Into the Heart of the Capital

After finishing their lunch, Aqua and Casial loitered in the academy's brightly-lit corridor, leaning against the cold stone walls outside Claire and Emilia's alchemy classroom. The corridor, lined with intricate banners bearing the Academy's emblem, bustled with the sound of hurried footsteps and murmured conversations as other students made their way to their next classes. The faint aroma of herbs and alchemical ingredients wafted out of the classroom, adding an earthy tang to the air.

When the door creaked open, Claire and Emilia stepped out, the former stretching lazily while the latter hugged a notebook close to her chest. Casial's face lit up as he straightened. "Let's go!" he said with his usual excitement.

Claire raised an eyebrow, her tone laced with mild irritation. "We haven't even had lunch yet," she protested, and Emilia nodded timidly in agreement.

Casial waved off their complaint with a casual grin. "No problem. We're heading to the capital—Aqua needs to buy a sword. You two can grab something to eat while we shop. Perfect plan, isn't it?"

Claire sighed but eventually shrugged. "Fine," she agreed, realizing there wasn't much point in arguing. Emilia offered a small nod, her trust in the group's decisions evident.

The group soon made their way toward the Academy's grand gates, their footsteps echoing along the cobbled path flanked by lush greenery. The imposing iron gates creaked open, revealing Adam waiting just outside. He leaned casually against a post, his arms crossed as he scanned the horizon.

"Hey, Adam! Sorry to keep you waiting," Casial called out with a wide grin, his arm waving enthusiastically as he rushed ahead to greet his friend.

Adam looked up and smiled warmly. "No worries. I've just arrived myself," he replied. He then greeted the others with a polite nod and a friendly smile before they set off toward the capital.

The path stretched ahead, with a dense forest cloaking one side and sprawling farmland unfurling on the other. The forest buzzed softly with the hum of distant insects, while the fields exuded the earthy smell of soil and ripe crops. Casial's gaze lingered on the farms, admiration gleaming in his eyes. He suddenly chuckled and pointed toward a scarecrow in one of the fields.

"Aqua, check that out! That scarecrow is more like a chair for crows," he joked, grinning widely. "The birds aren't scared at all—they're treating it like a perch!"

Aqua and Claire exchanged subtle smiles at Casial's humor, but Adam and Emilia couldn't help laughing outright, their laughter mingling with the rustling wind.

Before long, the towering walls of the capital city loomed into view. The gates, heavily guarded by vigilant soldiers clad in steel armor, stood as a testament to the city's bustling significance. After a brief exchange of greetings, the guards allowed the group to pass, and they entered the capital.

The sights and sounds of the capital hit Aqua like a wave. Unlike his brief glimpse of the city during his journey to the academy—where he'd only seen it through the confines of a carriage—this was his first time walking through its lively streets. Vendors lined the stone-paved roads, their colorful stalls displaying goods ranging from exotic fruits to intricately crafted trinkets. The air was alive with chatter, laughter, and the faint melody of a street performer's lute.

"We'll meet you both later at the Adventurer's Guild," Casial told Claire and Emilia. "We're off to buy Aqua a sword." The group split up, with the boys heading toward the weapon shop while the girls wandered off to grab a quick meal.

Casial led the way to a modest shop nestled between two bustling bakeries. The wooden sign hanging above the door creaked slightly in the wind, and the faint clang of metal echoed from within. As they stepped inside, Casial called out, "Hello? Anyone here?"

A young man, likely in his early twenties, emerged from the back of the shop. He wore a plain apron stained with soot and scratches, and his hair was tousled from hours of work. "How can I help you?" he asked with a polite but professional tone.

Aqua stepped forward. "We're looking to purchase a fourth-grade sword," he said firmly, his voice carrying the weight of purpose.

While Aqua discussed options with the shopkeeper, Casial and Adam wandered through the aisles, examining the finely-crafted weapons displayed on the racks. The gleaming blades reflected the soft light of the oil lamps, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of craftsmanship.

After carefully inspecting several swords, Aqua finally selected one that felt right in his hand—a well-balanced blade with intricate engravings along its hilt. Satisfied, the trio left the shop and made their way toward the Adventurer's Guild to reunite with Claire and Emilia and complete their registration.