Kasla woke early the next morning having slept like a log, a bit of drool on his chin. He roused at dawn not because he felt the sun on his face nor hearing a bell chime, but because of the insistent crowing of a persistent rooster that had unrequited love for the sun. Piercing hoarse crows were endless for nearly an hour until it was abruptly stopped with a squawk, perhaps confronted by a fed up owner or neighbor.  

“Some things don’t change, even in the big city I guess,” Kasla moaned into his pillow before slowly getting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He tentatively touched his head, testing its tenderness. He winced slightly from the touch, but it was noticeably better. 

“Well, at least that’s an improvement. Looks like all my training paid off.” He stretched and let out a yawn to shake off the lingering sleepiness.

“Best get going so I can get to the Guild. Hope they’re open now.” Kasla reached over to the bedside table and slipped on his gloves. He retrieved his hat, plopping it onto his head carefully, minding the bandages. “I wonder what that emergency meeting was all about.”

He made his way down the stairs to the dining area which was already brimming with noise. He made a beeline for the counter and asked for breakfast, which was surprisingly on the house as a first night deal. He thanked the innkeeper profusely and took his meal, looking for a place to sit.

The room was bustling, full of people talking and laughing over their meal. It was jam-packed with an assortment of Adventurers as Kasla quickly deduced between the snippets of conversation he heard. He stood in awe, feeling energized by the liveliness and presence of his soon to be peers.

“Here! Look at the size of the fang I hacked off—”

“That last dungeon was a doozy! I thought that trap was going to be the end of it.”

“Hear about that last party that all wound up dead except for—”

“I’m dying for quests I can fulfill just to make payments! I’ve taken to hiding from my landlord here!”

“You call that a scar? Now have a look at this—”

Each table had its own exciting narrative. Kasla tried his hardest not to eavesdrop despite his curiosity and the volume of the alluring conversations. He spotted a small vacant table in the corner and made his way over, snapping himself out of his awe-inspired stupor, closing his mouth. 

At this rate my mouth’s going to become a trap for flies. 

He slid onto the bench, facing the others so he could watch as he ate. He managed a few bites when a fair skinned, bespectacled young woman approached the table, carrying a tray. 

“Hi there! Is this seat taken?” the young woman inquired with a smile. Friendly yellow eyes regarded Kasla behind large round glasses that gave her a smart look. Her long black hair was tied in a high ponytail that reached past her waist; streaks of blue ran through her bangs and tips of her ponytail. She wore an off gray short sleeved shirt, fingerless leather gloves, dark shorts with fur around the bottoms, and dark leggings reaching past her knees above near knee-high sturdy looking boots.

There was no mistake she was an Adventurer; the leather chest armor crossing over her left side as well as the belt around her waist made that evident. On her hips were large pouches attached to the belt. Strapped to the belt were vials that were seemingly potions and unknown concoctions.

Kasla shook his head, swallowing his food. “No, go ahead.” He eyed the vials curiously. Huh, looks like an alchemist or a magician. She seems a bit older than me, taller too. 

“Sweet!” The young woman’s smile widened and she set her tray down, helping herself to the seat. Her gaze swept over Kasla, taking in his appearance with interest. “Say, I’ve never seen you around this part of the city. Are you new?”

“Yeah, I just got here yesterday.” Kasla laughed and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly self conscious at how much he stuck out. He went back to eating, eying his company who looked thoughtful.

“Is that so?” The young woman took a bite, pondering. “Hm… Judging from your clothing, you’re probably from the Northeast where the weather is cold, unlike here. Are you perhaps from the snowy mountain village of Niyebe?”

“Well, not exactly. It is a snowy village, but in the middle of nowhere except for frozen rivers and lakes. You probably don’t know it,” Kasla said with a shrug.

“Oho? Try me, maybe I do.” The young woman smirked, clearly up for a challenge.

“It’s Eci Village.” Kasla chuckled around his food, wondering if it was possible for someone so far south to have heard of a pinprick on the map—if on a non-regional map at all.

“Eci Village? I’ve heard of it. Isn’t that in the countryside…? So that means you’re a country boy, aha!” The young woman lit up in triumph, looking at him with new understanding. “That’s great! So, how’s city life treating you? I hope you’re enjoying the sights and smell of the ocean breeze. Very different from the snowy countryside, I’m sure.” 

“Yeah, I’ve been enjoying it. Except for the blazing sun, too hot for my liking. I know my attire doesn’t help, but I consider it endurance training. Haven’t seen the ocean yet.”

