Chapter 12
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Episode 4 - Income [1]
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Etheria City.
Situated in the heart of the continent, it held the title of the world's center not only geographically but also symbolically.
One of the many teleportation gates of Etheria City shimmered with twinkling lights.
"Attention, all passengers. We have arrived in Etheria City. Please make sure to take all your belongings."
I stepped out of the gate upon hearing the announcement.
Located in the highlands outside the city, the Teleportation Gate was the entry point to Etheria City.
As I exited the teleportation gate, the breathtaking view of Etheria City unfolded before me.
Flap!
My hair fluttered in the gusts of wind.
The cityscape revealed a bustling metropolis, with a vast lake visible in the distance an unexpected sight.
The lake, usually covered in mist, appeared crystal clear, offering a view of the Heroes' Sanctuary and a colossal castle situated at its farthest end.
'In two days, I'll be there.'
It had been a month since the entrance exam.
As every year, the events of the exam caused a great stir.
In particular, my performance in the entrance exam had become a hot topic.
My life had also gotten a little busier, as only thirty cadets had passed that exam.
"But none of that was my concern."
Instead, I focused on preparing for my admission to the Heroes' Sanctuary.
Today marked my arrival at the Heroes' Sanctuary after a month of preparation.
I had arrived alone, without any family accompanying me.
After all, the entrance ceremony of the Heroes' Sanctuary was a closed event.
'Go, have fun, and learn a lot.'
A small laugh escaped me as I recalled Elisa's words.
Although we were aristocrats, my family believed in modesty over extravagance.
"I'd rather invest in the well-being of our estate than waste it all on frivolous expenses like traveling."
Stepping out of the Teleportation Gate, I set foot on Central Street, the bustling main road at the heart of the Heroes' Sanctuary.
"She said she'd be waiting here."
Just as I was wondering where she might be, her voice rang out nearby.
"Lucius."
Ashly, with her waist-length white hair tied in a ponytail and dressed in a luxurious suit, spoke to me as I turned toward her.
This drew quite a bit of attention from passersby.
"How have you been?"
I asked Ashly, and she waved her hand.
"Not much. Congratulations on getting first place, by the way."
Then she continued, but her voice lowered slightly as she frowned.
"I don't like sharing the title with Franz, but first place is still first place."
Ashly said, narrowing her eyes at me for a moment.
"Try looking at me with a bit more respect now."
Ashly spoke with an air of authority in her gaze, but I simply scoffed at her.
"I can't respect someone who's been throwing up in the mud."
To get to Etheria, the center of the world, we traveled on a massive ship.
"Hey, you…!"
Ashly blushed intensely as I chuckled lightly.
"Seriously! You never know when to stop!"
Ashly gave up and asked,
"And what about Uncle Grey?"
"He said he'd join us later. Until then, let's do some shopping on Central Street."
Central Street offered everything needed for the Heroes' Sanctuary.
From school uniforms to textbooks and various other supplies—weaponry, staffs, and catalysts for spiritual magic if necessary.
"You haven't bought your uniform or textbooks yet, have you?"
"No."
I quickly shook my head.
"Let's take care of that today. Follow me, I'll help you find everything you need."
***
Ashly took Lucius to a large clothing store on the main street.
There, the school uniforms of the Heroes' Sanctuary were displayed in glass showcases.
She pointed to a particular brand.
But Lucius cursed under his breath.
"Wow, what insanely expensive crap."
Ashly agreed.
"It's true, but they have a centuries-long history of making uniforms for the Heroes' Sanctuary."
The Heroes' Sanctuary dress code required three types of clothing.
Event attire for special occasions.
Uniforms to be worn during classes.
And a training suit for practice sessions.
All clothing had specific standards.
One of these standards included the use of "mana fabric," which had mana infused into the material.
The quality of different uniform brands depended entirely on the quality of the mana fabric used.
"They're known for their luxury items, including uniforms."
Having finished her explanation, Ashly entered the store.
"Welcome."
The clerk greeted them warmly and ushered them in.
Inside, cadets and other customers were browsing.
A middle-aged woman approached them.
"Miss Ashly, it's a pleasure to see you again."
Bowing slightly, she asked carefully,
"But may I ask why you're visiting us again? Didn't you like your uniform?"
"No, not at all. We're here for a men's uniform."
Ashly pointed to Lucius, who was looking around.
"We're starting school this year."
The clerk nodded.
"Oh, I see. I thought you were the only Sephir enrolled. Now I see there are more this year."
The clerk greeted Lucius politely and said,
"I'm Soria, the uniform tailor."
Lucius immediately noticed her magic abilities and thought to himself,
"Well, I suppose you need some affinity for magic to manipulate mana fabrics. But for a mage to become a tailor... I guess the market is different now."
At that moment, the clerk moved and said,
"Let's take your measurements, sir."
Soria pulled out a measuring tape and began measuring Lucius.
"You're a knight, correct?"
"Yes."
"What Aura properties will you use?"
The types of Aura are defined by the characteristics of the mental method used to produce them.
The blend of mana fabric used varied depending on the user's Aura properties.
This way, the fabric could either enhance defense against the user's opposing properties or amplify the power of that same attribute.
Of course, mana fabric alone could produce dramatic effects, but even small boosts were useful, making it essentially an endless competition.
