Morning sunlight poured over the forest as Dahlia folded her map carefully and tucked it into her pack. Hallow circled above, his sharp cry guiding her down a narrow path that curved toward the nearest town.

  According to the map, it was called Ironstead—a small settlement built at the edge of the kingdom’s central road. A perfect starting point.

  The dirt road was busy with travelers. Merchants with carts piled high, farmers with baskets of vegetables, and warriors in armor that gleamed in the light. Dahlia’s hood shadowed her face, but her eyes widened as she took it all in.

  When she finally passed through Ironstead’s wooden gates, she stopped in awe. The town was alive with sound and color—children laughing, blacksmiths hammering steel, the smell of bread drifting from bakeries. But what caught her attention most was the large stone building at the heart of the town.

  A banner hung above its entrance, painted with a sword and shield crossed together. Adventurers of every shape and size walked in and out, some laughing, others grim and battle-worn.

  “The Warrior’s Guild,” Dahlia whispered. Her heart raced. If this world followed the same rules as her game, this would be where adventurers accepted quests.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  She stepped inside.

  The hall buzzed with noise. Tables of warriors shared stories of hunts and battles, their armor scarred and weapons leaning beside them. At the far end, a long wooden board covered in parchment stretched across the wall—quests, pinned for any who dared to accept.

  Dahlia approached slowly, scanning the notices. Some were simple: “Deliver herbs.” Others were far more dangerous: “Hunt the Shadow Serpent.”

  “First time here?”

  She turned. A woman in silver armor, tall and confident, smiled at her. “You’ve got the look of someone new. Don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere. Choose a quest that fits your strength.”

  Dahlia nodded shyly. “Thank you…”

  Her eyes fell on a parchment near the bottom. It wasn’t too big, not too small.

  Quest: Eliminate the Stonefang Pack

  Location: Eastern Forest Path

  Reward: 50 silver coins, plus bonus materials

  Dahlia clenched her fist. Wolves again. She had faced them before and survived. She could do this.

  Pulling the parchment free, she took it to the desk. The guild attendant, a young man with a neat uniform, stamped the paper with a seal. “Quest accepted. Good luck, mage.”

  Mage. The word made her heart skip. She liked the sound of it.

  Stepping outside, Dahlia unfolded the map once more, marking the path east. Hallow landed on her arm, feathers shimmering in the light.

  “Well, Hallow,” she said softly, determination in her voice. “We’ve got our first official quest. Let’s show Malachor what we’re capable of.”

  The eagle cried out proudly, spreading his wings.

  Together, they set off down the eastern road, where the forest grew darker and the shadows deeper. The wind whispered through the trees, and Dahlia could feel it—danger waiting ahead.

  And as she walked, staff glowing faintly at her side, she whispered to herself:

  This is where my story begins… as The Rising Mage.

  To be continued…