Lucis City seems to have a trademark of silver walls and buildings, much like their own hometown due to the advancement of technology. Seeing the two-story houses and occasional greenery makes Aliyah think of home.

Excitement courses through her veins. I feel like a real mage, one like in those fantasy books I've always read, she thinks to herself. I can't wait to level up and create more skills!

I wonder how we all start out though? Do we just team up or find missions somewhere? Or just travel around from city to city?

When I checked earlier, Aliyah muses thoughtfully, I had 1000 coins. Is that too few or too many?

Vilandra sends her sister a sidelong glance. "I can tell that you're in analysis mode already," she teases. "C'mon, sis! Leave all those questions for later. Just go with the flow and enjoy!"

Aliyah chuckles sheepishly. "I can't help it," she admits. "It's because I'm curious to know more..."

"Oh!" Vilandra suddenly exclaims, pointing towards a large board near the exit gates where more than a few players are currently lining up. "Look, sis! That must be some sort of mission roster!"

Aliyah blinks, inspecting the overall sight with her eyes. "You seem to be right. Good thing it's noticeable," she observes. "Not one player will be able to miss it."

Though I wish the developers gave all of us some sort of message inbox for missions and everything... like a phone...

Or maybe we should buy one first to access that feature? But does it really exist here?

Aliyah pauses thinking for a moment, then chuckles inwardly. Like Jenna said, I'm back in analysis mode already...

The line is quite long, so Aliyah takes the time to look around while they wait. Meanwhile, Vilandra impatiently scuffles the grass with her foot, pouting at having to stay still.

"Do you think we'll be able to enter any house we wish?" Aliyah ponders aloud. "Like in those RPG games where the main character just barges in and talks to the people inside?"

"I dunno," Vilandra says. "In real life, that'd be considered a crime for trespassing, y'know? Maybe it's the same here!"

"Hmm, you're right."

A few players finish selecting their quests, shortening the distance between Vilandra and the mission roster. Vilandra grins in excitement, wishing that the ones in front of her would hurry up.

"Since it can only be an individual quest," Aliyah speaks up, "I guess this means we can't form a team, then."

Vilandra blinks at her. "Oh. Yeah... Well, you gonna be okay by yourself?"

"Of course not, but I hope I can pull it off," Aliyah admits. "It's kinda scary playing yourself rather than controlling someone while you're sitting before the screen. This is honestly kind of nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time..."

A hint of guilt passes through Vilandra's features. "I feel bad about the idea of having to leave you all alone..."

Aliyah waves a dismissive hand. "Don't be," she says firmly. "I've been doing okay in school anyway, and I don't mind interacting with others, anyway. I'll just follow your advice and... go with the flow and have fun."

Vilandra nods earnestly. "Yeah! I mean, you're always holed up in your room, studying all day, so you need this break, sis! In here, you can do whatever you want, anything at all, and nobody here recognizes you except for me! You can be yourself here!"

Aliyah can't help a soft smile. "Thanks," she says gratefully, ruffling her little sister's hair.

She's all grown up now... It seems like that baby girl I'd always fussed over is gone now...

A pang of loneliness enters Aliyah's chest, then it dissipates as she forces herself to think about the prospect of meeting new people. She has never minded social interactions, so that part is no problem, but this game is just so different that it's like stepping into foreign territory. Her nerves feel like they're going to pop out from her body any moment.

While she's preoccupied with her thoughts, Vilandra's turn has come to find her first mission. Aliyah waits patiently, amusement crossing her features as she hears her sister mutter about being disappointed that she can't find any team missions and where is that dang filter button when you need it??

"I picked one," Vilandra finally says after a while. Aliyah quietly breathes a sigh of relief. The other players behind her had been muttering to themselves about having to wait so long for their turn, and it made Aliyah uncomfortable, wishing that Vilandra would hurry up with her decision.

"What is it?" she asks.

Vilandra is already tying her shoelaces. "I'd tell you, sis," she says, breathing deeply, "but the quest I picked requires me to be on the outskirts of the city within ten minutes. I don't even know where to go, but I have this GPS button right here, so — " Vilandra grunts as she straightens back up, flexing her arms. She then starts to run off, but not before saying her goodbyes to Aliyah. "See ya, sis! If they have phones here, I'll make sure to get your number!"

"Wait! So soon?" Aliyah cries out, but Vilandra is already sprinting away, frantically staring at her GPS device. Aliyah sighs, feeling the loneliness creep back in again.

I'm sure I'll manage... she tells herself, trying to pick a mission that suits her. There are tons of those that involve simple, mundane tasks, but nothing catches her eye yet.

Until she stumbles upon an interesting one.

GARDENER WANTED AT GEINSTROM VILLAGE

"Lord Sifer, ruler of the village, wishes to have a player continuously take care of the wide garden at his mansion. In return, the player will be provided shelter and possible training if the quest is done well and consistently."

Requirements: Level 1, Sorcerer/Sorceress Type

Rewards for Success: 50,000 coins, Sorcerer's Handbook

Huh? The same last name as mine? Aliyah stares at the mission details for a moment, reading it for the second time. This should be interesting! It must be fate that I saw this one, she thinks to herself in amusement, pressing the 'Accept' button.