Chapter 26: Apprentice Adventurers (2/2)
”Systema : Trainer's Pact.” Agni repeated, as did Katrin. After their marks were infused with energy they saw a new alert.
[You've entered a Trainer's Pact with Bracha Modesa, Rank 2 Rune Master. In exchange for her tutelage you will sacrifice 50% of your XP gains while under her tutelage. Confirm? Y/N]
After the deed was done Bracha smiled at the two before adding, ”Let's get started, yes?”
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Bracha, Agni and Katrin were now on the streets of Grenvale. With Bracha in the lead she began a guided tour of the city. It was during this time that Agni was really able to take in the sights. All around where people going about their daily lives. It was easy to tell the adventurers apart from the common folk, even without the use of the system. Their style of dress, usually leather or metal worked armor or gear, was a huge indicator.
There were so many adventurer classes (of both genders) that Agni had never heard of in all of her days. When asked why there were no men in the starter group Bracha replied:
”That is standard. In general, the Summoning Ritual is a spell which captures and pulls willing souls from some other place and gives them a second chance at life here. The gender alternates. This time women adventurers were generated, next time it will be men.”
”Is it normal for some people to reincarnate in bodies opposite to their original sex?” Katrin asked. Agni glanced over with a smile as she thought *Nice going, thank you.*
”It's not uncommon persay, but it's really not a subject many people discuss I think. For me, I was always a woman, I just happened to be an animal in my past life. That made it difficult to adjust to human ways at first.”
”Really? Wow.” Katrin was amazed at all of the implications of Bracha's statement.
”Indeed. It's a common misconception that animals possess less intelligence than humans simply because they cannot speak. The reality is we communicated in our own ways. As a result, I can talk to animals. Ha ha, it's a somewhat useless talent as not many animals exist in this world to begin with. This is largely due to the Grimlock.”
The Grimlock, just hearing that word was enough to make Agni's spine prickle. It seemed a bit of fear was implanted from her last encounter. The trio continued their tour with Bracha stopping to describe the purpose of key places as they went along. The city of Grenvale was split up into four major sections. The Business District was at the center of the city and extended to the north east. This was the place where one could buy just about anything.
Next was the Entertainment District where Bracha claimed nearly any type of hobby or pleasure could be found. This district lay in the north west of the city. The south western part of the city was dedicated to guilds, or as Adventia called them, Chapels. This was the area they entered from, the South Western Gate.
Finally, the south eastern part of the city was the residential area. People of all types lived there and it was the place to visit if one wanted to rent a room or buy a home.
”Like any city, Grenvale has its darker side. Until you become accustomed to it, it's best not to wander too far off the known path.” Bracha warned, particularly as they passed the large gate which signified the entrance to the Entertainment District, better known as Sprim Row.
Agni couldn't help but feel a strange pull towards the gate, it was almost as if her mouth had begun to water--her palms growing damp. Her Succubus Vision kicked in automatically, presumably due to all of the lust filled energy wafting her way. What she saw was a sea of yellow and red, indicators that the people behind that gate were searching to scratch a particular itch.