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The Aetheris River, a majestic and vital waterway, flowed gracefully through the heart of the capital city. The river was wide and deep, capable of accommodating large vessels, and a vital artery supporting the bustling trade activity of the city. The river was not just a source of water, trade, and transportation. It was the lifeblood of the capital city, symbolizing the power, prosperity, and unity of the Dreamroot Empire.
They soon crossed the stately Aetheris Bridge, its arches adorned with intricate carvings telling tales of the empire's history. Elysar gazed down at the Aetheris River flowing beneath them. He could see the riverbed below, teeming with vibrant aquatic life unique to the Dreamroot Empire.
His entourage halted as he dismounted his horse to drink from the river. As he cupped the cool, glowing water and brought it to his lips, he noticed his reflection. His face was no longer gaunt and haggard, but well-fed and healthier. His once fragile frame was now muscular, his body hardened by two months of rigorous training accompanied by different magical products only nobles like him could have. He ran his fingers through his now thick and lustrous hair, a stark contrast to the thinning, brittle strands it once was. His face was delicate and noble-looking.
'I suppose I have changed, haven't I?', Elysar mused to himself, his thoughts unintentionally slipping into a faint whisper. As he remounted his horse, a ripple of unease passed through the crowd of onlookers that had gathered at a respectful distance. His entourage was a clear sign of his status, and even though they did not know his identity, they knew to be wary of someone of his stature.
Elysar observed the commoners with a critical eye as they made their way through the city. He noted the stark difference in their appearances compared to the nobility. The commoners were plain, their hair mostly shades of brown or black, their faces devoid of the ethereal beauty that a high amount of internal mana often bestowed. The nobles, on the other hand, were remarkably attractive, their hair shimmering in a spectrum of colors, their features sharp and captivating. It was yet another manifestation of the inequality that permeated their world.
Further along, Elysar's gaze fell upon a clothing store in the wealthier district. He recognized the designs and fabrics displayed in the storefront - they were from his mother's enterprise. Evershine Textiles. The fabrics were imbued with magic to prevent stains, tears, and fading, making them highly sought after by the wealthier class for their clothing, upholstery, and draperies. It brought a smirk to his face. His mother's influence was indeed far-reaching.
The city buzzed with life and energy, a testament to the prosperity of the Valthoren territory. Tourists from across the empire and beyond flocked to the capital, marveling at the awe-inspiring architecture, enchanting gardens, and magical displays.
The city's thriving economy encompassed both magical and non-magical industries, thanks to its central location, the Aetheris River, and the innovative spirit of its people. Merchants and entrepreneurs aspired to establish themselves within the territory, hoping to capitalize on the success and prestige that came with it.
After passing the Second Ring for wealthier commoners, Elysar's entourage passed through the Third Ring of the city, the air was filled with the scent of bread baking, metals being forged, and the various other smells of a bustling commoner's district. The streets were lined with small, tightly packed homes, the majority of them sporting modest wooden and brick designs, a stark contrast to the luxury of the noble quarters. A horde of brown and black-haired commoners filled the streets, their plain appearances reflecting their humble stations in life.
As Elysar continued his trek through the city, the vibrant life of the commoner's markets caught his attention. Bustling with activity, these were places where the city's lifeblood truly flowed. Artisans peddled their wares, shouting to be heard over the cacophony of haggling voices, while merchants eagerly displayed a dizzying array of goods from all corners of the empire. It was a riot of color, noise, and scent; the air filled with the aroma of spices, leather, fresh produce, and the tang of metal from the blacksmith's stalls.
He observed the city's inhabitants moving about their daily lives. Despite their fear and respect for nobles, the commoners' lives revolved around their own immediate realities.
Their fear was a reflection of the stories they had been told, the legends of noble prowess and heroism, and the evidence of noble power in the structures and institutions that dominated the city. Elysar found it intriguing how effective the nobles were in shaping the commoners' perceptions of them, a combination of fear, respect, admiration, and awe.
Even as the city unfolded its myriad scenes before him, Elysar remained unwavering in his purpose. His Fate's Gaze, a unique manifestation of his powers, constantly scanned the people around him, searching for those rare individuals marked by extraordinary luck. Yet, despite the city's teeming populace, his Gaze returned nothing but ordinary individuals.
As Elysar moved deeper into the capital city, he couldn't help but admire its urban planning and management. It was a testament to the power and influence of the high-ranking nobles who ruled over these lands. The city, like others in the Dreamroot Empire, served as a hub of commerce, politics, and culture, hosting a diverse population that included merchants, artisans, scholars, and other professionals.
The city was divided into distinct sections, based on social class. High-ranking noble families resided in the most luxurious and well-protected areas, while commoners and serfs lived in more crowded and impoverished neighborhoods. The segregation was palpable and, Elysar noted, strategic.
The city was also heavily fortified and monitored, attesting to a strong focus on security and surveillance. Elysar noticed guards stationed at gates and entrances, and sensed the presence of magical barriers to prevent intrusions.
The Dreamroot Empire had long also mastered the art of magical surveillance, and their cities were proof of their prowess. Scattered throughout the city were carefully concealed scrying orbs and other arcane devices.
