[After hours of walking, Aryan finally spots a small town on the horizon. Exhausted but hopeful, he quickens his pace. As he enters the town, he notices it's sparsely populated, with simple houses and a few shops lining the dusty streets.]
Aryan: (thinking) "This place looks... primitive. Not much going on here, but it's better than nothing. I need answers."
[He approaches a small shop with a sign that seems to depict a cart and some goods. Inside, an older man, burly and weathered, is arranging crates. The shop smells of wood and spices.]
Aryan: (to himself) "Alright, Aryan, don't screw this up. Just act normal."
[He steps forward.]
Aryan: "Excuse me, sir. Can I ask you—"
[Aryan pauses, startled. Though the man's lips move in an unfamiliar way, Aryan somehow understands him perfectly.]
Shopkeeper: (raising an eyebrow) "Huh? You're not from around here, are you?"
Aryan: (thinking) "Wait... I can understand him, but it's not like he's speaking Hindi or English. This... this must be magic!"
Aryan: (nodding slowly) "You're right. I'm not from here. I'm... a traveler. What is this place called?"
Shopkeeper: "This here is Greystone Village. Nothing fancy, just a stopover for traders heading to the bigger towns."
[As Aryan listens, he notices a young boy peeking out from behind the shopkeeper. The boy, no older than ten, has messy brown hair and curious eyes.]
Aryan: (gesturing) "Is he... your son?"
Shopkeeper: (turning to the boy) "Ah, yeah. That's my boy, Joren. Curious little thing, always sneaking around instead of helping out."
Joren: (grinning shyly) "Sorry, Papa."
Aryan: (smiling) "Nice to meet you, Joren."
[Aryan looks back at the shopkeeper, determined.]
Aryan: "Sir, I need help. I need to know more about this world—its people, its rules, and how... magic works."
Shopkeeper: (squinting at Aryan) "You really are a strange one. Alright, I'll tell you what I know, but you'll owe me one. Got it?"
Aryan: (nodding) "Deal."
[As the conversation continues, Aryan realizes he's just scratched the surface of this mysterious world, and his journey is only beginning.]