0036. "The Red Moon Inn: A Step Towards Change"

"The Red Moon Inn: A Step Towards Change"

As Nile and Arin approached the Red Moon Inn, the weight of the day's events lingered in Nile's mind. The trial experience had sparked something within him—an unyielding resolve to take control of his own path rather than drifting aimlessly through life. Unbeknownst to him, the bond with the butterfly spirit had been subtly reshaping his outlook, helping him adapt to a society that once excluded him. This internal growth, though subtle, was setting the stage for a new version of Nile—one capable of leading rather than following.

When the towering five-story inn came into view, Arin gestured toward it and said, "There it is, the Red Moon Inn. Let's go."

The two boys stepped onto Lane One of the cultivation market. The bustling energy from earlier had given way to the calm silence of the night. The inn's grand façade loomed before them, its warm glow spilling out onto the empty street.

As they entered the gate, their footsteps echoed softly in the stillness. Just inside, the reception desk came into view, where a beautiful woman in her thirties was engrossed in reviewing some records. The late hour didn't seem to deter her from her work, though the sight of two unexpected visitors made her glance up in surprise. The wall clock behind her showed half past ten, and she couldn't help but wonder what was drawing so many late-night customers just days before the honoring ceremony broadcast in the City.

Her surprise quickly turned to curiosity as she noticed the two boys—cute, youthful, and clearly out of place in such a setting—approaching her desk. Composing herself, she asked with a professional smile, "What type of room would you like to rent, sirs? We offer simple rooms, Level 1 cultivation rooms, Level 2 cultivation rooms, and our most prized and best-in-town Level 3 cultivation rooms."

Before Arin could respond, Nile spoke up, his tone calm yet firm, "Please explain the details of each room and their costs."

Arin blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by Nile's sudden initiative. It was unlike Nile to care about such details; he had always been passive, letting others make decisions for him. Arin remembered their earlier interaction in the kitchen, where Nile had been content to follow his lead. But now, something had changed.

Taking a step back, Arin silently observed his companion, a faint smile tugging at his lips. If Nile really grows into a decisive leader, I wouldn't mind following him for life, he thought to himself.

The receptionist nodded and began her explanation, her voice clear and professional. "Simple rooms are primarily for resting and cost 2 silver coins per night. Cultivation rooms, however, are equipped with arrays that gather mana and increase gravity to enhance the cultivation process. Level 1 rooms have a gravity of 10 to 15 times normal and cost 20 mana stones per day. Level 2 rooms range from 15g to 25g and cost 100 mana stones per day. Our Level 3 rooms, which are the best in town, provide gravity up to 50g and cost 20 mid-grade mana stones per day."

Nile listened intently, his calm demeanor unwavering as he absorbed the information. Arin watched him closely, marveling at the newfound sense of responsibility emanating from his friend. It was as if Nile had taken the first step toward becoming someone capable of making decisions not just for himself but for others as well.

Absorbing the information from the receptionist, Nile responded calmly, "Actually, we already have some friends who arrived earlier today—around the same time as us. Isn't that right, Arin?" Nile glanced at his companion.

Arin nodded. "Yes, there were two girls, one beautiful lady, and an older man in their group."

The receptionist tilted her head thoughtfully before replying, "Ah, yes, I remember them. They were the only group to rent rooms today. Please, wait at the table while I check with them for you."

She stepped out from behind the counter and started heading upstairs. Just as she did, Lyra came running down the staircase, her face filled with relief.

"Thank God you're fine! Everyone was so worried. Let's go—they're upstairs," she exclaimed as she clung to Nile's arm.

Nile gave her a gentle smile but carefully removed her hand from his arm. He turned to the receptionist and said, "You see, we're with them. That group rented the rooms for us too."

The receptionist nodded. "I see. Your group rented four rooms, so I assume the extras were meant for you two."

Nile smiled politely and introduced himself. "By the way, I'm Nile, and this is Arin." Gesturing toward Lyra, he added, "And this is Lyra. What should we call you?"

The receptionist smiled warmly. "I'm Jennifer. Nice to meet you all."

As Nile engaged Jennifer in conversation, Lyra moved back to stand beside Arin. She leaned closer and whispered, "What's going on? He seems… different from earlier today."

Arin glanced at his sister and whispered back, "It must be the trial experience. You know, no amount of book knowledge can compare to real-life challenges. Trials like that force you to grow." He paused and added with a soft smile, "At least now, I don't have to worry about what to do or not do. If Nile is ready to take responsibility and make decisions, I'm more than happy to follow him."

Lyra nodded in agreement. "Me too. If he's ready to lead, I don't have to babysit anymore. He's welcome to take charge."

Unbeknownst to the siblings, Nile—already at Level 1, Stage 5 in spirit cultivation—could hear every word of their conversation. He didn't react outwardly but smiled to himself. Their trust filled him with determination, and he silently vowed not to let them down. He would lead them to a better future.

A while later, Nile turned back to Arin. "I'm going to have some food and talk with Jennifer for a bit. You two head upstairs and rest. I'll join you soon, and then we can discuss the matter we spoke of earlier."

Arin nodded, placing a reassuring hand on Lyra's shoulder. "Come on, let's go."

The siblings headed upstairs, leaving Nile with Jennifer. After a short while, Jennifer brought him a plate of food, and they continued their conversation. As the night wore on, Nile sat by the reception desk, reflecting on the day's events. This was a quiet moment of growth—one where he fully embraced the responsibilities that came with his newfound resolve.