The next morning, after breakfast, Carla got ready to go to Rosewood town. She was going to set up a stall to sell the healing herbs she had grown.
"Eugene, get ready, we're going to town."
Eugene was helping his mother sell the healing herbs. After placing his wooden sword on his belt, they headed toward the town together.
Even at this opportunity, Eugene didn't stop his training; he slowly circulated mana through his body, improving his mana control and sensitivity. Their home was on the outskirts of the town, about thirty to forty minutes away from the town center.
When they arrived at the square with his mother, they were greeted by a lively and bustling crowd.
"Armor every adventurer needs has arrived, get yours now!"
"High-quality healing potions available, buy before they run out!"
"Fresh vegetables and fruits here!"
And many other vendors tried to sell their products.
Rosewood town's population reached up to a hundred thousand, including locals and adventurers from outside. When Eugene and his mother began setting up their stall, the local vendors welcomed them.
"Good morning, Carla, your usual beauty is as radiant as ever."
"Thank you, Aunt Hilda, you're early as always."
With a warm smile, Hilda said,
"If I don't come early, old folks like me can't find a spot. Besides, I'm watching over your stall too."
"I'm always grateful for your help, Aunt Hilda."
"It's nothing... it's nothing. Besides, I benefit from you too. Because you're beautiful, many customers come here."
Carla giggled lightly at the compliments. Hilda was about sixty years old, with patches of white in her hair. The wrinkles on her face and hands were proof of how hardworking she was. Her husband ran a blacksmith shop. Since her son and daughter-in-law died during a monster raid, she and Carla took care of her grandchild together.
Hilda glanced gently at Eugene.
"Ah Eugene, you look more handsome every time I see you. Soon you'll break many hearts."
"What can I say, I owe this face to my mother."
Hilda laughed.
"Hahaha, that must really be true."
After a brief pause,
"Lily and the other kids are playing by the riverside. If you want, you can join them."
"Thanks, Grandma Hilda. Mom, I'm going to the riverside."
"Alright, be careful and don't be late."
After the conversation ended, Eugene set off toward the riverside, about thirty minutes from the center. On the way, he looked at the adventurers he passed. (Lately, it seems the number of adventurers is increasing. Although no one with six stars or circles has appeared yet. I guess the strongest in town are the guardian chief and the guild master. Ah, how I'd love to see them fight.) Eugene thought these things as he realized he had reached his destination.
By the riverside, about fifteen children were gathered around a girl, watching her intently. The girl was about nine years old, with long black hair, light green eyes, and a cute face. All these features combined were proof that she would be very beautiful in the future. But the children around her were focusing not on her beauty, but on the water ball she was forming in her hands.
Lily's proud smile appeared as she saw the surprised expressions on the children's faces watching the water ball. Watching from a distance, Eugene calmly thought, (She's really talented at controlling mana. While others her age can only do this with training, she can do it on her own. If she receives enough resources and attention, she could easily become a 5-circle mage.)
Lily, seeing Eugene approaching from afar, her cheeks slightly blushing, ran toward him.
"Eugene, when did you arrive?"
"I just arrived, I've been watching from afar how you were doing magic."
"Hihihi, how am I? I'm amazing, right?"
"Yes, you're amazing."
Lily grinned with a happy smile.
While Lily and Eugene were talking, an elf boy approached them. The boy's white hair hung down behind his long ears. His face was handsome enough to befit an elf. His yellow eyes were looking at Eugene with a fiery gaze. The boy's name was Lorienn. His father was the chief of the town guards. Just like the chief, his son was talented — it was clear from him reaching a star at the age of eleven. Seeing Lorienn looking at him with fiery eyes, Eugene, with a mocking smirk on his face,
"Lorienn, no matter how passionately you look at me, I like girls."
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SAYING, I LIKE GIRLS TOO."
"Hey hey, don't get so angry just because I rejected you, or your hair… could it be that your hair will turn white early?"
"MY HAIR IS WHITE FROM BIRTH."
While the children who were listening to Eugene and Lorienn's conversation burst into laughter, throughout the conversation Lorienn's face had turned red from shame and anger.
Lily, giggling cheerfully,
"You two really get along, huh."
"How could we get along? That bastard always makes fun of me."
"What can I do? Your facial expressions manage to amuse me every time."
"You bastaaard!"
The laughter of the children and the pleasant atmosphere in the air was broken by three men emerging from the nearby forest.
That day, an event happened which could be counted as one of the turning points in Eugene's life.