Rent Kaenda's footsteps continued. Still in the same place, and the chatter from the blue furball was still ongoing.
But...
Rent's gaze was slightly flatter than before. Every time he took a step, there was the sound of a soft jump right behind his heels. Fyra-Bunn was no longer sneaking around. Her jumps were now in rhythm with Rent's steps.
"Moro..." his hoarse voice returned.
"Yes, what is it, Master?"
"Have I provoked a monster? This creature..." his eyes glanced slightly from the corner, "how long is she going to follow me?"
Moro floated parallel to Rent's face. "As I explained earlier, it depends on the spirit creature itself, Master."
"Haaah..." Rent sighed. "Great. Now I'm being followed by a creature that could eat me at any moment. My mental burden just increased by one."
"No need to be pessimistic, Master. This is commonly referred to as a 'Spirit Servant'."
"What new term is that? Don't add unnecessary things, Moro," Rent replied flatly.
"I can't help it! Because that is the status of Master Rent and Fyra-Bunn now!" Moro retorted. "Ahem. So, 'Spirit Servant' is a status for the resonance bond between a master and a spirit. Every soul has its own bond, and of course, resonance towards a spirit cannot be done by a single individual alone."
Moro floated back a bit. Right above Fyra-Bunn, who was hopping behind Rent's feet.
"It must be acknowledged by the other individual or the spirit partner. That's how it works, Master," Moro continued.
"Haaah... yeah, so?"
Moro floated back to be parallel. "So, in conclusion... The dynamic between Master Rent and Fyra-Bunn has reached a mutual acknowledgment, both from Master Rent and from Fyra-Bunn herself. So, you are legitimately bound by the Spirit Servant status!"
Rent glanced at Moro. "Since when did I acknowledge this rabbit?"
"Umm, since... Master saved him three times earlier," Moro replied.
"I only saved her because I didn't want a dead fire rabbit carcass in that hole or crushed by that rock. I didn't want her to die because her fire would burn everything around us," Rent answered flatly.
"Hah, perhaps Master Rent didn't realize it. But what made Fyra acknowledge Master was sensing the 'Warm' emotion within Master yourself."
"Don't joke around," Rent denied. "I don't care what my status is. But what's clear is that I don't like seeing creatures here die ridiculously because of their own actions," Rent stated firmly.
Moro just shook his head slowly. Seeing Rent being so stubborn about his own emotions.
"Alright, Master. It's okay, I won't explain further."
"Good. Better not to discuss it again. I'm bored of hearing you talk about it."
Rent looked up at the sky. Seeing the sun positioned right above his head. The time indicated midday.
"Master!" Moro shouted suddenly.
"What is it?"
"We are about to enter a new territory! Trust me! That place is a beautiful area and also our last region before entering civilization here!"
Moro shot forward. Leaving Rent, who was still walking leisurely.
"Hmm. Another new territory." Rent quickened his pace.
Fyra-Bunn also sped up her jumps. Following the exact footprints left by Rent's shoe soles.
The trio's journey changed scenery once again. This time, they stepped onto a neatly paved stone path, seemingly made as a travel route.
They finally arrived at the new territory Moro mentioned. A region far different and certainly much more colorful than the previous two areas.
On the left side, fields of glowing pink flowers stretched out; some spewed particles of light like stardust every time the wind blew. On the right side, mountains were faintly visible in the distance, their peaks covered in snow even though the air here was warm.
Moro floated low above Rent's shoulder, right beside his ear, directing the path.
"If we keep walking along this road, we will reach the nearest civilization. Lumeria City is its name. It's the closest adventurer city, as well as the safest place, Master!"
Rent let out a long sigh, hands in his pockets. "Hmm. So we're finally arriving soon? How long?"
"Not long! Just below the valley ahead, Master!" replied Moro enthusiastically.
Finally. I can lay my back on a soft mattress, maybe. Rent thought.
Moro turned to look at Rent. "Master, do you not feel hungry?"
Rent didn't turn. "No. I'm still full."
"Full? Usually, new adventurers, especially from faraway places, would look for the nearest food. When did Master eat?" Moro asked, confused.
"Ever since I was chased by this creature behind me. I've lost my appetite," Rent answered flatly.
"O-oh, okay. Full due to external factors. Understood!" Moro replied, vibrating with excitement.
"Haaah... never mind."
They continued walking. As far as the eye could see in this region, Rent often glanced left and right. The vast expanse of flowers coated in star-shaped dust felt like a fairy tale from a children's book.
When Rent kicked a small stone, the stone didn't touch the ground when thrown. Instead, it hovered slightly, almost touching the ground but seemingly held up by something keeping it afloat.
Rent looked at the stone once. His eyes narrowed slightly.
This stone won't touch the ground. is this area full of magic? Rent wondered.
"Interesting."
Moro, who was ahead, turned to Rent. "What is it, Master? Why did you stop?"
Rent looked back at Moro. "No. Nothing. Let's keep walking."
"Hmm?" (Confused) Moro looked at the stone, then at Rent, who walked straight ahead. "Wait for me! Master!"
After almost an hour or so of walking—starting from the battlefield grassland, the rocky valley road, to the valley of flower fields—they finally reached a section of the road that descended sharply, and... a grand view opened up.
Rent suddenly stopped walking.
Down there, a green valley stretched out wide, and in the center stood Lumeria—a white fortified city with slender towers, blue stone suspension bridges, and houses with curved roofs.
A massive city with a vast square in the middle. A city standing amidst the surrounding green valley hills.
Rent unconsciously stared without blinking. Although his gaze remained flat, the awe within it couldn't be hidden.
In the sky, a large Wyvern passed by. Crossing right over Rent's head, then flying straight and turning right.
"Is that... a hawk?" Rent mumbled softly.
