The shop barely changed from the time Zeke first came there. The floor is still neatly cluttered by stuff he couldn't even put a name to, and the atmosphere, now that he is somewhat attuned to magic, he can feel that place incredibly brims with considerable mana.
"Alright what can I help you with?" Aelessa's airy voice brings Zeke back from his own thoughts.
He blinked twice then refocused his eyes towards the owner of the voice.
"Ah yes, I was wondering if you can teach me some general knowledge about magic. You see my farmhands gave me the day off and the first thing that came into my mind was your shop, so here I am."
Aelessa rubbed their chin in contemplation and snaps their fingers while saying "Aha" animatedly.
"Well, since your here why not browse some stuff from my store. There are some interesting spells and trinkets here that'll definitely catch your attention, oh and don't worry I'll answer every questions you ask and even explain some things that you don't understand," Aelessa replied giddily.
Zeke nodded then proceeded to look at the somewhat weird selection of wares. While browsing, he came upon a assortment of bottles, which looked like potions in a video game that Zeke played in the past. They are all lined up, each bottle containing a different shade of colored liquid. Zeke reached for one then proceeded to swirl it gently, like a scientist inspecting a flask containing a liquid component for experiment.
"Hey, be careful with those, you don't wanna turn into 'something else' or a form that you don't like," Aelessa warned while still arranging their somewhat cluttered shelf behind the counter.
"Turn into?" Zeke thought to himself, "might I be able to transform into something else entirely? Or maybe transform like all of the people in this world?"
Considering he is rather in a unconventional world everything is almost possible, so he inquired further.
"What sort of transformative potions are these that you speak of?"
Aelessa continued their decluttering, "well you know—oh you wouldn't know! Right, so this world and only this world, Loneharv, has several options to give citizens to turn into something that they wanted to be."
"Being one type of Lumen doesn't necessarily mean that you are confined to that type forever, at least in this realm you don't. The unstable magic this realm has allowed people to drink potions that are called 'glamour'. Glamour made it possible for lumen or human to transmogrify into another race, whichever they want. Although, no one has ever really tried if it's possible for lumen like us to turn into human or vice versa."
"Glamour also has a time limit, so it is advised for anyone to take care whenever they ingest this stuff, you never know when your supposed to turn back, and we wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone do we? Also before you ask, no the duration of the transformative effects differ from person to person, it's kind of wonky like that."
Aelessa stood up from crouching, then looked at Zeke holding something in both of their hands, "well that's about it for that topic, anything else you want to know specifically you can read in this book."
Zeke went over to the counter to take the said book. "Potions and Magic" is the title of the book, it looks well kept and new even though the book itself felt like it's been used constantly.
"Well, thanks a lot for this it will surely help me a lot in understanding magic further," Zeke said, "um it has information other than transformation stuff right?"
"Of course! See the title, that is pretty indicative of what it would cover right?" Aelessa tapped the top of the book, "I know it sounds like a generic title but it is what it is and that should help you in your endeavors towards magic."
"I see thanks a lot Aelessa," Zeke said raising his eyebrows, grateful for the help."
"No problem! Hm. I do wonder why you don't ask your farmhands about magic though. It's been a month now right? I know at least two of your boys know magic even though it is a focused school of magic."
"Ah, about that, um, I haven't bothered asking them for help yet because these past few weeks had been rather hectic for them and myself, maybe once things have settled down in the farm we could."
"Alrighty! Just asking! Anyways, now that I am almost done with prepping up the counter I have to go in the back to do something, feel free to peruse the store at your leisure."
With missing a beat, Aelessa left towards the door in the back of their shop.
Having been left to his own devices Zeke decided to just do what Aelessa suggested and do some perusing
After what it seemed like forever, dawdling and inspecting some of the more uncanny looking stuff in the shop, Zeke finally decided that it's time to leave the premises and wait for Aelessa to tell them that he's leaving.
Luckily, the said person just happen to be back.
"Hey Zeke, I'm back sorry for making you wait! Anyways, do you still need help with anything?"
"Ah, no I am totally good now, and just about to leave to see more areas in the town," Zeke replied.
"Okie-dokie! Just visit the shop anytime you wanna experience something different," Aelessa said as they waved their hand which looked more of a salute than a wave.
Zeke gave them a brief smile and finally went on his way, he was still unsure about the whole transformation thing, the way it felt was just bizarre to even explain. He breathe a sigh then started walking towards the middle of the town.
While walking towards the square Zeke heard a commotion of people clamoring at something he couldn't see, something that was happening at the very middle of the square, something or maybe someone?
Curious about whatever is happening, he made his way towards the crowd. The townspeople are so huddled with each other that he still couldn't see what they're shouting at so he squeezed himself between the crowd of people to finally see what was happening, he wouldn't usually involve himself in things like these but something compelled him to do so.
After what it seemed like forever, bumping with the townsfolk he finally reached the front of the crowd. There it was, he couldn't believe what you he was seeing, a dragon-like lumen with pure crimson-colored scales, donned with a majestic, and daunting set of armor that reveals that they are a knight of some sort.
He looked lost but the look of conviction on his face betrays the emotion. He stood there scanning the crowd, assessing the surroundings, carefully deciding which course of action is best to take next. He does this for almost a minute in a calm manner, but then suddenly he met Zeke's gaze.
His face immediately gave an expression of mild surprise and relief, his green eyes glinted in the scorching daylight indication that he has finally found his target. He stood up from crouching on the ground then made his way towards to where Zeke is at. The clanging of his heavyset armor can be heard throughout the entire plaza, once he arrived in front of the farmer the townspeople finally managed to keep all of their mouths shut, waiting for what the Draconian was about to do next.
"Are you the farmer?" the draconian asked stoically, his gaze piercing.
Zeke gulped then met the challenging stare of the draconian head on, "I am one of the farmers here, yes. Do you need anything?"
The draconian stayed silent for a brief moment, waiting for something but he realized he isn't going to get any further information by waiting.
"I believe you know what question I asked, are you 'the' farmer?" he asked again emphasizing the last two words.
By now, all the townsfolk are realizing and noticing that Zeke is indeed the farmer of the homestead that sits just beyond the town, the farmer of legend.
"Hey isn't he the farmer who just arrived with the Mayor? You know the one that's supposed to take settle in the homestead?" a voice from the crowd said, "hey he is! The farmer of legend is here everyone!"
The crowd of people suddenly went crazy, each and everyone was grabbing Zeke and barraging him questions to which he could not even make a sense of. Pushing and pulling the crowd of people has turned into a mob. The shouting is deafening and Zeke doesn't know what to do, he was thinking of a few options to leave when the draconian from earlier grabbed his arm firmly and helped him escape the vicious crowd.
The crowd was so distracted in infighting that the both of them escaped without any hassle, the crimson draconian pulled him into an out of sight alleyway when the crowd noticed Zeke was gone and started to give chase.