Melina left the pastry shop, her body unsure whether she should be thankful for the wonderful meal or dissatisfied over the sheer quantity of it. Elenor's cake was absolutely wonderful, but two slices might have been a bit too much. Even so she felt inspired by the baker and her cake. She wanted to know how to create something so delicious. No, actually she just wanted to create something with her own two hands.
But where do I even start? How do I even become a baker?
For a moment she considered just walking back into the shop and asking Elenor, but quickly abandoned the idea. The last line she told her made her shudder.
Why did I have to say something so embarrassing?
No, in reality, the road to any profession in this world was clear—you had to join a guild and become an apprentice. After all, she had become an [Archmage] by joining the Mage Guild and slowly climbing through their ranks until she was at the very top.
But is there a Baker's Guild in this city? I honestly can't remember. I suppose I'll have to ask around. Although even if there is one, there is no guarantee that they'll accept me. Guilds don't particularly like dealing with orphans. The reason why they were so eager to accept me last time was purely because of the System. But if I reveal I have the System, then once again I'll be taken by the Church. No, I can't let that happen.
Melina shook her head and began walking along with the crowd on the market street as she was thinking about how to best approach somebody and ask about the Baker's Guild. However, as she kept walking she noticed that the crowd was getting thicker and thicker as more and more people joined in. Before long there were so many people that she had no choice but to walk along with them.
Had something happened? For a moment, she contemplated whether she even wanted to find out. It'd probably be better to just go about her business. But as she saw more people converging from the side streets, Melina's curiosity got the better of her and she decided to check it out. It wasn't like she was in a hurry anyway.
She went along with the crowd, trying to discern where they were going. The streets were familiar to her, but it's been so long since she had been in Tuvia City. The information was hidden somewhere deep in her mind, but she wasn't quite able to dig it out. But when the church bell rang nearby everything became clear. Melina realized that she had made a grave mistake. Some higher-ranked priests had the ability to sense other System users.
But it was too late to go back now. The crowd was flowing like a steady stream and she was merely a fish caught in it. Melina would have to wait for them to stop and then slowly search for a way out of the crowd. For the time being, she slowly maneuvered away from the center of the mass, making her way toward a side street.
"Dear citizens of Tuvia City," she heard a woman's voice say, and her heart nearly stopped. She recognized this voice. "It is with great honor that today—"
Melina couldn't hear her voice anymore as her hands began to tremble, her vision blurred, and she began gasping for air. It was like she was unable to breathe anymore. The proximity of many people only strengthened the sensation and she covered her ears trying to block the sound of HER voice. People around her began muttering among themselves and looking at Melina like she was crazy.
No, I can't stay here. I have to get away. Right now!
She pushed through the crowd, ignoring their dissatisfied grumbles and angry mutterings. Staying in Tuvia was out of the question—she had to leave this city as soon as possible. If this woman was here, then Melina had to get as far away from her as possible.
Hot tears streamed down Melina's face as bloody memories of the past flashed before her eyes. She shook her head, trying to suppress them, trying desperately to forget, and in her haste she bumped into a few people. They grumbled at her, but others parted their way when they saw that, throwing piteous glances in her direction. But she didn't care about their superficial pity and instead walked resolutely away from the gathering.
What's the best way to get as far away from Tuvia as possible? Walking would be the cheapest, but realistically how far could I get on foot? I'd run out of money long before leaving this region. Another option would be taking a ride on a cart. But that could get pricey and no doubt I'd need several different rides from one city to the next. Which means more money spent on the rides themselves, as well as food and lodgings.
No, if I want to get to a place where the Church hasn't put its foot down, I need something cheaper and faster. Perhaps, I could catch a ride on a ship. Tuvia does have a port, but from what I remember ship tickets can get pretty pricey. Still, it is worth checking out.
With her mind made up, Melina made her way towards the port. However, as she walked through the streets her mind wandered back to Elenor and her bread.
Perhaps I should look into the Baker's Guild before I leave. I certainly have no intention of joining them in this city, but maybe they could direct me to a different city with a guild in it.
Melina paused in her stride and looked at the pair of women chattering happily on the side of the street. She walked up to them and cleared her throat to attract their attention. Both women snapped their gazes to her immediately looking rather annoyed at the interruption.
"Excuse me, but may I ask if there's a Baker's Guild in this city?" she asked. One of the women giggled while the other sneered at Melina.
