The morning light in Orario felt like a great machine beginning to rumble and groan to life.
Ryuu was dressed as sharply as ever, her wooden sword hanging straight at her waist. She looked over at Solon, who had changed into his new clothes, and gave a sharp nod. "Today's priority is familiarizing you with the main streets, then registering at the Guild. Stay close."
The two left the quiet path of their headquarters and were quickly swallowed by the crowds of the West District.
The buildings here were far more modest, the streets filled with men and women in work clothes moving with hurried steps. The sharp, competitive edge of adventurers was thinner here, replaced by the heavy scent of people just trying to make a living.
"The West District," Ryuu's voice drifted over. "Most laborers who haven't joined a Familia live here with their families. They are the ones who prop up the city's magic stone industry; their numbers far exceed the adventurers diving into the Dungeon."
Solon looked around, musing to himself. This wasn't exactly the high-fantasy image of the "City of the Gods" he had imagined; it felt more like a bustling industrial town. Only the occasional sight of an Elf, Dwarf, or Beastman craftsman reminded him that this place was truly extraordinary.
He recalled the setting from the original story: Orario was a fortress city built atop a Dungeon, a gathering place for the gods. The entire city was surrounded by massive, sturdy walls. High-rise buildings lined the outer perimeter, while the structures grew lower as they neared the center. At the absolute heart stood the Tower of Babel, its base serving as the entrance to the Dungeon.
The city was divided into eight districts by main streets radiating out from the center, all managed by "The Guild." Under the grace of various gods, different races lived together, joined Familias, made friends, adventured, traded, entertained, and fought.
The city was originally a fortress founded by the god Ouranos and remained under the administration of the Guild he established. The Guild held total authority over the Dungeon and its related affairs, recovering magic stones and paying out currency to adventurers. Due to the Dungeon's existence, Orario monopolized the world's magic stones, creating an entire industry that employed more people than there were actual dungeon-crawlers.
As they crossed through the West District, the atmosphere shifted abruptly. The streets widened significantly, buildings became lower and more clustered, and the air filled with the cacophony of clashing weapons, haggling voices, and boisterous laughter. Shop signs of every variety were on display, all boasting the unique nature of this district.
"Northwest Main Street—the Adventurer's Street," Ryuu introduced briefly. "The Guild headquarters and most shops for adventurers are located on or near this street. There are plenty of less-than-reputable shops in the back alleys; don't go wandering into them on your own."
Solon could feel numerous eyes sweeping over them. As a rising star of the Astraea Familia, Ryuu was quite famous among adventurers. The sudden appearance of a new male face beside her naturally drew scrutiny.
"Look, it's 'Gale' Ryuu." "Who's the kid with her? Never seen him." "Astraea Familia took in a guy? That's rare." "Looks pretty green. Just got his Falna? Can't believe 'Gale' is personally babysitting him..."
Faint whispers drifted over. Ryuu acted as if she hadn't heard a thing, leading Solon straight through the noisy street toward the most prominent building in the district: the Pantheon—the Guild headquarters.
Upon entering the hall, a mixture of paper, sweat, and magic stone powder hit them. The place was spacious and teeming with people, yet it maintained a sense of chaotic order. Ryuu led Solon to a counter labeled "Newcomer Registration."
When it was their turn, a middle-aged human woman wearing glasses looked up and asked procedurally, "Newcomer registration?"
"Yes." "Name?" "Solon." "Race?" "Human." "Applying Familia?" "Astraea Familia." "Current Level?" "Lv. 1."
The exchange was incredibly fast. The clerk recorded the information with practiced ease, using a special stylus to carve the data onto the document. Solon saw his name, a small emblem of the sword and wings of justice, and a serial number take shape.
The clerk pushed two pamphlets toward him. "General Rules of Orario and Basic Dungeon Exploration Code and a City Map. Be sure to read them. Sign here."
Solon signed where indicated. The entire process took less than five minutes—crisp, efficient, and almost like a modern DMV.
