The soothing rhythm of "Rapper's Delight" echoes in my dreams as I drift through a peaceful slumber. Time seems to stretch and compress, leaving me unsure of how long I've been asleep. Suddenly, a persistent poking on my arm pulls me from the depths of unconsciousness.

I try to cling to the comfort of sleep, half-expecting to wake up in my old life. But as my eyelids flutter open, I'm greeted by Waldrein's smiling face—a reminder that my new reality is far from a dream.

With a yawn and a stretch, I rub the sleep from my eyes. "Good morning," I mumble, my voice thick with remnants of slumber.

"Good evening, you mean," Waldrein chuckles. "We've slept through the entire day. Figured you'd want to get started now that you're rested."

"Yeah," I reply, slowly sitting up and taking in my surroundings. The room Waldrein created still amazes me, a testament to the wonders of this world.

Waldrein's gaze travels over my disheveled appearance, and he comments with a knowing look, "You'll need something other than those rags to wear if you're going to start your adventure."

I did my best not to be offended, but looking down at my clothing I knew he was right. I'd never get far in torn rags and pants.  Somebody would surely think I was an escapee.

As if prompted by his own words, Waldrein strides over to the hearth and, with a wave of his hands, reveals a hidden staircase leading down into what I assume is a secret chamber. "Wait here," he instructs before disappearing into the depths below.

A flicker of recognition sparks within me—I had sensed something unusual about the hearth before, but its true nature had eluded me. "Quite the secret sanctum you've got going on there," I quip, my curiosity piqued.

Waldrein doesn't respond, but I can hear him rummaging around in the chamber below. After a moment, he emerges, carrying a bundle of fabric. "I'll let you borrow these. They should fit someone your size," he says, handing me the clothing.

As Waldrein retreats back into the sanctum, I begin to change. I remove the tattered rags, and pants, folding them up into a small pile on the table.

The deep indigo tunic feels luxurious compared to the top I was wearing before. I pull on the trousers, noting how well they work with my existing wrappings. I wrap what I could only assume was a waist sash around my waist and tie it in front, letting the two ends drape down in front of me. Finally, I slip on the sturdy leather shoes with their metal toe caps.

Just as I tap the shoes against the floor, testing their durability, Waldrein returns. His eyes crinkle with amusement as he watches me.

"You'd be surprised how many adventurers don't wear toe caps when traveling into caves," he remarks, his voice carrying a hint of humor. "It's damn easy to break your toes on a rock."

I nod in agreement, recalling my own blind navigation through the cave. A poignant reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the importance of being prepared.

As our conversation delves deeper into the intricacies of this world, Waldrein shifts the topic to magic. "If you can learn spellcraft, then you can heat your own water, or plenty of other things. You've already demonstrated some basic aptitude, so a candlelight spell shouldn't pose a problem," he suggests, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.

A playful smile tugs at my lips. "Ah, here we go," I respond, intrigued by the prospect of wielding magic. I rub my hands together, with a sort of criminal swagger.

Waldrein continues, "The Adventurers Guild has classes for new recruits. I'm sure you could get lessons there. It's far cheaper than the Mage's Collegia."

The idea of a dedicated school for spellcasters implies a structured system for teaching magic, opening up a realm of possibilities.  "Could you teach me some? Like some of the magic you used?" I ask, eager to learn. "Like that fireball spell and the one you used to create the room?"

Waldrein's expression turns pensive. "I don't really think I'm qualified to teach you much," he admits, his gaze momentarily distant.