Leo was brought to an inn not far from the station to rest. He was told to come down for breakfast in the morning, then head back to meet Chief Thorne by noon. One guard stayed behind to ensure Leo felt safe, while the other returned to his patrol.
Lying in bed, Leo worried about his mother, hoping she had escaped or managed to defeat their enemies. A heavy weight settled in his chest as he recalled the events of the previous day—the fighting, the screams of the villagers.
"I don't know what they are, but I will get stronger," Leo thought. "I won't let this happen again. Mom, I know you made it, and I hope Dad did too. I'll become strong enough so that when we meet again, I can stay and protect you."
As the night wore on, Leo remained in his room, pushing his magic to its limits. He conjured large amounts of water, froze them, and then heated the ice until it evaporated instantly. He pushed himself to the brink, creating one last ball of water before collapsing onto it, completely drained of energy. He passed out where he fell.
Hearing a thud, the guard rushed in to find Leo face down on the wet floor. Shaking his head, the guard waved his hand, and a thin wisp of fire swept over Leo, drying the water. Gently, the guard lifted Leo and put him back into bed.
As the sun shone through the window, Leo slowly woke up, still a bit tired. He pulled himself together, ate, and prepared to meet Chief Thorne.
"What can I get you for breakfast?" a middle-aged woman asked.
"Some eggs and bread would be fine, thank you," Leo replied.
As he sat down, Leo glanced around. He hadn't paid much attention when he arrived the night before. "This place is amazing—it's warm, despite its size, and very clean," Leo remarked.
"Thank you. I work hard to take care of it," the woman said, bringing a glass, and jug of water. "I'm assuming you're the one they told me to take care of until further notice. Since we'll be seeing each other, you can call me Edith. I own the inn—it's been in my family for generations."
"It's good to meet you, Edith. I'm Leo. The inn is beautiful! Do you use magic to take care of it?" Leo asked.
"I do," Edith replied with a nod. "That's how I'm able to run the whole inn on my own—cooking, cleaning, repairs—you name it. Magic makes it all possible. In bigger towns like this one, everyone is expected to know at least basic magic. It's practically a requirement to live in these areas. Without it, it would be difficult to keep up with the pace of life here. And in the larger kingdoms, the expectations are even higher. You have to be proficient in intermediate-level magic just to get by, things like nonverbal spells or more complex enchantments."
She paused for a moment, smiling as she glanced around the inn. "It may seem impressive, but really, it's just the way things are. Magic is woven into everyday life. If you can't manage it, well, you're at a big disadvantage. I've been using magic since I was young, and even now, I'm still learning new techniques to keep the inn in top shape."
Edith's tone softened as she added, "In the bigger cities, the competition is fierce. People use their magic to build businesses, improve their homes, and even entertain guests. It's not just about survival—it's about thriving. Those who can't keep up are often left behind, forced to move to smaller villages where magic isn't as crucial to daily life." She smiled warmly at Leo. "You're a strong one, though. I can tell. You'll do just fine, wherever you end up."
"I never thought of it that way," Leo reflected. "In my town, people knew magic, but aside from my family and me, not many could use nonverbal magic or even basic defensive spells. The bakers could heat their ovens, chill ice cream, and keep food from spoiling too quickly. The blacksmiths could light the forge and heat it to the right temperature, but they couldn't truly control the fire."
As Leo continued to think, he realized something deeper. "Even though knowledge was widely shared, not everyone could connect with the world in a way that allowed them to increase their power. And those who grew too greedy, those who pushed too far, were punished. The world itself would turn against them, halting their growth and cutting them off from further progress."
He pondered the delicate balance in his village—the way magic was a part of life, yet few could master it beyond the basics. For those who could, like his family, it was a gift, but it also came with great responsibility. Those who overreached, attempting to take more than they were ready for, often found themselves cut off from the source of their power entirely. It was a reminder that magic wasn't just a tool—it was a force to be respected.
After a while, the food was served, and Leo ate quietly, gathering his thoughts as he prepared to meet Chief Thorne and find out why he was needed. Once he finished his meal, he thanked Edith and left the inn, heading toward the chief's station. It was a short walk—only about ten minutes—but as Leo walked through the town in the daylight, he was struck by its size.
Now that he had a chance to really take it all in, the town seemed massive—easily four or five times the size of his village. The streets were bustling with life. The smell of freshly baked bread and sweet pastries filled the air, making his mouth water. Children ran through the streets, laughing and playing, while adults busied themselves with their daily work, keeping the town running smoothly.
It wasn't just the size that impressed Leo; it was the energy of the place. There was a sense of community and purpose in everything he saw—people helping one another, shopkeepers chatting with customers, workers tending to the streets and buildings. It was a thriving town, far different from the quiet simplicity of his village.