A pair of small black shoes were handed to Elijah, but before letting go, were turned upside down. Vertical rivets in a randomized pattern allowed Elijah to just slightly see through the soles of the shoe. A new set of black shoes were on the counter, and Elijah left the building with a smile after putting his pouch of coins away.
The cold air of the kingdom was felt with every step after putting the modified shoes on his feet. Free-balling it, Elijah slowly made his way to the Western Hunter Guild while taking in the sights of the city, and even stopped to take a look over the side of the bridge. The structural supports that allow Centerpool to exist came into view, but were interrupted by a hairy man yelling at him not to jump. Do I look like I am going to jump??
The faces of children Elijah's age, a couple years older, and even academy students who were on break completing missions were everywhere outside, and within the guild building. Something that Elijah had noticed until now was how fast children grew up physically. A ten year old in this world would look like a thirteen year old on earth. High quality food and using magic most likely was the reason for this.
Elijah kept his head low the moment he saw Emery's party. From their last confrontation in the washroom, he didn't feel intimidated by him, and if Emery ever made a scene, Elijah would only scoff at it and walk away.
The stained wooden hall clad with stone walls was lined with all sorts of plants between each room and window that looks out to the secondary carriage court for mission pickups and dropoffs. The familiar breath of fresh air surrounded by the sounds of chatter and the clanking of metal excited Elijah. Being back here again was fulfilling a fantasy he used to have in his head. The more time passed, the more of the beginning of his life he remembered.
A building with a billboard in the front that said, "hunter essentials", was the exact place Elijah was looking for. Depending on your affinity, you have an innate advantage. Fire gives you a light source, earth gives you a shield, and even water gives you a water source. Although Elijah had no idea about the mineral content in the water, he still chose the glass bottled water stored in his spatial storage.
A short conversation and an exchange of goods led him to holding a cloth bag with a few small wooden torches with pointed bottoms that could be lit by scraping them against dry wooden sticks that came with it, as well as a cheap backpack that he would eventually throw away. Even if the mission was approved, not a single soul would allow him to go into The Catacombs alone without a backpack full of essentials. A recovery potion, and a mana recovery potion were also inside the bag, which didn't cost very much as it was a low tier potion produced in mass amounts.
"Oh, it's you…" Emery caught Elijah walking through the back entrance of the guild building. Behind Emery, was his party who were laughing in amusement for a reason Elijah did not know.
"Hahaha! I can't believe he came here after that mission. Poor guy." Jared Ruby was talking from behind Emery.
"Your name is Jared right?" Elijah confidently asked.
"How do you not know me?" Jared's eyebrows flipped up in amusement.
For a ten year old, this guy sure has some manners. I wonder where he got his attitude and hatred towards me. "You better hope you don't end up going against me in this tournament."
"Do you really think a water mage could beat a fire mage in combat?"
"Yes, because you have a poor understanding of what this tournament even means."
Jared was just about to speak again until Emery stopped him in his tracks. "Move back so we can let him through. We have things we have to get so let's not waste our time…"
Elijah was standing in front of the doorway, and gave a slight nod at Emery who seemed to have changed. There was definitely something good in that boy. Emery just had a natural grudge against Novius, and it turned into him being a naturally toxic person that rubbed off on his friends. Only natural for over absorbent minds.
Something that had been on Elijah's mind lately had been Niko. Not once had he seen him at the hunter guild. There are four hunter guilds in the inner city with the fifth being the one in Centerpool, the headquarters that all of the top hunters conglomerate at. Either Niko has died, or is at a different hunter guild building. Elijah slowly made his way back to the Weltor estate while slowly sipping on water he pulled out from his spatial storage secretly within his new backpack. Technically speaking, Elijah could become a true magician if that was a thing in this kingdom. The aromatic smell of eggs infused with herbs hit Elijah's nostrils the moment he walked through the grand wooden door. Eggs were a food source that has only been affected in a way that caused the chickens to be grown in a slightly different environment. The nature parks within the inner city, as well as on the rooftops while being fed proper food.
Elijah slowly walked down the left hall lined with paintings and plants, and when he entered the kitchen, he saw Novius and Alexia helping the cooks with their tasks. It seemed they were having a lot of fun, alongside the fact that neither of them had a frown on their faces.
"Elijah! Come help us! We are having rice and egg omelets!" Alexia had a wide smile on her face while violently whisking the eggs she had just cracked.
Memories of his past life came rushing back towards him. It felt like I was pulled through a vacuum forcefully as the space around me warped in and out. Steak dinner with my family. Everyone in the family always pitched in effort while the television was running.
Before Elijah knew it, he was seen heating a metal pan on a magical rune. The whisked eggs sloshed around the pan, and before he knew it, his hands had flipped the eggs in the pan perfectly.
"Wow Elijah! I didn't know you could do that?"
George came into the kitchen after a long day at the magitech guild. Thankfully, his heart was lifted at the sight of the three youngest children cooking food for everyone.
The night was young, and the trio who had gone through a lot together made a vow.
"We will never fully trust someone, and stick together at all times within the Catacombs. We will create our own way of doing things, and never be shifted around by others."
The hands of the trio formed a weird three way handshake that Elijah had come up with. Shortly after, everyone retired to their rooms.
"Good luck Elijah!"
Both Alexia and Novius wished him good luck for the solo adventure planned for tomorrow. They had no doubts in their mind as they knew his strength was something far above themselves. However, this only related to anyone within the same core level as him.