"I'd like the Warlock's fabric."
"Excuse me?"
Soria seemed confused, while Ashly observed silently.
Lucius repeated,
"Warlock's, please."
The mana fabric used in warlock uniforms.
It had no properties.
An unusual choice, to say the least.
But that was precisely the reason, as Lucius intended to use Black Aura and his own Aura from his past life.
"Oh, I see."
After taking his measurements and asking for further clarifications, Soria entered the fitting room.
"Why warlock's? You'll soon be learning our family's Black Aura. Wouldn't it be better to get a uniform with mana fabric suited for Black Aura?"
"I just have a little idea in mind."
It was already confirmed that he would use Black Aura.
Of course, choosing warlock mana fabric allowed him to use any Aura and magic, even spiritual magic.
"By the way, I have no money."
Lucius said, looking at Ashly.
"So, you want me to cover your expenses, you cheapskate? Lucky for you, the Sephir family decided to fund all your school expenses."
Lucius recalled Elisa's reassuring words.
According to his mother, she had left all her assets to the Sephir family, ensuring Lucius's financial stability.
Moreover, the head of the family's support was evident, as he understood the situation well.
Just moments later, Soria, being the first-class tailor that she was, had crafted a perfect school uniform.
And after that, only a small adjustment was needed.
In just an hour, Soria had finished.
"We will deliver your uniform directly to your dormitory."
With the patience and assistance of the staff, Lucius completed his purchase.
"Let's move on to the next thing."
They bought both the mandatory textbooks and those specific to their specializations.
Though Lucius also picked up books on magic and spiritual magic.
"Are you already preparing for a duel or something? You're so well-prepared..."
Ashly was bewildered by the various specializations Lucius seemed eager to learn.
'I want to learn.'
Of course, he didn't have to say it out loud.
Because even if he did, Ashly would just look at him like he was a weirdo.
Finally, they bought all the necessary textbooks.
After that, they continued exploring Etheria.
It was a big city, with a lot to see.
Lucius found joy in exploring the bustling streets of Etheria and trying street food.
He couldn't help but tease Ashly, flashing a wide grin as they ate ice cream from a small shop they had found along the way.
"She really is just a kid."
Ashly, who had always been mindful of others' gazes as a public figure of the Sephir family, showed many childlike gestures while she was with Lucius, her twin brother.
After a long day of traveling and relaxed exploration, they returned to the hotel just before dinner time.
"Lucius."
"Uncle!"
Grey was there, waiting for them.
Grey ruffled Ashly's hair while giving Lucius a hug, as he hadn't seen him in days.
"Lucius, how have you been this past month?"
"I've been fine, Uncle."
Grey smiled and said,
"The family has made a decision."
After the entrance exam, Grey had proposed to the family that Lucius should learn Black Aura.
Since tradition dictated that only those within the family could learn Black Aura, the question of whether Lucius, an outsider, could learn it was a very delicate matter.
The series of meetings to discuss the issue lasted the entire month, and the decision was only finalized today.
"We've decided that you will learn Black Aura."
Ashly, who had been silently watching, exclaimed in joy.
"Congratulations, brother!"
Ashly, who had trained and taken that exam alongside Lucius, believed he was the right person for Black Aura.
However, she knew that the higher-ranking members of the family might have different opinions.
She was nervous, but now her brother had finally been granted permission.
Grey laughed.
"The elders were quite impressed by your role in the entrance exam."
The news that only thirty had passed the entrance exam had spread worldwide.
Grey handed Lucius a black book.
"Go ahead, open it."
He opened the book, but there was nothing written inside.
'It's sealed.'
He immediately understood the structure of the seal.
"Try a drop of blood there."
Lucius bit his finger until it bled, then let it drip onto the page.
The letters then appeared.
"From now on, this book will only be visible to your eyes."
"Understood."
Lucius nodded.
"Enrollment is the day after tomorrow... Why don't you start training?"
"Can I?"
"Of course. If you can awaken your Aura before school starts, there's no better way to begin the year."
Grey let out a hearty laugh.
"Of course, it won't be easy."
---
I returned to my room after obtaining the Black Aura skill book.
"Why are you here?"
There was someone there.
"You're starting to train your Aura, right? If you need help, just ask."
"Really?"
"Of course, but if you're going to ask, you have to say: 'Please help me, little sister!'"
***
I frowned.
"There's no way I'm calling 'little sister' someone who lost to me."
"Hey, you idiot!"
Ashly threw a cushion.
I stepped to the left, and the cushion flew past me.
Ashly glared at me angrily and sat down to read.
"I won't help you until you ask me politely."
I smiled as I opened the Black Aura skill book.
"Let's see."
It looked like a hero's aura.
A complex and powerful technique.
Ashly seemed to sigh from time to time as she read the Black Aura manual.
"This isn't going to be easy."
With my skills, understanding the mindset needed to use Aura would probably be quite simple.
Minutes passed.
When I opened my palm, a manifestation of black-colored Aura appeared in my hand.
"Just as I thought, it's really not easy."
Then I looked up and said,
"Hey, do you have any advice for this part?"
I asked Ashly as she looked up, then extended her hand, raised her middle finger, and shouted,
"You should've tried harder! No one masters it just by glancing at it!"
I think she was mad... Maybe.