The first rays of dawn sliced through the window of my small room at the inn, a stark contrast to the filtered light of the Gloomwood. But I was awake long before the sun, my body already humming with a different kind of energy. The past week of training had become a new routine, a ritual. I slipped out of the small bed and began the familiar stretches my grandfather had taught me, a series of fluid movements designed to limber my muscles and sharpen my reflexes.
After that, I moved to the center of the room, closed my eyes, and focused.
I no longer struggled with the Ignis. The tiny, perfect flame from the clearing was a memory I could summon at will, and it now lived in the very core of my being. My focus wasn't on generating the fire, but on containing it, on letting its heat flow through my aetheric channels without overwhelming them. It was a new form of cultivation, one that balanced my innate power with a deliberate, gentle touch. It was no longer a matter of forcing the river, but of guiding its currents.
After my training, a simple breakfast of stale bread and watered-down ale felt like a feast. I ate quickly, my mind already on the next task. The innkeeper, Bram, had mentioned the need for preparations, for supplies that a contender couldn't do without. He had spoken of the Merchant Association, a place where the city's wealth and magic converged. In the Gloomwood, my grandfather and I would forage for herbs and craft our own potions, using what the land provided. But here, I needed speed and power. I needed what the competition demanded, and that meant going to the Golden Merchant Association.
The walk through the waking city was a different experience than my first time. I moved with a purpose, ignoring the smells and the sounds. I was no longer a boy to be lost in the crowd. Still, when I finally stood before the association, I felt a familiar shock. The main gate was a massive, ornate thing of wrought iron and polished bronze, and the name "Golden Merchant Association" was emblazoned above it in letters of pure gold. My home in the Gloomwood felt a thousand years away.
Inside, the opulence was staggering. The air was thick with the scent of fine herbs and polished wood. But as I walked past the various stalls, I felt the eyes of the other patrons on me. I saw the glares of disgust, the sneers of amusement, and a few wary glances. They saw my rough, worn clothes, stained with sweat and the faint scent of woodsmoke from my training. I ignored them, reminding myself that my purpose was greater than their prejudice. I had a competition to prepare for.
I walked straight to the front desk where a young woman stood, a beacon of calm in the bustling hall. She wore a simple white robe over plain pants, a uniform that somehow enhanced her beauty rather than concealing it. She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen, with a grace and poise I had never witnessed in my life. In the village, the young ones left for the city to find work, and I never had the chance to make friends. I took a deep breath to steady myself and said, "Hello."
After a few seconds of silence, she looked up, her gaze professional and steady. "Hello, sir. Welcome to the Golden Merchant Association. My name is Lia. How may I help you?" she asked, her voice like a cool stream.
"Hello, my name is Kael. I want to buy some potions and herbs," I said, my voice a little rougher than I intended.
A faint, polite smile touched her lips. "Certainly, sir. Please, follow me. I will take you to the potion section, where you can choose what you want."
I followed her through a labyrinth of shelves and counters. The aroma in this section was intoxicating, a blend of mint, citrus, and something earthy. Glass vials filled with liquids of every color imaginable lined the shelves, and I felt a sense of wonder I hadn't felt since my grandfather taught me the first lesson about Aether.
"Sir, what type of potions are you looking for?" she asked, gesturing to a particularly vibrant shelf.
"I need something related to Ignis," I said, "and also some potions for balancing the Aether."
Lia's professional demeanor didn't waver. She picked up two vials, a crimson one and a clear one, and began to explain. "For Ignis, we have the Ignis Elixir. It's a potion that temporarily amplifies your connection to the fire aspect of Aether, allowing for more sustained and powerful usage. It's a favorite among combat mages. For balancing, we have the Aetheric Harmony Draught. After a period of intense focus on one aspect of Aether, this potion restores your core to a state of equilibrium, preventing burnout and potential aetheric feedback." She paused and then picked up a third vial, a brilliant green one. "Many also find the Vigor Tonic useful, as it replenishes physical stamina and restores minor cuts and bruises."
I listened intently, the explanations filling in the gaps of my simple knowledge. I chose the three potions she had shown me and a small bundle of potent-smelling herbs. I needed to be ready for anything. We returned to the desk, and Lia quickly tallied the cost.
"Your total bill is 380 silver," she said.
My stomach dropped. Three hundred and eighty silver. That was a fortune. I had a pouch of coins from grandfather, but the cost was still much higher than I had expected. Still, the competition was everything. I had to have them. I reached into my pouch, my hand trembling slightly, and pulled out one of the gold coins grandfather had given me. It felt heavy in my palm. I placed it on the counter, a sound that seemed to echo in the now-quiet hall.
Lia's eyes widened just a fraction, a brief flicker of surprise that vanished as quickly as it came.
"Please wait, sir. We will prepare your things and your change."
I nodded and moved to a corner, a simple, unassuming boy in a grand hall, waiting. Now that I was no longer focused on my task, I could feel the stares of the other patrons again. I glanced down at my worn clothes, the patches of dirt and the small cuts on my arms from my training. I must have looked pathetic to them, a rube who just happened to stumble upon a gold coin. I made a mental note to myself: I needed to buy some proper clothes after this.
Suddenly, a hush fell over the entire association. All murmurs stopped, and every head turned toward the entrance. Three figures had just entered. Two were soldiers in polished armor, carrying spears and shields, their faces grim and professional. Between them walked a girl, no older than me. She was a vision. Her skin was as pure as milk, her eyes a mesmerizing emerald green, and her hair was a cascade of spun gold that seemed to catch the light from the ceiling.I instinctively knew she was someone of immense importance.
A man, not less than thirty, emerged from a private cabin. His black eyes were sharp and professional, and his face was carved with a practiced indifference. He moved with a quiet efficiency towards the figures. "Good morning, young miss. Welcome to our Golden Merchant Association. We were informed of your arrival and are very pleased to have you here. Please, this way. We have arranged a private cabin for you," he said, his voice a low, respectful hum.
As they began to move, the girl's emerald eyes flickered, and for a fleeting moment the eyes scanned through the crown and then they landed on me. I felt a jolt of pure surprise. She looked at me not with disgust or scorn like the others, but with a gaze of pure, unfiltered curiosity. My heart hammered in my chest. Then, as quickly as it came, the look was gone, and she turned her head, continuing to follow the man into the private cabin.
I was more nervous from that one look than I had been all week of training. The murmurs began again, a soft wave of chatter filling the silence she had left behind. After a few more seconds, Lia came back to the desk, holding a leather bag and a small pouch.
"Sorry for the delay, sir," she said, her voice still professional. "An important figure arrived, and we were quite busy. Here are your items and your change. Please, check them to make sure everything is there."
I took the bag and the pouch, my hands brushing hers for a brief moment. "No, no problem at all," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I gave her a small nod and began to make my way to the entrance.
"Thank you, sir," she called after me. "Please visit us again."
As I left the association, I couldn't get the sight of the girl out of my head. Her eyes… they weren't like the others. They held a different kind of power. And for some reason, they had found me.