Chapter 216: Solmara Grand Passport

[Reward Calculation Complete.]

[Reward Granted.]

A new notification appeared.

[Legendary Reward Granted: Golden Coast Leisure Guide.]

[Additional Reward Granted: Celestial Navigation Map.]

[Additional Reward Granted: Solar Protection Set.]

A beautifully bound booklet appeared in his hands.

The Golden Coast Leisure Guide contained information about Solmara’s attractions, restaurants, beaches, and recreational activities. It also highlighted destinations that offered good opportunities to accumulate Bronze Pass progress.

The guide wouldn’t grant progress automatically. He still had to visit the locations and experience their activities. At least I can identify the most rewarding destinations before deciding where to go.

The Celestial Navigation Map was even more convenient. It identified nearby attractions, plotted efficient routes, and adjusted those routes whenever the user changed destinations.

Maki would appreciate that. She could organize their exploration without worrying that every unexpected detour would ruin the day’s plans.

Finally, Reinhard examined the Solar Protection Set. It contained enhanced sunscreen and protective sunglasses that reduced glare without interfering with normal vision.

Then he recognized the sunglasses’ brand.

It was Yuna’s favorite.

"Yuna, these are for you."

She examined the sunglasses he offered. "Mine? Wait how did you know—?"

"Because I’m that good~"

Yuna laughed before she put them on, adjusting the familiar frames. Reinhard smiled. It was a small gift, but seeing her pleased made it worthwhile.

Reinhard held up the sunscreen. "Before we leave, everyone is using this. I refuse to spend our vacation listening to complaints about sunburn."

Lily took the bottle and examined it. "Does it count as a defensive item?"

"It counts as something that will stop you from looking like a boiled lobster."

"I’m not going to look like a lobster!"

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

The family applied the sunscreen before preparing to leave Celestial Shore.

...

Lily was already flipping through the resort brochures. "There’s a water park, a luxury shopping district, a famous seafood restaurant, and a beach where you can rent magical surfboards!"

"You’ve mentioned the surfboards three times," Maki observed.

"Because they’re important!"

"Have you considered that we might not have time for everything?"

"Have you considered that we should try?"

Maki sighed before showing everyone her shortlist. "Three possible destinations before lunch. After that, we can decide what to do next."

Lily stared at her. "You’ve become reasonable. I’m worried."

"I’ve always been reasonable."

"That’s exactly what worries me."

Reinhard chuckled. Maki was still planning their day, but she had begun leaving room for spontaneous decisions.

"Let’s see what Solmara has to offer," he said.

The family headed toward the resort’s main desk, where they could ask about the attractions and activities available along the Golden Coast.

The receptionist greeted them warmly before calling for a guide. "Of course! Our Golden Coast guide will be happy to help you plan your exploration."

A cheerful voice soon rang out from behind the desk.

"Ah! A whole family ready to explore the Golden Coast. I can already tell this is going to be a splendid day!"

A handsome man stepped into view. He had neatly styled black hair, beautiful purple eyes, and a perfectly fitted resort attendant suit. His welcoming smile made him seem like an old friend greeting familiar guests.

"Lumain, your guide for today’s adventures. I promise excellent recommendations, terrible jokes only when requested, and absolutely no guarantees that your family will agree on lunch."

Lily immediately pointed at him. "I like this man."

Maki sighed. "You’ve known him for ten seconds."

"And he understands our problems."

Lumain laughed. "Ah, then I’ve already achieved my first success!"

After exchanging greetings, Lumain clapped his hands together. "Now, before you begin exploring, there’s something every visitor should have."

He reached beneath the desk and brought out a set of elegant passports bearing the emblem of the Golden Coast.

"Your Solmara Grand Passports. These will record your experiences throughout the region and recognize your progress as you explore."

Lily eagerly reached for hers. "Does this mean we can collect stamps?"

"Among other things," Lumain replied with a cheerful smile. "Allow me to explain how it works. Your passport records recognized experiences across the Golden Coast. Progress depends on three measures: Exploration, Enjoyment, and Prosperity."

