Nathan Moderson strolled through the lively streets of Gemville, his eyes shifting curiously from one building to another. Even though Nathan had heard plenty about the outside world, seeing it with his own eyes was a completely different experience.
Gemville wasn't a big, luxurious city. Positioned on the far edge of the kingdom's borders, it was far from being considered important or aristocratic. The only notable aspect of this town was its mines, filled with precious, elegant gems that could later be refined into expensive jewellery. Compared to other border towns, Gemville was relatively wealthy. However, being the closest city to Lostburg, it wasn't exactly considered as the best place to live.
The streets were lined with well-kept stores, markets, and restaurants, many of them appearing quite luxurious. The people wore clothes Nathan had never seen before. Despite their energetic chatter, there was a peaceful quietness in the air—something that could never exist in Lostburg.
Most strikingly, Nathan could sense Rune Arts everywhere. All the adults carried short, pen-like wands clipped to their waists. Whether for work or daily tasks, they nimbly drew intricate patterns in midair, using Rune Arts to assist with whatever needed to be done. Nathan could even recognise some of the techniques—his father had described how Rune Arts functioned in people's everyday lives before.
Yet, the splendour of Rune Arts did nothing to lift Nathan's spirits. Instead, he had never felt so empty and miserable in his life. The dreams of every citizen in Lostburg turned out to be nothing more than other people's mundane, everyday lives.
What stung Nathan the most was the realization that Lostburg had no real reason to exist. Those who committed crimes could be locked up in prisons or punished in other ways. But why were the children of Lostburg forced to live lives so different and far worse than everyone else? They hadn't done anything wrong. Why were they denied the chance to choose lives that could be easily achieved? The kingdom, with no foreign enemies or civil disputes, could have spared a fraction of its wealth to provide a normal life for them.
Nathan felt suffocated. Ironically, he also felt lucky to have escaped the life he'd once known. He had been given a chance, a glimmer of hope. If that hope had never existed, he might have lived in Lostburg freely, perhaps even happily. But now, things were different.
As the only child to escape a predetermined fate, Nathan wondered if he was chosen to change things—to liberate the citizens of Lostburg who longed for better lives. Yet, deep down, he knew that even if his father was indeed a powerful figure, changing the kingdom's entire system was impossible.
It made Nathan wonder, how many others had dreams like his?
How many had dared to dream of a different tomorrow but were unable to achieve it?
It felt unfair to Nathan.
It seemed unfair that some people weren't even allowed to dream, let alone change their lives.
Turning a corner, Nathan noticed a tall, opulent building labeled "Gemville Steak House." It looked slightly fancier than the other casual restaurants he'd passed, but people seemed to avoid it, perhaps because it was too expensive.
Nathan pushed away his troubled thoughts. Whatever he could do to change the situation would have to wait. For now, his priority was filling his stomach.
As a representative student of the Imperial Rune Arts Academy, Nathan knew he needed to act the part. Moreover, he saw it as a small, vengeful way of asserting his irritation at how Lostburg citizens were mistreated. Since his life had been so much worse than that of ordinary citizens, he was determined to make up for it.
But as he stepped inside the restaurant, he noticed it was empty, save for one table of men.
The first thing that crossed Nathan's mind was that these men might have come from Lostburg.
Their wild mannerisms, tattered clothing, and crude way of speaking screamed "Lostburg gangsters." However, as Nathan examined them more closely, he noticed the wands clipped to their waists—proof that they were normal citizens.
One man even carried two wands instead of one, marking him as a two-element Rune Artist.
Before Nathan could gather more information, a muscular figure turned and noticed him. The man asked gruffly, "Hey, you. You don't look like a waiter. Why the hell are you here?"
Nathan wasn't intimidated by the loud voice. His mind worked quickly to assess the situation.
From that single sentence, Nathan could tell these men weren't the restaurant's owners or workers. They were customers, but it was clear the restaurant had been emptied for their sake. They weren't gangsters but something worse. The fact that other Gemville citizens avoided the restaurant suggested these men were notorious and likely beyond the city's control.
One thing was clear: Nathan shouldn't be here.
"I'm just passing by!" Nathan smiled humbly and bowed deeply. "Sorry for the disturbance!"
He turned to leave, but before he could step outside, a strong gust of wind blew him back inside.
Nathan spun around to see the skinniest man among them, a small green Rune glowing in front of him. The wind pushed Nathan toward the Rune. Cursing softly under his breath, Nathan straightened his posture.
"You're not from Gemville, are you?"
Nathan nodded awkwardly, masking his unease with a polite smile. "Nothing escapes your eyes, great sir. I'm from a small village near Gemville. My parents sent me to—"
Before he could finish, one of the taller men interrupted violently, "Boss, teach him a lesson already! Who cares where he's from or if he knew the rule? If he breaks it, he takes responsibility!"
The skinny man scoffed and shook his head. "Damn right."
But then he added coldly, "Though, apart from people who break the rules, I hate people who tell me what to do even more."
The man swiftly conjured another Rune—so fast that Nathan couldn't track his fingers. A chair flew from the back of the room, striking the taller man on the head. The man staggered, nearly fainting, but said nothing further.
"Listen, kid," the skinny man said, stepping closer and raising his wand. "On Saturdays, this restaurant belongs to me alone. If you dare enter, you leave something behind—be it money or flesh. Everyone follows this rule. No exceptions, not even for foreigners."
Nathan's heart tightened. He had enough money to avoid injury, but if they discovered his Imperial Rune Arts Academy invitation letter, it could create bigger problems.
Before he could respond, three young, cheerful voices echoed from behind him.
"Hahaha! Boys, you think that includes us too?"
"Man, these commoners really have forgotten their place, haven't they?"
"Come on, don't be so serious and violent. Gemville is all about love and peace, aren't we?"