The next morning, Halven and Kurten woke up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day. They had a hearty breakfast at the Silver Stag Inn, and then set out to explore the city some more.
Their first stop was the famous Argentum Academy of Magic, which was located on the outskirts of the city. The academy was a sprawling complex of buildings, with towering spires and grand arches. Halven and Kurten were amazed by the beauty and grandeur of the academy.
As they walked through the academy's grounds, they saw many students practicing their magic. Some were casting spells, while others were practicing their sword fighting skills. Halven and Kurten watched in awe, feeling a little intimidated by the students' skills.
After visiting the Argentum Academy, Halven and Kurten made their way to the Kaelin Martial Arts Academy, which was located on the other side of the city. The academy was a large, imposing building with a grand entrance. Halven and Kurten were impressed by the academy's size and grandeur.
As they walked through the academy's grounds, they saw many students practicing their martial arts skills. Some were practicing their sword fighting skills, while others were practicing their hand-to-hand combat skills. Halven and Kurten watched in awe, feeling a little intimidated by the students' skills once again,they felt like ants in front of the student .
After visiting the Kaelin Martial Arts Academy, Halven and Kurten decided to take a break and grab some lunch. They went to a nearby tavern, where they had a hearty meal of roasted meats and steaming noodles.
As they ate, they talked about their plans for the future. Halven wanted to enroll in the Argentum Academy of Magic, while Kurten wanted to enroll in the Kaelin Martial Arts Academy. They both agreed that they would support each other, no matter what they decided to do.
After lunch, Halven and Kurten decided to explore the city some more. They walked through the city's many streets and alleys, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis.
As the sun began to set, Halven and Kurten made their way back to the Silver Stag Inn. They were tired but happy, feeling grateful for the amazing adventures they had experienced in Verkinis
As they settled in for the night, Halven and Kurten couldn't help but think about their financial situation. They had spent most of their money on their journey to Verkinis, and they knew they wouldn't be able to afford to stay in the city for much longer.
"We need to find a way to make some money," Kurten said, rubbing his temples. "We can't keep living off our savings forever."
Halven nodded in agreement. "I know. But it's not easy to find work in a city like Verkinis. Everyone seems to have a skill or talent that they're using to make a living."
Kurten sighed. "I know. I've been thinking about that too. Maybe we can try to find work as guards or something. We've both got some experience with fighting."
Halven nodded. "That's not a bad idea. But we'll need to be careful. We don't want to end up working for someone who's going to take advantage of us."
Kurten nodded. "I know. We'll need to be careful. But I'm sure we can find something. We're both resourceful and determined."
As they talked, Halven and Kurten heard a knock at the door. It was Elara, the innkeeper.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you," she said. "But I was wondering if you two might be interested in doing some work for me. I've got a few tasks that need doing around the inn, and I could use some extra help."
Halven and Kurten exchanged a hopeful glance. This could be the break they were looking for.
"What kind of tasks?" Kurten asked.
Elara smiled. "Oh, just a few odd jobs. Cleaning, repairs, that sort of thing. I'll pay you a fair wage, of course."
Halven and Kurten nodded eagerly. This was exactly what they needed.
"Thank you, Elara," Halven said. "We'd be happy to help out."
Elara smiled. "Excellent. I'll show you what needs doing by tomorrow come look for me
But ....Elara!.... kurten called
Is there a problem kurten ,Elara asked with smile
"Elara, I appreciate the offer, but I'm not sure if this will be enough to cover our expenses," he said, his brow furrowed with worry.
Halven nodded in agreement. " Elara. As a trader, I know that the cost of living in Verkinis can be steep. The tuition fees for the academies are no joke either."
Elara's expression turned sympathetic. "I understand your concerns, boys. Unfortunately, I can only offer you minimum wage. It's not much, but it's a start."
Halven and Kurten exchanged a glance, their minds racing with the implications. They had been counting on finding better-paying work to support their academic pursuits.
"I think we need to come up with a Plan B," Kurten said, his voice low and serious.
Halven nodded vigorously. "I agree. We can't rely on minimum wage to get us through the academies."
Elara smiled and left the room for the boys to chatter..
As they pondered their next move, Kurten's trader instincts kicked in. "I think I might have an idea," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "Let's see if we can't find some other opportunities in the city. Maybe there are some other jobs or... ventures that can help us make ends meet."
Halven's eyes lit up with hope. "That's a great idea, Kurten! Let's do it!"
Having decided their next move since coming to verkinis,they both decided to rest for the night continue the next day.
The room was a small, cozy space with two narrow beds pushed against opposite walls. The beds were covered in worn, but clean, linen sheets and blankets. A small wooden table sat between the beds, holding a candle, a water jug, and a small, leather-bound book that Halven had been reading.
The walls of the room were made of rough-hewn stone, and the floor creaked beneath their feet. A small window, high up on one wall, let in a sliver of moonlight, casting a silver glow over the room. The room was simple, but it was clean and comfortable, and it had been a welcome refuge for the two friends after their long journey to Verkinis.
Despite its simplicity, the room had a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and Kurten and Halven had quickly made it feel like home.