Noctis Vale stood atop the rooftop, basking in the quiet triumph of his progress. Nearly 65% of his mana core was complete, and he could now execute Total Concentration Blaze Breathing without fail. A small, satisfied smile crept across his lips. The cool breeze brushed against his skin, carrying the faint scent of baked bread and salt from the distant docks. But his moment of victory was cut short by a sudden commotion below.
Leaning forward, Noctis squinted at the gathering crowd. His lavender eyes flickered with curiosity. What's going on down there? Is that... the city guard? And... no way... it can't be?
Intrigued by the commotion and what could only be described as a familiar face in the original TBATE novel/comic, Noctis swiftly descended from his rooftop perch, blending seamlessly into the throng of onlookers. His eyes widened as he spotted the familiar figure with fiery red hair. No way... it's really Adam Krensh? From the Twin Horns?
The crowd parted, revealing Adam restraining a struggling thief.
Adam Krensh tightened his grip on the thief's collar. "Where's the coin bag, you little rat? Speak up!"
Noctis bit his lip, weighing his options. This could be my chance. If I interact with them now, I might gain allies... but if I interact with them too much, it could backfire by changing the destiny of Arthur... but is it worth the risk? I mean, I don't want to change Arthur's destiny to meet Sylvia and Sylvie. But I also want to interact with them once, maybe... ughhhh, fuck it. A little interaction won't be a problem if I can avoid them afterward.
After that moment's hesitation, Noctis pushed through the crowd, approaching Adam with a confident stride. Raising his voice, he caught Adam's attention. "Oi, Red Head! How about a deal? Give me some coin, and I'll tell you where he stashed your bag."
Adam Krensh glanced briefly at Noctis before returning his focus to the thief. Maintaining his composure, Noctis pressed on. "If you're thinking he'll crack, forget it. Even if you threaten his life, he won't spill. But me? I can help."
Adam Krensh turned to face Noctis fully, eyeing him suspiciously. "And why should I trust you, kid? For all I know, you could be his accomplice."
A sly grin spread across Noctis's face. "That's up to you, isn't it? Try your luck with this stubborn thief, or make a bargain with me. I'm just trying to help... and maybe profit a little."
Adam stroked his chin, considering Noctis's offer. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But if you're lying..."
Noctis met Adam's gaze unflinchingly. "I'm not. So, do we have a deal, or should I take my information elsewhere?"
Adam sighed, reaching for his coin pouch. "Fine. But this better be worth it, or you'll regret crossing the Twin Horns."
Noctis's eyes lit up at the prospect of earning some coin. "Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Now, about that hiding spot..."
He leaned in close to Adam, speaking in a hushed tone. "There's a loose brick behind the fountain in the square. Your coin bag is tucked behind it."
Adam narrowed his eyes, then nodded curtly. "If you're lying, kid..."
Adam strode towards the fountain, his red hair catching the sunlight. Noctis watched him intently, fingers drumming against his leg. A moment later, Adam returned, coin bag in hand.
Adam weighed the bag, eyebrows raised. "Well, I'll be damned. You weren't kidding."
Adam tossed a few coins to Noctis, who caught them deftly. Examining the coins, a flicker of recognition crossed Noctis's face. "Is this... a silver coin?"
Adam chuckled, crossing his arms. "What, were you expecting copper? You earned it, kid. Honesty deserves a proper reward."
As they conversed, a woman with raven-black hair approached from behind Adam.
She called out, her voice calm but authoritative. "Adam, we need to get moving. And who's this?"
Adam turned, grinning widely. "Helen! Perfect timing. This kid just saved my hide. How about treating him to a meal?"
Helen sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let me guess, you lost your money again?"
Adam scratched his head, looking sheepish. "Well, not exactly lost... more like temporarily misplaced. But hey, it's all sorted now!"
Helen turned her attention to Noctis, studying him carefully. "And you are?"
Noctis straightened up, meeting her gaze. "Noctis. Noctis Vale."
Adam clapped Noctis on the shoulder. "Come on, kid. Join us for a bite. It's the least we can do."
Noctis hesitated, weighing his options. Hm, I mean, I really shouldn't, but I haven't eaten any good food in a while yet, so... "I... I suppose I could. Just for a little while."
As they walked towards a nearby tavern, Helen fell into step beside Noctis.
Helen spoke softly, her eyes scanning their surroundings. "You're not from around here, are you, Noctis?"
Noctis blinked, caught off guard by her perceptiveness. "Is it that obvious?"
Helen nodded slightly, her expression unreadable. "To those who know what to look for. Tell me, Noctis, what brings you to Etistin?"
Noctis chose his words carefully, aware of her scrutiny. Avoiding her question, he asked, "First, tell me how did you know?"
Helen looked at Noctis for a while without saying anything, then replied, "First thing that I noticed about you is that you actually helped Adam and didn't deceive him. Second, you don't look like you've lived here for that long. Third, your manners are like that of a well-educated child. Also, you believed us so easily—it's rare for kids around here. You looked almost naive."
Noctis paused, his gaze holding nervousness. Damn, she is so sharp. Though she seems to think I am naive, which is kinda good. Let's keep it that way. "Sigh... I have my problems. I don't want to talk about it. Let's just say something happened, and I am staying here."