Just as they turned to leave, a booming voice interrupted them.
"Yo! If it isn't Ryuu? Bringing a rookie to register?"
The speaker was an exceptionally tall and burly Boar-man adventurer, carrying a terrifying double-edged battle axe. He had just finished turning in a quest at the adjacent counter. His saucer-sized eyes peered curiously at Solon, his nose twitching twice.
Ryuu stopped and gave a polite nod. "Mr. Groff. Yes, we are registering a new member of our Familia."
"A rookie, eh..." Groff's large nose twitched again. "Hmm... smells very new, but..." He stared at Solon. "Kid, you... why do you have a very faint scent of mixed magic stone powder and rare herb juices on you? And that stance of yours... tsk, you've got some training, don't you?"
His voice was loud, causing a small pocket of the crowd to go quiet.
This Boar-man has a hell of a nose! Solon thought, his stomach tightening. The magic stone powder was likely from yesterday's training; the herbs were probably residues from the mana recovery potion. But the stance... even he hadn't noticed he was standing differently.
Ryuu's emerald eyes met the Boar-man's searching gaze calmly. "Mr. Groff, a new member's history prior to joining is an internal matter for the individual and the Familia. If the Guild makes a formal inquiry, we will cooperate. If there is nothing else, we have other arrangements."
Her words were airtight.
Groff grinned. "I get it, I get it! You 'Justice' folks are always tight-lipped. But kid," he looked at Solon again, "to be personally registered and shielded by a rising star... work hard, and don't forget to buy your seniors a drink!"
The whispering around them grew louder.
Ryuu said nothing more, signaling to Solon and leading the way out. Once the noise of the Pantheon faded, she spoke calmly. "That was 'Battleaxe' Groff. He belongs to a mid-sized Familia. He's just like that—not malicious, but his nose and eyes are sharp. Caution is necessary."
She paused. "Next is Northwest Main Street. You need to know where to buy magic tools and basic supplies."
"Yes, Miss Ryuu," Solon replied, glancing back at the Guild's busy entrance. He touched the empty leather pouch at his waist—soon, it would be filled with magic stones and loot.
North Main Street sat adjacent to the Northwest District. The air was thick with the rhythmic clanging of hammers and the heat of furnaces, mixed with the hissing of metal being quenched. They stopped before a sturdy stone building. The heavy wooden door was inlaid with the emblem Ηφαιστος—the symbol of Hephaestus, the God of the Forge.
As they entered, a wave of heat carrying the scents of oil, leather, and metal washed over them. A shop assistant recognized Ryuu immediately. "Welcome! Long time no see, Miss Ryuu. Here to replenish gear, or...?" His gaze turned to Solon.
"Good day, Mr. Mars," Ryuu greeted him. "This is Solon, a new member of our Familia. We're here to get him basic equipment for his first dive. Something light and practical."
"Welcome to the Hephaestus Workshop," Mars smiled at Solon. "Preparing for your first exploration? Wise."
He led them to the leather armor and light chainmail section. Ryuu pointed to a set of dark brown leather armor. "Multi-layered tanned hide with thin steel plates lined in the vital areas. It's effective against the claws and fangs of the upper floors and stays at a reasonable weight."
"Miss Ryuu is an expert," Mars chimed in. "This 'Traveler Guard' series has always been a bestseller. High cost-performance."
Solon weighed the chest piece; it wasn't heavy. But he had another concern. "Excuse me, is there any armor that provides protection while also offering a slight boost to mental concentration? Even a very weak effect is fine."
Mars's smile widened. "I see you prioritize your casting environment. We have a composite lining infused with a small amount of 'Serenity Grass' fiber. It helps ever so slightly to calm nerves. It's about twenty percent more expensive than the standard model."
Ryuu checked it and nodded. "The material is genuine, and the craftsmanship is up to standard. If you feel you need that support, Solon, it's worth considering."
Solon thought about the feeling of casting through the Codex of the Infinite Abyss. "I'd like to try this one."
