After being reassured by Crevan and safely putting away the remnants of the nightshade staff, he looked up and prepared to leave to find Sorev but he was interrupted.
"Nova, before you go, there is one last thing that I would like to add," Crevan said in a more serious tone. "The trial that I talked about, is about knowing who you are and what you can and cannot do, not just about strength or the amount of magic one may wield. Do not undervalue the emotional and mental difficulties it will present to you.
"I will keep that in mind, thank you for the help, even if you did not need to," He replied, meeting his gaze.
Clapping him on the shoulder, Crevan smirked. "Do not thank me as yet, we do not know what will happen to you. You have got a long road ahead. Let's hope you are ready when the time comes."
With that, they exited the armory. The path before him remained uncertain, but he was determined to face whatever trials awaited him, knowing deep down that none of them may not be easy. After all, he heeded the words, "Not everything may be as it seems."
Crevan followed him to the door, but Nova stopped abruptly when he sensed that someone was looking at him intently. When he turned around, he saw an older man wearing a red and black uniform with a red raven sigil as his broach, which was one belonging to one of the guilds.
Crevan followed his gaze to the man who was standing in one of the hallways, his eyes narrowed, and he crossed his arms in disapproval, the scowl on his face apparent.
"That is Felix Cyrox, a guild master of the Red Ravens, I find the name slightly ridiculous, to be honest, it is just a metaphor for the fact they do not mind getting their hands dirty," Crevan said, blunt and his gaze unwavering.
Upon hearing him, Felix's cool demeanor turned into a slight frown as he clenched his fists by his sides, while Nova's gaze flickered between the two of them with a slightly raised brow, he could sense there was a story there, one he was not sure he was eager to hear.
"I see you still have the tongue of a venomous snake Crevan, oh but then I guess you always were a snake," Felix retorted and Crevan's jaw clenched in irritation.
"At least, I am not a fool who is easily swayed by so-called authority and lacks the balls to speak my opinion, a puppet pulled on its master's strings," Crevan said in a biting tone, which made Nova want to laugh but he did his best to keep a stoic face.
"Uh... Pardon the intrusion, but I have to get going if I am going to get my work done," Nova said, Crevan's gaze flickered toward him then he sighed.
"You are right, there are better things to do than talk to people with the brains of a bull," Crevan replied, with a roll of his eyes.
Nova pursed his lips, trying his best not to laugh and Felix's face turned red, like a riled-up bull matching the description, causing a few people nearby to chuckle, some covering their mouths, while others tried their best to not show any sort of reaction.
"You get going and good luck," Crevan said, keeping his eyes on Felix.
"I will, thanks again," He replied, before exiting the building, letting out a loud sigh, glad he did not get caught up in a squabble that might have only put him on bad terms with others.
'Now, how do I find Sorev?' He wondered as he looked around then went into his bag, opening one of the scrolls Crevan gave to him and his eyes narrowed as he scanned the contents of it.
That particular scroll contained information on alchemists as well as blacksmiths around the city and a few other guilds, it was meant to help him find his way around quickly.
"Main street," He mumbled as he placed the scroll away then continued walking and the guards let him out of the compound.
Nova went into the city, not taking any detours to look for the blacksmith, since he needed to get a weapon forged for himself or he may end up a sitting duck during the trial depending on what it was.
While looking around, he got hungry and checked his bag only to find a few gold coins, he smiled, then went to a shop that was selling pastries and bought himself a few, placed them in his bag and continued to look for Sorev, while eating a croissant.
As he was walking the streets, he heard loud noises coming from a tavern and he came to a halt when he heard a familiar name.
Nova opened the door to the tavern, causing the bell at the top to jingle a bit and many customers turned to look at him and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the commotion at the back.
"Sorev?" He called out and the commotion came to a halt and a very small-looking man peeked out from the midst of the crowd.
"Aye, lad, that's me, I am not looking for an assistant," He said, while drinking his ale.
Nova's eyes widened as his gaze scanned Sorev from top to bottom, he was no less than 4'2 or 4'3, a short-looking, burly man with a long brown beard, muscular and a grumpy attitude.
"A dwarf?!" He exclaimed and Sorev's brows twitched in irritation as he made his way through the crowd and stood before Nova.
"So, what if I am? You got a problem lad?" He asked with his arms crossed and Nova shook his head.
"No, I have no problem, I am just surprised that is all, when Crevan sent me to a blacksmith, I thought... Well, it does not matter, sorry if I offended you," He responded and Sorev's eyes narrowed.
"Crevan sent ya?" He asked and Nova nodded.
"You must be a special kind of brat then, follow me, I will take you to my workshop," He said as he marched out of the tavern.
Nova blinked in surprise, but before he could say anything, Sorev had already left and he immediately rushed out of the tavern to catch up with him and followed him.