Logan and Selene had not been developing in any specific direction beyond their innate talents, and now that those talents were nearly fully developed, they had enough energy to begin learning new things.
Loki was in no rush. Although the magical level of Azeroth was not low, it was unclear whether this was due to the world's rich magical resources or other factors. The Asgardian magic Loki had studied was not inferior to that of ordinary Azeroth mages.
As for this world's arcane energy, Loki could study and utilize it through Asgard's magical system. It might even yield unexpected results.
"What do we need to learn?"
"I'm not too sure. Ideally, we find different kinds of teachers, try learning from each of them, and see where your talents lie."
This was a real world. It wasn't like a game where you could click and choose a class. And having talent alone wasn't enough to "change class" easily.
Many professions and their associated skills had fixed inheritance lines, making them difficult to acquire. Often, one needed to join an organization to learn related knowledge.
Of course, some individuals were more open about the powers they possessed, depending on their personality and position. If a good relationship could be built, it wouldn't be difficult to learn from them.
"If we're in a relatively peaceful time, it won't be hard to learn."
If it were a wartime period, it would be much harder. Everyone would be on high alert, and who knew if that smiling stranger you were chatting with would stab you the next second.
It was different in peacetime. Many people with special abilities weren't living well. Population growth caused employment issues, and even those with extraordinary powers needed to eat. In such cases, some basic knowledge could be exchanged for just a little money.
Ethan rubbed his chin. While he might not get access to advanced techniques, obtaining basic knowledge should be easy.
That was assuming the world was currently in a peaceful period, and not one that had just transitioned out of war.
"Let's rest first. I'll look around tomorrow and confirm the situation before deciding what to do next."
After a quiet night, Ethan got up at dawn, washed up, and left the room.
He had risen so early that the hotel staff were only just getting busy. From the kitchen, he could hear the sounds of breakfast preparation, the day's first batch of food, marking the start of another busy day for the Lion's Pride Inn.
"This guest, you're up early. Are you feeling unwell?"
The hotel staff were very friendly. They said that if anything was unsatisfactory, he could let them know, and the Lion's Pride Inn would do its best to ensure every guest was satisfied.
"I just wanted to go for a walk. I got up early on purpose."
"Then I suggest the guest take a stroll around the area. You'll return just in time for freshly baked breakfast."
"Thanks for the suggestion."
In high spirits, Ethan stepped out of the Lion's Pride Inn, only to stand momentarily dazed on the clean and tidy street.
He had said earlier he would look around and decide his next step based on the timeline, but now that he was actually out, he wasn't sure where to begin.
It wasn't until a few patrolling guards passed by that he suddenly recalled a detail that could help him determine the timeline.
"Hello."
"Good morning. Do you need help?"
The fully armored guards were polite. It was unclear whether they had been trained in etiquette.
"Excuse me, who is the current sheriff of Goldshire?"
Of course, he didn't remember every sheriff's name from Goldshire. He just wanted to confirm if it was a period he was familiar with.
"I'm Marshall Dughan, sheriff of Goldshire. Do you need something?"
Ethan had only meant to ask the name and location of the sheriff. He didn't expect the sheriff himself to be among the patrolling guards—and the name just happened to be the one he remembered best.
"Hello, my name is Ethan. I'm an adventurer. May I speak with you?"
"Of course. Let's talk on the side." Marshall Dughan asked the other guards to continue their patrol, then walked with Ethan to the roadside. "How can I help?"
It was obvious that Marshall Dughan was a warm and approachable man. He didn't act superior just because of his title. Even people meeting him for the first time would quickly gain a good impression.
"I'm a traveling adventurer. As you know, most of us don't have a steady income, so I wanted to ask if there are any jobs around here that pay bounties."
It wasn't unusual for wandering adventurers to take on paid work. Ethan wasn't short on money. He was using this conversation to determine the specific timeline.
In fact, when he heard the sheriff's name was Marshall Dughan, he already had a rough idea. Now he just wanted to confirm the details.
Marshall Dughan looked at Ethan. He appeared to be in his early twenties. Though not tall or imposing, it was clear he had received long-term physical training.
"While I don't know your exact strength, I do have some work that comes with a reward."
This wasn't unusual. As sheriff, he had many tasks to handle each day, and his guards needed to focus on maintaining order within the town. For matters outside town, there was often a manpower shortage. That was when they relied on unofficial help, offering appropriate compensation.
"What kind of job?"
"There's a mine in the forest south of Goldshire, called Fargodeep Mine. There's been some trouble there recently. I'd like you to take a look and report back to me in detail."
"An investigation?"
"Yes. Based on your findings, I'll pay accordingly. If you do well, I can arrange more jobs for you... all paid, of course."
Ethan nodded, indicating he would take the job.
"You can find me at the sheriff's office when you return. See that building over there?"
Goldshire wasn't just two or three buildings like in the game. As the transportation hub of Elwynn Forest, it was not a small town. Sheriff Dughan had his own office, not far from the Lion's Pride Inn. Its entrance was visible from here.
After giving a few more instructions, Marshall Dughan went off to continue his patrol and handle other pending tasks.
As for Fargodeep Mine, he didn't give Ethan too many details. In truth, he didn't know much about it either. This was also a test to gauge Ethan's ability.
If Ethan's report matched reality, it would prove his competence and earn him more work—or even further cooperation.
If the report was inaccurate, Dughan wouldn't go easy on him. A sheriff's bounty wasn't easy to fool. He'd probably give Ethan a small punishment and then assign him basic work—like cleaning the streets of Goldshire.
Still, Sheriff Dughan was a good man. He wouldn't deduct Ethan's pay for such work. In fact, he'd probably use it to help young adventurers through financial hardships.
Ethan had guessed as much, but he didn't mind. He'd already gotten the information he needed and now knew what timeline he was in.
World of Warcraft... judging from the situation, it should be when the game's storyline is just beginning.
Ethan was unfamiliar with many of the complex branching storylines in World of Warcraft, but he knew the early human arc fairly well, since he had started the game playing as a human.
He was glad he ended up in Elwynn Forest. If he had landed somewhere else, especially in Horde territory, he would have been completely lost.
"This is actually a good time. The environment is peaceful, and many skilled professionals are traveling the world. It won't be too hard to meet a few."
There was also a mage district in Stormwind City nearby, home to many mages. Not all of them lived well. It wouldn't be difficult to find a few struggling individuals willing to share the basic magical knowledge of this world.
"At this point, death knights are still on the opposing side. Skills like blood magic and auras probably aren't easy to come by."
Compared to Logan and Laura, who had many options—or were still undecided on their development paths—Ethan felt that some death knight abilities would suit Selene well.
Of course, he wasn't planning to fully turn her into a death knight. He just thought the death knight's life-force-based blood spells would suit Selene's identity as a vampire. If she could master and adapt them, she might even develop her own unique system.
When he returned to the inn, the lobby was already lively. Many guests were sitting down for breakfast. He even spotted Logan and Laura.
Sitting across from Logan, Ethan ordered his own breakfast.
"How's the situation?"
"Pretty good. You could say it's the best possible outcome."
"What's the plan now?"
Ethan thought for a moment, then answered, slightly unsure.
"I'm thinking of getting myself a mount."
(To be continued.)
***
For every 200 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on P/treon to read 30+ advanced chapters: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves
(Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)