Serenity Grass lining... Ryuu glanced at him. He was quite concerned about his state of mind during casting. Was it because otherworldly magic required higher concentration? Or was he planning to be a magic swordsman?
Next was the weapons area. "New adventurers usually start with a shortsword," Mars said. "We also have sturdy hardwood staves."
Solon's eyes skipped the standard steel blades and landed on a few shortswords with slightly different designs—blades or guards inlaid with fine magic-conducting metal patterns or tiny crystals.
"Are those... Magic Shortswords?" Solon asked with genuine interest. If he had a good enough sword to pair with Divine Smite, he'd have a trump card for melee.
Mars's eyes lit up. "Oh? You have an interest in magic artifacts? Indeed, those are basic-model Magic Shortswords. Usually built on a high-quality steel blade, they use simple magic-conducting engravings or low-purity magic stones to allow the weapon to carry the user's mana more smoothly. They are much more expensive, and they require a certain level of mana control."
Ryuu looked at Solon inquiringly. "A Magic Shortsword? Are you sure?"
"Miss Ryuu, some of the abilities I have," Solon chose his words carefully, "might require contact to deliver their effects in close quarters. A sword that coordinates better with my mana output would be more useful than a simple blade or a staff. I'm looking for a basic model—no complex amplification, just reliable material, smooth conductivity, and good balance."
Delivery via contact... Ryuu remembered the spells he showed yesterday. He did have several that required a touch. Choosing a melee weapon as a medium instead of a traditional staff suggested he had seriously considered his combat style—he didn't plan on being just a back-row caster.
Mars nodded. "A practical consideration. Then look at this 'Flowing Pulse' shortsword."
He pulled out a straight-edged blade about seventy centimeters long. A faint blue magic-conducting line ran from the guard to the tip, with a small magic stone set into the hilt. "The blade is blue steel, balanced for flexibility and hardness. The engravings are basic Hephaestus Familia runes. The magic stone is mainly for stability. The balance is slightly forward-heavy, favoring power in slashes and thrusts. It costs about three times a high-quality steel shortsword."
Ryuu took the sword, testing its weight and balance with a flick of her wrist. She ran a finger over the engravings, injecting a nearly imperceptible trace of mana. The lines flickered with light. She nodded. "The conductivity is sufficient. It meets your requirements as a medium for touch-based spells or mana reinforcement."
She handed it back to Solon. "But remember, it is only a medium. The source of power is you."
Solon gripped the sword; it felt solid. He tried to mentally nudge the Codex, and a tiny thread of energy—simulating the concept of Divine Smite—flowed from his palm to the blade. The magic lines acted like a gentle stream, guiding the energy smoothly. The tip of the sword seemed to shimmer with an almost invisible light before vanishing. It was seamless.
"I'll take this one."
Mars's smile grew even wider. "Wise choice. Many novice mages prefer staves, but what matters most is what fits your fighting style."
They finished up with boots, gloves, a backpack, a water skin, and basic potion kits. With Ryuu's experience and Mars's professional help, Solon soon had a complete set of gear. The total came to nearly 950,000 Valis—the custom armor and magic sword took the lion's share.
950,000... Solon calculated. Based on the prices he'd seen, this was several months' worth of savings for a normal Level 1. The Familia's starting fund was generous, showing their high expectations.
Walking out of the shop, Solon carried a sizeable pack and the "Flowing Pulse" sword at his hip.
"Equipment is life, an extension of your combat. You chose a magic sword, which means you have a preliminary idea of how you want to fight," Ryuu said. "But remember, ideas must be tested in battle. Think about how to combine your 'spells' with that sword when we get back."
"Yes, Miss Ryuu," Solon replied.
On their way back, they took a quieter side path to avoid the afternoon crowds. The street narrowed. As they were about to turn into the alley leading to their base, they heard muffled sobbing and a rough shout.
