When the missive arrived next morning at his doorstep, Lukas was busy focused on his daily exercises. He was in the middle of performing Taichi, a series of slow sure movements that encompassed his whole being, coordinating his mind and body, allowing energy to flow through his limbs and joints. Taking a lesson from his old world, he quickly discovered such exercises helped stretched his body and calm his mind thus maintain his focus longer on any activity he took, something he quite needed taking his circumstances.

With his psyche getting stronger, he easily willed the door to open and the official scroll to float into his hands. The scroll not only looked regal and elegant, it was also sealed with a red emblem of a shield with two swords crossed with a dagger in the middle along with a bow and a staff behind. The emblem seemed strangely familiar and once he opened it, he realized the reason why.

The scroll was an official missive sent by the Adventurers Guild established at the heart of commercial center within the walls of the Golden City southern of the Cathedral of Light. The guild was a seen as a hub, a center for many people who desire to become adventurers who can take up special hunting quests, conquer age-old dungeons or discover ancient relics of power, with some dreaming of spreading their name all over the continent. The Adventurers Guild attracted people of all kinds and races, different types of warriors and elemental mages from all over the continent who were trying to make a living from hunting dangerous beasts, foraging precious herbs, healing downtrodden warriors to mining for ores required for artifact refining and more.

As witnessed from the previous host’s desperation, being an Adventurer was very lucrative. Materials such as herbs, ores, beasts’ hides and meat were always in demand regardless of the vocations. Mages needed the beasts’ hides and blood for enchanting, while warriors desired to consume their mana-filled meat for their bodily cultivation. The Evergreen forest was an endless treasure trove, guaranteeing there were always a beast to slay and treasures to unearth but it was not without its dangers.

In fact, amongst all of the professions, being an Adventurer held the biggest death toll. This was due to any number of reasons ranging from deadly traps usually found in such ruins to the treacherous locations most rare herbs were located at. This did not even include the number of people who died under the claws and teeth of demonic beasts littered under its canopy, known to get stronger and more dangerous the deeper the depths within the Evergreen Forest.

When many deaths occurred during the early years of the Golden City, the Adventures Guild was officially formed. They first made sure to filter the capable adventures from the sea of incompetent people and so not only preventing needless loss of life, but also controlling the flow of information and so making sure each adventurer is placed with a task within their respective strengths.

This was what motivated his previous host. In an effort to save his pride, he enrolled into the process of obtaining the Adventure's badge. This was the official license, a universally recognized identification issued only by the Guild to denote the strength and competency of the one wearing it. With the badge, the previous Lukas would have found it easier to join teams, sell his loot and obtain better rewards. He saw it as the ticket out of his self imposed poverty.

But in order to obtain the badge, he had to get tested. Every potential adventurer had to take a single mission tailored to test their respective abilities. Depending of their performance as well as if their quest was successful or not, they could be disqualified or rewarded with a better grade as their starting point.

Yet this was also followed with a set of rules, one which recommended him to finish his qualifying mission in full especially at the event of where traces were discovered of his previous mission being tampered with. To prevent fraud, the Adventurers Guild followed strict policies; one which at the occasion of failure, it prevented the applicants to apply for another badge until after two years has passed. Lukas was sure he was exempted from such penalty seeing as he had mysteriously survived after he was reported dead by his said teammates. Regardless of everything, The Adventurers Guild had the responsibility to investigate what happened and make sure no foul games were played.

After he finished reading the scroll, he snorted. The scroll started out quite polite with a greeting before iterating how glad they were he was still alive. Then it went on to apologize as they admitted a mistake on their part on not properly verifying the people he was teamed up with before the quest, thus endangering his life. But Lukas was sure had he died in the forest …no had his host died without his transmigration the whole matter would have been buried and forgotten. But with him being alive in addition with his status as the priest of The Cathedral, it raised waves as to what exactly happened to the forest that made a supposedly reported dead priest to come back to life.

