A New World, an immersive game experience

Quickly their host explained the background of the city, how it was a border city built more as an outpost than a true place of habitation. The city was called Kynigo, and was originally the forefront as they pushed back the undead. 

Upon entering the city heart on horseback, Eldrian looked around in curiosity. Failing to find any indications that it had survived a hard and brutal past. A wide road stretched from the gatehouse further into the city and directly to another walled area only vaguely visible in the distance.

All the houses were built to accommodate large beings such as centaurs, the floor space much larger than normal houses Eldrian was used to. All of the buildings were in good condition with no historical buildings in sight. 

Even with all the houses being at least twice the size of 'normal' houses, the city was not very large. Only housing around five hundred thousand people in total, not all centaurs. The tour led by the three centaurs was not very special nor did it take very long. It was limited to the Northern part where they had entered and only the most interesting places were visited.

These were; the three temples in this district, the four most famous inns - two even offered special services, the best places to get magical grade weapons and armor, and finally the six guilds spread out in the area. There were no academies in the city, these being limited to the large cities and capital. 

All in all, the tour took only two and a half hours thanks to the extra speed provided by the horses everyone rode. While the city was far smaller than Aggostead, it was still large and it would probably take a day to travel across it on foot. 

With the tour done, everyone headed back to the camp. The leaders discussing with Old Sword how the off-day rotation would start, most wishing to explore more of the foreign kingdom. A few very curious about the demi-humans, while others held complete disdain for them. Believing them to be a stain on humankind. 

"That... Well, it did not compare to the tour you gave me." Eldrian teased as they entered the camp, causing Vivian to turn to him with a strange gaze. 

"Wow, it feels like that was ages ago. So much has happened."

"Indeed... I am actually thinking of going into the city again." 

"Why?" Vivian tilted her head questioningly. 

"I have some spare cash and think buying a few spell modules would be smart," Eldrian replied, looking at the extra small inventory players had just for cash. Currently, the value in this space totaled about fifty silver, not having claimed any of the promised daily rewards as Eldrian knew no one in this division handled that task. Technically he was not supposed to be in this division, hence he felt he was disqualified for the monetary reward. 

"Maybe, but do you think you will be able to afford anything good?" Vivian asked, knowing full well that Eldrian did not have much cash on hand. 

"I don't know, but I want to see what the guilds have to offer. It certainly won't be near to what academies can offer, but hopefully I can get one or two useful spells." More than this, Eldrian also wanted to simply get more spells.

He was currently very limited in what he knew, and while Old Sword and Vivian could probably teach him skills, he felt they would not really be able to teach him spells. Now that they had reached the place they would stay for a long time, Eldrian planned to start asking them to teach him. 

After talking a bit more with Vivian, Eldrian climbed back onto his horse and set back into town. No large hassle when he passed the gatehouse, as the guards knew that their guests were allowed to come and go. Though only a few thousand would be allowed each day. 

Once inside, Eldrian quickly headed to the nearest guild they had been shown. This was actually a mercenaries guild. Upon entering, Eldrian only slightly looked at the familiar style layout. A bar on the left, with many open tables filling the floor. On the right was the counter where a bored clerk was sleeping. 

Unlike an Adventurer guild, the mercenary guild did not get much focus. Especially in Taurus where no internal conflicts were tolerated. If it ever got to more than words, the local mayor would step in. If he was actually corrupted and any news got out, even just rumors, then a royal would come down to figure things out. 

Heading to the sleeping clerk, Eldrian had to actually shout to wake him.

"Oh wow! A person, and an elf at that." Shouted the man behind the counter. Eldrian had long since seen the wolf ears and tail on the man, causing him to not be the one reacting surprised. 

"Sorry to disturb your sleep, I would like to buy a spell module or two. Do you have any here?" Eldrian said, ignoring the man's outburst. 

"Spell modules? No, we don't have anything like that. Though if you want some cheap armor and weapons, we have some good quality used ones."

"No, that is quite alright. Do you think any of the other guilds will have any?" Eldrian asked, taking note that he should come and look at the offer when he had more money to spare. 

"Mmm... Maybe the adventurers guild, and surely the mage's association. You can always also go to the magic shop, that is where people normally go." Replied the clerk after some thought. 

"Oh, a magic shop. Where is it?" Eldrian asked, the tour not having included it at all. 

"Oh, yeah it is in the noble district. Your best bet would be the association of mages then." 

Eldrian nodded and thanked the man and set out again, entering each guild as he headed to the association. It was quite near to the walled district within the city heart, probably due to it being deemed as a higher class of guild. 

The adventurers guild actually did have some spell modules, though they were all Tier 3 and above. Hence not much use to Eldrian as he only hoped to now learn more spells to get used to different ways of spells. It was also impossible to simply buy the spells, rather it is needed that you have claimed a certain amount of bounties first.

Entering the association of mages, Eldrian immediately saw that it was a far more popular place. While the adventurers guild had been busy, this place was teeming with people. 

Similar to all other guilds, there was a bar on one side and the clerk station on the other. Though the bar seemed to not offer ale nor beer, instead offering only wines at a high price. The side with the clerks had long lines and quickly deterred Eldrian as it was already close to night and he did not wish to spend an hour in line. 

There were also some robes men and women talking with a few groups of people. Seemingly doing personal trades to circumvent the guild tax most likely. 

Seeing one of the robe men finish his dealing with a group of people, Eldrian rushed forward and quickly asked. "Sorry, can you help me? I wish to buy a few spell modules."

"Huh?" Surprised by the sudden question the man turned around and looked at Eldrian curiously. "You are not looking for a potion, scroll, or some enchantments?"

"No, I just wish to get some spell modules. Currently I only know three spells, I hope to learn a few more." Eldrian replied, having forgotten about the strengthing spell once he had learned Accelerate and Drive. He had also never even gotten to actually master it as he had the other three. 

"If you wish to become a mage, why don't you join our guild? I am Elias, and while I am not all that important in the guild, I should be able to help you get in." While saying this, Elias extended his hand, Eldrian promptly shaking it. 

"I am Haru. What would joining give me? And does it matter if I am a native or not?"

"You're not a native?" The man asked in surprise, only now looking at Eldrian for good. Seeing his silver hair and elven ears for the first time, having somehow missed them at the start. "Oh, naturally you aren't. No elves live here."

"Is it a problem?" Eldrian pressed.

"Slightly. If you are just passing by then the guild won't accept you, but if you are here for some time then it won't be a problem."

"Oh, then it shouldn't be a problem. But what does joining benefit me?" Eldrian asked.

"Well firstly, you can claim certain spells for free depending on your rank in the guild. Others will be at a discount, this also goes for magic scrolls, potions, enchantments, and pretty much anything else the guild has to offer."

"And the catch?" Eldrian question, knowing full well there must be something to bind one to not take advantage of the guild.