Eryndor Kingdom
Capital City: Solomon
The city of Solomon was alive with energy, its streets bustling with activity.
Crowds of people moved through the cobbled streets, weaving between carriages laden with goods,
while merchants shouted over one another, their voices blending into the lively hum of the marketplace.
"Fresh fish! Straight from the eastern rivers!" one vendor called, his voice carrying above the din.
"Discount on fine silk! Only for today!" another merchant bellowed, waving a bright swatch of fabric to draw attention.
Amidst the vibrant chaos of the market,
nestled between a sturdy blacksmith's shop and a bakery wafting the enticing smell of fresh bread,
stood Generic Shop. The modest, single-story building, with its simple wooden signage and neatly kept windows, seemed like an oasis of calm in the otherwise boisterous street.
Inside, the shop was neatly arranged, with shelves stocked with everyday essentials:
brooms, candles, tools, and sacks of flour and sugar.
Behind the counter sat a young man, about seventeen years old, with dark hair and a round face that matched his slightly chubby frame.
Despite his soft stature, his presence exuded calm warmth, as if his very being reassured anyone who entered.
His name was Leon, and he was the owner of the shop—a position he'd inherited far earlier than most would expect.
As he leaned back in his chair, the soft chime of the doorbell rang. Looking up, Leon spotted a familiar figure.
"Good morning, Aunty Martha," Leon greeted warmly, rising from his chair. "What can I get for you today?"
The middle-aged woman with streaks of gray in her hair returned the smile.
"Good morning, Leon. How's your day so far? I just need some flour and sugar—five kilos of flour and one kilo of sugar, if you don't mind."
"Of course, Aunty. Just a moment," Leon replied, heading to the shelves.
He began measuring the goods carefully, his practiced hands moving swiftly.
With a quick glance to ensure Martha wasn't looking, he added a little extra to the packets—a quiet gesture of kindness he didn't want her to notice.
As he worked, Martha hesitated for a moment before speaking, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
"Leon, I hate to ask, but... would you mind giving me a small discount this time? Things at home have been... difficult."
Leon turned, his expression soft. "Aunty, you don't have to worry about that. Of course, I'll give you a discount."
Internally, Leon thought about her struggles.
Aunty Martha's husband had been ill for months now, leaving her family in a tight financial spot.
To Leon, helping her was the least he could do. After all, when his parents passed away, Martha had been there for him, managing the shop and caring for him until he found his footing.
He finished packing the goods and handed them over with a smile. "That'll be ten copper coins, Aunty."
Martha frowned, giving him a skeptical look. "Leon, don't think I don't know the market prices. This should cost at least twenty copper. You've halved the price!"
Leon waved her concern off with a chuckle. "It's nothing, Aunty. Business is going well, and I can afford to help a little."
He thought to himself, If it wouldn't offend her pride, I'd have given her this for free. But I know how stubborn she is—she'd never accept it outright.
Martha sighed but gave in, handing over the coins. "You're too kind, Leon. Thank you."
"By the way," Leon said as he leaned against the counter, "how's Uncle doing?"
A bright smile lit up Martha's face. "He's doing much better now! He's even started walking again. The doctor says he just needs a little more rest before he can get back to normal."
Leon's smile widened. "That's great to hear. I hope he makes a full recovery soon."
Martha nodded. "Well, I should get going. Lunch won't cook itself, and those boys of mine will be starving soon."
She turned toward the door, then paused, throwing a parting comment over her shoulder.
"Oh, and Leon—don't forget to drag that idiot son of mine to help out at the shop after lunch!"
Leon let out a laugh. "I'll make sure he's here, Aunty!"
As the doorbell chimed again with Martha's departure, Leon leaned back in his chair, still smiling.
After Martha left, Leon spent the rest of the morning managing the shop, carefully organizing shelves, restocking items, and attending to a steady stream of customers.
Each interaction was marked by his characteristic politeness and genuine warmth, a trait that kept the shop's patrons coming back.
By the time the bustling marketplace began to settle, the sun hung high in the sky, signaling lunch hour.
Leon, feeling the familiar pangs of hunger, locked the shop's door temporarily and retrieved his modest meal from behind the counter—a neatly wrapped sandwich and a bottle of fruit juice.
He set the sandwich on the counter and took a seat, unwrapping the meal with practiced ease.
The smell of freshly baked bread and crisp vegetables filled the air as he took the first bite. He leaned back in his chair, savoring the brief moment of peace amidst the day's work.
The calm was interrupted by the familiar jingling sound of the shop's doorbell.
Leon glanced up, mid-bite, to see a tall, broad-shouldered young man stepping inside.
His sandy hair was slightly tousled, and his easy grin was as familiar as the scent of the bakery next door.
"Aaron," Leon greeted, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.
Aaron, the eldest son of Martha and the same age as Leon, leaned against the counter with a smirk. "Still stuffing your face, huh?"
Leon waved a dismissive hand and, still chewing, grinned. "Get to work, my precious employee."
Aaron's lips twitched in mock irritation as he approached the counter. "Employee? Oh, you've got jokes today."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Hey, do you know there's something special happening tomorrow?"
Leon raised an eyebrow, taking another bite of his sandwich. "Special? What's tomorrow?" he asked, giving Aaron a side-eye.
Aaron cleared his throat dramatically, enjoying the buildup. "It's the Awakening Day. You know, the admission day for the academy."
Cough! Cough!
Leon choked on his sandwich, hastily grabbing his bottle of juice and taking a long gulp to calm his sputtering.
Once he regained his composure, he glared at Aaron, still slightly red-faced. "Wait, what? I thought that was supposed to be next month!"
Aaron shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, they changed it. I just got the news this morning."
Leon let out a long sigh, running a hand through his dark hair. "Guess I'll have to close the shop tomorrow then," he muttered. "Are you going?"
Aaron puffed out his chest with mock pride. "Of course I'm going! Don't you know my dream?"
Leon chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, let's go together then."
The two young men settled into the rhythm of work, tending to the customers that trickled in after lunch.
They moved seamlessly, with Leon manning the counter and Aaron fetching items or organizing shelves.
Despite the busy afternoon, the duo managed to keep up their banter, laughing and joking as the hours flew by.
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the city, Leon stretched his arms and flipped the sign on the door to Closed.
Together, they tidied up the shop, locked the doors, and pulled down the shutter.
Standing outside, Leon stretched again, letting out a content sigh. "Well, that's another day done."
He turned to Aaron, a faint smile playing on his lips. "See you tomorrow—it's a big day for us."
Aaron nodded, his usual grin replaced by a rare look of seriousness. "Yeah. Tomorrow's going to be something."
With that, the two parted ways, each walking toward their respective homes under the dimming light of the evening sky