After registering for the entrance exam at the Arcana Academy of Elysium, Evan decided to explore the capital. As he wandered through the bustling streets, he suddenly heard a commotion. A thief was running through the crowd, clutching a stolen purse, with a tomboyish girl chasing after him. She had short blonde hair tied in a ponytail and looked around Evan's age.
Without thinking, Evan sprang into action. He quickly cast an ice spell, creating a wall in front of the thief. The thief, unable to stop in time, crashed into the ice wall and fell to the ground. The girl caught up and, with a fierce look in her eyes, kicked the thief in the face. She then rained down a series of punches on him until she was satisfied.
Finally, she turned to Evan and gave him a pure, innocent smile, as if she hadn't just beaten up a thief. "Thanks for the help!" she said cheerfully.
Evan was taken aback by the sudden change in her demeanor. "Uh, no problem," he replied, still processing what had just happened.
As the girl walked towards Evan, he noticed the thief groaning on the ground, his face red and a bit bloody. "You really did a number on him," Evan remarked, trying to keep the situation light.
The girl giggled. "He deserved it. I'm Alex, by the way. Nice to meet you!"
Evan smiled back. "I'm Evan. Nice to meet you too, Alex."
Just then, another girl appeared, running up to them. She had long blonde hair and a face that looked strikingly similar to Alex's, but with an innocent look that made you want to protect and hug her. "Alex, are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.
Alex grinned. "I'm fine, Alice. This is Evan. He helped me catch the thief."
Alice turned to Evan and gave him a warm smile, her shyness evident. "Thank you for helping my sister. I'm Alice."
Evan nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. "Nice to meet you, Alice."
Alice looked at the thief, who was still on the ground, groaning. "We should probably get him to the guards," she suggested softly.
Alex shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. But first, let's make sure he doesn't try to run again." She cast a quick binding spell, securing the thief's hands and feet.
With the thief securely bound, the three of them made their way to the nearest guard post. Along the way, Evan learned that Alex and Alice were twins, both attending the Arcana Academy of Elysium. Alex was known for her tomboyish attitude and fierce determination, while Alice was gentle and kind-hearted, always looking out for others.
As they handed the thief over to the guards, Evan couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected encounter. He had made two new friends who would be joining him at the academy.
"Where should we start?" Evan asked, looking at his new friends.
Alex grinned. "Let's head to the market first. It's always lively and full of interesting things to see."
Alice nodded in agreement, her voice soft. "And we can get some snacks too. There's a stall that sells the best pastries."
As they made their way to the market, Evan couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the twins. Alex walked with a confident stride, her tomboyish demeanor evident in her every move. Alice, on the other hand, had a gentle grace about her, her long blonde hair flowing behind her as she walked. She seemed a bit shy, often glancing around nervously and staying close to her sister.
The market was a bustling hub of activity. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to magical artifacts. The air was filled with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and the chatter of people haggling over prices.
"Check this out!" Alex said, dragging Evan to a stall that sold enchanted weapons. "These are amazing. I bet you could use one of these in your training."
Evan examined the weapons, impressed by the craftsmanship. "They're incredible," he agreed. "But I think I'll stick with my own for now."
Alex pouted playfully. "Well, I'm looking for a new pair of gauntlets. My old ones are getting a bit worn out."
They spent some time at the weapon shop, where Alex tried on various gauntlets, testing their weight and fit. She finally found a pair that she liked, with intricate designs and a perfect balance.
Meanwhile, Alice had found a shop that specialized in magical wands. "Evan, come look at these," she called out softly. "They're beautiful."
Evan joined Alice, admiring the array of wands on display. Each one was unique, crafted from different types of wood and embedded with various gemstones. "Are you looking for a new wand?" he asked.
Alice nodded, her cheeks turning slightly pink. "Yes, my old one isn't as responsive as it used to be. I think it's time for an upgrade."
After carefully examining several wands, Alice chose one that felt just right in her hand. It was made of willow wood with a sapphire embedded in the handle, and it seemed to hum with magical energy.
With their new purchases in hand, the trio continued to explore the market. They came across a street performer who was putting on a magic show. The performer conjured flames and made objects levitate, much to the delight of the crowd.
"Think you could do that?" Alex teased, nudging Evan.
Evan chuckled. "Maybe one day," he replied. "But for now, I'll just enjoy the show."
After the market, the trio visited the Grand Cathedral, a towering structure dedicated to the gods of Eldoria. The stained glass windows depicted scenes from the kingdom's history and mythology, and the bells rang out a melodious tune.
"It's beautiful," Alice said softly, her eyes wide with wonder.
Evan nodded in agreement. "It really is. I've never seen anything like it."
Their next stop was the River of Light, which flowed through the city. The river sparkled under the sunlight, and the banks were lined with parks and walkways. They sat by the river, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
"Thanks for showing me around," Evan said, feeling grateful for the company. "I had a great time."
Alex grinned. "No problem. It's fun having someone new to hang out with."
Alice smiled warmly, her shyness momentarily forgotten. "We're glad you enjoyed it, Evan."
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the city, Evan felt a sense of contentment. He had made new friends and experienced the wonders of Elysium.