Evan limped back into the Arcane Field, the weight of his injured leg making each step a struggle. The twilight painted the horizon in hues of orange and purple, while darkness began to envelop the field. Campfires lit in front of the tents cast dancing shadows across the uneven ground, signaling the arrival of night. Apprentices chatted and shared stories about recent missions, but Evan barely noticed. His mind was focused on a single goal: reaching the Tower to buy healing ointment.
Cedric was the first to notice him. Sitting in front of another apprentice's tent, he was busy making small repairs to the fabric and removing splinters of wood. Many apprentices paid Cedric a few contribution coins for such services, like smoothing surfaces or sewing torn sections. When he saw his friend, Cedric's eyes widened.
"Evan! What happened? Are you alright?"
"Let's just say I had an… interesting battle," Evan replied with a tired smile, trying to mask the pain. Before he could say more, Cedric was already at his side, putting an arm around his shoulder to support him.
"Let's get to the Tower," Cedric said. "You need to take care of that wound before it gets worse."
The two walked together in silence, crossing the field toward the imposing Stone Tower. It was the only solid structure in the area, a monolith with four visible floors and at least three more hidden from view.
The first floor was illuminated by floating crystals, arranged to highlight the counters for buying and selling goods. Unlike the trade plaza, where apprentices freely bartered among themselves, the Tower was managed by the administration of the Arcane Field itself. Only here were exclusive items sold, such as healing supplies and advanced equipment.
Additionally, the first floor housed the registration desk for new apprentices and the recognition area for promotions, centralizing the essential administrative operations of the Field. This made the Tower the only place to obtain healing ointments—an essential resource for many apprentices.
Evan and Cedric made their way to the counter designated for healing items. Behind it, a simple shelf displayed small jars of ointments with rune-labeled tags. Each jar glowed faintly, indicating the magic contained within.
"Three contribution coins per jar," said the attendant, a woman with a neutral expression. Evan handed over the coins without hesitation. With only five coins remaining, he knew he needed to be cautious with his spending. As he picked up the jar, he noticed the faint glow and the runes inscribed on the lid.
"You know this dries out quickly, right?" Cedric asked, watching his friend apply the ointment to his legs and arms. The wound began to close almost immediately, though the relief was accompanied by a slight warmth.
"I know," Evan replied, frowning. "But it's still incredibly cheap. This stuff is practically miraculous. Maybe Master Ardan wants us to take more risks. What if the Tower is absorbing the cost to push us toward danger?"
Cedric let out a short laugh, but his gaze was filled with concern. "Do you really think they'd do something like that?"
Evan merely shrugged, but the thought lingered in his mind. Could Ardan be so calculating as to design a system where apprentices grew stronger at the expense of their own safety? He didn't have the answers, but the idea seemed plausible.
With his leg bandaged and the pain reduced, Evan finally allowed himself to relax. He and Cedric left the Tower and sat at Evan's tent to talk. Cedric, eager as ever, insisted on hearing every detail of the battle.
"You're lucky it wasn't Teral on watch," Cedric said, laughing. "He would've torn you apart before even thinking of helping."
"Teral? Why?" Evan asked, curious.
"You know how he is," Cedric replied. "He's always trying to show off his strength. He hardly ever helps beginner apprentices. He prefers focusing on missions where he can display his ferocity. It seems he has a core called [Spirit Beast], or as he calls it, his 'Inner Beast.' That core of his only adds to his reputation for brutality."
Cedric pressed Evan for more details about how he ended up in the fight, but Evan deflected with an excuse. "I was training my mobility in the forest when I got caught off guard. Nothing major," he said, avoiding Cedric's gaze to dodge further questions.
After making sure Evan was alright, Cedric said his goodbyes and returned to his tasks. Alone in his tent, Evan let his thoughts drift.
As he settled in to rest, his mind returned to the [Origin Rune]. He knew that if he declared it, he might receive missions better aligned with his potential (like Cedric and Lerris). However, doing so would expose him in a way that couldn't be undone.
"If I declare it," he thought, "my secret becomes a record. And once it's recorded, there's no going back. Someone might try to exploit it… or worse."
The idea of making an irreversible decision unsettled him. He urgently needed a solution to his financial situation, but exposing his core wasn't the answer. For now, he decided to keep it a secret and find a way to use his ability discreetly.
"The key to surviving here lies in what I can do with this," he murmured, feeling the soft pulse of the Rune of Origin in his chest. Night had fallen completely, but his mind continued to churn with plans and uncertainties.
Evan sat in silence, lost in thought. He needed to figure out a way to earn coins quickly. With only five left and limited supplies, he didn't have much time before financial troubles hit hard. If he couldn't pay his stay within three days, he would face one of two grim choices: the Mark of Exile or a service contract with a veteran.
The Mark of Exile was dreaded by all apprentices—a spell that marked the core of those who failed to meet their responsibilities at the Arcane Field or broke its rules. Once activated, the exiled core would visibly oscillate every time it was used, a destabilizing pulse that broadcasted the bearer's condition. Those marked were considered traitors, no longer welcome in other Fields and losing all access to the world of mages. For many, it meant a life of anonymity among common humans, stripped of magic and purpose.
The other option was less dire: a service contract with a veteran. Evan vividly remembered the last time he fell ill and had to turn to Jonas to cover his quota. Carrying heavy materials while still completing missions had been humiliating and exhausting, a memory that sent shivers down his spine every time he thought about needing such assistance again.
"I need to figure something out," he muttered to himself. His mind wandered to his newfound ability. If he could find a way to monetize it, his situation might turn around. The problem was figuring out how.
With that thought lingering, Evan closed his eyes, feeling the gentle pulse of his core in his chest.
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