These served as the empire's eyes and ears, constantly monitoring for signs of social unrest or suspicious behavior. To the untrained eye, these devices were virtually undetectable, blending seamlessly with the city's architecture and daily hustle and bustle. But Elysar, with his familiarity with such methods of control, could sense their presence.
Defensive walls and gates surrounded the city, with royal or noble palaces and estates, administrative buildings, and religious centers located near the city center. As he moved away from the center, he traversed residential districts that were generally organized by wealth, with the wealthiest citizens living closest to the city center and the poorest near the outer edges of the city.
The marketplace and commercial district were centrally located for easy access. Entertainment venues, parks, and public spaces were scattered throughout the city, providing leisure and recreation to its diverse population. He passed by educational institutions, hospitals and healing centers, military barracks, and artisan workshops.
As Elysar's entourage neared the outskirts of the city, the grandeur and opulence of the center gave way to a markedly different landscape - the Outer Ring. This was the city's underbelly, where the sharp edge of the class division was most brutally apparent. Here, the city's poorest residents, outlaws, criminals on the run, serfs, and other marginalized groups, lived in the shadow of the empire's prosperity. The ghettos of the Outer Ring bore the harsh imprint of neglect and poverty.
The buildings of the Outer Ring were a stark contrast to the robust stone and wooden structures of the inner city. They were haphazard constructions of salvaged materials, structures leaning upon each other as if for mutual support. The streets here were narrower, winding, and crowded, teeming with life that thrived despite the squalid conditions.
Elysar observed the Outer Ring with a discerning eye, his mind ticking over the scene, 'So it is as I thought...', Ge mused, 'Found no one today once again. Perhaps it's time to reassess my approach.'
The thought of using the new magical cognitive booster, also called a "magical drug", flickered into his mind. It could potentially help him recall the diverse routines these sons of luck, from fiction, often exhibit, from his past life, aiding in his quest to build profiles for the. He therefore wouldn't need to blindly get into the world, looking for them, a task that was akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
Information reached Elysar through the clandestine channels of his past underworld affiliations. A new drug, a potent cognitive booster, had been developed. This news piqued his interest, however, even the former proprietor of these contacts would have been most eager to get their hands on such a substance.
Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Elysar ventured into the heart of the Outer Ring. It was crucial to keep this matter concealed from the prying eyes of the Valthoren family, hence the personal visit. The Outer Ring, despite being the poorest district of the capital city, presented its unique set of challenges.
The district was a sprawling labyrinth, expansive and poorly constructed. Towering walls, even more imposing than those that divided the other city Rings, segregated the area, making it seem like an isolated city within a city. This lack of infrastructure and sheer size made surveillance difficult, rendering it the least guarded part of the capital.
Yet, it was this very absence of stringent security that made it a hotbed for criminal activities. It was a paradoxical realm where poverty coexisted with peril. Dangerous criminals, some with significant strength and well-honed mana abilities, found refuge in the shadows of this urban maze.
Crime syndicates, thriving on the district's privacy, operated with impunity from this secluded corner of the city. They preyed upon the desperation of the impoverished serfs, offering them a way out of their misery in exchange for their loyalty. Thus, the poorest district of the capital city was also its most dangerous.
As Elysar delved deeper into this den of lawlessness, he was acutely aware of the risks. However, the allure of the drug and the potential advantage it could offer made the gamble worthwhile. Not to mention that he had such a luxurious lineup of bodyguards going with him.
They finally moved in, the clamor of the bustling city fading into a distant hum as they did. His gaze swept over the sprawling ghettos, and the sights were far from welcoming. The world here seemed to exist in a different hue, one that was painted with stark contrasts.
A haphazard collection of ramshackle buildings stretched out before him, their crude forms stacked upon one another in a precarious balance. The houses were small, cramped, and poorly constructed, made from cheap, salvaged materials like rough-hewn wood, thatch, or even scavenged scraps of metal and stone.
The structures were a patchwork of salvaged materials, bearing the brunt of time and neglect. The streets were narrow, dirt-laden paths winding their way through the maze of buildings, barely wide enough for a horse to pass. In the sporadic openings between the buildings, groups of raggedly dressed individuals huddled, their faces etched with the hard lines of struggle and survival.
Despite the evident destitution, the place buzzed with a different sort of energy. The air was thick with a palpable sense of desperation, yet there was a strange resilience that hung in the air, a collective will to survive against the odds. There was an undercurrent of vitality here, a raw, primal life force that couldn't be found in the manicured streets of the inner city.
Navigating through the crowded lanes, Elysar made his way toward his underworld contact. Every so often, he caught sight of wary eyes watching him from the shadows, their gazes sharp and assessing.
It was clear that outsiders were rare and not particularly welcomed in this part of the city, despite his seemingly noble identity. After a series of twists and turns that further confirmed the labyrinthine nature of the district, he arrived at his destination - a nondescript building that blended seamlessly into the surrounding squalor. Awaiting him within was his contact and, hopefully, the potent cognitive booster he sought.