Starting Off With Space-Time Magic!

Dinner that evening was a hearty stew, served with black bread and a side of salad. The stew was rich and flavorful, filled with chunks of meat and soft, tender vegetables. The meat wasn't from livestock but from magical creatures. That wasn't unusual—back in my village, monster meat was a common ingredient. Still, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of creatures had ended up in this stew. Regardless, it was delicious, the broth packed with flavor and the vegetables practically melting in my mouth.

It was my first night staying in an inn, and I was too tense to fall asleep right away. Everything felt unfamiliar—the creak of the bed, the muffled sounds of guests moving about. But despite my unease, my young body, not yet ten years old, eventually gave in to sleep.

The next morning, I used Cleanliness magic to freshen up before heading down for breakfast. The morning meal consisted of a simple sandwich and a glass of milk. I noticed some of the other guests purchasing sandwiches to take with them as packed lunches. While it was tempting, I decided against it—I wanted to explore the city and try some of the street food instead.

Once breakfast was over, it was time to get my identification papers sorted. Unfortunately, I had no idea where to go. Spotting Mia, the innkeeper, passing by, I decided to ask her.

"Excuse me, Mia. Where can I get my identification papers issued?"

Mia tilted her head, her cat-like ears twitching. "You don't have an ID, Matthew?"

"No, I don't. I just left my village yesterday. I'll need to get one issued by the local lord, right?"

"That's right, nya. If you're heading to the capital, you'll need an ID to enter not just this city but others along the way, nya. You can get one at the city hall, but… if you need the lord's seal, it might take some time, nya."

"How long will it take?"

"Hmm, I'm not sure, nya. You'll have to ask someone at the city hall, nya."

"Got it. Thanks for the help."

"The city hall's easy to find, nya. Just head north up the main street, and it's the big building just before the lord's manor. If you get lost, just ask someone nearby, nya."

I thanked Mia again and set off from the inn.

City hall turned out to be hard to miss. It was a large, bustling building with people constantly coming and going, and a big sign with "CITY HALL" written prominently above the entrance. It was almost too obvious. I couldn't help but wonder—did Mia not know how to read?

Inside, the layout was straightforward. Several counters were lined up along the wall, each with signs indicating their purpose. One of them read "ID ISSUANCE," so I made my way there. Behind the counter sat a young woman, busily scribbling on some paperwork. When she noticed me, she looked up with a warm smile.

"Hello there! How can I help you?"

I bowed my head politely. "Excuse me, I'd like to get an ID issued. I'm traveling to the capital."

"Of course. Are you requesting an ID with the lord's seal?"

"Yes."

"Understood. Please fill out this form with your details."

She handed me a piece of paper, and I carefully filled it out. Some sections were beyond me—I didn't know my exact birthday, for example—but I did my best. Once finished, I handed it back.

"Is this okay?"

"Let's see…" She scanned the form, her eyebrows raising slightly. "Oh my, you're only nine years old? Matthew, right?"

"Yes."

"Are your parents traveling with you?"

"No. My family has passed away. I'm heading to the capital to seek help from a friend of my father's."

"Oh dear…" She frowned briefly but quickly replaced it with a sympathetic smile.

"Well, since you're from a frontier village, it should be possible to issue an ID with the lord's seal. However, the process will take some time."

"How long will it take?"

"Hmm, about a week, I'd say."

"A week?" I sighed but nodded. "Understood."

"The lord's seal is a serious matter. It's to prevent forgery or misuse. In your case, an official will likely need to travel to your village and confirm your background with the village chief."

"That makes sense."

"It does, but I'm sorry for the delay. Could you come back in a week?"

"Alright. I'll return then."

With that, I left city hall.

A week. That's a lot of time to kill. I couldn't leave the city until my papers were ready, so I'd have to find something to occupy myself with. For now, though, I decided to use the rest of the day to explore the streets and see what this city had to offer.