New day same old same old

As Astra awoke, the soft glow of twilight crept through the window, casting delicate shadows across the walls of his luxurious room. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of deep purple and soft gold, signaling the start of another night in Duskfall—the city that never sleeps.

He stretched languidly, his body feeling stronger, more rested than it had in years. Gone were the days of discomfort and exhaustion; the restful sleep and clean body had revived him in ways he hadn't expected.

The transformation had been subtle but undeniable. His messy curls, previously unruly and wild, now lay perfectly in soft waves around his face. His skin had a faint glow, as if touched by the starlight itself, and his violet eyes, once weary and empty, now shimmered with renewed focus and sharpness.

With a yawn, Astra pulled himself from the bed and stood before the mirror. The figure before him was nothing like the worn, ragged young man that had entered Duskfall's streets days ago.

Instead, a refined noble with striking, almost ethereal beauty stared back, the sharp features of his face now a perfect blend of masculinity and grace.

His once untamed body now had the poise and form of someone who belonged in the highest circles of society.

Astra couldn't help but smirk at the sight of himself. "Well, that's one way to look the part," he mused, his voice soft, almost in awe of the unfamiliar reflection.

He walked to the window, gazing out at the sprawling city as night began to fully embrace Duskfall. The stars were barely visible in the glow of the city's lights, but they seemed to beckon him all the same. It was time for him to make his next move.

....

Astra descended into the inn's dining hall, the scent of sizzling meats and fresh bread filling the air. The low hum of noble chatter mixed with the occasional clink of glasses as well-dressed patrons enjoyed their meals.

He strolled to the counter, his Nightshroud draped loosely around him, exuding the effortless air of a noble who belonged here.

"A plate of eggs, some mana beast steak—something domesticated, not wild—and…" Astra paused, leaning on the counter with an easy smirk. "An alcoholic lemonade."

The innkeeper, a middle-aged woman with shrewd eyes, raised an eyebrow. "Drinking already, my lord?"

"Breakfast isn't complete without a little indulgence," Astra said smoothly.

With a shrug, she jotted down his order and motioned to the kitchen. A short while later, a steaming plate of golden eggs, thick mana beast steak glistening with juices, and a chilled glass of spiked lemonade were placed before him.

He dug in, savoring the meal—it had been far too long since he'd eaten anything this refined.

Halfway through his meal, a nagging thought crept into his mind—his funds. He had been spending freely, using what little he had left, but at this rate, he'd be broke within a few days.

Furrowing his brow, he pulled out his Regal Coin and tapped it lightly, accessing the House of Night's archives. If nothing else, maybe there was information on old, hidden stashes or resources he could tap into.

Instead, his eyes locked onto a section he hadn't noticed before.

[Funds: 1000 Gold Coins (Monthly Stipend)]

Astra blinked. Then again. He tapped the coin, refreshed the display, checked the description—nothing changed.

1000 gold coins. Every. Single. Month.

His brain short-circuited.

The realization hit him like a spell to the chest, and before he could stop himself, he lost his balance and fell straight off his chair, landing on the floor with an undignified thud.

A few nobles glanced over at him, amused but uninterested, assuming he had simply drunk too much. Astra, sprawled on the floor, couldn't care less.

He was rich.

For the first time in years, money was no longer a problem. He could afford training, weapons, resources—hell, he could drown in alcoholic lemonade if he wanted.

Laying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, Astra exhaled a slow breath and grinned.

"...Well, damn."

Astra sat back up, gripping his Regal Coin like it had just handed him the heavens themselves. A thousand gold coins.Every. Single. Month.

His thoughts raced as he scrolled through the mana network, pulling up gossip articles and financial reports detailing noble spending habits.

Most minor house nobles only spent around a thousand gold coins every four months.

He blinked, reading it again.

That meant he had more raw spending power than some lords from minor noble houses. Not just merchants or common knights—actual titled nobles struggling to keep their estates afloat. And this was just his stipend.

House Night had been gone from the world for centuries, a forgotten relic of the past, and yet here it was, casually dumping wealth into his hands like it was pocket change.

Astra stared at the gleaming coin in his palm, his grip tightening. The sheer absurdity of it all left him momentarily speechless.

He had spent years scraping by, scavenging, stealing when necessary, and yet, with a single glance at his inheritance, he now held more financial security than nobles who had been raised in wealth their entire lives.

He slumped back against his chair, his mind still struggling to process it. He wasn't just rich.

He was stupidly rich.

"...I need another drink."

Astra sat in the noble lounge of the inn, his Regal Coin in hand, still scrolling through the mana network. The interface shimmered with lines of glowing text, each article a thread in the grand tapestry of Duskfall's ever-churning chaos.

The Stars and Shadows—A Celestial Phenomenon?