The scroll not only invited him to the guild to make his report, it also gave him another chance to obtain the badge by recommending him a new quest to take. To ensure no further incidents of fraud were made; details of such mission were withheld until his arrival at the Golden City. Incidentally he was informed there was a trace of magic on the scroll that connected it to the guild more than a few hundred miles away. Should he choose to accept to the mission all he had to do was let his mana swirl at a specific the spot below the letter and the guild would know. As each mage possessed a unique mana signature all he had to do was let out his, since his host mana was recorded on the day he applied for the badge. He had 3 days to answer before the scroll destroyed itself, which by then it meant he had no desire to participate in the qualification mission.

In addition the scroll did assure him that measures were already taken against his previous teammates, which meant he had nothing to worry about. As much as such news left him a little satisfied knowing his previous host hadn’t died for nothing, he knew the true masterminds were probably safe and sound; his previous teammates were only pawns in a game he had inadvertently stumbled upon.

As his head throbbed from all of the possibilities, he ultimately focused on a few important things. First, the Annual Competition was coming soon and he urgently needed the funds for his growth. Secondly, having the badge would definitely make things easier for him as he would get to experience the world in full, whilst using the rewards to increase his own strength. Besides the two year ban effectively encouraged him as he couldn’t wait until then to apply for the badge again.

Without hesitation, he let his mana into the specified spot on the scroll. A slight pulse resonated from the scroll and to his amazement, a shower of gold and intricate runes flowed through the paper, washing away every previous word before rewriting itself in a dark visible ink, its letters elegant and calligraphed.

As the new words appeared, the scroll continued the customary congratulations on his decisions and he was given 3 weeks to prepare. There was not any kind of detail spared of what his test entailed but it did contain a single hint. He was instructed to make a journey to The Golden City and it was there where he would obtain further information on what he was supposed to do and meet his future teammates.

As his eyes glinted in nervous excitement, he knew 3 weeks were barely enough for a full preparation but he had to prepare to the best of his abilities. The enchanted letter assured ample rewards if their mission was successful but he was promised more based on his performance. The scroll did warn him there was an element of risk involved but Lukas had no choice in the matter. Besides the Adventurer's Guild made sure their missions were doable and well within justifiable parameters. The previous Lukas would have surely survived if it wasn’t for the hidden malicious intent directed at him.

Closing the scroll, Lukas took a deep breath. He only had a few spells left to master and his mind was already making plans and ideas on he could increase his survivability. He was officially about to start a new adventure and his only worry was on the new teammates he was about to meet. He lightly wondered who they were but the most he could hope was that he was paired with capable people. While he was decently confident in the spells he mastered, a stupid teammate was enough to cause the downfall of the rest. This was something he had seen several times during his gaming days.

All that was left to do was to see how he fared against the dangers of this new brand world. Because sooner or later, he would have no choice if he ever hopes to return back to his old world… no matter how abysmal the chances may be.

* * *

If there was one place more famous than the Cathedral of light, it was the Golden City. Just a day’s worth of journey by a carriage from the Cathedral, it stood as a far more important and integral part of the whole continent.

Located in the region ruled by the Cathedral of Light, The Golden City could be considered as the main branch of the Cathedral. With streets paved with clear cobbled stone roads and tall ancient structures that seemed to tell of ages passed, the Golden City was seen as the central of hub of magic, knowledge and trade as it attracted many adventurers, merchants, hunters and others who sought to make a living, earn a fortune or even stumble upon a lucky chance that could change their lives forever.

Eyes secretly glued to his window and his heart racing, this could be counted as the first time Lukas officially got out of the cathedral after being holed up for more than a few months. Ever since he got the missive, his mind could barely rest as he increased his time to the Hall of the Insight, searching for more spells he could master that might prove useful during the upcoming mission. It also didn’t hurt to be more careful as he further researched on the City, and even added some knowledge on the potential dangers he might face on his way. All of these were meant to increase his odds but at the end, it all came down on what kind of teammates he would get this time. He did not want to repeat the same mistake his previous host did.

The ride to the Golden City was surprisingly pleasant. Lands stretched for endless miles, with vast canopies of tress all around. It also proved to be quite an experience as Lukas was able to pull out strange names and local knowledge his previous host knew. Ultimately the journey was profoundly good for his nerves and since he had calculated well, the carriage arrived well on the morning of the next day, which meant he had a whole day to himself before he reported to the Adventurer’s Guild tomorrow.