"Baker's Guild in Tuvia she asks. What rock have you been living under? The main branch of the Baker's Guild is in this city," one of the women replied. Melina tried to rack her memory for this information but came up short. It had just been too long since she had been here and it's not like she had any dealings with the Baker's Guild before.
"Where is it?" Melina prodded further.
"Turn right on the next street and then keep walking straight. You can't miss it," the other woman scoffed and then turned away from Melina, returning back to her conversation. She didn't waste any time either and began walking in the direction told to her, her gait fast, almost impatient. She just wanted to get out of this city as quickly as possible.
But I need information first. I can't just sail away on the first cheap ship I find and hope that by some sort of miracle, I'll find a Baker's Guild there, or any job for that matter. First, I gather information then I get the hell out of here.
The church bell and the bishop's voice still rang in her ears as she walked, and Melina did her best to keep calm and suppress the unpleasant memories that were trying to bubble to the surface. Instead, she tried to concentrate on the street ahead, looking at the buildings and wondering which one of them could be the Baker's Guild. But she didn't have to ponder for long.
At the end of the busy street stood a large brick building with a large wooden sign hanging on its wall which displayed a bread loaf and three wheat stalks behind it. People were coming and going from it, and as Melina got closer the unmistakable scent of fresh bread and other pastries took over her senses. She took in a deep breath, savoring the scent for a moment, and then approached the large double door.
As Melina grabbed the brass handle and pulled it open, she was hit with a wave of smells of baked goods, and she felt her body calm down and relax. There was already a bustle of people inside, some guild members discussing something among themselves, and some eager customers who were standing in a long line outside the guild shop. Melina peeked into the shop as she passed by, catching a glimpse of colorful tarts and pies lined on the shelves.
It's a good thing that I already ate, otherwise I might have joined that ridiculously long line.
Instead, she went past the shop and headed towards the counter where a petite woman was talking with a gruff-looking man. Melina stood behind him and waited for the receptionist to finish her business. As she waited, she noticed a large bulletin board standing next to the counter with what looked like news and tasks plastered on it.
It's not so different from Mage's Guild. Except this place smells more like a delicious paradise and less like bad alchemical experiments. The atmosphere is also much more relaxed, but I guess that's to be expected since these people worry about making bread rather than slaying monsters.
She looked at the news plastered on the board until the receptionist finally freed up.
"Hello! Welcome to Tuvia Baker's Guild. How may I help you?" The receptionist greeted her with a perfectly practiced smile, so it was impossible to tell what she thought about Melina. Not that she cared much.
"Hello," Melina returned the greeting, wondering how to best ask for what she wanted without appearing too hasty or rude. "I have just turned eighteen today and I was wondering if perhaps you were accepting any apprentices. Or maybe if your guild in this city doesn't, then there's another guild looking for apprentices?"
The receptionist's smile disappeared and she raised her eyebrow, "Girl, are you perhaps an orphan?"
"Yes, I am. Is that a problem?" Melina replied. She had half-expected this already—there was no hiding her scrawny appearance and meager clothes. She could have spent money on nicer clothes, but that was a waste of coin in Melina's opinion. In the end, they'd figure out her origins anyway.
"Alright, I'm not going to beat around the bush and waste our time. This guild does not accept orphans as apprentices. We require for the parents or guardians to pay for the apprentice's living expenses," the receptionist said sternly.
"I'm not afraid of hard labor. If this guild specifically doesn't accept orphans perhaps you could point me towards one that does," Melina persisted.
"I'm not allowed to expose such information," the receptionist said, but Melina could see that she was wavering. Perhaps, if she pushed her a little more.
"Please. I really want to learn how to make bread and pies and other pastries. Not to mention that I don't even have a place to stay. The small government stipend I received this morning is all I got," Melina pleaded, making the most miserable puppy eyes she could manage. It was a bit embarrassing to beg like this, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
The receptionist looked at Melina, clearly conflicted on what to do. She narrowed her eyes, bit down on her lip, and then finally sighed in resignation. "Alright, alright, there is something I can recommend you do, but there are no guarantees that you'll be accepted as an apprentice. In fact, it is more likely that you won't."
"I'll take any chance I can get," Melina replied resolutely. The receptionist nodded and then walked over to the bulletin board, removing one of the notes from it and handing it to Melina.
