“Submarine subways,” he murmured to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. “I love magical cities.”

The tunnel outside his window was decorated in tile mosaic and lit with different coloured lights. It seemed to be telling some kind of myth, with monsters and heroes locked in epic battle. He became so engrossed in the images going past that he was disappointed to arrive at his destination.

The Adventure Society terminal was two stops from where he started and was one of several buildings in the extensive Adventure Society campus. Jason followed a sign labelled ADMINISTRATION out of the building onto what looked like a prestigious old university, all stone buildings and sprawling grounds. Jason took what he guessed was the right path and only had to ask directions once before finding the administration building.

He found himself in a large lobby appointed in wood, everywhere from the various sets of double doors to the three separate stairways. In terms of construction materials, Jason had seen plenty of mudbrick, stone, tile, bamboo, even reeds. The sudden preponderance of wood was a sufficiently stark contrast to make clear the importance of the building.

It was a vast space, which fortunately contained what looked like a reception desk, at which Jason presented himself. Behind the desk was what looked like the same paunchy, balding bridge guard who had given him directions. Only the clothes were different, the guard uniform replaced with a more civilian-looking outfit. It had a prominently stitched emblem of a sword and rod crossed over a shield. Jason had seen that emblem several times since arriving, recognising it from Rufus’s Adventure Society badge.

The uniform had a loose fit Jason had seen on most of the locals, although the man’s hefty midsection rather minimised the looseness. Jason noted there was a pencil tucked atop of one of the man’s ears.

“Do you have a brother?” Jason asked.

“Just come over the bridge, sir?”

“I did.”

“That was my brother, Bertram, sir. I’m Albert, but feel free to just call me Bert.”

“No worries, Bert. Is this where I apply to join the Adventure Society?”

“Certainly is, sir,” Albert said brightly. “I can get you started right away if you’d like.”

“That’d be great.”

He pulled out a form and sat it on the desk, then started fishing through drawers.

“Not looking for a pencil, are you?” Jason asked.

“I am, sir. Had it around here somewhere…”

Jason tapped his own ear and a look of grateful revelation came over Albert’s face as he plucked the pencil from its resting spot.

“Thank you, sir,” Albert said. “How about we start with a name?”

“Jason Asano.”

Instead of writing it down, Albert gave Jason a curious look.

“Do you know an adventurer named Gareth Xandier?”

“Gareth Xandier?” Jason asked. “Wait, do you mean Gary? Big, leonid bloke.”

“Yes,” Albert said. “The good-looking one.”

“I knew it,” Jason said, shaking his head in disgust.