The boys walk alongside each other as they walk through the streets of the trading district in the academy the atmosphere of the place felt entirely different, it was if they weren't in the academy grounds anymore.
Shops and caravans lined the streets, lamps and benches were placed along the pathways as the pathway was made of cobblestone as the place bustled with activities as there was an influx of hundreds of students walking around and students could be seen in the shops making purchase of various items.
Some students had weapons hung on their back which pulsed with energy and some students accompanied by their beast pets and some wearing technological suits of all sought of colors and those on school uniform had three or two gold stars on the right chest side of their uniforms while the Zack and his buddies had one.
This indicated what year you belong to in the academy, like Zack and his Friends one star made them first year students or rather freshers, while those with three, four, five, six and seven stars made them third year, fourth year, fifth year, sixth year and seventh year students.
"Wow this place feels like we aren't in the academy anymore" Astonishment shone in Alex's eyes as he looked around.
"I can't wait to able to step out there and explore the world outside the walls" Daniel had a smile on his face as a student passed him who was wearing a tech armor suit with a weapon hung at his back which pulsed with energy.
"I myself can't wait for the day we all we get the chance to step into a gate or portal to another world" Zack spoke as his hand was placed in his pocket.
"Wait aren't those tamed Evo beasts" Alex was shocked as he pointed towards a group of students chatted as they walked and beside them were Evo beasts, one of the beast was a fox like beast with a pure white fur and having three tails, the other was tiger with a fiery red fur and almond animalistic eyes flames pulsed from its paws as it walked.
"Hah, I can't wait to be able to tame one of these beasts one day" Levi said as his eyes burned with excitement.
"We have a lot to do, put let's take each of them one step at a time" Zack said to them and the roar of a creature was heard above them and they looked up and above them soaring through the sky was someone riding on a dragon.
The four of them had the expression of shock and surprise on their faces as they looked at this creature of fantasy flying above them.
"Who have thought I would able to see a dragon one often only spoken about in fantasy stories" Alex smiled as he looked this creature of fantasy one thought to be only myth and fantasy but now has become a reality even since the descent five hundred years ago.
"We really have a lot do I guess" Levi grinned.
"So, Ava how many minutes still we get there" Daniel asked the Al named Ava.
The holographic map of the trading district was projected before Daniel from his bracelet, on his wrist.
"Guys we have a five minutes' walk before we get to the skill cards shop and from the map here, we should keep going straight and then they will be a right turn and we take that turn, we will get there" Daniel told them.
"Your words have been taken to ear Daniel, so onward we go" Zack and the three moved forward onto their destination.
Standing before a five-story building with a huge digital sign on the building saying Skill Cards Shop was the four.
"I guess this is the place" Daniel looked at the map again to make sure it was.
"No checking it again the sign is boldly written on the building" Zack told Daniel.
In front of the building were two imposing trees taller than the building and the trees looked like they didn't to earth at all.
The front of the building was painted in a shade of gold, yellow and white and students were trooping in and out of the building.
The architecture of the building was sleek and modern with a little touch of a medieval fantasy style to it.
"Well let's get in there and get our hands on some good deals" Zack said as they had smiles on their faces as they walked inside the building.
Inside the building
"Wow I can't believe this is the interior of the building, that I am looking at right now" Daniel exclaimed.
The interior of the building felt like one out of a fantasy world except for the modern style design and the gadgets in the place, the floor which one who expected to be made of wood like a fantasy store would, but not this building because the floor was covered in white tiles with tube like fluorescent bulbs hanging from the ceiling which were also white in color and digital screens placed in different corners of the place.
They were numerous enclosed glass shelfs spread out in the whole place in a neat order and well-arranged positions and they were a lot of students on this floor as every single one of them had two stars on their uniform indicating that they were second years.
"I didn't expect to see so many second-year students here" Levi was surprised.
"then I guess that makes us the only freshmen students here" Zack had a smile on his face.
Upfront was a counter desk and boys decided to walk to the counter desk as they passed other students checking out the enclosed glass shelves as in them were skill cards as they were placed on display.
"So, this are the skill cards, miss Erica was talking about" Alex spoke as he looked at the skill cards in the enclosed glass shelves.
Some of the skill cards had a very attractive and exaggerating look and most of them were giving off their auras some were faint while others noticeable it was an incredible scene to the boys as they looked on with amazement in their eyes.
Upon reaching the counter desk, seated behind the counter was a woman with a green hair which draped over her shoulders and bright green eyes and a short pointy ear with beautiful rosy red lips and wearing the dress of the an attendant with a descent blossom size at least that's what Alex eyes could get a glimpse of.
The woman's beauty was above average and the boys were really taken aback by such a beautiful woman and especially her pointy ears which signified she wasn't a human this making the boys lost for words for a few seconds as they looked at her. But she wasn't the only one at the counter as they were also other female attendants like her seated at the counter but attending to other students except, they were human.
