Paradise

As morning arrived, we stepped out of the faction's building to explore the town of Pasagin. Princess Marie and Luna had donned commoner-style clothing—a long red fabric dress paired with a blank linen wrap and wooden slippers—while I stuck to my usual attire: a sweater and black jogging pants, both woven by Mr. Ishtar before my departure.

Wearing clothes from Earth always gave me a sense of warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the academy's uniform, which felt too tight and restrictive. I couldn't believe I had to wear that stiff attire every time I attended class, especially when the female uniforms provided much more freedom of movement.

As we strolled through the town, I observed the lively atmosphere. Children played cheerfully in the streets, running around Princess Marie as she greeted them with a warm smile. Meanwhile, Luna engaged with the street vendors, her curiosity evident as she examined their wares. The scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and exotic spices wafted through the air, blending with the faint smokiness of burning wood from forges and cooking fires. Despite being considered a provincial town, Pasagin was vast—large enough to be its own kingdom.

The town was enclosed by towering stone walls, with faction guards patrolling the perimeter to ensure security. The cobblestone streets were bustling with merchants calling out their wares, from finely woven fabrics to enchanted trinkets. A street performer juggled small, glowing orbs while a musician played a lively tune on a lute, adding to the town's vibrant energy.

We continued our leisurely walk as Princess Marie sampled various local delicacies, savoring barbecued meat on skewers and roasted sweet potatoes. Luna, ever loyal, clung to her side, giving the princess free rein to choose where to go and what to do next. As I watched them, I couldn't shake the feeling that Luna was always on alert, keeping a careful eye on our surroundings.

After visiting numerous stalls, most of which sold food, Princess Marie expressed her desire to visit the town's blacksmith shop.

"Princess Marie, why do you want to visit the blacksmith?" Luna asked, tilting her head in confusion, her brow furrowing. "I thought mages relied more on their innate magic rather than weapons."

"Well, I am a mage, yes, but I still need a conduit," she admitted, curling a strand of her hair in embarrassment. "A proper staff can help focus my spells more efficiently. Right now, I'm using a borrowed one, and it doesn't really resonate with me."

"Doesn't the kingdom provide you with one?" I asked, my brows knitting together. "You're royalty. Surely they wouldn't let their own princess cast spells without the proper tools?"

"It's... complicated," she replied, her voice quieter now. She averted her gaze, her fingers idly tracing the edge of her sleeve. "Let's just say that not everything a princess wants is simply handed to her." Sensing her hesitation, I decided not to press further.

We soon arrived at the blacksmith's shop, a sturdy building designed in matte black and white, with a large hammer logo affixed above the entrance. As we stepped inside, the sharp clang of metal striking metal filled the air, accompanied by the deep grunts of an elderly blacksmith. A dwarf with long, white-braided hair was hard at work, hammering an iron blade on his anvil. The forge burned with an eerie blue flame, hinting at an enchantment that made the metal more malleable to magical infusion.

Just as he finished crafting the sword, he suddenly hurled it in our direction with startling speed.

[Mimic Eye of Analysis]

[Activated]

The world around me slowed as a translucent display of glowing text and diagrams appeared in my vision. The sword's trajectory, speed, and weak points were instantly calculated before my eyes. 

Before Luna could react, I instinctively moved first. Using the ring on my finger, I struck the tip of the sword, redirecting its trajectory and sending it harmlessly upward.

"A keen eye, young man," the dwarf remarked, approaching us with his hands clasped behind his back. His gaze studied each of us as he closed the distance.

"I wasn't aware we would be welcomed with violence," I said, handing the sword back to him. He merely waved it off and set it aside.

"So, what brings you here?" he asked, taking a seat and sipping from a tankard of beer.

Princess Marie stepped forward, ready to make her request, as the scent of molten metal and burning coal filled the air. The weapons displayed around the shop hummed faintly, some embedded with runes that pulsed with magical energy. 

I couldn't help but wonder—what kind of staff was she looking for, and why hadn't the kingdom provided her one? The more I thought about it, the more it felt like there was a bigger mystery at play.

"I would like a staff made of white amethyst, engraved with a rune that enhances the Recovery of Light spell," Princess Marie requested, her voice carrying a note of anticipation.