Helen nodded thoughtfully, leading the way into the tavern. "Well, Etistin is as good a place as any to start. Come, let's get some food in you."
The trio entered the bustling tavern, the air thick with the aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread.
Adam Krensh rubbed his hands together eagerly. "Ah, nothing like a good meal after a hard day's work! What'll it be, kid?"
Noctis Vale scanned the room, subtly adjusting his breathing to Total Concentration Blaze Breathing, trying to calm himself. "Whatever you recommend is fine, thank you."
As they sat at the table, Helen Shard observed Noctis closely, her brow furrowing slightly. "That's an interesting breathing pattern you have there, Noctis. I've never seen anything quite like it."
Noctis stiffened momentarily before relaxing. "Oh, it's... it's a secret technique. Nothing special, really."
Helen nodded, respecting his privacy. "I see. Well, we all have our secrets, don't we?"
"Oh yeah, we all do... Seriously, I need to pull myself together. She's getting scarily good at this," Noctis thought, sarcasm laced in his inner voice, though a flicker of awe and determination burned in his eyes.
The server arrived with steaming bowls of chicken soup and crusty bread.
Adam Krensh dug in enthusiastically, oblivious to the conversation. "Mmm, now this is what I call a meal!"
Helen Shard turned back to Noctis, her voice gentle. "If you don't mind me asking, Noctis, where are you from? And your parents... are they here in Etistin?"
Noctis lowered his head, his spoon pausing midway to his mouth. The memories from the body's previous self began to resurface, blending together in a swirl of confusion and emotion. He wasn't the type to get emotional easily, but these memories were invading his psyche, making it hard to maintain control.
"They... they died a few months ago. We were traveling to settle here in Etistin Bay City when we encountered bandits. I am the one who... I'm the only one who survived."
Helen reached out, her hand hovering near Noctis's shoulder before pulling back. "I'm so sorry, Noctis. That must have been terrible."
Adam Krensh looked up from his meal, his expression sobering. "Damn, kid. You've been through a lot. No wonder you're so... mature for your age."
As they ate and Noctis stirred his meal absentmindedly, the comforting warmth of the tavern surrounding him, until the door swung open with a loud creak. A group of strangers entered, and Noctis's gaze snapped to them, his breath faltering for a split second.
He didn't speak immediately, but his fingers tightened around his spoon, the metal creaking under his grip. There was something about the leader, the man with brown hair—something unsettling. Noctis studied the group, his gaze lingering, and for a moment, he thought he might be mistaken. It was so easy to second-guess himself, to think that his mind was playing tricks, but something about the man felt… wrong.
Helen shifted in her seat, eyes narrowing as she followed Noctis's focus. She noted how his posture had subtly changed, his shoulders a fraction tighter, his breath slightly erratic. It wasn't fear—there was something else there, something more akin to readiness. She didn't speak, but her fingers brushed the hilt of her bow, just in case.
Noctis's voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried the weight of years. "That's... It's him." His chest tightened as his pulse quickened, and the familiar heat of anger surged within him. His gaze never wavered. "That bastard. I know him."
Helen's brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing. Her eyes flicked between Noctis and the man in question, her mind already working, taking in the subtle details. "Friends or foes, Noctis?" she asked, her tone calm, but her eyes sharp.
Noctis's fists clenched under the table, the knuckles white. His breathing became shallow, controlled as he attempted to steady himself. "I'm not sure about the rest of them," he said, his voice trembling only slightly. "But him… That's the one. The one who killed my parents."
Helen's expression softened, but she said nothing, sensing the rawness in his words. Adam, still unaware of the full gravity of the situation, leaned in from across the table, his tone skeptical. "Whoa, kid. What are you planning to do?"
For a moment, Noctis was silent. His eyes were locked on the bandit, his body rigid. He wanted to act. Wanted to rush in and exact vengeance right then and there. The urge was overwhelming, but his mind screamed for caution. His body froze as his breath hitched. He fought the instinct to jump to his feet. His pulse raced, his hands trembling slightly.
And then, as if the weight of the situation had settled into his bones, he rose. The scrape of his chair against the wooden floor sounded like a shout in the otherwise hushed tavern. His hands were shaking, but his eyes were filled with fire, his gaze locked on the man.
Helen's hand tightened on her bow instinctively. "Noctis, wait. We need a plan. You can't just rush in. There are too many civilians here."
For a moment, Noctis didn't respond. He could hear the blood rushing in his ears, his vision narrowing on the bandit. He took a deep breath, the familiar technique of Total Concentration Breathing grounding him, even as his heart beat wildly in his chest. His mind raced, torn between the desire for revenge and the logic that told him he wasn't ready yet. His fists loosened under the table, fingers splayed, trembling.
He turned to Helen, his expression softening. "You're right." The words felt heavy in his mouth, but they were the truth. "I'm not ready. If I go in now... I'll just die."
Helen nodded, her eyes understanding but still alert. She wasn't just worried about Noctis—she was worried about everyone in this room. And Noctis, though still burning with the need for vengeance, knew that this moment wasn't the right one.
As he sat back down, his breath steadying, his gaze hardened. Not yet, Noctis thought, his mind solidifying the resolve that had begun to form. But one day soon, I'll make him pay.