The salty breeze of the mainland carried with it a thousand new scents—of roasted meats, fresh bread, and bustling life. As Marcus Graveblood stepped off the dock, the world he had only dreamt of finally stretched before him in vibrant detail. The port city of Althera was unlike anything he had seen on Brown Island. Towering buildings of glass and steel, strange wheeled vehicles humming softly as they darted along wide paved roads, and a cacophony of voices, smells, and energy greeted him all at once.
Marcus took a deep breath and smiled. "So this is the mainland," he murmured. "It really is a different world."
As he made his way through the dock checkpoint, several uniformed officers waved him over. A short process followed—scanning his ID card, confirming his arrival manifest, and checking his purpose for entry.
"You're here for the USA registration test?" one officer asked.
Marcus nodded. "Yes, sir. I was recommended by Captain Reiner from the cruise ship."
"Ah, the Iron Captain! He vouched for you? Then you must be something special," the officer replied, tapping a few keys on his tablet. "Everything checks out. You're clear to enter. Good luck with the test."
"Thank you," Marcus said with a sunny smile.
He turned and saw the captain waiting near the ship's gangplank. Captain Reiner gave a firm nod.
"Don't waste that strength of yours," the captain said. "The ruins are full of mystery and danger, but also glory. I have a feeling you'll find your path."
"I'll make you proud, Captain," Marcus replied.
With one final wave, Marcus left the dock behind and stepped into the bustling streets of Althera. His eyes widened as he took in his surroundings.
"So many people... so much movement. And those... what are those?" he wondered, gazing at a sleek silver vehicle that zoomed past him. "And that thing in the sky... is that a balloon? No, wait, it's a hot air balloon! This place is amazing."
Everywhere he looked, the world shimmered with possibility. Vendors shouted about their wares—glowing fruits, self-warming jackets, pocket tools with twenty different functions. Massive screens advertised the latest tournament matches, magical relic auctions, and ruin explorer rankings.
"Come try the best grilled meat in Althera! Guaranteed to boost your Prana efficiency by 3%!"
Unable to resist, Marcus approached a food stall.
"One grilled meat stick, please."
"Five credits."
Marcus took out a few credits—part of the money the captain had given him—and paid with a smile. As he took his first bite, his eyes widened.
"Mmm! This is amazing! So juicy... and is that spice? Incredible."
As he continued walking and eating, he eventually found himself in front of an imposing building with a metallic crest carved into the stone: a stylized shield wrapped in golden wings. Beneath it, the letters spelled out: United Shield Authority - Althera Branch.
"This must be it," Marcus whispered in awe. The building stretched five stories high, with towering statues of famous explorers at the entrance. He was so captivated by the sight, he didn't notice the group of young men passing by.
"Look at that guy," one sneered. "Must be fresh off some fishing island. Look at the way he's gawking."
"Total country bumpkin," another muttered.
Marcus heard every word, but simply kept smiling. 'They've never met someone like me.'
Inside the building, the atmosphere changed. The air buzzed with energy. People in uniforms carried stacks of paper, floating scrolls moved on their own, and magical orbs floated above doorways for surveillance. Marcus approached the front desk.
A young woman looked up. She had short silver hair and bright violet eyes. The nameplate read: Elira.
"Welcome to the United Shield Authority. How can I help you today?"
Marcus smiled. "Hi, I'm here to register for the ruin explorer's license test."
Elira blinked. A light blush crept up her cheeks at his smile. "O-of course. May I see your ID and any recommendation letters you have?"
Marcus handed over his card and a neatly folded letter from Captain Reiner. She scanned the card and the letter with a magical crystal.
"Oh, you're recommended by Captain Reiner? That holds a lot of weight. Everything checks out. You don't have any criminal record, and your ID is clean."
"That's good to hear," Marcus replied.
"You're officially registered for the test. It begins tomorrow morning at 7 AM sharp. You'll need to arrive an hour early for physical assessment and briefing."
"Got it. Do you know a place nearby that's safe and cheap to stay for the night?"
Elira nodded. "Yes. There's an inn called Suncrest Lodge just a few blocks from here. It's clean, affordable, and they serve great food. 1000 credits per night with dinner and breakfast included."
"Thank you, Elira. You've been a big help."
"G-good luck on the test, Marcus."
He walked out with a wave, following the directions to Suncrest Lodge. The inn was warm and welcoming, with wooden decor and soft lights. The owner, a kind older woman, handed him a key after he paid.
"Room 203, dear. Dinner starts at 7."
After placing his bag in the modest yet comfortable room, Marcus lay down for a moment.
'What a day. Mainland cities are huge... so much to see, so much to do. But tomorrow's the real start of my journey.'
When dinner time came, Marcus descended to find the dining hall packed with guests. He gathered his food—grilled chicken, rice, steamed vegetables—and sat at a small table near the corner.
Around him, aspiring ruin explorers were talking loudly.
"Heard the test includes a Prana endurance run. Brutal stuff."
"They say one guy fainted mid-test last month."
"I'm only here for the money, man. Ruins are where the riches lie. You find one relic and you're set for life."
Marcus ate quietly, listening.
'So the test is physically demanding... good. I've trained every day. I'll show them what I can do.'
After dinner, he returned to his room, opened the window to let in the cool night air, and stared out at the glowing city.
'Mother, I've made it. Tomorrow, I begin something greater. I'll earn my license... and uncover the truth of the ruins. Whatever secrets this world holds, I'll face them head on.'
With a calm breath, Marcus lay down, his sword by his side, and drifted into sleep under the flickering city lights.