Aditya walked directly to a building that rented and sold houses.
"What brings you here, sir?" the receptionist asked.
"I want to rent a courtyard with enough space and a garden where I can plant some flowers and vegetables," Aditya replied.
"Oh, let me call my manager."
The manager arrived shortly. "Hello, how should I address you?"
"I'm Aditya. I'm looking to rent a courtyard," he said.
The manager picked up a small stone and placed it in front of Aditya's eyes.
When Aditya focused on it, he could see various courtyards, along with all their details.
"What is this?" Aditya asked curiously.
"It's a device that can store real images with the help of inscriptions," the manager explained.
"Interesting. Do you think it could blast or self-destruct?" Aditya asked.
"Yes, it's possible. I think it can be triggered with a talisman or certain inscriptions. Anyway, have you selected a courtyard? The prices are also listed."
"My budget is up to 700 gold coins," Aditya said.
"In that case, there's one in the outer district that you can rent for three months. It'll be ready tomorrow. You just need to register with your name and thumbprint. Pay the remaining 350 gold coins tomorrow, and the courtyard will be yours."
Aditya nodded and left, heading straight to Master Fendral.
At the desk, he asked the attendant, "Is Master Fendral busy? Aditya is here to see him. Please let him know."
"Alright, Aditya. I'll inform him, but don't get your hopes up," the attendant said.
Moments later, Fendral appeared. "Oh, Aditya, we just spoke yesterday. Why are you here again? Is there something you need or someone you'd like me to meet?"
"I wanted to ask you something," Aditya began. "Is there an inscription that can be drawn on something so that when thrown, it causes an explosion?"
Fendral thought for a moment. "Let me check. Follow me."
After rummaging through a pile of books, he finally found what he was looking for. "This is the inscription you need. You'll need blood as ink to draw it, and it must be applied fully. The effect depends on the type of ink you use. If you use regular animal blood, the explosion will only affect a small area."
"Can it create fog after the explosion?" Aditya asked.
"In that case, you'll need to add another layer of inscriptions. For fog, you could use coal in liquid form. Write the fog inscription on the surface and then overlay it with the explosive inscription. Come, I'll show you."
They went to the backyard. Fendral prepared two talismans—one with coal and one with spirit beast blood.
"It's ready," Fendral said. "Step back."
He threw the talisman with force. It landed some distance away, and with a loud thud, it exploded, releasing a thick black smoke.
"So, can I draw it myself?" Aditya asked.
"You'll need a special brush with inscriptions, made from spirit beast fur," Fendral replied.
Aditya scratched his head. "I don't have anything like that."
"I'll give you the brush," Fendral said. "But you should come back and practice here. Once you're good enough, you can start using it on your own."
Aditya thanked him and said goodbye, promising to return the next day.
Exhausted from the day's activities, Aditya felt his stomach growling. He stopped at a street stall and ordered some rice and chicken soup. After eating, he paid 10 copper coins and headed back to his inn.
"Hey, manager," Aditya said. "I'm vacating my room. I need the next two months' rent and my deposit refunded."
"Wow, you're leaving at just the right time," the manager said, handing him 70 gold coins.
Aditya thanked him and returned to his room to pack.
On his way out, he noticed a crowd of people entering the city. He stopped someone and asked, "Why are so many people coming here?"
"Some are planning to challenge Silent Poison in the arena. Others are here to recruit," the person explained. "No one knows where Silent Poison learned his skills. With his deadly poison, sharp tongue, tactics, and peak martial arts, he's won two three consecutive matches in two days again balance seekers with only path initiator realm only. Now everyone's curious to see what he looks like."
"Once he leaves the arena, no one sees him again. I don't know how he does it."
Aditya chuckled to himself. How would they know? Once I take the antidote and remove the mask, my physique and face return to normal.
I'll head back after reaching Balance Seeker. Hehe, you'll never find me again.