Moro, floating beside Rent's shoulder, vibrated (chuckled) a little. "Hehe, how is it? Beautiful, isn't it? That was a Wyvern. Still a type of Dragon race but with differences in certain points."
"Hmmm." (Snorted)
Fyra-Bunn, who was jumping behind, also looked up at the sky, her ears twitching.
Rent looked at Moro. "Alright, Moro. Ahead lies the civilization you mentioned, right? So what will I do in there?"
Moro nodded quickly. "Of course! Lumeria is the central meeting city for races. There are humans, demi-humans, and some elves too. Now, regarding your second question, we will look for a temporary lodging that is initially free for new adventurers. And at the same time, we'll create an identity there, Master!"
"Identity?"
Moro nodded again. "Yes! As a newcomer, you need to make some sort of ID card. Understandable since the bureaucracy is quite... well, strict."
"What if I refuse?"
Moro vibrated (panicked) slightly. "Don't! You could be considered a threat or a spy! Trust me, Master!"
"Haaah..." Rent's eyes went dead flat. "Of course. Even in a foreign world, I can't escape ID cards."
The descent became more challenging. The road started to get rocky, and tree roots crept from the hillside. Fyra-Bunn jumped from one root to another.
They approached the outer gate of Lumeria. Guards were visible in the distance. Moro spun quickly.
"So, Master. Let me speak to those two guards. As the best guide, Master only needs to answer a few short questions, okay?"
"Whatever."
The city wind carried the smell of food and different dust. The atmosphere was so contrasting from the wild nature, with the first civilization right before his eyes.
Rent's pace slowed slightly. He observed the surroundings of this foreign city with a flat face.
Hoo... I thought there would be many people. But it seems it will be crowded inside.
Better get this done as fast as possible. He thought.
Before him stood the city wall, as high as a three-story house. White stones formed sturdy blocks that were clean and gleaming, decorated with carvings like leaves and plant vines. In the center stood a large wooden gate wide open, with two light-armored guards standing on both sides. Each held a spear and wore a red scarf with a five-pointed star flower emblem.
"Haaah... social interaction. Annoying," Rent muttered.
Moro floated forward. "Ahem. Alright, we have arrived in Lumeria. Now come, let's register ourselves first, Master."
"You go first. I'll follow from behind," Rent replied.
The guards saw them approaching. Wary gazes were immediately cast.
"Stop right there," said one of them, voice heavy. "Business? Identity?"
Moro immediately floated forward. "Ahem. We are from a faraway place, out west. And this adventurer behind me doesn't have an identity yet. But I brought him."
The guard squinted. "Newcomer from the outer regions? Hmmm..."
Moro spun around to look at Rent briefly. His (imaginary) eye winked once, as if saying, 'Safe, I got this.'
Rent stared back at Moro who was... vibrating down strangely. As if he had just been winked at by a floating furball.
What is he doing? Is he laughing? Panicking? Or what? Rent thought, not understanding the anatomy of this faceless furball.
The other guard stepped forward. "Name?"
Rent turned. Stayed silent for a moment.
"Is there a problem?" asked the guard.
"No. Nothing," he answered quickly. "Call me Rent."
The guard wrote in a small notebook. "Rent. Good. You will be directed to the newcomer registration office. There, an attendance detection record will be taken, and you will be given an entry mark."
"It's standard procedure. Painless, just detecting resonance. Useful for preventing forgery or intruders from the Shadow Dimension."
"Shadow... Dimension?" Rent mumbled.
The guard nodded, then shifted his spear. "Enter. Don't cause trouble."
Once past the gate, the atmosphere instantly changed drastically.
Lumeria was a city in its cleanest and most organized form. The main road was made of large flat stones, random but neat. Shops lined up orderly, with artistic wooden signs and small magic symbols above the doors. Children ran with self-floating balloons, merchants shouted their wares while demonstrating burning fruits in a promotional show, and the scent of sweet food wafted in the air.
Rent observed in silence.
This place... It's crowded. And very foreign.
Many things haven't been fully accepted by my brain yet. Damn it.
"This is the outer part of the city, Master," Moro said, breaking Rent's monologue. "This is the Merchant District. The further inside, the more crowded it gets. But we are going to the registration office first."
Fyra-Bunn was still hopping behind. Seemingly indifferent to the surrounding crowd.
Some people stared at them. Some were curious, some amazed. A few small children even pointed at Fyra-Bunn and whispered excitedly.
Rent started to feel uncomfortable.
Hah. Don't they have jobs instead of staring at someone like me? Weirdos. Rent thought.
"This is the place!" Moro said, pointing with his own body. A plain black stone building in the middle of a small plaza. Iron doors as tall as two wardrobes opened via a magic system.
Rent frowned. "What is this place?"
"This is the identity registration office, Master! Let's go straight in!"
Inside the office, they were greeted by a half-elf woman with crystal glasses and dark brown hair tied neatly.
"Welcome to the Lumeria Registration Office," she said kindly. "Are you a newcomer?"
Rent nodded. "Correct."
"Please place your hand on this crystal," she said, pointing to a blue crystal ball on the table.
Rent placed his hand. The crystal glowed briefly, then changed color to light green. Magic Rune carvings radiated on the paper stamp next to the crystal.
"Hmm, detection safe. Status, clean from corruption. Good," the Elf lady added.
Rent tilted his head. "Done?"
The woman smiled. "Done, Sir. You are officially a temporary resident. This is the Lumeria Pass—basic identity. You can stay in the city, buy goods, and register for jobs."
Rent took the small silver card engraved with his name.
[Rent Kaenda - Outland Adventurer]
Not bad.
The woman bowed slightly. "Welcome to Lumeria, Rent Kaenda. May your journey... bring new light."
Rent nodded slowly.