Meandering through town on the way to the inn, he caught the scent of the gardens surrounding one of the shops on this side street, the fresh air a welcome change from his thoughts lost in the last occupation. The various scents made his walk to the inn a little shorter and he made a point of stopping to smell many of the vibrant flowers on the way and enjoying the lush greenery surrounding the inn. He made his way there, nodding politely to the townsfolk and shop keeps he passed along the way.
Inside the inn, the innkeeper greeted him with a respectful nod. "Welcome back, archmage." He said, acknowledging Von's title. "You have returned early this day. Is food in your plans?"
"Not yet. I feel kind of foul, so I would like a bath already."
The innkeeper nodded as he motioned toward the bathing rooms. Von strolled down the hall letting his nose feast upon the aroma of dinner cooking in the kitchen. Instead of heading directly toward the baths, he took a quick detour to get fresh clothing from his and Monica's room. Once properly prepared, he continued his journey to get clean.
As Von entered the bathing room, the heated water caused steam to fill out into the hall from the room, while creating a soothing and calming atmosphere within. Removing his dirty clothes, he placed his clean ones on a shelf before handing the worn clothes to the attendant.
Von slipped into the bath, feeling the warmth of the water wash over him. It was a comforting sensation, and he closed his eyes, letting his thoughts drift. He thought about everything that had happened since arriving at the academy—the challenges, the friends he had made, and the new responsibilities he now bore. It was a lot for someone so young, and he didn't feel confident he could handle it. He hoped if he too everyone one step at a time, he could manage it. If not, he did have new friends he could rely on for help.
As he soaked in the bath, he let his mind wander to the library's suggestion about the reading rooms. Perhaps, when next he returned to the library, he would find a comfortable spot to relax and read more. There was always more to learn, and the library seemed more than willing to help him acquire the knowledge he needed. He knew that every new piece of information could make him a better person, a better leader and more well-rounded as an individual.
After a while, the steam in the room began to dissipate, and he decided it was time to dry off and get dressed. He wrapped himself in a plush towel and dried off thoroughly before putting on his clothes. With a final glance at the bath, he felt refreshed and ready to meet Monica outside the cavern of darkness before joining her for supper.
Leaving the inn, Von stepped out into the warm afternoon air, feeling refreshed and ready for what the rest of the day would bring. The streets of Sungrove were alive with activity as he made his way through the bustling town. The smells of cooking food wafted from open windows, and the distant sounds of music and laughter created a lively backdrop.
As he walked, he noticed the subtle beauty of the town—the soft glow of sun striking the buildings and this reflection casting a warm hue over cobblestone streets, the vibrant flowers adorning window boxes, and the chatter of locals enjoying the pleasant afternoon. It was a side of Sungrove he hadn't fully appreciated before, and he found himself smiling at the simple charm of it all.
Passing by a bakery, he paused to watch as the baker pulled fresh loaves from the oven, the aroma of warm bread filling the air. It reminded him of home, and he felt a pang of nostalgia. He'd been away from his family for what felt like ages, but he knew he needed to wait until time caught up with the outside world then resumed its steady march onward. It honestly took more patience than he thought he possessed on some days, but the various distractions of learning kept the longing for his family mostly at bay.
He took a deep breath and continued toward the cavern where Monica's lessons were held. The town's energy was infectious, and he felt himself walking with a lighter step, waving to familiar faces and exchanging greetings with those who recognized him from his challenges at the academy. Despite his new title and the weight of his responsibilities, he found joy in the simple interactions with the people of Sungrove.
As he walked through the academy grounds, he passed the various colleges and towers, each buzzing with activity. Students were practicing their crafts, exchanging notes, and debating theories under the guidance of their instructors. The energy was palpable, and Von felt a sense of belonging among these budding mages and scholars.
Travelling through the academy, he made his way cheerfully past the various colleges and towers while reminiscing about the lessons he had learned over the past few weeks. He'd spent time mastering the various magical arts and now, the art of smithing, while still honing his magic skills, and still found time to explore the depths of the academy's vast library. Every day brought something new, and for the most part, he eagerly embraced each challenge, knowing it would prepare him for whatever lay ahead.
Passing through the grove leading to the cavern, he marveled at the variety of fauna one could find here in the perfect woods in the middle of a vast swamp. The towering trees provided ample shade, while vibrant flowers added bursts of color to the landscape. Birds flitted among the branches, singing their melodies, and the rustling leaves created a soothing symphony.