"Hello what can I help you boys with" the lady asked them with a smile on her face and they four were instantly dragged back to reality but still lost for words as they kept looking at her with curiosity in their eyes. Then the woman's eyes caught the sight of the one star on their uniform then she smiled.
"Oh, looks like you boys are freshmen students so which makes you are new to the academy, no wonder you all are lost for words on seeing me" the woman chuckled as she saw their confused and lost expression.
"You are a demi human from the world of Elytra right" Zack suddenly asked.
"You are really informed lad, I guess yes I am" she affirmed Zack's questions.
"Wow those ears of yours look so cool" Alex said with an expression of astonishment on his face.
"well thanks for the compliment" she smiled.
"So, what are you boys here for?" she asked again.
"Oh, we are here to purchase skill cards" Zack immediately replies, will Daniel looked at the woman before them as he seemed to observe her closely.
"Seemed like it to me, well then" she stood up from her seat and her blossoms jiggled as she got up and the boys taking a gulp. Then she exited the counter and coming before the boys.
"Alright then follow me this way" she spoke and gesturing them to follow her and they did just that.
Following the woman, they all came into the middle of enclosed glass shelves surrounding them, as the skill cards within the glass shelves gave off their auras and pulsing with energy.
"So here we are, in this section we have bronze rank skill cards placed here" She showed them as they looked around with curiosity in their eyes.
"So what grade of bronze skill cards will you all be purchasing" She questioned them and this took them by surprise as they heard the word level.
"Wait a minute, the rank of a skill card is also divided into grades?" Daniel asked.
"Yes, they are, for example a bronze rank skill card is divided into three grades which are low grade, mid-grade and high grade" She answered.
"Then well we go for the high-grade bronze skill cards" Zack said to her as he looked at the others who already seem to agree with him.
"So whats the price for the high-grade bronze skill cards?" Alex was the o0ne who asked
"Well high-grade bronze skill cards are placed at the price tag of 170 – 190 federation credits depending on the type of skill it is" She replied to Alex's question and when Zack and Alex heard his, it felt like a spear had been driven through their hearts when they heard the price.
"You got to be kidding me, you mean just one high grade bronze skill card costs from 170 to 190 federation credits per one" Zack was stupefied
"Yes"
"Damn its expensive" Alex was shocked as he and Zack entered a sulking mode while Levi and Daniel just looked at them both with expressions of like what the hell is wrong with them.
"Guys its not that expensive" Daniel said to them and when heard him they both turned and looked at him as if they were going to kill him any moment.
"That's okay by you but not me cuz you are a rich kid" Zack said to him while staring daggers at him.
"_______"
(But bro you come from the Lyon family) Daniel sighed as he looked at Zack.
Taking out his smart phone and checking his account balance Zac felt like crying as he had only 5,000 federation credits left in his account while Alex was no good either on his side as he too looked at his account balance.
"We are broke right?" Zack said to Alex with a squint
"Yep" Alex nodded helplessly
"Alright since that's it, time for plan B" Zack looked at Levi as he spoke.
"When did we have a plan B?" Alex asked with surprise
"Well you might know what I mean" Zack said to Alex and looked at Levi again that was the moment Alex understood and then both of them had a smirk on their faces as they looked at Levi.
"Why are you two looking at me like that" Levi knew they were up to something.
"The Token" Zack and Alex said in unison and then it occurred to Levi who face palmed as he heard them.
"Fine" Levi was in helpless position as he had no choice but to bring out the token his master; Vlad had given to him.
"Levi this generosity of yours is really awesome" Daniel patted Levi on the back as he smiled.
"Even you Daniel" He was surprised.
"well when a man sees a good opportunity, he dares not miss it" Daniels smiled.
"Ma, can this help get us a discount" Levi asked her as he showed her the token and she was taken aback as she set her eyes on the token.
(I can't be mistaken this token surly belongs to the Man named Vlad who is known as the flame iron beast of the academy, then this must be his student) she was surprised as she looked at the Levi in front of her.
"Well l will say a yes then, you can get the High-grade bronze skill cards at the price of a 100fc" She said to them and they had a smile on their faces.
"So, what type of skill cards shall we begin with" She asked them.
"Well then I need bronze skill cards with techniques meant for wind, ice, fire, earth, water, metal and lighting abilities" Zack was the first to speak up.
"I just need some bronze skill card techniques for my acceleration and lighting ability" Alex chimed
"Aren't we also getting skill cards with battle techniques" Daniel suddenly remembered.
"Oh yeah Daniel you are right, thanks for the recall. So, miss what we need are ability skill cards and battle techniques skill cards" Zack said to the woman.
"Alright if that's it then follow me while we check around for your taste" She said to them and they agree as they followed her, as she showed them different of bronze rank skill cards, as they all made their choices of ability skill cards and battle technique skill cards.
