I focused on the chair near the window.
"Appraise!"
Not again! Well, it isn't like I'm in any kind of rush.
I quickly fell asleep due to the grimming work I did today
Morning arrived with a soft knock at my door. I groaned, stretching as the sunlight filtered through the window, casting a golden glow over the wooden interior of my room.
“Rei, you up?” Borus’s voice called from the other side.
“Yeah, just a minute,” I replied, shaking off the grogginess.
The events of yesterday played back in my mind as I splashed cold water on my face. My reflection in the mirror seemed a little different—maybe it was just the light, but I felt like I stood taller, my gaze sharper. I had done real work, hard labor, and it was oddly satisfying.
When I joined Borus downstairs, he was already preparing breakfast.
“Today’s the big day,” he said, handing me a plate with a small loaf of bread, a hunk of cheese, and slices of smoked meat.
I sat at the table, savoring the meal. The bread was dense but flavorful, the cheese sharp, and the meat smoky with a slightly sweet undertone. The simplicity of the meal reminded me of something you’d find in a quaint countryside inn—another point in favor of this new world.
“What’s so special about today?” I asked between bites.
“Citizenship,” Borus replied with a grin.
Shit! I totally forgot about that
We left Windward Woodworks shortly after breakfast, stepping into the bustling streets of Renxall. The air was alive with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, children laughing, and craftsmen shouting orders.
“First stop, the Official Quarter,” Borus announced, leading me toward the northern section of the city.
We passed through the Market District, where stalls lined the streets. The vendors sold everything from colorful fruits and vegetables to shimmering fabrics and ornate jewelry. The smells of roasted meats, spices, and fresh bread filled the air. I couldn’t help but pause to admire a stand selling small, glowing trinkets.
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Hmm.. I wonder if there's any magic in this world.
Borus noticed my interest and chuckled. “You’ll have plenty of time to explore later. Come on.”
The Official Quarter was a stark contrast to the lively market. The buildings here were grand and imposing, constructed from smooth stone with intricate carvings. Flags bearing Renxall’s emblem—a golden dragon coiled around a sword—fluttered in the breeze.
Borus led me to a large building with tall, arched windows and a massive wooden door. A sign above the entrance read Renxall Civic Hall.
Inside, the hall was just as grand as its exterior. The air was cool, and the sound of footsteps echoed off the marble floors. Clerks sat behind counters, assisting a steady stream of people.
Borus approached one of the counters and exchanged a few words with the clerk, a bespectacled old man with sleek, silver hair.
“This your boy?” the clerk asked, glancing at me.
“Yep. He’s here to apply for citizenship,” Borus replied.
The man handed me a stack of forms. “Fill these out. You’ll need to provide basic information—name, age, place of origin, and your current occupation. After that, we’ll schedule an appointment for your evaluation.”
I froze, realizing the problem. “Uh… about that. I don’t exactly have any official documents.”
The clerk raised an eyebrow, but Borus stepped in. “Don’t worry. He’s under my sponsorship. That should cover it.”
The man nodded, though he still seemed skeptical.
I sat at a nearby table, staring at the forms. Place of origin? I couldn’t exactly write “Earth” or explain how I ended up here. Instead, I wrote down “Wanderer” in the space provided.
After completing the forms, I handed them back to the clerk. He skimmed through them before stamping them with a wax seal.
“Your evaluation is scheduled for tomorrow morning,” he said. “Don’t be late.”
As we left the Civic Hall, Borus clapped me on the back. “Not too bad, huh? Tomorrow, we’ll make you an official citizen of Renxall.”
“What’s the evaluation like?” I asked.
“It’s mostly a formality,” Borus explained. “They’ll ask you a few questions. Nothing to worry about.”
“A few questions, huh?” I muttered, thinking about my situation.
On our way back through the Market District, a commotion caught our attention. A young boy, barely ten, was running through the crowd, clutching a loaf of bread. Behind him, a burly shopkeeper shouted, waving a wooden mallet.
“Thief! Someone stop him!”
Before I could think, my legs moved on their own. I darted through the crowd, weaving between stalls. The boy glanced back, panicked, and tried to duck into an alley, but I caught him by the arm.
“Let go!” he cried, struggling.
“Calm down,” I said, holding him firmly. “Stealing’s not the answer.”
The shopkeeper lumbered up, red-faced and breathing heavily. “Caught him, did you? Thieving little brat!”
I stepped between them. “He’s just a kid. Let’s talk this out.”
The boy shrank behind me, clutching the bread. His clothes were tattered, and he looked like he hadn’t eaten in days.
Borus approached, his presence alone enough to make the shopkeeper hesitate. “How much is the bread?” he asked.
The shopkeeper grumbled but named a price. Borus handed over the coins and gestured for the boy to keep the bread.
The boy stared at us, wide-eyed. “Why… why would you do that?”
“Just don’t steal again,” I said.
He nodded quickly and ran off, disappearing into the crowd.
Borus sighed. “You’ve got a good heart, kid. But watch yourself—Renxall doesn’t take kindly to thieves, no matter their age.”
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Borus took me back to the Workshop Zone, where I was introduced to more craftsmen. One of them, a blacksmith named Delric, demonstrated his trade, forging a blade with skill and precision that left me in awe.
I couldn’t help but wonder how my Property Alteration skill could be applied to such crafts. Could I change the Heat Capacity of a blade or maybe decrease it's Yung's Modulus so that it stretches easily? The possibilities seemed endless.
As evening fell, we stopped by a small eatery tucked away in a quiet corner of the Market District. The place had a warm, inviting atmosphere, with wooden tables and a stone hearth crackling with fire.
The menu featured a variety of dishes, but Borus recommended the Grilled Vrex Stag—a tender, marinated meat served with roasted vegetables and a thick, savory sauce. I also ordered a bowl of Glinthroot Soup, which had a bright, citrusy flavor.
The food was incredible, even better than last night’s meal. I ate with unrestrained enthusiasm, earning a laugh from Borus.
“You’ve got a good appetite for someone your size,” he teased.
“Hard work makes you hungry,” I shot back, grinning.
As we walked home under the night sky, I marveled at the constellations once again. The stars here were brighter, more vivid than anything I’d seen on Earth.
“So,” Borus said, breaking the silence, “how’s Renxall treating you so far?”
“It’s amazing,” I admitted. “The city’s alive in a way I’ve never experienced before. I feel… free here.”
Borus nodded, a satisfied smile on his face. “Good. That’s what I like to hear.”
Back at Windward Woodworks, I retreated to my room. Exhausted from the day’s events, I collapsed onto the bed, but sleep didn’t come immediately.
Huh? I totally forgot about Appraisal!
I activated the skill, focusing on a small wooden box on my bedside table.
Material: Oak
Craftsmanship: Good
Durability: 80/100 >
I smiled. This skill would be incredibly useful.
With that thought, I closed the window and drifted off to sleep, eager to see what tomorrow would bring.