Sharing a Room at the Inn

"Lynn, can't we really help him?" After leaving the Adventurer's Guild, Elaine asked unwillingly.

Her sympathy was only natural. Gray had always been diligent and responsible, working hard to make a living. He was enough to make people who were less hostile toward Orcs reconsider their views.

"This is already beyond what I can handle. The Adventurer's Guild and the Magic Association don't seem to get along. Maybe the city lord's daughter could mediate?" Lynn said with a smile, glancing at Elaine.

The noble young lady pursed her lips in a very unladylike manner, looking somewhat disappointed. "My father wouldn't allow me to use the Frey Family name to interfere in these matters..."

After pondering for a moment, Lynn said, "Maybe we can wait a few days and see what happens. If Gray really was falsely accused, it won't be too late to seek out Mr. Barton then."

Only then did Elaine feel a little better.

"Then shall we part ways here?" Lynn pointed toward one end of the street, indicating that he would be heading that way.

Elaine blinked. "Why should we split up? Didn't you promise to accompany me to find my friend?"

She keenly sensed something. "You're trying to go back on your word!?"

Lynn really had been planning to do just that. After learning that the creature he encountered that morning had been a three-star magical beast, he felt lingering fear.

The Whispering Forest was even more dangerous than he had imagined. He was not someone who overestimated his own abilities.

"If you don't agree, I'll follow you everywhere and won't go anywhere else!" Elaine hugged her staff and marched closer to Lynn, her cheeks puffed out slightly like an angry hamster.

"..."

That evening, at the front desk of the Iris Inn.

"Please get this beautiful young lady a room next to Room 11."

Lynn said this to the front desk attendant. Room 11 was his own room. In order to get a discount, the original owner had booked a whole month at once. Only nine days had passed so far.

He could not understand it. Why not rent a house instead? There should have been plenty of rental properties in Colin Town, right?

What kind of family stayed at an inn every day?

This had also caused him considerable financial pressure before, but the weight of the money pouch in his arms made him feel much more at ease now.

Lynn took out two silver coins. That was the Iris Inn's daily rate.

"You don't need to pay!" Elaine immediately pushed his hand aside, lightly tapping the tip of her staff against her palm and pouring out several silver coins.

I forgot. How could the city lord's daughter possibly be short on money? Lynn mocked himself with a smile.

Elaine was still angry that he had tried to leave her behind. In the girl's eyes, this was practically a betrayal.

After all, she had trusted Lynn so much before!

"Fine, fine, my lady, I was wrong. But we still need to eat properly, don't we? What, do you expect me to feed you too?"

Neither of them had eaten properly all day. Since Lynn had just made a windfall, they indulged themselves a little.

Inside the inn, the dining table was covered with exquisitely presented dishes.

Forest Roasted Boar Chop, Butter Fried Matsutake, Honey Stewed Chicken, Creamy Mushroom Soup... and crisp Garlic Breadsticks as the staple.

The meal was incredibly delicious, and it had only cost six silver coins.

I actually said "only"? Am I getting a little carried away? No, this money has other uses... Lynn promptly reflected on himself.

The inn had a public bathhouse. Lynn happily took a hot shower and changed into clean clothes.

All his belongings were stored in this room. As for valuables... he had not really possessed any valuables before.

But now, he suddenly had a large sum of money. For the first time, Lynn realized how important storage was.

It would be nice if I had a convenient magic item like Elaine's. He recalled the scene of Elaine pouring silver coins from her staff, astonished that it could store items as well.

Storage magic items were extremely valuable. Lynn sighed inwardly. It really is nice to be rich.

The currencies commonly used in daily circulation in this world were copper coins and silver coins. Gold coins had to be exchanged at specialized banks.

He still had 214 silver coins and 27 copper coins left. For a commoner, this was already a considerable fortune.

Lynn decided to visit a magic shop tomorrow and purchase some magic items he needed.

He could also sell those magical beast materials while he was at it. He had no use for them right now.

Lynn sat cross-legged on the bed and summoned the Codex of Origin.

The codex allowed him to view every spell he currently possessed.

He had four 0-ring cantrips: Fire Arrow, Light Spell, Mana Wave, and Mage Hand.

His first-ring spells were [Frost Ring] and [Blink Step].

The spells I learn next should preferably be Abjuration or control spells. That way, I can handle more complicated situations...

Lynn sighed softly.

After experiencing that morning's attack, he became increasingly aware of how lacking his own strength was.

I'm still only an Apprentice Mage.

The Codex of Origin gave him magical power greater than that of mages at the same level, but that was not enough to conceal the gap between ranks.

Perhaps I should try learning a second-ring spell...

A lowest-quality second-ring spellbook costs ten gold coins... Well, hopefully the next time the Codex of Origin upgrades, it'll give me a second-ring spell for free.

Lynn felt that there was still a long road ahead. Learning second-ring spells and becoming an Initiate Mage would mean he had finally begun to shed the "novice" stage and reached the professional level.

At the more advanced Veteran Level, professions would begin to branch out clearly. Mages, for example, could become healing mages, Arcane mages, elemental mages, and so on, according to their talents and fields of research...

Warrior professions, meanwhile, were divided based on the weapons they used. Gray, the Orc warrior, was a sword-and-shield fighter who wielded a sword in one hand and a shield in the other. This kind of profession was highly balanced, capable in both offense and defense.

Of course, professional specialization could also occur early. Elaine, for example, had likely awakened a talent for healing magic ahead of time. That was an extremely rare occurrence.

I really am short on money. Maybe I should accept Elaine's commission? Lynn gradually began to waver.

Knock, knock, knock— There was suddenly a knock at the door.

Lynn immediately became alert. He went to the window and looked down. The height from the second floor was still manageable.

"Who is it?"

A familiar voice came from outside. "It's me, Elaine."

What is she doing here so late?

Lynn chanted a spell, and transparent ripples pulsed around his body.

Mana Wave could be used to detect nearby things. If there was a malicious presence nearby that could affect his spirit, he could sense it somewhat.

No hostility...

"What are you doing?" Elaine suddenly asked. After a two-second pause, she hurriedly said, "Ah, sorry, I interrupted you. I'll come find you tomorrow!"

...Did she misunderstand something?

With a face full of exasperation, Lynn walked over and opened the door. She had just turned around, but looked back upon hearing the sound.

The half-elf girl wore a white silk nightgown that outlined her faint curves. A section of her fair calves showed beneath the hem, and she wore pink fluffy slippers. Her light brown hair hung half-wet over her shoulders, while surprise shone in her green eyes.

What kind of stay-at-home girl outfit is this? Did she come out here for a vacation?

Lynn opened the door a little wider. "Come in."