Zack was checking a group of bronze rank skill cards which were battle techniques as every single one of them pulsed with energy except for one which looked old and dust had already taken over it and it wasn't pulsing with energy or giving off any aura at all, it looked dull. On the skill card was written Sword energy rampage.
"Seems this skill card has been here for a really long time and has bitten the dust" Zack looked at the skill card with little interest.
[unstable pure energy source detected from Skill Card]
A system prompt appeared before the skill card in front of Zack, who was surprised by the prompt.
"System can't you see they is no energy pulsing from this skill card" Zack protested as he thought the damn system had finally gone nuts.
[My sight and yours aren't the same thing, I advise you take up this skill card in front of you or you will regret] another system prompt appeared before him
"Like really" Zack was in surprise by the system's seriousness
[Yes] the system replied.
"Fine I will listen to you, but if it turns out to be all for nothing and going to kick your butt" Zack threatened the system.
[that's if you can]
"Ma, I will take this skill card over here" Zack called out to the lady with pointy ears as he pointed to the skill card before him in the enclosed glass shelf.
Then she walked over to Zack's Side as she took a look at the skill card he chose but when she saw it, she was astonished by his choice.
"Are sure you want to purchase this skill card, because its of the lowest grade and it looks worn out, I advise you rethink before buying such skill" She tried to advise him.
"I will have to worry about that Miss not you, so I will be taking this skill card" Zack insisted with a smile on his face.
"well I can't stop you" She sighed as she took it out with care and walking away to place it were she kept the rest.
(I wonder what he saw in this skill card and it looks so worn out and I cant even sense an ounce of energy from it, hah kids this days) she could say in her heart as she looked at the skill card in her hand with a helpless look.
And so, the boys were done with their purchase of bronze rank skill cards as it was what they could handle at their right now because of funds.
Om the counter desk were four little boxes containing Skill cards of the bronze rank of different kinds in them as the skill cards pulsed with energy, glowing softly. The lady arranged everything in order and gave it each one to the boys containing the skill cards they picked and they made the payment.
"thank you for stopping by and make sure you come back when you are in need of purple rank skill cards" She said to them smiling.
"Oh Ma'am, how much do Purple rank skill cards cost?" Alex suddenly asked.
"well just like I said earlier, the rank of a skill card is divided into three grades, low grade purple skill cards cost between 200 to 250 fc, while mid-grade purple skill cards cost 300 to 390 federation credits and lastly High-grade Purple skill cards cost between 450 to 500 federation credits" She replied to Alex and he almost choked as he heard the price.
"looks like we got to work hard" Zack sighed.
"Well thank you Miss for helping us around" Zack thanked her with a smile and he turned to leave with Levi, Daniel and Alex and as he was walking, he suddenly remembered something and he stopped in his tracks and turned back.
"Miss what skill rank is the shockwave punch" Zack asked and then she was surprised by his question and then she remembered something about it.
"That Skill is a Silver rank skill" She answered and when Zack heard this, he was shocked.
"Well thanks for the information and I really like those ears of yours" Zack said to her with a wide smile and a flustered expression was seen on her face as she heard his words.
"Wait bro she blushed" Levi spoke with surprise.
"No way bro she is blushing" Alex couldn't believe it and even Zack was surprised.
"Well another time Miss, we have to run along now" Zack said hastily as he and boys exited the place.
(this is the first time a human says he likes my ear) she said in her heart as she watched the boys exit the building.
(Dad you were right, this world is a world of wonders, how wish you were with me) she could only speak in her heart as a feeling of loneliness washed over her as she took back her position at the counter as she kept thinking about Zack and his word.
Coming out of the building were Zack, Levi, Alex and Daniel.
"Yo bro how did you do that" Levi asked Zack as he nudged him with his elbow.
"I didn't expect her to react like that" Zack replied with an innocent look on his face.
"C'mon Zack, just enlighten us on the secret towards it" Alex said to him as he kept raising his eyebrow at Zack.
"Can you two quit it already and let's just get going we have a lot ahead of us to do" Daniel interfered.
"Daniel is right we have a lot to do, especially preparing for the upcoming evaluation test" Zack added to Daniel's words.
"But it was great experience meeting a race from another world" Alex said with a smile of satisfaction.
"that's the capital for you" Levi said to Alex as he placed his hand over Alex's shoulder.
"Zack looks like you are really well versed in the knowledge of the worlds beyond the gates and portals" Daniel said to Zack as he looked at him.
"I guess that's a yes" Zack told Daniel.
"So, this World of the Elytra tell me about it" Daniel adjusted his glasses as he spoke to Zack.
"Well were do I start from now, okay let start rom here So the world of Elytra is a place..." Zack began taking about this world to Daniel who listens with care to every word spoken by Zack as they were back on the path they took when coming as they passed numerous students and shops lined along the pathway brimming with students as the sun hung in the sky like a golden ball.