"Scholars and mages alike are still at a loss to explain the strange celestial disturbance from last night. Witnesses reported the stars flaring with unnatural intensity while shadows writhed like living things. The Officials of House Dusk, when asked for comment, merely stated: 'Interesting.'"

Astra arched a brow. That's it? No mass panic? No grand proclamations? Just 'interesting'? He supposed that was expected—House Dusk was ancient, and they had probably seen worse. Still, the fact that the shadows reacted so violently meant something had definitely changed.

Astra knew it was something that odin did, he remembers those indescribable gazes being blocked... he shuddered at the memeory 

He scrolled further. The next articles were far less mystical and much more entertaining.

House Palm and House Scorpion at Odds Once Again—A Duel to Settle the Score?

"The age-old feud between the prodigies of House Palm and House Scorpion continues to escalate, with whispers of a formal duel set to take place before the Springtime Advent Tournament. If sanctioned, this will be the tenth public duel in the past three years between these noble houses.

"Meanwhile, House Hunt's young heir, Aster Hunt, remains undefeated in the arenas, having recently crushed her latest challenger in a one-sided bout that lasted less than a minute. Experts predict she will dominate the upcoming tournament."

Astra's lips curled slightly. Aster Hunt… huh. The young heir from House Hunt—One of the Royal Stewards of Alfhiem and the Masters of Artemis, the one of the legendary capitals of alfhiem..the same house that eradicated his ancestors and people.....She was obviously strong, but he hadn't paid much attention before. Still, if she was undefeated, then maybe…

He shook his head and kept scrolling.

The Four Divisions of the Springtime Advent Tournament Announced!

"As always, the Springtime Advent Tournament will be divided into four divisions, allowing warriors of all levels to compete."

Division One – Rank One- One mana core.. (young lords and apprentices face off exciting talents and simple bouts)

Division Two-Two Mana Cores – Rank Two participants, Squires experienced combatants with refined techniques.

Division Three – three mana cores- Rank Three warriors.Knights and seasoned Mages.(All Paths to power welcome)

Division Four – Rank Four elites, often prodigies, powerful nobles, and rising legends.

"The tournament will last seven days and seven nights, drawing participants from all over the Realms."

Astra exhaled. This was big. The city had already been filled with energy, but now he understood why the streets were so alive with excitement. This wasn't just a festival—it was a battlefield where reputations were built and shattered.

He glanced at the last bit of text, an open call for competitors.

Anyone can participate, he didn't miss the subtle, (All Paths to Power welcome), this meant jesters, and blasphemers were participating....the danger of this tournament rose....for those divisions, thankfully Astra was but a mere rank one.

Astra scoffed, closing the Regal Coin's interface. Not interested. He wasn't looking to expose himself just yet. He still had a long way to go before he was ready for that kind of attention.

With a stretch, he rose from his seat, tossing a few gold coins onto the table before stepping out of the noble lounge. The innkeeper, a stocky beastkin with long wolf-like ears, nodded as Astra passed.

"Thanks for your hospitality," Astra said smoothly, adjusting the Nightshroud's travel mode around his shoulders.

The innkeeper gave a lazy salute. "Come back anytime, noble lord."

Astra stepped onto the streets just as night fell upon Duskfall once again. The city was reborn in its true form—a nocturnal kingdom of light and shadow.

The towering spires gleamed under the flickering lanterns, and above, the Twilight Tower activated once more, casting its eerie, otherworldly glow across the skyline.

Boom!

Fireworks erupted overhead, showering the night with golden sparks. Music surged back to life, a cacophony of instruments and voices, as the festival roared back into motion. Dancers twirled in the streets, masked revelers laughed over glasses of enchanted wine, and merchants called out their wares.

Astra exhaled, stepping forward into the lively chaos of Duskfall's Festival.

It was time to get moving.

The streets of Duskfall's Grand Bazaar were alive with the renewed energy of the festival.

The second night had begun, and the sky above shimmered with the glow of lanterns and fireworks, casting a dreamlike hue over the city.

This time, Astra did not walk as a street rat, as a runaway, or as a man with no name. No, tonight, he strode through the market as an arrogant young noble of House Shadow—his steps confident, his Nightshroud now refined into a traveling noble's ensemble, and his Regal Coin hanging visibly at his hip, gleaming under the lantern light.

The moment he stepped into the tailor's boutique, he could feel the shift in atmosphere. The attendants, once dismissive of the rabble that wandered in from the lower districts, immediately straightened up, their trained eyes recognizing the cut of his armor and the unmistakable presence of wealth.

Astra didn't even need to say anything. Within seconds, a tailor was already guiding him toward a section reserved for high-ranking nobles, where dark silks, embroidered coats, and exquisitely crafted attire awaited.

The Fitting Begins

As he stood before the grand mirror, being measured for his new wardrobe, Astra couldn't help but notice the lingering gazes.

