Goals For Now, Dreams For The Future

[Arius POV]

"WAA! Nine Glory Medallions!"

After a whole day catching Furry Mice, we managed to catch a dozen of them. After handing them to Roger, I was awarded Glory medallions. Holding up my card in the Adventurer Guild, I could see the number nine right next to Glory Medallions.

"Big Brother Jaque, what do we use Glory Medallions for?"

"To buy things, of course, tools, weapons, items, potions, stars, and even money. Within the Adventurer Guild, Glory Medallions are everything. As long as you have enough Glory Medallions you can buy almost anything. General things are listed in a catalogue."

Big Brother Jaque then turns to Roger and asks him for this catalogue. Roger then pulls out a large book labelled, "Adventurer Guild: General Goods I".

Passing the book to me, Big Brother and I sit down in the lounge area and start flipping through the book.

Standard Meal: 5 Glory

Beer: 2 Glory

Basic Sword: 15 Glory

Minor Healing Potion: 150 Glory

1 Copper Coin: 1 Glory

...

Flipping through the book, I see many different everyday goods. Many things that I haven't even heard of.

"Big Brother, where does it lists about stars?"

"Stars? Stars probably won't be listed in a book about general goods. Though it is general knowledge among adventurers since that is the most traditional way to rank up. For copper-rank Adventurers, each star is 50 Glory with the rank-up test being 100 Glory."

"What! That's a lot."

Listening to my reaction, Big Brother Jaque simply shrugged his shoulders before patting me on the back.

"It took a few months for me and my friends to rank up to Steel rank. It's worth it though, as you get access to Steel-ranked quests that reward much more Glory Medallions."

"Hmmm, Big Brother, how many Medallions do you have?"

Seeing the lightbulb shine in my head, Big Brother Jaque smirks before shaking his head.

"Arius, I already know what you're thinking. I can't share Glory Medallions with you. I won't tell you how many I have so you don't get any ideas."

With my crafty plan in shambles, I give back the book to Big Brother Jaque. It was already night and I'm tired, it was time to go home. Laying down on the table, I see Big Brother call over one of the waiters in the area.

"2 Standard Meals, please."

"Big Brother, I not hungr-"

*Groowl*

Hearing my stomach, I shiver a little as I cover my face. I hear Big Brother laugh for a bit before tapping on the top of my head. Lifting my head, I see Big Brother smirking again.

"We skipped out on lunch, didn't we?"

"...yeah..."

Soon we were served two meals that seems way too much for each of us. A big piece of monster meat with a side of marsh potatoes and a nice vegetable soup. Taking a single bit of the meat, I had no complaints, only praises. I quickly chowed down with Big Brother and religiously ate everything. Walking back to the workshop, I only had one thought.

'Definitely worth the medallions.'

...

Returning to the workshop, I hop on the bed and look up at the ceiling. In a bit of a daze, I start to talk to Dakria.

"Dakria, what do you think Lorraine is doing right now?"

'I don't know what exactly but she's certainly pursuing her dreams.'

"Dreams, huh? I wish I had a dream."

'Wasn't it that you wished your family say safe? Isn't that the reason why you accepted me and Duargeinhelm?'

"Yeah, it is but it just seems like such a boring dream that everyone wants. It's not unique to me. It isn't a dream, more of a goal."

"I suppose so. Well, you have plenty of time little one. While you don't have an ultimate dream yet, perhaps you will in the future. For now, there's no need to think of such deep thoughts, enjoy your childhood and work towards your goals. Remember, your brother is still waiting for that arm."

Hearing Dakria's calm and soothing voice, I felt a lot better. There was no need to worry so much. Pulling out the pendant from that resting on my chest, I clutch it in my hand. The cold metal cools me down.

"Thanks, Dakria, goodnight."

'Goodnight, Arius'

...

...

"I can't sleep."

After what felt like many hours of turning and moving on the bed, I just couldn't get comfortable. Sometimes I felt too hot. Other times, my position was not right. Through it all, my mind was as clear as day.

"arrrgggg, I can't sleep."

Raising myself up, I look around to see what to do. I look at the bookshelf with a few books on them. All of them were given to me by Master Doherty. I look toward my chair, then my desk. Then above my desk, to the window.

Getting off my bed, I go and open the blinds covering the window. Sitting on top the desk, I look outside and see the streets below. There was complete darkness covering the streets safe for the occasional soldier who walked around with a torch in their hand.

Looking at the sky, I see the night sky filled with plenty of stars.

*Sigh*

After a small sigh, I get off the desk and put on my shoes before walking out of my room. Walking downstairs, I saw that everything was dark. The only light was the faint light coming from the furnace, in the main workspace. Looking at the many tools, all cold and still, there was a kind of beauty to them.

Walking down the hallway, I eventually stop before one door and simply open it. Entering the room, I could smell the wood, the fuel and the ores. Arriving before the anvil, I pick up a small disk and move it to the side.

"Since I can't sleep, I might as well forge."

Looking through a few bags, I pull out a familiar piece of ore. Looking deeply into it, I could see the beautiful mana stored inside. Taking the rest of the tools off the wall, I open the furnace and place the ore inside.

'...55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,...'

As I felt the comfortable heat against my skin, I looked at the clock across the room as the seconds tick by. While I didn't know the exact time Master Doherty used it before, I did know how many minutes it was. So I waited, waited until the time arrived. In the room, there was me with nothing but the glow of the furnace and the occasional crackle it made.

After two more minutes, I grab my tongs and reach into the furnace to grab my red rock. Pulling it out, I quickly set it on the anvil before taking a hammer to hit it.

Bang...Bang... Bang...Bang

As the melodious sound of the metal rang out every few seconds, I fell into a trance. Perhaps it was my sleepiness coming back. Still, I continued along. Slowly hitting the ore and taking deep breaths of the warm air around me.

Putting my hammer down, I go to inspect the piece I have so far. Rough on the sides, smooth on the top and bottom, and about 2 cm thick. In the mists of it, I feel my eyes start to be heavy. Still, I simply shack my head and go to grab my hammer again.

Klank...Klank...Klank...Klank...

After a long period of being lost in thought, I see that my ore had long cooled down. Looking at the hammer in my hands I notice I had a metal stick in my hand. Looking back at my piece of metal. I could see a perfectly circular hole in the middle of it.

Klank! Klonk!

Dropping the tool in hand hands, I felt another wave of sleepiness hit me. Walking a few steps. I find the wall and my eyelids close. Shortly after, only my gentle snores were left.

...

...

...

Knock knock knock!

"Arius, you there?"

*snore*

"Ha, you little rascal."

...

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Jaque's Fun Fact: Due to the obvious value of Glory Medallions within the Adventurer Guild. There are a few strict restrictions around them. Trading, sharing or distribution of Glory Medallions are strictly prohibited and any of these illegal Glory Medallions that are detected by those in charge of Elystrid will be removed. Additionally, the adventurers involved will be penalized depending on severity.