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Sol leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter as the old man's laughter faded into the background hum of the bar. He still felt the weight of their conversation, but for now, he pushed it aside. There were things he needed to learn, but not everything had to be so heavy. His mind needed a break from all the questions spiraling inside of it.

He glanced at the old man, who was still smirking at him with that knowing look. Sol exhaled and shifted the topic. "You've been here a long time, right? What's worth seeing around the district? Any spots that aren't just for drunks and mercs?"

The bartender raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the shift in conversation. "Looking to sightsee, are we? Thought you were the brooding type."

Sol clicks his tongue in annoyance. "Why does everyone keep saying I'm the brooding type?"

The old man chuckled, resting his arms on the counter. "Kid, you walk around with that sharp gaze like you're sizing up the universe, always thinking three steps ahead. You don't talk much unless you have to, and when you do, it's either a question or a challenge. Sounds pretty brooding to me."

Sol felt a flicker of embarrassment at the old man's words and quickly shifted the conversation.

The old man chuckled. "Fair enough, kid. Luminara's got more to it than just bars and trade posts, though most folks don't bother looking beyond the surface. If you're the wandering sort, you might want to check out the Celestial Veil—it's this weird natural light phenomenon near the core of the district. Some folks say it's just some atmospheric glitch, others swear it's the remnants of something ancient. Either way, it's a sight."

Sol nodded, intrigued. "Sounds interesting. What else?"

"The Mirage Market, if you're feeling adventurous. You won't find it unless it wants to be found, but it's a trader's paradise. Artifacts, rare tech, stuff that shouldn't exist but does—just be careful who you buy from."

That piqued Sol's interest even more. "Hidden market, huh? Sounds like my kind of place."

The bartender gave him a knowing look. "Yeah, I figured. And if you're after something a little more surreal, there's the Echo Spire—a massive tower that's said to mess with time and space. Some claim they've lost hours inside, others swear they see reflections of themselves walking around before they even get there."

"And then there's the Archive," he added, his tone shifting slightly. "A library that twists and turns on itself, bigger on the inside than anyone can explain. Some say there are an uncountable number of books from every corner of the universe stored within its halls. And at the very center, if you can even find it, is the Librarian. Legend says he'll answer any question you ask. But that's just a rumor—no one's ever made it to the center."

Sol immediately straightened, his mind latching onto the words. He barely even registered the other locations anymore. The idea of a place filled with knowledge from across the universe was too tempting to ignore. If the rumors were true, the Librarian could answer any question. Could it provide insight into affinities? Into time itself? Into divinity? His mind raced with possibilities.

'This place… it could have the answers I've been looking for,' he thought.

"Tell me more about the Archive."

The old man chuckled, seeing the shift in interest. "Interesting choice. Alright, kid, let me tell you what I know…"

As Sol finished listening, he reached for his credits, ready to pay, but the old man waved him off with a smirk. "I'll just leave a tab open for you, so you better come back and visit this old man."

Sol arched an eyebrow but smirked nonetheless. "Trying to keep me around?"

"Nah," the old man said, leaning against the counter. "This old man just enjoyed talking with you and would love to see you again."

Sol felt a bit weird at the old man's honesty but could only nod. As he pressed the button on his remote to leave the Sparkling Den, his body seemed to deconstruct into particles before vanishing entirely.

A moment later, his form reassembled at the entrance of the establishment, the familiar hum of the district surrounding him once more. As the last traces of light flickered around him, a floating service bot turned toward him.

"Thank you for visiting. Hope to see you soon," it chimed in a cheerful, mechanical voice.

Sol barely acknowledged it, giving a slight nod before stepping forward, walking back out into the ever-bustling streets of the Luminara District.

The raccoon-eared server, who had been watching from the sidelines, turned to the old man with a surprised look. "Never thought someone as greedy for money as you would actually decline the payment."

The old man rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Shouldn't you be working right now?"

She just laughed and ran off, tail flicking behind her. The old man lingered for a moment, glancing at the seat Sol had just occupied before shaking his head with a chuckle.

"What an interesting lad."

A nearby patron, who had been listening quietly, leaned in slightly. "You think that kid's gonna find some trouble?"

The old man smirked, his gaze still fixed on where Sol had vanished. "Kid like that? Trouble doesn't find him. He makes it."