Centerpoint City is the capital city of Stoneflower State.
And while Centerpoint Astral Academy was the true face of this city representing astral warriors, Coca Market was the main attraction to most astral warriors and non-users who had nothing to do with the prestigious academy.
Coca Market was the busiest part of Centerpoint City.
Having explored most of the Academy district already during his roughly 6 months in the academy, Ramon finally turned his attention to the 2nd district of this city that caught his attention the most, Coca Market.
'What's the use of staying in Centerpoint City if I don't see all its attractions?'
'Afterall, adventure and freedom are the code of astral travelers'.
'To be the King of astral travelers, I need to see it all'.
'I need to encounter everything and travel to the ends of the world!'
Ramon didn't just decide to go to Coca Market, he took on a mission, one of the few missions that were made available to freshers.
>Delivery Mission<
[Details: A merchant in Coca Market paid a great price to buy exclusive goods available only in the academy. To ensure that his goods reach him safely after his luxurious money offer, a student needs to escort the goods till they get to him.]
[Mission Danger Level: Low]
[Mission Requirement: 1st to 7th year students]
[Mission Reward: 5 contribution points]
…
[Remark: A guide and target description is attached to the mission file.]
Most students refrain from taking these kinds of missions since it required them leaving the academy premises while paying only very little in return.
Freshers took on most delivery missions and this one was no different.
Ramon took on the mission but it was only a side objective to him, his real objective was to get the chance to explore Coca Market.
He didn't leave alone though, he begged for someone to accompany him.
Shaggy complained at first. "But I already finished my escort job".
"It doesn't matter, you got your pay after the mission right?" Ramon stared seriously at this senior of his. "Then, you were my escort".
"Because of you, I no longer want another escort".
"It is only mandatory that you become my escort again!" Ramon declared.
Shaggy was speechless. "What logic is that?"
"Truth logic".
Shaggy sighed speechlessly. "It's Ramon logic".
In the end, he succumbed and escorted the energetic 10-year-old prodigy.
Returning to Coca junction after 6 months, Ramon felt a bit of nostalgia. He didn't linger though as Shaggy looked at him, waiting for directions with a smile.
Ramon looked up at Shaggy, confused at his smile. "What?"
This astral warrior palmed his face. "Show the way".
"Why?"
"Because I already showed you before".
Question marks filled Ramon's face. "Why?"
Silence.
"…!"
Bonk!
"Ouch!"
"Show the way!"
Wiping his snort, Ramon finally recollected what Shaggy taught him during his first time in this city. He slapped his head to reboot it even as he gritted his teeth, then his eyes suddenly lit up in relief.
He looked at Coca Junction again then he grinned confidently. "Taking the road to the right leads to the busy Merchant District".
Shaggy's eyebrows twitched.
Ramon rubbed his chin in deep thought. "That means taking the left road leads to the Academy District!"
His eyes shone. "That means going straight leads to Coca Market!"
"Phew! I got it!" Ramon pumped a fist in celebration.
Shaggy's eyebrows kept on twitching; he took a deep breath to calm himself down. 'Not only is he pretty silly, he also has a bad sense of direction'.
'Jesus! How is he so talented with so many defects?!'
Shaggy wanted to berate the kid angrily, he taught him this just freaking 6 months ago but he forced himself to calm down.
"Ramon, right leads to the Academy District and left leads to the Merchant District. And you're right, going straight leads to Coca Market".
"…" Ramon became even more confused as he stared at his senior.
"Let's go". Shaggy dared not let the little boy speak further due to fear of endangering his brain cells.
…
From Coca Junction to Coca Market was a short 15 minutes journey.
Finally, Ramon set his sight on this famous market.
Compared to Hope Town's small market, Coca Market was a work of art. Long rows of wooden stalls with aluminum zinc stacked across as far as his eyes could see, and at the center, there were stone building stalls.
Ramon's eyes widened. "So big!" He exclaimed.
Coca Market fully opened every 4 days and today was another 4th day which meant the market was busy and filled to the brim.
Everywhere that Ramon looked, this market was congested with people.
Majority of the people roaming this market were non users but Ramon was also able to identify some astral warriors moving through the market and buying things. Noticing them, he could not help but be curious.
Ramon looked at Shaggy and whispered. "Are they astral travelers?"
Shaggy laughed. "Maybe, maybe not".
"Huh?"
"It's certain that most of them are astral warriors but it's also certain that some astral travelers are mixed within. Afterall, there is no way to differentiate an astral warrior from a traveler just by looking at him".
"An astral traveler won't put a poster on his head announcing his identity".
Ramon thought hard then he asked. "Why?"
Shaggy looked at the boy, and he continued like he didn't hear the question.
