Chapter 145: Adventurer Assessment

At Tianmu Harbor, the merchant ship anchored at the port. 

Wade, cloaked in black robes, stood on the deck observing the city.

After two months of long journey, he finally arrived at this harbor belonging to the Kingdom of Kunad.

Dockworkers wearing white headscarves, drenched in sweat, were busily loading and unloading barrels of alcohol and crates of goods.

The war in the northern regions had little impact on this land, with the frontline controlled by the church and allied forces within North Tia. The harbor appeared peaceful, its residents likely only noticing price fluctuations as goods from the north became more expensive.

The blazing July sun shone upon the sea, making the azure waters glitter like gemstones.

In the sound of tides, white foam curled at the crests of waves.

Seagulls glided overhead, their shadows briefly landing on a merchant ship’s deck as they stealthily snatched leftover bread crusts from dockworkers.

The dragonkin permitted sailors to visit the port town’s taverns for drinks, while Jessia remained in the cabin. The catfolk seemed to despise human towns, disliking crowded places.

Had Igna not insisted she board, she would have refused to come to human kingdoms, preferring to live out her days in that harbor until old age.

Apart from Wade, only a few catfolk guards and the three Icelanders originally enslaved by Igna remained aboard.

Igna also disembarked, leading a group to the town’s Adventurers Guild and administrative offices to handle identification and travel permit matters.

The ship’s documentation bore the seals of the Lizardmen Faction involved in smuggling operations across regions, ensuring all paperwork was legitimate – they entered legally as merchants with trade permits issued by the church and various kingdoms.

After briefly observing the town, Wade returned to the innermost cabin.

By evening, Igna completed the paperwork and returned to the ship with the sailors.

When moving through human cities, the dragonkin always wore black robes and headscarves to conceal her demi-human features.

This didn’t attract much attention – at Tianmu Harbor, women never showed their faces in public, covering themselves with long cloth even in sweltering summer heat.

The dragonkin returned to Wade’s cabin and produced various seals.

She explained their purposes – primarily proving his legal identity and allowing passage through checkpoints by paying taxes.

These seals were universally recognized in nations associated with the Twilight Church, preventing unnecessary troubles.

Additionally, she presented a special bronze pendant engraved with sword, shield and stars – the Adventurers Guild insignia. Anyone paying five silver coins to register could obtain this basic identification.

Igna said: “I told the guild official my friend is a silver-rank ranger and scheduled tomorrow’s assessment with the guildmaster. Passing will grant you silver-rank adventurer certification.”

“A silver-rank adventurer enjoys great convenience when traveling, especially avoiding unnecessary guard inspections. Simply showing the insignia means guards will only collect standard passage taxes before letting you through without intrusive searches.”

“The assessment is tomorrow morning, conducted by the guildmaster – a silver-rank warrior who will verify your capabilities.”

“Normally, advancing adventurer ranks requires completing numerous quests, but exceptions exist. Any silver-rank professional can take the assessment immediately by paying ten gold coins.”

“The standard ranger assessment has two components: archery and combat skills evaluation.”

“The final test is practical combat – the guild will send another silver-rank professional for a sparring match. If they confirm your silver-rank capability, you pass.”

Wade listened as the dragonkin explained the assessment details – matters they’d discussed during the voyage.

Identity forgery, route planning – the dragonkin had arranged everything.

He needn’t worry about trivial matters – having Igna around simplified many things.

Over these months, Igna had assisted Wade tremendously.

Forging identification, planning ports and routes – she handled everything directly.

Without her, Wade couldn’t have navigated those complex relationships. Even after rescuing people, ensuring their future livelihoods would have been difficult, let alone traversing the northern regions to reach East Tia so smoothly.

After passing the assessment, Wade would part ways with everyone at this harbor.

He’d fulfilled his promise, bringing Igna to safe territory.

No – more accurately, Igna had brought him to safety.

Had it not been for his complications, the ship would have reached Tianmu Harbor a month earlier.

They’d even risked staying ten days in dangerous areas just to transport him here.

“Thank you.” Wade picked up one wooden plaque from a pile.

His waist carried numerous such plaques, each engraved with words and round-faced expressions.

He’d carved them during idle moments at sea.

Over a dozen plaques bore common phrases:

“Hello,” “Thank you,” “A room please,” “Not needed,” “Leave,” “Goodbye,” etc.

Below each phrase, Wade carved corresponding expressions so even illiterates could understand his meaning through the round faces.

The plaques hung together on durable fishing line – with these, he could manage basic communication.

“My assistance was insignificant.”

The dragonkin nodded, retrieving a red scale from her robes.

Her scales were normally gray, but this one blazed like fire.

“Lord Wade, please accept this – the Friendship Scale of the Flamescale Clan. Only those with profound bonds receive such a scale, infused with a clansdragon’s blood and aura.”

“Any Flamescale dragonkin recognizing this scale will know its bearer as our friend.”

“Though… my clan exists no more and cannot offer further assistance… I shall never forget your kindness.”

Wade nodded, placing the scale in his waist pouch.

“No matter where I go, I’ll cherish these past six months.”

Igna Flamescale bowed solemnly to Wade.