If the eastern half of Bright Light City is the prosperous side, hosting royal palaces, aristocratic districts, major churches, and bustling markets, then the western half is where the middle and lower classes reside, amidst workshops, crowded homes, and neglected neighborhoods. Lange Street, a particularly rundown part of the West District, sees little patrol, making it a haven for gangs and the homeless.
Today, though, Lange Street feels different. The clatter of a finely decorated, four-wheeled carriage, pulled by two well-groomed horses, cuts through the usual quiet. The rundown buildings, with their dark windows and weathered facades, seem to huddle back as the carriage rolls by. Even the beggars instinctively retreat, casting wary glances at the noble who must be riding within.
As the wheels roll over gravel and shallow puddles, Bender, the coachman, casts a disgusted look toward a homeless man lying near the road, gripping his riding whip a little tighter. He mentally notes the mud splashed onto the carriage, feeling a pang of regret for his meticulously cared-for horses. At last, the carriage halts in front of a two-story hut. Bender steps down, arranges the step stool, and respectfully opens the door.
"Master Leo, we've arrived."
"Thank you, Bender."
Leo steps out, scanning the surroundings with a nostalgic eye. This gritty West District is worlds apart from the opulent East. He takes in the familiar metal door on the worn masonry hut before him, and, smiling slightly, knocks firmly, half-expecting old Jace's grumbling response. But after a long wait, there's only silence. He frowns; this isn't right. A knock like that would've usually summoned Jace's colorful curses.
Then, a timid voice from across the street breaks the silence: "Um, if you're looking for Uncle Jess, he went out. He won't be back for another month." Leo barely has a chance to glance over before the speaker—a young girl—slams her window shut, as if afraid of being noticed. More cautious eyes briefly peer out from dark windows nearby, only to vanish the moment he notices them. Glancing down at his elegant attire, now he realizes how out of place he appears. In his past life as a game player, he'd always worn practical, plain clothes, so he's unaccustomed to the intimidating effect of his noble appearance.
"Next time, I'll wear common clothes," Leo decides, noting the unintended impact his current attire has on the area. Even if he missed seeing Jace, he at least discovered where "little Easter Egg" lives.
---
Inside a dim room across the street, Ashley lets out a relieved breath once the carriage finally clatters away. "You did it, Ashley. That wasn't so bad," she whispers to herself, exhausted from the courage it took to speak to the nobleman, just as Uncle Jess had instructed her.
In her mind, she replays Aunt Anna's warning about nobles capturing and even eating girls like her. But this noble hadn't seemed as terrifying as she'd feared, even though he was dressed like someone from a storybook. Shaking her head, she re-bolts the window and feels at ease in the shadows, where she finds a sense of safety and comfort.
---
Back at the Ainsworth family mansion, the butler Joyce stands respectfully to greet Leo, bowing with impeccable form. "Joyce, come to my study." He gestures for Joyce to follow him to the second-floor study, where he settles behind his desk. "Joyce, what's the current status of our family finances?"
The butler, who has served the Ainsworth family since his grandfather's time, replies smoothly, "The family's annual income totals approximately 7,500 gold coins, including 5,000 from the royal family, 2,000 from our three shops in the Fes District, and roughly 500 from the two manors outside the city."
He continues, "Annual expenses reach about 4,800 gold, covering the upkeep of the mansion and manors, servants' salaries, food and necessities, and relations with the royal family and other nobles."
He remembers how, as a gamer, he once labored for days just to earn a single gold coin. Here, the Ainsworth family's vast income seems luxurious—until he considers the expenses required to maintain noble status. Every bit of spending upholds their family's standing, and any reduction could mean public disgrace or even a loss of title. In the strict hierarchy of Fes, a noble who lives like a commoner would face serious repercussions.
"How much do we have in savings?" he asks, curious about the resources accumulated over three generations.
Joyce replies cautiously, "After your recent purchases for magical research, the family reserves stand at around 500 gold coins."
"Cough!" Leo nearly chokes on his drink. Expecting a comfortable amount in reserve, he now realizes he himself has been the prodigal, exhausting the family's wealth on his arcane pursuits.