Several young noblewomen, seated on a nearby cushioned bench, were whispering amongst themselves, stealing glances at him.

He smirked.

Without turning to face them, he casually lifted a hand and flicked a small pulse of shadow mana, making the candlelight around them flicker. Their hushed giggles immediately stopped as they tensed, glancing around nervously.

Astra, still facing the mirror, tilted his head slightly.

"Ladies," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "If you wish to admire me, at least be direct about it."

One of the young women squeaked in surprise, her face turning red. The others stifled laughter, trying (and failing) to act as if they hadn't been staring.

Another one, a bolder noblewoman with Saphire eyes and long black hair, crossed her arms and smirked. "And if we were?"

Astra finally turned to them, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "Then I'd be forced to assume you have excellent taste."

The tailor nearly stabbed him with a pin, muttering under his breath about nobles with too much confidence.

The girls laughed, a mix of amusement and exasperation, while Astra simply returned his attention to his fitting, thoroughly enjoying himself.

After all, if he was to walk the streets of Duskfall as a true noble of House Shadow, he had to play the part

.....

Astra stepped out onto the cobblestone streets of the Grand Bazaar, now clad in his new noble attire—an obsidian-black long coat adorned with subtle gray embroidery, the pattern resembling intertwining celestial constellations. The fabric was smooth yet resilient, crafted from enchanted silk that shimmered faintly under the festival lights. The high collar added a regal air, while the golden embroidery along the cuffs and buttons exuded extravagance without being gaudy. Beneath the coat, a form-fitting dark vest hugged his frame, fastened with delicate gold chains connecting its buttons, while black trousers and sleek leather boots completed the ensemble.

With this, Astra no longer looked like a common noble. He looked like someone who belonged among the greater houses—dangerous, untouchable, and wealthy.

But he wasn't done shopping just yet.

Inside the boutique, Astra selected a variety of training clothes—lightweight, form-fitting tunics in shades of gray and black, reinforced with subtle mana-woven threading for durability. He also picked up several utility accessories—leather gloves lined with minor enchantments for grip, a black-and-gold sash, he stored his items in the mana coins storage.

By the time he was done, his total spending amounted to thirty gold coins—a hefty sum, but with his newfound wealth, it barely made a dent.

As he turned to leave, however, a familiar voice stopped him.

"Leaving so soon?"

Astra turned, already expecting to see her—the bold noblewoman from earlier.

Now that she was up close, he could appreciate just how stunning she truly was. She wore a flowing black and gold dress, tailored to perfection, with a deep-cut neckline that left little to the imagination.

A delicate gray capelet draped over her shoulders, fastened by a golden brooch shaped like a sun, marking her as a noble of House Dune—one of the Royal Stewards of Sahara. She gave off the subtle aura of a rank two....but it felt off? Astra felt that her shadow was deeper than it should be and his intuition for some reason told him...this woman was powerful...very powerful...

Her Saphire-blue eyes gleamed with mischief as she took a slow step toward him. "You never did give me your name."

Astra tilted his head slightly, his smirk returning. "And you never gave me yours." 

She chuckled. "Fair. Princess Seraphine of House Dune. A pleasure." She extended her hand gracefully.

Astra took it, brushing his lips against the back of her knuckles in a mock display of chivalry. as he spoke "Astra of Shadow. At your service." but in his mind, he was panicking"Prin...Princess...just my luck...."

She arched a brow. "Astra of House Shadow huh..?"

He only smiled in response

Seraphine leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a sultry whisper. "You're interesting, Astra. A noble of House Shadow, yet I've never seen you before."

He chuckled. "I prefer to keep a low profile."

"Shame, but how fitting for your lineage" she said, eyes flickering with intrigue. "With a face like yours, you'd have quite the following."

Astra couldn't tell if she was genuinely interested in him or just playing the noble's game of flirtation and intrigue. Either way, he played along. "Flattery will get you everywhere, my princess."

Seraphine smirked. "Perhaps. So tell me, what brings you to the Grand Bazaar? Shopping for a new look, or are you scouting for connections?"

Astra's eyes gleamed. Smart. She sees right through me.

He leaned slightly closer, his voice low and smooth. "Does it have to be just one?"

Seraphine laughed softly, seemingly pleased with his answer. "I like you, Astra. Perhaps we should exchange information?"

With a flick of her wrist, she activated her Regal Coin, allowing Astra to connect his own with hers—an exchange of direct communication access, something only nobles or high-ranking figures could do.

He accepted it smoothly, all the while keeping his true intentions hidden. This was his way into higher social circles, a potential stepping stone toward House Shadow's true elites.

"I literally just got the contact of a princess...what the actual.."

Just as Astra was about to make another witty remark, his entire body tensed.

