Everything goes black.
You have slain 23 ghouls.
You have gained 115 experience points as a reward.
Level 1 -> 5
You have gained the following skills: Terrain Walker, Master Wayfinder, Split-Second Decision
You have gained the class: Navigator
Ugh... that voice again.
One moment I had just pulled off one of the craziest comebacks of my entire life and the next...
I slowly open my eyes, letting out a low groan as I come to my senses. As I wake up, I can make sense of Sylvaila's face right above me.
"You're awake." She says after noticing me waking up.
"Sylvaila..." I let out a sigh. She stares at me intently, waiting for me to answer. "Why is my head in your lap?" I raise an eyebrow and squint at her.
"Ah!" The elf backs up, leaving my head to the ground once more.
"Ack-"
"I apologize! I fixed up your injuries, and I tried to find you somewhere comfortable to rest." Sylviala twiddles with her thumbs, not even making an effort to help me up. The nerve, honestly.
I sit up and feel around the sections of my body that were injured. She wasn't lying. The injuries were bandaged up and they didn't show any signs of pain. It was quite impressive how well she did, actually.
"Well done." My hands push myself up and I roll my neck. "How long was I out for?" I've never been knocked out in my entire life so I've always wanted to say that.
"Around an hour or so. Shall we keep moving?" She stands up too.
"Yup." I pick up my backpack and start following the river.
"How do you know where we're going now?" Sylvaila speed walks over to my side.
"Don't you know? Rivers lead to civilization. Even if this one is dried out, there's probably some sort of dam blocking the water off." Sure, it's a plausible way to get ourselves out of here, but even so, it wasn't as consistent as the compass idea. That's why this was Plan B.
And just as I said, after a few hours, we made it out of Necrohyme. Our eyes spot a kingdom off in the distance surrounded by stone walls, a large drawbridge in the center of them. The sloped roofs of buildings peek over the walls, the structures becoming taller and taller deeper into the kingdom, all of which lead to a castle, the most regal part of the kingdom of all. We were lucky to be able to see this place. For one, because we barely made it out alive, but two, because this is the kingdom of Prochera, our destination.
Taking a step out of the death-cursed lands, the difference between it and the green, luscious grass was simple as night and day. The air felt clean and easy to breathe, the sounds of birds chirping and life thriving contrasting the deathly calls of ghouls. I couldn't even begin to force away the smile that crept up on my face as I took in the sight. My head was full of doubts when I first entered this world, but if all views are fantastical as this, maybe this won't be so bad! Plus! Think of all of the unmapped areas I can explore!
"What's with that face?" Sylvaila asks with a shaky voice.
"What face?" I turn to her with a smile.
"N-nothing." She squints at me. Was it something I said?
Anyways, we begin to make our way over to Prochera, following a dirt path that leads all the way to the kingdom.
"What are your plans once you get to the city, Sylvaila?" Of course, I already knew since I read through her explanation many times, but it's best to have her say it to me just in case I accidentally mention it. I don't want to know how much trouble I would get in it if I revealed that I knew practically everything.
"The royal family, my family, all start out as adventurers to hone their skills and make connections with other people of great importance. I shall do the same. What about you...?" Her words trail off.
"Frost." I finish her sentence.
"Frost."
I hold my chin for a few seconds. That's a good question. What will I do? I definitely want to explore more of Aethyra. This place a completely new world to explore after all! The thing is, I really don't know how to go about it.
Navigators in Aethyra are under direct authority in each kingdom. Land is fully mapped out and for the most part discovered before adventurers have access to them, meaning navigators are the first people to actually experience and see what everywhere has to offer. The thing is, along with being under direct authority, they're trained under it as well. After doing so, they're sent out on expeditions to map out unexplored areas.
I don't have any kind of training like that in this world.
However, that doesn't mean I'm ruled out. Adventurers are able to go into unexplored areas of Aethyra, but they never do simply due to fear of the unknown. Even some mapped out places are too deadly for the average adventurer to go in, so it makes sense to not risk their lives. That said...
"I'm thinking of doing the same thing too."
It's not the greatest plan, but it's the first thing that comes to mind. Since navigators are in such high demand, I'll become one with my own expertise and knowledge of TVAHF. Hopefully, people will be able to really see the value of a navigator and accept me as a party member. Stronger party members means that I can visit more and more of this world and see what it has to offer. That's my main goal of course.
I just didn't expect to get a party member this early.
"I see. Then... You shall join me then." Sylvaila states blatantly.
"Huh?" I stop walking just to fully take in what she said.
"Need I repeat myself, human? I demand that you become my companion." She places the tips of her fingers on her chest, a sign used by elves to express their honesty.
My eyes instinctively squint at her. "Do I have any say in this?"
"Why would you ever have the need to consider any other option? It is an honor to work alongside a person of my caliber. Shall I also remind you I am of royal blood?" She stares at me, almost looking offended that I even asked.
Right. Her family...
What's going on right now though? It feels like I'm being branded as some sort of servant right now.
"I suppose you're right, but... may I ask why you're demanding I become your travel companion?" The words out of my mouth come out slowly, unsure if they wish to be brought up as a question. It just didn't make much sense in my head. Sylvaila said the same thing almost word for word in TVAHF to the main character of the novel, Maximum Fireheart, but she did so after seeing his immense strength and potential. He didn't have any sort of problem fighting off any undead, let alone some ghouls that we barely escaped from. It's literally like comparing a hydrogen bomb to a coughing baby. It completely perplexes me!
"You were able to use the very mountains as a weapon. An individual such as yourself is difficult to come by. I wish to take advantage of you."
"That doesn't sound good."
"You understand what I mean!" The elf frowns.
It was somewhat touching though. After the hundreds of episodes of the novel I read, I've been able to see just about every possible string of words that could come out of her mouth, but nothing like this.
"I do, and I'm honored." I continue to walk down the path laid in front of us. "I'll gladly join you. Just hope there isn't a better offer for me once we reach Prochera." Another smile reaches my face, this one being much lighter instead of being formed out of pure joy.
"A pleasure to be working with you, Frost."
"Likewise."
We remained silent the rest of the way to Prochera.
We were met at the drawbridge by two guards. Their metal armor almost seemed to sparkle underneath the sunlight and the insignias on their shoulders indicated they were soldiers of the Procherian army. Both holding a spear and a shield, they crossed their weapons against each other to block the way.
"Halt! State your business." The guard on the left demands.
"We are both here to sign up as adventures. My name is Syvaila Vyris, heir to the throne of the kingdom Vyriskine." She places her hand on her chest.
The other guard takes hold of a book hooked to hus belt and chest through it quickly. He gives a nod to the other guard.
"Welcome to Prochera, Miss Vyris. Proceed."
The elf nods and steps through the gates after the guards hold back their weapons, waiting for me inside.
"As for you. State your name."
"Frost Calder." I respond quickly.
The same for Sylvaila, the other guard flips through the book, his eyes scanning over each page. This continues on for a good minute, each second making me more and more worried.
He reaches the end of the book, but before deciding on telling me off, the guard goes through it again.
"Welcome to Prochera, Sir Calder. Proceed."