Deep in the alley, three men in tattered clothes holding clubs were surrounding a cowering figure—an old Half-Dwarf carrying a ragged cloth bag. The bag had been torn open, and several dull magic stone fragments lay on the ground.
"Old man, is this it? Hand over the rest!" The leader poked the old man's shoulder with his club.
Ryuu stopped, her gaze turning razor-sharp. Her hand went to her wooden sword, but she didn't step forward immediately. Solon saw it too, his heart skipping a beat. But he wasn't as panicked as when he first arrived. He could feel his breathing, the flow of mana, and the weight of his new sword.
A robbery... His fingers twitched. Three targets, crude weapons, the old man was defenseless.
"Stop right there!" one of the thugs spotted them and turned around, waving his club. "Mind your own business! Beat it!"
Ryuu didn't move. She just looked at Solon with a calm gaze, as if waiting for something.
Solon understood. This was... a test. Or rather, she was letting him make the call. He didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ryuu. He didn't draw his sword or make any grand casting gestures. He simply raised his right hand, palm facing the thug who had shouted.
In his mind, the structure of Eldritch Blast became crystal clear.
"Eldritch Blast," Solon whispered.
A slender beam of purple energy erupted from his palm, silent and fast as lightning.
THOOM!
The beam hit the thug square in the chest. Before the man could even scream, the invisible force lifted him off his feet. He flew backward, slamming hard into the alley wall before sliding to the ground, his club clattering away as he curled up in pain.
The other two thugs froze, looking from their fallen comrade to Solon, their faces twisted in disbelief and terror. Solon's palm shifted slightly, aiming at them. Purple light flickered at his fingertips again.
"Do you want to try too?"
The two thugs looked at each other, shrieked, dropped their clubs, and scrambled toward the other end of the alley, abandoning their friend.
Solon lowered his hand, the light fading. He looked at the old Half-Dwarf, then at Ryuu.
Control was decent... Ryuu evaluated. The power was just enough to knock him back without being lethal, reaction time was acceptable, and he didn't use the wrong spell out of panic. She had been ready to act, but Solon was more decisive than she expected.
Ryuu walked to the old man and helped him up. He was shaken but only had minor scrapes. She gathered the magic stones, handed them back, and whispered a few comforting words. Then she walked to the downed thug, who was too hurt to run. She expertly bound his hands behind his back with rope.
"Fast reaction, good judgment. You avoided unnecessary casualties and prevented them from becoming desperate," she said in her usual tone. But there was a flicker of genuine approval in her eyes. "Your power control was also passing; no fatal injuries."
Solon breathed a sigh of relief. He had intentionally held back. In a narrow alley, Magic Missile would be too flashy; the kinetic impact of Eldritch Blast was easier to manage.
"However," Ryuu added, "in the alleys of Orario, these things usually involve vagrants or small criminal groups. Just chasing them off isn't a permanent fix."
She walked to the alley entrance and made a specific hand gesture. Before long, a Guild official accompanied by two members of the Ganesha Familia arrived. It seemed there was a security outpost nearby. After a brief explanation, the bound thug and the old man were handed over for processing.
As they resumed their walk, Ryuu spoke again. "Remember, using power in the city, especially in conflicts involving others, requires you to consider intervention, rescue, and the aftermath. Justice isn't finished with just a single strike."
She offered a small smile. "But your choices today did not disappoint Lady Astraea's expectations."
Solon touched the hilt of his "Flowing Pulse." He hadn't used it yet, but the feeling of being able to protect himself and others—echoed by the solid weight of the sword—gave him a deep sense of grounding.
High above on a nearby rooftop, a figure watched the two depart.
That light just now... magic? No chant? Instantaneous? The rookie from the Astraea Familia... how interesting.
The figure quietly slipped back into the shadows. Ryuu seemed to sense something, casting a glance toward the rooftops, though she said nothing.
Being watched already... Her heart sank slightly. I need to speed up his training.
"Tomorrow," she said to Solon, "we go to the Dungeon."
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (30 Chapters – Ongoing)
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