It was faint—almost imperceptible—but now that he had stopped focusing entirely on Seraphine, he could feel them.

The hidden gazes.

Around the boutique, lurking in the shadows, positioned strategically across the room—bodyguards.

Powerful ones.

He hadn't noticed them before, but now he could sense at least five. All of them stronger than him. All of them watching. 

So this is the protection of a Royal Steward…

Astra kept his expression neutral, though inside, his mind was racing. He had been careless. Too focused on the interaction, too entertained by the flirtation. If he had made even the slightest wrong move, these invisible sentinels would have cut him down in an instant.

Seraphine must have noticed his shift in focus, because she smirked knowingly. "Oh? you noticed them, didn't you?, Impressive Astra, for a rank one to notice my guards... you really are interesting"

Astra forced a lazy smile, masking his tension. "Took you this long to bring them up?"

She laughed. "Eh most people don't even notice them I'm impressed you even did. Don't worry—they won't bite." Her voice dropped slightly. "Unless, of course, you give them a reason to."

Astra met her gaze, his smirk never faltering. "I'll be sure to behave, then."

Seraphine chuckled. "Good boy."

Astra only smiled as he turned away, playing it cool, but deep inside, he made a note....Seraphine of House Dune..was not to be underestimated.

As Astra walked out of the boutique, keeping his usual calm and composed expression, his thoughts were anything but.

"Gods, why are all these noble women so damn pretty… and so damn crazy?"

He sighed internally, glancing at his Regal Coin where Seraphine's contact information now sat. She was dangerous—not in the way a warrior was, but in the way a viper slowly coiled around its prey before striking.

"'Good boy?'" His eye twitched slightly as he replayed the moment. "Gods, she's gonna eat me alive."

The worst part? He wasn't entirely sure if he minded.

.....

Back at the inn, Astra ordered a hearty lunch—a roasted mana beast steak, spiced potatoes, fresh bread, and, of course, a tankard of alcoholic lemonade. The food was rich and filling, a far cry from the scraps he used to scavenge. He ate with quiet satisfaction, savoring every bite as he watched the festival's lights flicker outside the window.

"Alright," he thought, finishing his drink with a sharp exhale. "Time to get to work."

Astra found himself in a quiet, secluded training yard behind the inn, where few would disturb him. The air was cool, the moon beginning to rise, and the hum of distant celebrations filled the night.

He unsheathed his new longsword—a sleek, black-bladed weapon forged by the legendary Angel of Steel.

He took his stance and began practicing the Sword of Shadows. Immediately, he struggled.

The style demanded unparalleled flexibility, adaptability, and, above all, speed. It wasn't about power—it was about fluidity, deception, and overwhelming the opponent with movement. His footwork was all wrong.

His swings lacked finesse. His transitions were stiff. He stumbled more times than he cared to admit, and his muscles burned from the unnatural movements.

"Damn it." Astra grit his teeth, stepping back and wiping sweat from his brow. He knew he was improving—he had to be—but it felt like every step forward came with ten more things to fix. His body simply wasn't trained for this yet.

"How the hell am I supposed to get better at this quickly?"

He swung again—faster, looser, adapting on the fly. The more he moved, the more he felt himself adjusting instinctively.

His body, though untrained, was learning faster than he realized. Every failed step, every awkward cut—his muscles were absorbing them, correcting themselves little by little.

But Astra?

He was too focused on his failures to see just how terrifyingly fast he was improving.

After his grueling training session, Astra collapsed onto his bed, flipping open his Regal Coin to the Sword of Shadows' archived teachings.

The first passage made him scowl.

"To master the shadows, one must first become the shadow."

He stared at the words, running a hand through his still-damp curls. What the hell did that even mean? Was he supposed to disappear? Move without thought? He studied the recorded movements, watching how Shadow Masters flowed like liquid, struck like phantoms, and evaded like ghosts. It wasn't about memorizing steps—it was about being the blade within the dark, unseen until the moment of impact.

"Easier said than done," he muttered, tossing the coin onto the nightstand as he stepped into the shower.

The hot water soothed his sore muscles, and he let himself relax, mind still circling the concept. To be a shadow… does that mean I need to let go? He frowned, No. Not just let go… He sighed, rubbing the tension from his neck. I need to embrace the dark completely.

Just as Astra stepped out, a soft chime echoed from his Regal Coin.

[New Message: Seraphine Dune]

Seraphin: Astra, darling, I simply can't allow you to waste away training all alone. I'm hosting a minor ball this evening—nothing too formal, just a little gathering of friends, drinks, and entertainment.

Seraphine: And of course, you'll be my honored guest~

Seraphine: You look like you could use some fun....

Astra scoffed, shaking his head. She was shameless. He pulled on a loose shirt and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the message, a smirk slowly forming.

"Well, well, my plans are working a little too well, aren't they?"