The dwarf crossed his arms and let out a deep chuckle. "That's quite the broad request, dear. Amethyst as the foundation for your staff? Aye, it's a fine gemstone—excellent for mana transfer—but it's also fragile when overloaded. A staff may be a powerful conduit for a mage, but it's also the easiest to disarm or lose in battle. If someone takes your staff, what then?"

Princess Marie's expression faltered, her fingers fidgeting slightly with the hem of her sleeve.

"Instead of a staff, a ring would serve you better as a conduit," the dwarf continued, his tone turning instructive. "It's smaller, more refined, and allows for a more condensed flow of magic. A mage of your standing should already know this."

At this, her face brightened, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "Then why do mages still use staffs?" she asked.

The dwarf stroked his beard thoughtfully. "It comes down to practicality and tradition. Higher mages benefit more from conduits like rings, but staffs help younger mages control spell recoil. They're easier to channel magic through, especially when you're still learning. But once you're confident in your control, a ring will serve you far better."

He then pulled out a wooden tab, placing it on the counter. "You can make your payment now, and I'll get started on the ring."

"Wait, how will you get the materials?" Luna interjected, skepticism evident in her voice.

The dwarf waved her concern away. "No need to worry. I have plenty of materials in stock, along with the necessary runes. You'll have a fine piece of craftsmanship when I'm done."

Satisfied, Princess Marie nodded in agreement. Then, the dwarf's sharp gaze turned toward me. "Now, what about you, young man? What's your request?"

I blinked, caught off guard. "Me? I didn't plan on requesting anything."

"Consider it a gift," he said, smirking. "For handling my little test earlier. Now, go on—take a look."

He gestured to the weapons displayed throughout the shop. Swords, daggers, enchanted trinkets—they were all crafted with fine detail. I pondered my options, considering the upcoming festival and the uncertain days ahead. I also still had the white runestone, uncontracted and awaiting its purpose. 

"A mask that enhances my stats, perhaps," I finally said.

My request was met with puzzled stares from the dwarf, Luna, and even Princess Marie. 

"A mask? Stat-boosting or concealment artifacts are common among Awakeners. Why settle for that?" the dwarf asked, raising a brow. 

Luna and Princess Marie exchanged glances before echoing his sentiment. 

"It's not just any mask," I clarified. "If possible, I want something that assists me in magic infusion."

Their confusion deepened. 

"Why a mask?" Luna asked, tilting her head.

I shrugged. "It's not something I'll use all the time. A mask is convenient—I can take it off easily when I don't need it."

The dwarf tapped his chin, considering my request. "An item that assists in mana infusion? That's rare. Most Awakeners don't require conduits to infuse mana voluntarily. Are you sure that's what you want?"

I couldn't exactly tell them that I lacked any form of innate mana—it would only raise more questions. Instead, I leaned into my next plan. 

"It's more of a storage item, in a way," I explained. "I have a white, or rather, blank runestone. It hasn't been contracted with a spirit yet, but I want to incorporate it into the mask."

The dwarf's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Interesting idea. I like it. Sure, I can craft that for you. It'll take some time, but I'll make it work."

With that, he turned to begin planning our requested items. 

After leaving the blacksmith's shop—without ever learning the dwarf's name—we continued our stroll through the town. The air was filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats from the market stalls, the chatter of merchants calling out deals blending into the lively atmosphere. 

Princess Marie's eyes lit up as she caught sight of a glimmering river just beyond the bustling streets. 

"Hey, Luna! Let's play in the river! I've always wanted to know what it feels like!" she exclaimed with a laugh, grabbing Luna's arm and dashing toward the water.

Luna let out a small sigh but didn't resist. "As you wish, Princess Marie."

I watched as the two waded into the river, their laughter filling the air. They splashed each other, their arms intertwined as they ran through the shallows, enjoying the cool water against their skin. The sunlight reflected off the gentle ripples, casting a golden shimmer across the surface. 

I remained by the riverside, scanning our surroundings. It wasn't that I disliked getting wet, but the thought of cleaning my clothes afterward felt like an unnecessary hassle. 

