For my upcoming birthday. The first stop we are going to be headed to the library of AA. Affinities and Abilities. There is this someone over there who is blessed with ability to reveal other people's AA when they reach five years old. That said, mum and dad told me not all of those are deciphered. As it is on some other characters that none actually recognise, it is known through trial and error, later referred again in the library to predict what it could have been. With the exception of current king, everyone will have two characters. One on affinity and one on ability.
The five known affinities known to humankind now are ground, metallic, plant, water and fire. Sounds familiar, just like the five elements in Chinese. It would be funnier if the characters actually came out in chinese characters.
Abilities known are a bit more wide ranged. From people who are more skillful with swords, shooting arrows further than others and still getting bullseye. To someone who cooks rice that taste very more rice than others. Now that I am reminded of food. I want mashed potatoes. Where potato?
As for today, we are headed to the AA library to register that I am still alive and a reveal session is needed two weeks later. Everyone gets a free session and it is sponsored by the county. Of course, the most expensive price is actually the price tag free. It definitely comes with a catch.
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Since I am setting foot outdoors first time for like almost five years, I took chance looking around the market as much as I could. Damn, it is sadder than I thought. A whole pile of cut logs sold by some 7 year old girl, a shop that sells weapons, cooper and iron sword of same price. Rice and wheat packed together in a same bag. No luck in salt, sugar nor cinnamon.Not even a single apple was found. Flour doesn't seem to exist, is that not existent or something for royalties? Oh, adventurer guild really does exist.As expected from light novel authors from earth. Are they actually heros that completed their journey and reincarnated to earth retaining memories of their journey?
Butchers? I observed one horrifying fact that people only ate meat. The uneaten part is just thrown to stray dogs since nobody is going to chew on bones or is happily biting on intestines full of poop. The only relieving fact is animal hides are still used as clothings and blankets. No wonder stews are bland. Cream of mushrooms don't exist here, not surprising, not when merchants here mix rice and wheat together thinking it is pretty much the same thing. Not when copper is thought same as iron. By the way, the butcher is the one selling the milk here. Meat is just sold as it is. They just sell you whatever except bones, intestines and livers. They didn't separate things like sirloin etc. Sometimes you get a piece of heart, else you get a bullseye.
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After witnessing how low the tech level here is. Bad knowledge, machineries kind of non existent. I am actually amazed someone thought of the idea to dig from the lake all the way to city. No wonder I didn't see anyone selling water. Oh, no charcoal stall either, nice.
The weapon smiths hires fire mages to burn hot flames to smelt ores. Who is the first guy who threw wood into a fireplace made by fire mage? The record is definitely deleted, it sounds like someone saying "make fire hot again!" And threw a piece of wood. Sounds like an insult to me. This one is probably got executed before they realised ore became metal.
Ruby, Topaz? Didn't see that in market. Anything I didn't see in market today is either non existent, not found or royals only.
"Mum?" I asked. "Can we try making our own beer at home? I just want to see how it is made."
"You do know you are still not allowed to drink right? Promise me you won't drink it and it is an ok"
"PROMISE!" Hehehehe, there is wheat, there is milk, there is eggs. To make beer it has to be yeast or some sort. People here actually have a lot of free time. Upon completing all their daily task…Chores, there is nothing much to do.
If there were just sugarcane or honey. I will have less hope on honey, it is just in their hives. If it isn't widely available. It could mean people didn't even have a hive to find. But sugarcane? No one in the right mind chew on barks here.
"Is there any plants out there that frequently attracts insects?" Ok, both parents now are unable to answer me this.
"You do have quite the curiosity. How about we drop by the adventurer guild? They should habe more experience" Aaaand here we are. Too much free time. Even the guild is not so crowded now. Most people are probably are out and be back on evening. Not sure how my mum or dad did it, I am allowed to read general logs in the guild.
Hmm, goblins equipment are still useful to the human society. Kobolds are a bit similar to goblins. Bright coloured flowers on trees that attract insect that fly. Do not approach unless you want an injury. Drawings on different wood available. This particular log attracts insects, not suitable for furniture making.
"Mum, can we get a few of these logs?" Mum frowned, that wood is considered worthless. You cant make anything with it. But to my surprise, it is actually widely available. It is RIGHT OUTSIDE OUR CITY WALLS. It is only that people under fourteen years old are generally banned for going out for safety reason. "Where is dad?"
"Headed for your logs"
Our home has basic necessities like pails and hammer. If the log is really sugarcane, our family could be the first in city to unlock new food source. Should we stockpile a few of those?
We slowly strolled to city gate. I am not allowed out, but it is not like the gate is closed for the day. I still can get a peek on what is available outside. Yes, why are those sugarcane neglected?