Morning broke gently over the royal city, the birdsong at his window dragging Veil out of his sleep. He sat up reluctantly, not wanting to leave the comfort of the bed, but forced himself to rise—his long day was just beginning.

  He dressed quickly, then moved to the window to draw the curtains, shutting out the pale light while letting the last traces of cool night air drift through the room. After checking that he hadn’t forgotten anything, he stepped outside and locked the door behind him.

  Down the stairs, he entered the hall where he and Alynia had eaten the night before. He swept the room with his gaze, but the empty space confirmed what he already knew. Alynia was truly gone.

  “So I really am on my own now? I wish this was just a dream…” he muttered, lowering his eyes.

  He sat at a table, waiting while a server finished tending another group nearby. The atmosphere was calm; the loud conversations of the evening before had dwindled to hushed voices.

  The young woman approached him, rummaging in the pocket of her apron.

  “Here, this is for you. The lady who left this morning asked us to give it to you. I took out two copper coins for breakfast. She said you weren’t familiar with our currency yet,” she explained, handing him a pouch. “My name’s Avelyn. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll bring your meal.”

  She turned and walked away, her small round ears barely visible, her otter-like tail swaying elegantly as she moved.

  Veil turned the little pouch over in his hands before opening it and pouring the contents onto the table. He stared at the coins for a long time, unable to tell what each was worth.

  Avelyn returned a few minutes later to find Veil had already sorted them into small piles according to shape and color. She placed a fruit juice, some bread, and a small mug of milk in front of him before sitting down across from him.

  “I’ll explain. Don’t worry. Mornings are quiet, so I can take a little time,” she said, noticing the surprise on his face. “It’s better you learn how to handle money before going out, don’t you think?”

  Veil nodded while taking a sip from his glass. He then pushed one coin of each type toward her.

  “I can see they’re not all the same, but I don’t know what they mean,” he admitted, eyeing the three neat piles in front of him.

  “It’s not that complicated, really. The dark ones here are copper coins. They’re the most common, and the least valuable. The gray ones are Glane coins. You need a hundred copper to make a Glane,” she explained, pointing to each as she spoke.

  “Alright… but what does that actually represent? Does that mean the meal you just gave me costs practically nothing?” Veil asked, puzzled.

  “That’s not a very kind way of putting it, you know. We make sure everyone can afford to eat,” Avelyn replied.

  “S-sorry. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful. I’m just trying to understand,” Veil stammered.

  Avelyn returned the coins to him and drained her mug in one long gulp before looking at him and letting out a laugh.

  “I’m teasing. Don’t be so stiff. Yes, meals are cheap—otherwise beginner adventurers wouldn’t even be able to feed themselves. And finally, those two golden coins are the most valuable. Zirn coins are worth a thousand copper each,” she added, her tone more serious now.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “I see. So Zirn is the highest coin, and I’d better keep them safe,” Veil muttered.

  “Well, yes, but there’s still one more. Some people think it’s just a legend. They say the Belzune is the rarest coin of all. A single Belzune is said to be worth one hundred thousand copper,” she whispered, lowering her voice as if afraid someone else might overhear.

  Veil tucked the coins away and buried the pouch deep in his satchel, finally realizing that Alynia had left him more than enough to live on while she was gone.

  Why leave me so much money if she’s only gone for a week? And why didn’t she give it to me herself? he wondered, recalling the strange look she’d had during their meal.

  Avelyn rose and cleared the table, flashing him a gentle smile before moving off to tend to other customers. Veil left the inn soon after, the city slowly brightening under the morning sun. He took the main street toward the guild, but let himself wander past the stalls filling the road as merchants set up for the day.

  After several blocks, he finally found what he was looking for: a small shop packed with weapons of every kind—bows, swords, shields, and other, stranger contraptions. He pushed open the door and stepped inside, his eyes immediately drawn to the array of swords on display.

  His dagger was more than enough for most fights, but he wanted to avoid drawing it in front of others whenever possible.

  “Good morning. Can I help you with something?” came a voice from behind.

  The words startled Veil. He spun around so abruptly that he knocked over a mannequin clad in armor pieces, sending it crashing noisily to the ground. Flustered, he rushed to pick it up, fumbling with the equipment until the man behind him helped set everything back in place.

  “Sorry. I should’ve been more careful,” Veil muttered, biting his lip in embarrassment.

