Journey to Nevar town

The rustling of leaves echoed beneath Rei's boots as he made his way through the winding forest path. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, casting flickering patterns of light and shadow upon the dirt trail. Behind him, silent as the breeze, Luc followed invisibly—his presence unseen. The journey had been divided into three segments, each a full day's walk. It was not just a journey of distance, but one of quiet self-preparation.

During his rest breaks and while walking when the terrain allowed, Rei read from a bundle of books he had packed before his departure—books on taming wild beasts, identifying useful herbs, and refining blacksmithing techniques. Though his blacksmithing skills were already forged through years of practice, he knew the value of refining even a honed blade. Knowledge, like metal, needed constant tempering.

When he wasn't reading, he meticulously sorted through his belongings. Tucked between some woods and a sound krystallite, he found a leather pouch containing his current wealth—five gold coins, thirty-four silver coins, and sixty-seven bronze ones. As he counted the coins, a question lingered in his mind: Would this be enough to get into a magic academy? He possessed no magic in the traditional sense, but his sorcery—an enigmatic power that bent the rules of nature—was similar enough that he might just qualify.

Each night, under a sky of gleaming constellations, Rei marked the positions of the 3 moons and stars. During sleep, Rei would lie atop his wooden cart, dagger in one hand and his chaos scepter in the other. With a blanket draped over both himself and the cart. The precautions weren't just for comfort—they were for survival. Should anyone attempt to steal his cart, Rei was prepared to strike without hesitation.

Luc, ever-watchful, documented each moment for the king. Hidden in plain sight, he moved like a ghost, unseen yet ever-present, sending weekly reports back to the palace.

Three days passed, each echoing with the crunch of leaves, the low rustle of wind, and the occasional songbird call. Then, as the sun rose on the third morning, the trees parted to reveal Rei's destination: Nevar Town.

The sight before him was modest but striking. The town was built in a medieval style, with stone and wood buildings that seemed aged yet sturdy. Two grand towers loomed above the rest—a red one and a white one—standing like twin sentinels over the quiet settlement. The streets were not crowded; a few townsfolk moved about, some hauling goods, others chatting in corners or tending to small shops. It had the feel of a place where people worked hard, lived simply, and rarely made time for strangers.

But Rei was not here to simply admire architecture. He needed to know more if he was to settle here—rules, customs, dangers, and opportunities. Without proper knowledge, even the calmest town could become a death trap.

Spotting a man with black hair, a neatly groomed mustache, and the muscular build of someone accustomed to hard work, Rei approached him.

"Hello, sir," Rei said politely. "What are those two towers over there?"

The man squinted at Rei with mild confusion, then a flicker of realization crossed his face. "Oh, you're a newbie, huh? Just had your first Naming Ceremony?"

Rei gave a small nod, choosing not to explain further.

"Well then," the man continued with a friendly grin, "those two towers are the Hunter's Tower and the Merchant's Tower. Normally, such towers have ten floors. The ninth-level hunters or merchants work at the base, while the most elite—first-levels and guild masters—operate near the top. But here in Nevar, our towers only go up to the seventh level. Four floors each. Still, good enough for starting out."

"I see. Thanks for the info," Rei replied.

The man nodded and walked off. Rei lingered for a moment longer, taking in the view, then turned toward the Hunter's Tower. As he walked, he studied the layout of the town. The slums sprawled across a large portion of the southern sector—more expansive than he expected. Shops were scattered throughout the area, most modest in size. They sold the basics—food, herbs, furniture, and weapons. Rei made mental notes. He also noticed whispers of tension in the southern region—rumors of potential bandits. It was considered a danger zone. Another detail worth remembering.

Arriving at the Hunter's Tower, Rei saw a wooden board just outside the entrance, plastered with parchment notes. Each one detailed a small task: gathering herbs, cleaning, errand running. Entry-level work for newcomers and those looking to prove themselves.

He entered the building. The reception area was plain but tidy, manned by a bored-looking receptionist with shoulder-length auburn hair.

"I'm looking for information about this city," Rei said as he approached the desk.

"That'll cost you," the receptionist replied without looking up. "Three bronze coins for the basics. How much do you want?"

"As much as you can give me," Rei replied confidently.

That got her attention. She looked up. "Could be fifty bronze coins for everything."

"Deal."

Rei handed over the coins without hesitation. The receptionist vanished for a moment, then returned with a thick sheaf of parchment—maps, guild structures, laws, danger zones, trade routes, and even a brief history of Nevar Town.

Tucking the documents into his satchel, Rei stepped back outside. It was time to find a place to rest.

He wandered through the quieter parts of town, eventually stumbling upon a cheap-looking inn with a crooked sign that read The Resting Ember. The place wasn't luxurious, but the three bronze coins per night rate was perfect for someone traveling light.

After paying for a few nights in advance, Rei was led to a small wooden room with a creaky bed, a single lantern, and a stool by the window. He dropped his pack and lay down for a moment, staring at the ceiling.

The journey had ended, but a new one had already begun. He now had a foothold in Nevar. He had information, shelter, and a little coin left to spare. Tomorrow, he'd begin the next step: looking through the Nevar town, scouting for local opportunities, and—perhaps—finding a way into a magic academy.

He closed his eyes, one hand resting on the chaos scepter beside his bed, the other over the hilt of his dagger. And just like that, Rei drifted into sleep, prepared for whatever the dawn would bring.