The moment he had arrived, his heart went wild. His carriage had passed through large wrought golden gates amidst the horde of chatting merchants and returning adventurers. Once his badge was verified by the regal dressed guards at the entrance, his view spanned out to reveal a breathless sight filled with several warriors in shining armor, mages adorned in a multicolor of robes, various carriages pulled by strange tamed beasts, and people he could only deem them as normal citizens holding loud conversations with countless laughter's ringing in the air every now and then.

Once the carriage driver was paid, he found himself beside the main road that crossed the middle of the city. A few steps away, there was an open market with hawkers screeching their prices to the milling throng in addition with more shops arranged along the road that seemed to sell countless products ranging from high retail clothes, the kind most nobles prefer to wear to bottles filled with potions of every kind and color. He walked slowly through the outer skirts of the City taking it all in, feeling the vibrant energy in the air as his eyes flitted everywhere taking in the new sights , the new smells, finally feeling he was truly in a fantasy world with new and strange exotic sights everywhere.

In a far distance, looming over the streets and vendors stood a huge marble statue thousands of feet high. It depicted a male priest, adorned in flowing golden robes with one of his colossal hands holding an elaborate book of spells and another stretched over the city, almost like blessing its denizens. Around the mage floated 3 orbs of lights thrumming with energy. Even from such a distance, Lukas felt his elemental light vaguely resonating with them. It was a not a lie when it was said the Golden City was a haven for the priests of light. Even from where he stood he could feel his body rejoicing from the abundant elements in the air.

But first and foremost, he had to find an affordable inn where he could rest and spend the night. From his abode, he had carried the essential items first including his blood bonded staff and book of spells which his sister graciously reminded him repeatedly once he broke the news of his missive. She also made him wear the ring of protection, which was one of her conditions to allow him to leave along with a plethora of potions which she neatly arranged in his bag. There was also a change of robes incase he ever needed one (the first lesson he learned once he transmigrated) and other few miscellaneous items. Following the familiar streets and asking around just to be sure, he soon arrived at the Greenery, the inn his previous host has stayed before his inevitable demise. It was a little morbid, but the inn was one of the affordable places in the outskirts of the city. It also fit his taste as the inn was quant and beautiful and on cursory glance, it seemed the owner had enchanted the whole building with crawling leaves and soft flowers that emanated the feeling of one in being in nature. Its caricature was subtle, evoking a sense of calm and comfort, in addition to the fact that the place was obviously safe compared to sleeping in the wild.

Arranged in a simple room with a bed and table along with a windowsill laced with delicate flowers, Lukas threw himself on the bed, taking a short moment to rest. He pitifully stared at his funds, now even less than before after paying for the carriage and his room as he had booked it for 3 days, parting with quite a few silvers coins just in case his qualifying mission took longer than expected. This was a very common practice seeing as the inn was a favorite resting place for many other adventurers who often embarked on several days journey before they returned.

Only after he left the room did he begin to truly explore the magical city. The Golden City was divided into 2, with the outer skirts readily available to almost everyone. It was here where there was the commercial center, a large area where almost every kind of trade took place, the residential area where most adventurers and normal citizens congregated to celebrate and sleep their woes away, the open market where he previously passed filled with shops of every kind, and finally the Graveyard of Sorrows, a cemetery where the most unfortunate were buried. The Inner skirts on the other hand were a heavily regulated area. Not just anyone was allowed inside as it was known to be filled with several villas and mansions where powerful nobles and formidable mages and warriors resided. Lukas really wanted to explore its streets especially the marble statue with the golden robe, but it seemed he had no such luck. He could only return after he got richer or stronger. Better be both.

After a whole day of walking around the city, he finally retired to his room. The next morning saw him early in the morning with his white robes and staff, on the front entrance to the Adventurer’s Guild. He had paid for a simple breakfast of bread, pheasants eggs, bacon with a drink of dark milk to be brought into his room and only after checking and double checking everything of importance did he began his way to the guild. With his Starlight Staff in his hand, he looked every bit like a priest of light and it was with a confident stride hiding his nervousness that he made way to the adventurer’s guild the moment he was sure he was ready.