The waiter returned with the food Lucian ordered and placed it on the table.
The blue paint on his cheeks and his black hair made him unrecognizable. The blue paint was a vibrant, almost otherworldly hue, and in combination with his black hair, gave him an exotic and dangerous look.
He looked at the food and the mead and thought of trying the mead first.
Lucian took his first sip of Bitterwind Mead. Its sweetness of honey was followed by the subtle warmth of the Bitterwind flower. It was smooth and comforting, unlike anything he'd tasted before. As the warmth spread through him, he felt a quiet strength settle in.
It was more than just an alcoholic beverage; it was an experience, a taste of this new world. He could feel the tension in his muscles easing, replaced by a sense of calm focus.
Next, he dug into the Frosted Boar Stew, the rich scent rising from the steaming bowl. The boar was tender, its deep, wild flavor unlike any meat he'd had before. The root vegetables added sweetness, while the wild herbs grounded the dish with earthy freshness.
With each bite, he felt the cold of the world outside slip away, replaced by a deep sense of warmth and satisfaction. It was a hearty, nourishing meal, the kind that fueled long journeys and hard battles. It reminded him of meals he had eaten long ago.
As he finished, he leaned back, the meal not only filling his stomach but connecting him to the land in a way he hadn't expected. For the first time, he felt truly grounded in this cold, harsh place—and ready for whatever came next. He felt a sense of belonging, a sense of place, that had been missing since he arrived in Norlandia.
He was no longer just a stranger in a strange land, but someone who was beginning to find his place in this world.
He called the waiter and paid the bill. The copper coins had a symbol of the current king, and on the back side, there were two axes with a number written on it based on the denomination.
The copper coins were available in denominations of one, two, five, ten, and fifty. He examined the coins closely, noting the craftsmanship and the symbols they bore.
Even something as simple as currency spoke volumes about the culture and history of this world.
Before the waiter could leave, he asked the waiter, "Do you know how to join the tournament held by the adventure guild?"
The waiter said, "Yes, I know. To join it, you will have to go to the nearby registration spot. It is only half a kilometer from here."
He took out a page, wrote something on the page, and handed it to Lucian, and said, "With these hints, you can easily reach there." The waiter's directions were precise and clear, a reflection of the city's organized nature.
Lucian handed him 10 copper coins as a tip and left the bar. He made a mental note of the waiter's appearance, his demeanor, and the way he spoke.
In his line of work, you never knew who might become important later. The waiter seemed like a decent sort, but Lucian knew better than to trust anyone completely.
Lucian followed the hints provided by the waiter, and after walking for around 15 minutes, he reached there.
The registration area was bustling with activity, a mix of seasoned adventurers and eager newcomers, all hoping to prove their worth. The air crackled with anticipation, the scent of sweat and leather mingling with the earthy aroma of the city.
He saw a place where many people were crowded, and he asked the passing person what was going on, even though he knew it, he was just making sure. He wanted to get a feel for the atmosphere, to gauge the competition.
The person had black hair and a large build. He said excitedly, "Oh, you don't know? There is a tournament starting from next week. The reward for the champion of the duel tournament is all the set of potions required to become a Rank-2 Wizard."
He looked at Lucian strangely, as if Lucian's getup was unusual for normal people. There was a hint of awe and excitement in his voice, the same kind of excitement Lucian felt. This man was a warrior, through and through.
Lucian nodded and asked, "How to join this tournament, and is magic allowed?"
The person chuckled and said, "Are you a fool or something? If there is a crowd here, then where do you think people will be registering? And as for your second question, this tournament does not allow magic because they are looking for strong individuals. This tournament is just a test."
He seemed to take a perverse pleasure in explaining the obvious to Lucian. There was a hint of superiority in his voice.
Lucian chuckled. He was trying to suppress the urge to beat this person and said, "Oh, thank you. Are you also joining the tournament?" He kept his voice light and casual, masking the annoyance he felt. His eyes, however, gleamed with a dangerous light.
The person laughed. "Yes, I am going to try my luck." He puffed out his chest slightly, a display of bravado. He seemed confident, perhaps even arrogant.
The person and Lucian joined the line. The line moved slowly, filled with a diverse group of people. There were burly warriors with scarred faces, agile-looking rogues with quick eyes, and even a few who looked more like scholars than fighters.
Each one had their own story, their own reasons for being there.
Lucian asked the person ahead of him, "Excuse me, when will the registration for the tournament end?"
The person replied, "Registration will end in 5 days, and the tournament will start in a week." He seemed impatient, eager to get registered and start preparing.
Lucian nodded and said, "Thanks." After waiting in line for two hours, his turn finally came. The wait gave him ample time to observe the other contestants, to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
There was a person at the window, and he had brown hair and a very serious face. He looked at Lucian and said, "Write your name here and pay fifty copper pennies as the registration fee." The registrar was a stern and efficient man, focused solely on the task at hand.
Lucian thought, what should I name myself? Wait, that will be good. He wrote his name 'Mr. Prince' and handed over five coins which were made of copper, and on one side, there was written '10' in bold letters with two axes in the background, and on the other side, there was the mark of the current high king.
He examined the coins, feeling their weight in his hand, noting the intricate details of the engravings.
The person took the money and handed over a token and said, "Your first match will be decided after all registrations are done. Return here after a week." His voice was curt and businesslike, devoid of any warmth. He seemed more like a machine than a person.
After registering his name, he started roaming and saving the layout of Stormhold city. After roaming around for some hours, he got a rough summary of the city. He moved with a purpose, his assassin's eyes taking in every detail, every alleyway, every hidden corner.
The Stormhold city was mainly divided into three zones. The three zones were: Lord Jarl's personal area, where his relatives and his guests lived. In the same area, there were many internal affairs halls and many city managing offices.
This zone was the heart of Stormhold, the center of power and authority.
The second and largest part was the commercial zone. It was divided into many parts. Some places sold only food items, some places were pleasure places which had different brothels, bars, and hotels. There was also a small place where slaves were sold.
This zone was the lifeblood of the city, a place of trade, commerce, and entertainment.
The third part was the residential zone, where people who lived in the city permanently lived. This zone was the soul of Stormhold, the home of its citizens, the place where they lived, worked, and raised their families.
The sun was about to set, and long shadows were cast down. The sky was somewhat red, and the sun had lost all its brightness and was very dim. A cool breeze began to blow, carrying with it the scent of woodsmoke and the distant sound of the city's evening activities.
Lucian thought, I think it is time to return home. His thoughts were interrupted by a wave of conflicting emotions. The day's events had stirred up feelings he thought he had buried long ago. When he was walking through the streets, he felt a strange sense of peace.
He forgot all his worries and just watched the sinking sun while sitting on a bench. The beauty of the sunset, the quiet hum of the city, the sense of being in a new world - it all combined to create a moment of unexpected tranquility.
He thought, what should I do? Return back to my world, but my heart doesn't accept leaving Leora. The thought of leaving her, of abandoning this new life he was beginning to build, filled him with a sense of loss.
He stood up, shaking his head. It is not time to think that far, he told himself. He had a tournament to prepare for, a city to explore, and a new life to forge. He started walking home, his mind filled with a mixture of determination and uncertainty.