Still, I couldn't help but smile slightly at the carefree moment unfolding before me. Even in an unfamiliar world, some joys remained universal.

As much as the moment was filled with joy, a knight came running toward us, urgency written across his face. He was panting heavily, struggling to catch his breath before speaking.

"Princess Marie, Luna Galadriel, and Ezekiel Rhea! You must return immediately to the Celestial Tribunal Building. A group of Abyssals is approaching the town—we need to retreat for now!" the knight exclaimed.

The weight of his words settled over us instantly. Without hesitation, Luna took Princess Marie's hand, leading her swiftly toward the Faction's building. We sprinted through the streets as the town fell into chaos. The deep echoes of war horns blared, bells rang in alarm, and townsfolk scattered, parents clutching their children tightly as they rushed toward their shelters. The tension in the air was suffocating, a stark contrast to the peace we had felt just moments ago.

[Clairvoyance] [Activated]

For the first time, I used Clairvoyance not for combat but for area surveillance. As my vision shifted thirty seconds into the future, I was met with a horrific sight.

A purplish beam tore through the western wall, striking the infrastructure and sweeping across like a tidal wave. I saw bodies flung through the air, heard the agonized screams of children crying out for their parents—parents who would never answer again. The metallic scent of blood filled my senses, the acrid smoke of destruction rising into the sky. A pit of dread formed in my stomach. This was cruel. This was war.

As my vision faded, I wasted no time. The western wall was about to be hit. I counted down in my head—thirty seconds. No time to explain. No time to hesitate.

Twenty-two seconds. I reached the base of the west wall, scaling it without pause. Flames from Surya's Blessing propelled me upward, hastening my ascent. The stone was rough against my fingers, but I barely noticed as adrenaline coursed through my veins.

Nineteen seconds. I vaulted over the top of the wall and let myself drop, free-falling toward the battlefield below. The howls of Abyssals echoed in the distance, a sickening chorus of hunger and malice.

Fifteen seconds. I landed, rolling to absorb the impact. My eyes locked onto the massive cannon, its barrel surging with ominous purplish energy, charging for another devastating blast. The ground beneath it cracked from the sheer force of the power it held.

Ten seconds. Abyssals swarmed around it, guarding the weapon. Without hesitation, I hurled flaming spears, cutting down as many as I could in quick succession. The air burned with the scent of scorched flesh as they screeched in pain.

Five seconds. I was at the cannon's front, ready to strike. My heartbeat pounded in my ears.

Three seconds. A searing pain shot through my arm. An arrow embedded itself in my flesh, fired from my eastern flank. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to move despite the agony. Blood trickled down my sleeve, hot and wet.

This was bad. Two seconds.

[Blood Aegis] [Activated]

I condensed the Blood Aegis before me, fortifying it to withstand the coming impact. The thick, crimson shield shimmered in the dim light, layers upon layers forming as I poured everything into my defense.

One second. I reinforced the barrier, layering multiple shields—one wouldn't be enough. The air around me vibrated with raw energy, the cannon's final moment of charge before devastation.

Zero.

The cannon unleashed its beam, colliding with my Blood Aegis in a deafening explosion. The shockwave sent Abyssals flying, their bodies torn apart by the sheer force. Dust and debris filled the air, blinding me momentarily as I dug my heels into the dirt, grounding myself. The energy pressed against me, threatening to crush me under its weight.

Layer after layer of my barrier shattered, each breaking with a sharp, ear-splitting crack. The heat was unbearable, my skin stinging as if it were being seared. My breathing became labored, every muscle in my body straining to hold my ground.

The final layer barely held. Then, at last, the beam's energy sputtered out, its terrifying destruction finally ceasing. The battlefield fell into eerie silence, save for the distant cries of the wounded and my own ragged breaths.

Pain radiated through my body. My left arm hung limp at my side, fractured from the strain. My fingers twitched, but I couldn't move it. Blood dripped from my wound, pooling at my feet. 

But the cannon was no longer a threat.

And that was enough.

I exhaled, trying to steady myself. The battle wasn't over, but I had bought the town precious time. I forced myself to look up, scanning the horizon for the next move. The Abyssals were regrouping. This wasn't over yet.