As he approached the cavern, he saw the familiar stone marker indicating the entrance. Monica would soon be finished with her lesson, and he knew they would have much to talk about. He looked forward to hearing about her day and her lessons then sharing his own adventures, especially the latest batch of incredible items he had created at the forge, and of course he intended on gifting her with one of the rings created from the armorback turtle core, specifically Shieldscale, not that it mattered as they were all identical in capabilities, but the name seemed fitting for her.
The stone marker had been etched with ancient runes, barely visible under the layers of moss and lichen that grew on its surface. He brushed away some of the layers in order to memorize the various runes and try to figure out how they pieced together to make the teleportation effect based on one's blood from here to the cavern and back.
As he was bending over, Monica appeared a few feet away startling him causing him to jump back and land painfully with his backside on the damp ground. Monica immediately noticed the movement and her face lit up with a smile upon seeing him and in no small part due to his clumsiness and his position. "Hey, Von! I didn't expect you here so soon. Usually, I have to wait well into the night for you."
Von grinned back. "Finished everything at the forge early."
"Something bad happen again?"
He shook his head grinning. "No, something good. Well, several things very good."
"What happened?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I made a bunch of new stuff today, and I think you're going to like it," he replied, pulling out the carefully wrapped ring from his pocket. "But first, let's grab some food. I'm starving."
Monica laughed. "You and me both. Let's go." Together, they walked back through the grove, their laughter mingling with the rustling leaves.
As they walked back through the grove, the evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of pine and fresh earth. The canopy overhead filtered the last rays of sunlight, casting dappled patterns on the path ahead. Von felt a sense of contentment as they made their way toward the center of the academy grounds, where the lights of the marketplace could be seen in the distance.
"You won't believe what I learned today," Monica said, her voice filled with excitement. "Mistress Hellyne was teaching us about chaos magic and how to use it to disrupt auras. It's a lot harder than it sounds, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it."
Von listened intently, fascinated by the idea of chaos magic. "That sounds amazing. I wish I could have seen it. Did you manage to disrupt anyone's aura?" he asked, his curiosity driving the conversation.
Monica nodded proudly. "Yeah, I did! We went into the grove to see some of the transformation students at study. Mistress Hellyne spoke with their instructor, and I got to try several times. Mistress Hellyne said it takes a lot of control, but I managed to disrupt one of the advanced students' aura during practice. I was a bit surprised it worked, to be honest." She laughed. "He wasn't too happy about it, though."
"That sounds incredible. I can't wait to see what else you learn," Von replied, admiring her progress.
As they reached the marketplace, the sun was passing the edge of the tree line, and the warm glow of lanterns lit the cobblestone streets, and the smell of roasted meats and baked goods filled the air. Von's stomach rumbled, reminding him that he was, indeed, very hungry. Instead of continuing the walk to the inn, he glanced at the various food stalls, each offering a variety of delicious treats.
"Let's grab something to eat before we talk more about today," he suggested. Monica agreed, and they made their way to one of the stalls serving freshly grilled skewers of meat and vegetables. They ordered a generous portion and found a spot at a nearby bench to sit and enjoy their meal.
Between bites of food, Von shared the events of his day, recounting the creation of the rings and how he worked with the master smiths at the Bladesteel Forge. Monica listened with wide eyes, clearly impressed by his accomplishments. When he reached the part about the armorback turtle core and the naming of the rings, she leaned in closer, eager to hear more.
"You really did all that in one day?" she asked, amazed. "I knew you were good with magic, but this is something else."
Von shrugged, a little embarrassed by her praise. "It wasn't just me. The smiths helped a lot. Afterward, I went to the library which helped me learn so much in a short time. I think we can accomplish even more tomorrow."
Monica nodded thoughtfully. "Sounds like you're really getting the hang of it. But don't forget to take some time to relax too. You don't want to burn yourself out."
"Don't worry, I won't," Von replied, smiling. "But I've got something for you." He handed her the carefully wrapped ring from his pocket. "It's a gift, for all the help and support you've given me."
Monica unwrapped the ring, her eyes lighting up with delight as she examined it. "It's beautiful! Thank you, Von. I can't wait to see what it does."
"It's one of the rings I made from the armorback turtle core," he explained. "It should give you some extra strength, endurance, and a few other bonuses. I hope you like it."
Monica slipped the ring onto her finger, testing its fit. As with most magical rings, it immediately adjusted to fit her finger perfectly. She smiled at him; her gratitude evident in her eyes as she pushed her aura into it to discover its properties. After feeling how powerful the ring was, she exclaimed, "I love it. Thank you. You did all this?"
He nodded while smiling all the while. Together, they finished their meal, enjoying the lively atmosphere of the marketplace. The night was still young, and they had plenty of time to explore before returning to the inn which in turn allowed them to catch up on all the day's events.