implings…

Akeru: Impling…?

Itsuki: They are like goblins but red and slightly smaller…

Akeru: Will they be an issue?

Itsuki: Not for a hero like me!

The two made their way out of the city to the plains where the Implings were causing the issue. The Implings looked at and charged at the two as Itsuki pointed his palm at them.

Itsuki: Gale!

A small gust of wind shot out of his hand, and the wind cut the Implings in several places, yet they still charged at him.

Akeru: H-Hey, you want to try something else?!

Itsuki: Pyro!!

A small fireball came from his hand and hit two Implings simultaneously, but they still charged at him.

Akeru: Hey Hero, let’s try something that will kill them, please!

Itsuki stood in fear; those were the only two spells he knew. Then, as the Implings jumped at him, they suddenly were cut into several pieces as a tall man with short crimson hair, a black metal mask over his eyes, and a black coat with crimson pants stood several feet away from the two.

Itsuki: D-Did you do that?!

Akeru: Great, now we won’t get anything…

The man strolled towards them as they both backed up a bit.

Akeru: W-What are the chances he isn’t a bad guy…?

The man walked past them without saying a word.

Itsuki:...Eh? Uhm…T-Thank you!

Akeru: What was his deal…?