"Notorious astral travelers though have bounties from the astral authorities on them, so in public places like this, they use astral treasures to hide their energy".
Hearing that, Ramon looked around sharply with gleaming eyes. "Maybe, there's an astral traveler legend nearby!"
"Why are you so interested in astral travelers?"
"Nothing!"
"Hmmm," Shaggy doubted but he didn't press further.
Led by Ramon, Shaggy followed the little kid on a tour that lasted hours round this market as Ramon encountered a lot of new things and people.
Ramon at some point went inside a blacksmith shop.
Entering, he felt like he entered heaven as multiple swords vibrated to his presence. His eyes gleamed in excitement. "How much is this? And this? And this?"
The chubby middle-aged merchant plastered a smile on his face. "Our master, the blacksmith is one of the most renowned in the whole city".
"That sword is called the Thunder Drill; it costs only 25,000 gold coins".
Ramon and Shaggy ran as fast as their legs could carry them.
"That one goes for only 45,000 gold…," The merchant paused as shock showed on his face; they were already gone.
So fast!
Minutes later.
"What a fine piece of armor!" Ramon literally had stars on his face as he caressed the leather surface of the armor. "How much?"
With an enchanting smile on her face, she answered. "It's only 120,000 gold…!"
They escaped as swiftly as a gust of wind.
"Brother Shaggy! I hate the market! Everything is so expensive!" Ramon complained after leaving the umpteenth shop today, scared out by the high prices.
Shaggy chuckled. "Like I told you, here is a market for non-users".
"If you have money, you'll see much more favorable deals for weapons and armor used by astral warriors in the Merchant District".
Thinking of something, Shaggy commented. "Since this is the day after the night of your breakthrough, I think we should celebrate it".
Shaggy grinned mischievously. "Do you drink?"
"Hehe," Ramon patted his chest confidently. "Of course! I drink milk," He counted with his fingers, "I drink red fruit juice, I drink palm wine, I drink…"
Shaggy palmed his head. "No man, that's the stuff for kids".
"…" Ramon was confused.
"You're a man now, drink your first beer on my tab".
"Beer?" Ramon's eyes widened. "But the patriarch said…"
"Is the patriarch here?"
"No".
"Does he control your life?"
Ramon's eyes widened. "No!"
And so the little kid's alcohol virginity was broken.
Going to the nearby tavern, Shaggy bought 2 bottles of beer, taking one himself. Sipping it first, Ramon frowned. "It's not sweet!"
"That's the point," Shaggy laughed. "It's the stuff for men".
"Stuff for men, for men…," Motivated, Ramon drank more.
After 2 cups, Ramon's vision started warping. As a mid-tier Legionnaire Stage Warrior, his immune system was stronger than the normal non user but he was still just 10 years old.
As his vision warped and as he was slowly engulfed by a feeling like he was floating in some unknown clouds, this was when he noticed him.
Sitting at a boisterous corner of this tavern amid drunkards, a chubby fat man sat drinking. His brown beard already started having shades of foaming white from the beer that ran down his mouth through his beard, Ramon squinted his eyes.
No one noticed it but he did, Ramon noticed a huge broad sword that was wrapped by leather hidden a few chairs from where this chubby man drank.
'Ramon Brenden, what's that brat doing in a tavern?' The man thought.
'Shaggy, he's indoctrinating another brat too early again, right?'
'I'll have to teach him a lesson this time…!' This man paused in shock.
His right hand that held his bottle of beer shook, a first! His eyes widened in shock. 'How did he notice me?!'
'And he's drunk!'
'Sh*t! This kid's instincts and perception…!' He was horrified.
'…It's something else!'
Seated beside Shaggy, Ramon squinted his eyes more and more the longer he looked at the man as his confusion cleared, then he suddenly stood up and yelled. "It's you, right?! Fat man!"
"…!" A certain man shuddered.
"Ramon!" Shocked, Shaggy reacted and grabbed Ramon.
Ramon shook his hand off aggressively. "It's him! The fat man!"
"Who?"
"Mr. Fat Man, the one you call…," Ramon turned his head back to look and his eyes widened in shock, the man was gone.
"Who?"
Ramon was confused. "I swear I saw him! I swear!"
"You're drunk, so weak". Shaggy mocked and dragged him away.
They barely moved when they heard it.
BOOM!
The ground of this tavern shook like an earthquake just erupted and at the same time, Ramon's keen senses felt a sudden spike of powerful astral energy.
Ramon lost his balance due to the tremor even as everyone else fell but Shaggy was able to support him, making him regain his balance.
Shaggy's eyes were no longer carefree though, now showing only seriousness.
"It's an attack, follow me!"
Shaggy's eyes narrowed. "Astral travelers!"