He raised one finger. "Exploration means experiencing different districts, attractions, and activities. Enjoyment recognizes meaningful participation. Prosperity covers the financial requirements for certain premium experiences."

Reinhard nodded thoughtfully. "So buying an expensive meal doesn’t automatically give me all the progress?"

"Precisely!"

"What if I buy the entire restaurant?"

Lumain paused before smiling. "An ambitious approach! Unfortunately, owning a restaurant and enjoying a meal are two separate accomplishments."

Emily squeezed Reinhard’s hand. "You heard him. You’re going to have to eat like everyone else."

"A tragic limitation on my freedom."

Lumain laughed before continuing. "One important detail: the passport doesn’t read your emotions or demand that you feel happy. It recognizes completed experiences and meaningful participation. You don’t have to enjoy every activity equally."

Maki studied her passport. "Can different family members receive different progress from the same activity?"

"Absolutely. Each passport tracks its own holder. Everyone progresses at their own pace."

Yuna relaxed slightly. She wouldn’t need to compete with everyone else to keep up.

Lumain noticed her expression. "Some visitors love adventure sports. Others prefer beautiful scenery or discovering new restaurants. Solmara has room for all of them."

Yuna smiled. That sounded much more appealing than a competition she might struggle to win.

Lumain gestured toward five emblems displayed on the passport’s information screen. "You begin as a Bronze Voyager, with access to public beaches, markets, and introductory attractions. Silver Explorer opens premium reservations and selected private facilities. Golden Connoisseur grants access to prestigious restaurants and luxury excursions, while Platinum Luminary unlocks restricted resorts and invitation-only entertainment."

The fifth emblem shimmered.

"Finally, Celestial Legend. It’s the rarest tier, reserved for visitors who explore extensively, meet exceptional spending requirements, and complete Solmara’s signature experiences."

Lily’s eyes sparkled. "Celestial Legend! We’re getting that one!"

Maki examined the emblems. "We don’t even know the requirements yet."

"Then we’ll find them!"

Lumain laughed. "I admire your ambition. Though Celestial Legend isn’t something visitors usually achieve during a short stay."

Lily leaned forward. "Usually?"

"Now that’s the spirit!"

Reinhard studied the upper tiers. Exclusive excursions, prestigious restaurants, and private facilities.

His Merchant King’s instincts began stirring.

"Then the higher tiers offer better experiences and more valuable opportunities?"

"Certainly. Though the value of an experience depends on the person enjoying it."

Emily narrowed her eyes at Reinhard. "Don’t even think about turning this into a business project."

"I would never."

"You’re looking at that passport the same way you look at an undervalued relic."

"That’s an unfair comparison."

"Is it?"

Reinhard remained silent.

Lumain watched their exchange with amusement. "Ah, married life! A wonderful partnership in which one person dreams of grand adventures and the other ensures those adventures don’t require a second mortgage."

Emily pointed at him. "Exactly!"

"I see you’ve chosen your side," Reinhard said.

"I’ve chosen the side of a peaceful vacation."

Reinhard returned his attention to Lumain. "If I pay for the finest experiences available, I can advance quickly?"

"You can meet the Prosperity requirements for certain tiers. But money alone won’t complete your Exploration requirements."

"What if I pay someone to experience everything for me?"

Lumain placed a hand over his heart. "Sir, that would be a magnificent tragedy. Imagine spending a fortune on a vacation and missing the vacation entirely."

Lily burst out laughing.

Even Reinhard smiled. "That’s annoyingly reasonable."

"I do try."

Maki nodded. "So we actually have to explore instead of simply buying our way to the top."

"Precisely! Now, what does everyone want to do?"

Lily immediately began listing attractions, while Maki mentioned her planned route. Emily reminded everyone that Yuna wanted to visit the coastal district at sunset.

Lumain listened before smiling. "Start with the coast. There’s a promenade, a local market, and several introductory attractions nearby. Everyone can explore without spending the entire morning traveling between destinations."

He glanced at Maki’s shortlist. "If you begin with the shopping district, Lily will spend the journey asking when you can reach the surfboards. If you start with the water park, Maki will worry about everything you’re missing. And if you spend the morning chasing passport progress, you’ll reach the coast exhausted."

