Morning workout, then straight to work

You have a peaceful, but short sleep. Some noises wake you up. You look around and wonder where you are, before remembering you are in the Blue Flower tavern. Tocar, your mentor and superior for the current mission is the one who makes the noise. He is on the ground of your room and does some push-ups. You had no idea that he does morning workout, but you are stunned when you look closer. He wears no shirt or robe. And you get a clear view on his perfect six-pack and strong arms. You had no idea he is so well trained under his robe.

“What are you looking at, sleepy head?” Tocar asks suddenly, “since you are awake, join me in training or check our equipment. This is not a holiday trip.”

You can’t react. You are too stuned and even a little embarrassed that he caught you. So, you decide to just keep quiet and join his training to not look lazy in front of him.

“Good choice,” Tocar mumbles and continues, “are you well rested? You will need a lot of strength today. Even if it is just one chimera and we are well prepared, they are dangerous. We should never take an opponent lightly.”

You nod quietly and focus on your workout. After some minutes of sweaty muscle work, you both wash at a cold washtub outside of the tavern. Moments like this make you deeply miss a hot bubble bath with peach soap like you had on earth. However, you must say, despite Tocar being some years older than you, you are kind of disappointed when he dresses up after this. However, when you are back in your robe, you notice that he wears sturdy looking shirt and pants. Still in red to show his connection to fire magic, but with small leather plates as protection. The whole thing offers much more protection and freedom of movement than your standard robe.

“Why are you wearing your robe?” Tocar asks skeptical, “we are not attending a ceremony. Chance into your combat outfit!”

“I … I’m sorry, I don’t understand you,” you mumble surprised, “I only have this robe. The guild never gave me anything else. Well, maybe some underwear and shoes, but no other outfit.”

“Are you kidding me?” Tocar asks unbelieving, “well that is … shit. Alright, we will have to work with that. But I will give you an advice. Use some of the money you earn for a new set of clothes. Believe me, you will need it when you go on adventures. It’s a good investment. I can recommend you a tailor, if you want.”

“Thank you, that would be great,” you answer a little embarrassed, “I guess I have saved enough. Shall we go?”

Tocar nods and together you leave the Village. Some villagers are already up and wish you good luck. You leave the horse at the tavern. The Forest is not far and the chimera would most likely scare or kill it. On the way, Tocar tells you an interesting story about how he once faced a chimera in the northern mountains. It had a bear body, a snake head and a pair of wings. The wings were the weak spot, because he hit them while the creature was in the air. The downfall from the mountain killed it.

After about an hour of walking you reach the border of the forest. Tocar gives you a silent command to keep absolutely quiet and focused from now on. You are now entering a deadly combat zone.