[ Chapter Two ]
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It won't take long before they discover that your card is fake. Once you decide to get a new one, visit me at the Angry Frog Tavern in Night District." Those were the words Mr. Gram said to Ashran as he handed a piece of paper to him when they arrived at the town square—where they parted ways, and where Ashran now found himself.
". . . A copper for three! They're fresh from the orchard this morning!"
". . . Please, excuse me, excuse me! OUTTA THE WAY!!! . . . "
"How much for a pint of ale? It's been a long week."
"Mama, look! . . ."
". . . STOP THAT THIEEFF!!!"
At the center of the town square, the air was filled with noise—a mix of chatter, laughter, and maybe a bit of chaos, and the shuffle of feet as the market-goers bustled about.
Amidst the commotion, Ashran's eyes were drawn to three majestic obelisks standing proudly at the square's center. These tall and wide structures almost touched the sky, covered in large symbol of texts that he doesn't even understand what. Standing there, he felt the atmosphere of the square blending with the aura coming from the obelisks. --It's nice and all, but that's not what he came here for.
With his mind once again focused, he headed over to a line of market stalls where various goods were laid out on display. His eyes narrowed as he looked around the stalls, here and there. Loaves of golden bread, freshly cut flowers, powders and dried herbs, vegetables, and many other but the thing he needed wasn't there.
There seemed to be no one selling a map, although he already had a feeling there wouldn't be. He thought that if he came to the center he would find one, but he guessed that wasn't the case. Though, half the reason he came to the center was to look around as well, and buy something to eat.
Incidentally, Ashran was fortunate enough to arrive here in the capital without using a map at all. He wasn't able to acquire one, since he came here 'illegally'. And a certain 'someone' had told him to "just go straight ahead, and you'll eventually reach it," without any further instructions.
In any way, he politely asked one of the merchants; a plump lady selling apples, where he could buy a map of the capital.
The merchant's finger pointed toward a bustling area beyond the grand fountain. "Seek the Red Emporium, just by the towering oaks." Following the merchant's directions, he made his way through the crowd, eventually reaching the Red Emporium.
When he entered the Emporium, his eyes scanned the crammed shelves filled with potions, herbs inside a glass of jar, weapons, and countless other items.
To his left, books were displayed in sections labeled 'HOW TOs.' Titles like 'HOW TO GAIN REPUTATION,' 'HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS,' and 'HOW TO BE SMART,' among others, were on sale for about twenty percent off the regular price.
Further along, there were potions contained in small, square blue glass bottles sealed with corks. Inside, a luminous blue liquid glowed faintly. A sign read 'ON SALE - 50% OFF,' and there was a label that said, 'IF DRUNK, WILL DIE A PAINLESS DEATH.' Below that, in smaller texts, it added, 'Only works for depressed people.'
Ashran strode past them.
The next thing was, Ashran caught a glimpse of a musket hanging on the wall at the corner. It was a long, wooden firearm with a slender metal barrel, a curved stock, a silver trigger, and an attached strap. Ashran made his way toward it, his eyes fixed on the musket as if it were his first love. However, he accidentally bumped into someone.
". . . ! !"
"Hey, watch where you're going!"
"Oh, sorry! You stopped so suddenly . . . "
"So it's my fault?"
"I didn't mean that. Sorry."
The person he bumped into is a pretty boy, standing at the height of his shoulder, and his voice somehow carries a bit of a dulcet tone.
For a brief moment, the pretty boy shot Ashran a glare before walking away, he seems to be in a hurry. What a temper, Ashran thought. Focusing on what needs to be done, the map came to his mind once again, which he keeps forgetting to because there was a lot of things that distracted him the moment he set foot in the capital. He took one last glance at the musket, then turned away.
With the map in mind, Ashran approached the female shopkeeper, who greeted him with a smile. As he purchased the map of the capital, he asked about the price of the musket. Hesitation flickered within him upon hearing the cost, but he decided to acquire it anyway. Five minutes later, Ashran exited the Emporium with the musket slung across his back.
The map cost him ten silver coins, and the musket was twenty gold coins. He still had two hundred seventy gold coins, one hundred seventy-two silver coins, and thirty copper coins. If he bought that card for two hundred fifty gold coins, he'd have little left. Ashran couldn't help but worry.
His life in the academy hasn't even started yet, and his money is already on the verge of fading. Sooner or later, he might need to hunt for a job. Thinking about it, he wonders where he could find decent gigs for some quick cash. Maybe he should just apply as a Mercenary? Thought honestly, he could become rich in just a day if he consider selling his organs too, that is.
What he have could probably still lasts him for about a month or so. But that would depends on how much he will spend a day.
Walking along a brick-paved path, Ashran stopped near a huge oak tree. He then took out the map he had bought; it was heavy, thick, and slightly dusty. He spread it open, and his eyes scanned the map, he was relieved to find clear guides and text for each location in the capital. He could say, the capital is quite vast with its six diverse districts. Exploring the entire capital might take him a day or two, or perhaps a week and beyond that.
At the displayed map he's holding, there were six colored texts, each capitalized, representing the six districts:
Common District (Yellow),
Night District (Red),
Garden District (Green),
Old District (Blue),
Merchant District (Orange),
and the Central District (White).
What caught his attention first was the Night District, the one Mr. Gram, the slave trader, had mentioned before they parted ways. Currently, Ashran is within the Common District, with the Night District located to the west. However, he made up his mind not to go there just yet.
The next day, Ashran decided to visit the Academy, which is located in the Garden District to the east.
...
As Ashran stepped down from the carriage, greeted right in front of him is the Academy – wide and spacious, with few massive towers in every direction. At the entrance, there was a sign saying, "WELCOME TO HIDGESONG ACADEMY."
The gate was slightly ajar with no guard in sight. It prompted Ashran to get inside, so he entered. He thought that it wouldn't hurt to see the place for just a bit. And when he was already inside, he noticed that there were hardly any people around, except for a few individuals cleaning the surroundings.
Suddenly, a woman approached Ashran and asked about his purpose. He replied that it wasn't too important; he just wanted to see the academy he would be attending later on. Fortunately, the woman understood, and didn't asks him any further questions. And since he didn't know when the academy's term of school year will begin, he went ahead and asked. According to her, there's still a week before the term begins.
Ashran pondered for a moment. Then, conclusion he reached. He decided going back to the expensive room he rented in an Inn somewhere at the Common District for a while, and take a look around the capital. And maybe he should do some side quests while at it? Earning money should also be his priority, he thought.
Though he wished "they" had given him more funds when "they" sent him here, so he wouldn't have to work as much and could focus on his tasks. But there was nothing he could do; it couldn't be helped. Ashran guessed it must also be a side punishment. He sighed at the thought of it.