“I feel you about the heat, even as a native.” The young woman chuckled before having an epiphany. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Syssmi, but you can call me Mi-mi.”

Kasla took her offered hand and shook it. “Nice to meet ya, the name’s Kasla.”

“So, country boy, if I may ask since you’re a long way from home… Are you perhaps here to register as an Adventurer?” Mi-mi tilted her head as she propped her elbow up, a smile teasing her lips as she leaned into her hand.

“Yup! I was supposed to register yesterday, but the Guild was closed.” 

“Oh! So that means you’re my junior then!” Mi-mi grinned, eyes brightening. “Don’t worry about the registration, it’s pretty easy. You’ll get in in no time.”

“Thanks, chief.” 

“Please, none of that. You know what? Find me when you are done registering, I have this commission that requires some help.”

“Don’t you have party members with you?” Kasla asked, curious about Mi-mi’s rank. A solo Adventurer was rare as far as he knew, usually only the elite, but even then they had at least one partner. He scratched his head in thought, moving his hat slightly. “You seem seasoned enough to have established partners.”  

“Well, the thing is… the two knuckleheads who are my friends are monster hunting. They weren’t willing to help me with a ‘mere’ fetch quest.” Mi-mi let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head. She looked at Kasla, eyes widening at the bandages peeking out from under his hat, the wrappings now exposed. 

“What happened to you?” she asked, worry clearly evident in her expression and voice. “That must have hurt.” 

“Oh… Well, ha… You see, I was in a fight yesterday. Some thugs cornered me and knocked my head pretty badly,” Kasla summarized, minding to say nothing about Chrono and their darning adventure. He didn’t need to accidentally spill, only for it to get back to the guards who would track him down for more questioning, if not a full interrogation for withholding facts.

“Ouch, did you get that checked out? I hope it doesn’t cause long term damage to your brain.”

“Don’t worry, the medics arrived quickly and patched me up. They said that I was good to go. It looks worse than it is.”

“Hm, did they now?” Mi-mi looked thoughtful for a moment before reaching for her belt. She pulled out a blue vial, letting the mixture swish around as she held it up.  

“This is…?” Kasla stared at the vial, hoping it was indeed some potion and not some dangerous chemical mixture about to cause an explosion.

“Can’t you tell? It’s a minor healing potion. We don’t know if you suffered from a concussion, but if you do feel nausea and dizziness the potion helps. The medics are good for first aid, but they’re no doctors.” She held it out to him with a friendly but serious expression. “Here.”

“Thank you, but…!” Kasla was taken aback, holding up his hands in protest as the sudden gift. A potion like that had to be expensive and valuable. For her to offer such a precious resource to a stranger was startling.

“No buts! You’ll be my junior, it's the least I can do.” Mi-mi insisted, shaking the vial at him. 

“You’re too kind.” Kasla bowed his head in thanks as he took the vial.

“This is not for free though!” Mi-mi held up a finger as Kasla eyed the potion. “Think of it as an advance payment. You’ll help me on my fetch quest later.”

“Aha, of course.” Kalsa smiled and nodded, uncorking the potion. “I guess bottom’s up, a deal’s a deal.”

“Deal. It’ll kick in within a few minutes so any lightheadedness and tenderness should be gone. Just be sure in the future not to take random potions people give you. I, on the other hand, can be vouched for.”

“Thanks for the warning.” Kasla smiled as he drank the potion. It was cool and refreshing with a burst of berry flavor unlike the expected bitter tasting medicine he was forced to take as a child. He downed it with a satisfied sigh. “That was surprisingly good.”

“Usually they’re bitter to avoid usage abuse since potion addiction happens, but I whipped up a special blend.” Mi-mi gave a wink. “Maybe I’ll call this one the Snowy Country Boy Special.”

“I’d be honored.” Kasla laughed and the two continued their meal, conversing lightly. Soon they finished eating and headed out of the inn together, Kasla having removed the bandages as his head felt much better. 

Mi-mi offered a wave as she started in the opposite direction. “Got those errands to take care of first. I’ll see you at the Guild, Kasla. Good luck!”

“Thanks, Mi-mi.” Kasla waved to his newfound friend and senior. Smiling, he turned in the direction of the Guild, Mi-mi kindly pointing him in the right direction not long before. It was already an improvement to the day before.

“Alright, Kasla. Today’s the day you become an Adventurer!”