Reinhard raised an eyebrow. "Then the coastal district is our best starting point?"

"Absolutely. Explore the coast first, visit the market afterward, and return to the promenade at sunset. There’s no need to decide everything now."

Reinhard studied him. Lumain had considered everyone’s interests and found a route that accommodated them without forcing the family into a rigid schedule.

"You’ve done this before."

"Only a few thousand times."

"Modest, too."

"It’s one of my many gifts."

Reinhard laughed.

He’s not just charming. He’s good at his job.

...

Before leaving, Reinhard opened the Golden Coast Leisure Guide.

One entry caught his attention.

Tideglass Discovery Walk — Bronze Progress Opportunity.

The description mentioned unusual glasslike formations along the coast, where visitors could learn about the local landscape through a short guided activity.

The coastal market was only a short distance away.

Reinhard activated the Celestial Navigation Map. A route appeared, connecting the discovery walk, market, and promenade.

"Maki, take a look at this."

She leaned closer. "We can visit the formations first and then explore the market. If we change our minds, the map will adjust the route."

"Exactly."

Her expression brightened. "This is much better than my original plan. I can keep track of our destinations without deciding exactly how long we must spend at each one."

Lily pointed toward another attraction on the guide. "What about that?"

"We can take a detour if we have time," Maki replied.

Lily stared at her. "You’re really changing."

"Don’t make me regret it."

Reinhard turned the guide toward Lumain. "This discovery walk offers Bronze progress. Is there any reason we shouldn’t start there?"

Lumain’s eyes brightened. "An excellent choice. The formations are one of the coast’s distinctive sights, and the activity is a good introduction to the area. The market is worth exploring, too, especially if you’re interested in local crafts."

He pointed at the route. "The conditions are best earlier in the day. Visit the formations first, then take your time at the market. You’ll still have plenty of time to return to the coast later."

Reinhard nodded.

The guide had identified a worthwhile activity, the map had found a convenient route, and Lumain had helped turn those tools into a plan the entire family could enjoy.

The rewards had already proved their worth.

Yuna adjusted her new sunglasses. "Then we can still visit the promenade at sunset?"

"Of course," Lumain replied.

Emily smiled at her. "Then that’s settled."

Reinhard slipped the guide away. "Fine. We’ll explore Solmara, enjoy ourselves, and see how far we can climb."

Maki nodded. "As long as you don’t schedule every minute."

"I make no promises."

"Reinhard."

"Fine. Almost every minute."

Lumain laughed. "Excellent! I believe I’m going to enjoy guiding this family."

...

The Ashcrofts stepped outside, and the Golden Coast stretched before them.

Sunlight glittered across the distant water. Beyond the resort entrance, streets filled with shops and restaurants led toward the coast.

Lily immediately started walking ahead. "Come on! Let’s get our first stamp!"

"Don’t run into anyone!" Maki called.

"I’m being careful!"

"You’re not even looking where you’re going!"

Emily shook her head, smiling as she took Reinhard’s hand. Yuna walked beside them, already talking about the sunset.

Reinhard glanced at his passport.

For once, his next objective wasn’t to defeat an enemy or acquire a legendary weapon. It was to give his family a vacation worth remembering.

Then the Leisure Guide chimed softly.

A new line appeared beneath the Tideglass Discovery Walk.

Special Recognition Available: First Tideglass Discovery.

Reinhard stopped. "Oh?"

Emily looked at him. "What is it?"

He showed her the entry. It promised special recognition for completing the activity, but didn’t explain what that recognition would provide.

Lily’s eyes shone. "A special stamp?"

"Possibly."

"Then why are we standing here? Let’s go!"

Maki checked the map. "The route is ready."

Reinhard looked toward the glittering coastline.

A Bronze progress opportunity, a special recognition, and a destination everyone could enjoy.

For once, he decided not to calculate every possibility before finding out.

"Lead the way, Lily."

She raced ahead with a triumphant shout. "FIRST STAMP, HERE I COME!"

Reinhard followed his family toward the Tideglass Discovery Walk, wondering what their first passport recognition would unlock.