  “No need to apologize, lad. That elf’s about as sharp as a lycan who’s eaten too many mushrooms,” another voice quipped.

  Veil blinked. He couldn’t see the speaker—like someone invisible had answered him.

  “Maybe come out from behind the counter before talking, hm? Dwarves may be fine blacksmiths, but you’re so short people mistake you for ghosts,” the elf snapped back, his tone tense.

  “R-right… Good morning. I… I’d like to buy a sword,” Veil stammered, not knowing where to put himself.

  The dwarf emerged from behind the counter with a broad grin, striding toward Veil with a satisfied air. He barely reached Veil’s chest in height.

  “Zelfeilan, fetch the magic blades, will you? We’re not handing this young man scraps,” he barked like a command.

  Zelfeilan turned on his heel and disappeared into the back room, leaving the dwarf to lead Veil into another chamber.

  “Forgive me, but… how do you know I use magic? I haven’t even mentioned it,” Veil asked cautiously.

  “My boy, I’d be a poor blacksmith indeed if I couldn’t recognize the potential in my clients. Weapons aren’t given to just anyone—they answer to very particular needs,” the dwarf replied quickly, almost smugly.

  Zelfeilan soon returned, carrying three swords in his arms, which he set carefully on the table.

  “Stop flaunting your so-called wisdom, Barzack. He didn’t come here to hear your pathetic life story. Here, young man—this one should suit you best,” he sighed, his voice tinged with impatience.

  Veil stepped closer to the table, examining the blades laid out before him. But one in particular drew his attention. He didn’t know why, only that it seemed to shine with the same faint gemlike glow as his dagger.

  “I’ll take this one. I don’t know why… it feels like it’s calling to me,” Veil said, almost in a whisper.

  The two men were surprised at how quickly he had made his decision, but neither commented on it. Zelfeilan gathered up the other blades while Barzack picked up the chosen one, motioning for Veil to follow him back to the counter.

  “An excellent choice, though I’m surprised the connection happened so fast. Usually it takes a few minutes, and most people are left confused the first time,” Barzack remarked. “That’ll be four Glane coins. The scabbard comes free, don’t worry.”

  Remembering Avelyn’s explanations, Veil pulled the coins from his pouch and handed them over. Zelfeilan returned and passed him the scabbard, which Veil accepted with a joy that reminded him of a child receiving a gift.

  “Could you strap it onto my back, please? With all the pouches at my belt, it would just get in the way there,” he asked shyly.

  Barzack stepped forward, fitting the scabbard securely across his back. After checking that Veil could draw the sword smoothly, he stepped away. Veil thanked them both, then left the shop. He still didn’t fully understand why he had chosen that particular blade, but carrying it gave him a sense of relief.

  He set off toward the guild, determined to prove he could stand on his own. To prove to Alynia that he could be strong enough to follow her on future quests.

  After everything we’ve been through, F-rank missions shouldn’t be that much of a problem, he told himself, bolstering his confidence.

  The streets were starting to fill as he walked, merchants shouting to advertise their wares, children laughing as they played, conversations overlapping into a lively hum. People’s eyes no longer lingered on him as they had when he first arrived, though he couldn’t shake the sense of a shadow trailing him ever since he’d entered the city.

  He made a few stops along the way, pausing to inspect goods on display or to buy a handful of supplies, just as Alynia had done the day before. With his provisions secured, he soon found himself at the doors of the guild. They seemed even larger now that he had to face them alone.

  Just one week. If I stay focused, it’ll pass quickly. I’ll climb the ranks, and then I’ll be able to go with her—to see new places by her side, he thought, hesitating for only a moment before pushing against the massive doors.

  Inside, the guild was already packed with adventurers of every kind, hurrying to snatch quests from the board. Some groups argued heatedly over who had claimed a job first, while others shuffled about sluggishly, clearly suffering the aftermath of a night of heavy drinking.

  Veil’s eyes drifted to the counter, searching for the woman who had signed him up before. A group shifted aside, and there she was—an elf, busily filling out forms for other adventurers while a small line waited their turn.

  Veil slipped into place behind a lone adventurer, who glanced back slightly as if sensing Veil’s presence.

  As the line thinned, Veil’s anticipation grew. But for once, it wasn’t fear that gripped him. It was excitement—an eagerness to prove himself and succeed.