"Go to this address in Sunglow Town. There's a master there looking for an apprentice, but he's a big grump and has rejected every apprentice we have sent his way. It is likely you'll be rejected too," she warned.
"I'll do my best not to be," Melina said and read the note the receptionist gave.
Looking for a dedicated apprentice!
Willing to accept a hard-working apprentice in my bakery. Food and board provided, background doesn't matter but must be willing to listen, learn, and work from early morning until late evening. Laziness shall not be tolerated.
If interested, come to Violet Street 137, Sunglow Town, and ask for Gilbert.
"Be sure to go during early morning hours. He has rejected every apprentice without even hearing them out if they showed up after lunch," the receptionist warned.
"Thank you," Melina said curtly and turned to leave.
"Good luck, girl! You'll need it," the receptionist called after her as she left.
This is perfect. If my memory serves me right, then Sunglow Town is on the far side of Alemahria, in a place filled with monsters. Church usually stays away from such places so I should be safe there. The only problem will be convincing the master to accept me as his apprentice. Let's hope he is friendlier than the receptionist suggested…
With a spring in her step, Melina resumed her way towards the pier. It took her a while to navigate through the streets, having mostly forgotten the city's layout. However, as the number of seagulls in the air steadily increased and the sounds of sea waves grew louder, she realized that she was going in the right direction. Before long, the vast shimmering sea stretched on before her.
The sight was beautiful. There wasn't a single cloud in the sky and the sun shined down, while ships and boats of various kinds came in and out of the port. All she had to do was find a passage on one. Feeling the meager coin purse at her side, she wondered just how much she'd have to pay to get aboard. If things didn't go her way, she would need every coin she had to survive.
The first ship she saw was a large passenger ship, with some people already hauling their belongings onboard. There was a tall man with a heavy suntan standing on the pier next to it, selling tickets to eager passengers.
"Hello! Where is this ship sailing?" Melina asked the man as he handed the tickets to a young couple.
"Bermagot. It's 2 gold pieces for passage on board," he said matter-of-factly, having repeated the same sentence many times today.
Whole 2 gold pieces for passage on board. That is ridiculous—I'd be left with just 4 gold coins. Thankfully, I don't need to get to Bermagot.
"Thank you. But that's not where I need to go. Do you perhaps know if there's a ship heading to Sunglow Town?" she asked the man.
"I believe there's a cargo ship heading that way today. Not sure if they'll accept passengers, lass. Perhaps if you offer to work for them," the man said and turned his attention to other people asking for passage on board. Melina nodded and then proceeded down the pier looking for the ship heading towards Sunglow and also asking for prices to get aboard.
Two other big passenger ships were leaving that day, one charging 1 gold coin and 50 silver and the other charging 1 gold coin and 80 silver. There were a few small boats, some asking as little as 3 silver coins, but none of them were sailing very far. Finally, she approached the last ship on the pier, a humble-looking cargo ship that clearly had sailed the sea many times, judging by all the barnacles that hung on its side.
"Is this the ship sailing to Sunglow Town?" Melina asked a large man with a graying beard. He was muttering something to himself while looking over some crates, checking that the cargo inside was secure.
"Aye, that's us. Are you interested in coming aboard? Sorry, lass, but unless you can cook we're not accepting any passengers," the man replied, barely sparing a glance in her direction.
"I can cook," Melina replied resolutely.
"You can?" The sailor finally turned and took a proper look at Melina, assessing her from head to toe.
"Yes. I can't make anything too complicated, but most simple dishes I can manage," she replied. After all, she wouldn't have considered becoming a baker if she didn't have any rudimentary knowledge of how cooking worked. In her experience, it was a lot like potion making. If you follow the recipe and use the cooking utensils properly then you're unlikely to mess up.
"As long as it is edible, it'll do. 10 silver coins and you're welcome to join us aboard," the sailor said with a satisfied nod.
"How long is the journey?" Melina asked.
"If the weather holds up—three days. However, I can't promise a comfortable bed. You'll have to make do with sleeping in the hay for the night," he warned her.
"That's alright," she replied and offered the 10 silver coins to the man. With the price so low it was a no-brainer.
"Get to the kitchen then, lass. Tell the chef that Captain Gaillard sent you," the man said. Melina nodded and went aboard the ship, and instantly all the eyes turned to her. Melina was currently the only young woman on a ship filled with men. They stared at her with a scrutinizing gaze, measuring her every movement from head to toe.