Chapter 10
I threw my hands up in resignation and let myself fall back onto the damp ground. Above me, the clouds had scattered, and bits of sunlight filtered through, scattering faint rainbows across the clearing. I admired the scenery for a brief moment, forgetting my earlier frustration.
I didn’t know what I needed to do. So I lay there, watching the glistening droplets of water drip down from the leaves of the trees.
“Giving up already? I guess some things never changed.”
At that moment, my mind replayed the words of the voice that had guided me during my core awakening. I tried to ignore them, but for some reason they continued to gnaw at me, lingering at the back of my mind—taunting me.
“You think I give up that easily?” I scoffed, digging my fingers into the damp earth beneath me.
I raised my hand once again, trying to conjure a fireball—only for a loud, guttural groan to erupt from my stomach.
Grrrrrrrrr.
I instantly dropped my arm and scratched the back of my head awkwardly. “Right… I still haven’t eaten yet.” With a sigh, I pushed myself up. “Guess I should find something first. Can’t really train on an empty stomach, can I?”
By the time I reached the shopping streets of Eldreth, the sun was already dipping lower in the sky. Noon had passed, and the city was alive with its busiest hour. Merchants shouted over one another, advertising their wares—fresh bread, forged appliances, and fabrics dyed in every color imaginable.
I pushed my way through the crowd until I spotted a familiar stall I always visited. The owner, a middle-age woman with her sleeves rolled up, was deftly turning skewers over an open flame. The savory aroma of roasted meat and herbs filled the air. When she noticed me approaching, she smiled and gave me a wave.
“Hi, Mrs. Harth!” I greeted her with a bow.
She let out a small chuckle. “I told you already, you don’t have to be so formal with me. So the usual again?”
I nodded, handing her a few copper coins as I watched her prepare the food. She worked quickly, piling a few skewers onto a piece of flatbread before wrapping it neatly. With a warm smile, she handed the bundle over to me.
I offered my thanks and took the food, my mouth already watering at the smell.
“So, Caelith,” she asked, “Did you take the Academy entrance exam yesterday?”
“Hm? Oh, yeah, I did.”
“How did it go? Did you manage to get in?”
“Yeah, I did—though I got pretty lucky,” I replied, scratching at my face.
“Well, that calls for congratulations, Caelith! That’s wonderful. You know, I have a son who’s turning twelve this year, that little rascal, he’s dead set on joining the academy once he becomes able!”
“I’m sure he’ll be able to get in,” I said, offering her a reassuring smile.
Mrs. Harth shook her head and let out a small sigh.
“I really hope so too… watching after that troublesome son of mine is no easy task. He’s always getting into trouble and testing my patience.”
“Haha, well, he’s still just a kid. Let him enjoy his childhood while it lasts. I remember being just as annoying to my sister back then, too.”
“I guess you’re right, I’m just worried about his future.”
“He’ll grow up just fine. Alright, take care now, and thanks again for the food!” I waved goodbye, tucking the bundle under my arm, and stepped back into the bustling streets
“Bye, Caelith! See you around!”
As I walked down the streets, trying to find somewhere quiet to eat my meal, my mind wandered to what I should practice next. Clearly, I was having a hard time with fireball.
‘Maybe I should try some other spells… see if any of them work…’
Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a young girl in ragtag clothing darting through the street. She moved fast, almost stumbling, as if running from something. I watched as she swiftly darted into an alleyway.
Something about her is familiar. It wasn’t my business, but I couldn’t help being curious, so in the end, I decided to follow her.
As I stepped into the empty alleyway, I spotted her up ahead. The young girl crouched behind a crate, her ragtag clothing dusted with dirt, and her wide eyes darted nervously from side to side. She then took a small pouch and began counting the coins inside.
Suddenly, she froze, her eyes widening as she glanced up. I had accidentally kicked a loose stone, the clatter echoing through the alley, and now she was looking straight at me.
“H-Hieek!” she yelped, stumbling back in panic, her hands flying up toward her face.
“H-Hey, calm down! I’m not a bad guy,” I reassured her, putting my food in my pocket and raising my hands. “See? No weapons.”
She still looked at me skeptically, a hint of fear in her eyes, before finally speaking in a small, shaky voice.
“C-can I help you, Sir?”
“No need to be scared. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay—I saw you running back there and got worried.”
“I’m f-fine…you don’t have to w-worry about me…” she stuttered.
‘Yeah, right.’ I could tell from the way she was trembling and avoiding my gaze that she wasn’t fine at all. She clutched a pouch tightly in her hand, hiding it behind her back. I could already guess what was going on.
Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice shouting from behind us.
“I FINALLY FOUND YOU!”
The girl flinched at the shout. As I turned around, I was shocked to see who it was—standing there, out of breath, was Kaelon.
“Kaelon?”
He took a few seconds to catch his breath before turning his head toward me, his eyes widening in shock as well.
“Caelith? What are you doing here?”
“I could’ve asked the same thing.”
“Never mind that—quick! Catch that thief behind you! She stole my money!” he shouted, pointing urgently at her. His face was flushed, eyes blazing with anger.
Seeing his expression, the girl instantly trembled, and I suddenly felt two small hands grab the hem of my clothes from behind.
“Please, help me.” She pleaded.
I looked down and saw her pitiful little face, big eyes glistening with tears, her bottom lip quivering as she clung to me.
I sighed. “Hey, man, can you calm down at least and explain what’s going on?”
“Don't you have ears? I told you, that brat over there stole my money.”
I shifted my gaze to the girl and asked in a calm voice, “Did you steal this idiot’s money?”
Kaelon’s eyebrows twitched furiously at being called an idiot.
“What was that?”
I ignored the blonde idiot and turned my attention back to the girl. She looked at me nervously, her hands tightening on the hem of my clothes before slowly nodding her head.
“Why did you steal from him?” I asked
“I-I… I had to… to pay for my dad’s medicines…” she whispered, her voice trembling. Her hands fidgeted nervously.
Kaelon’s eyes softened slightly at her words, and he brought one hand up to his face, rubbing his forehead as if trying to calm himself. For a long moment, no one spoke. I could feel him quietly weighing his thoughts.
“... Just, keep the money, kid. Use it to treat your father.”
Her eyes instantly lit up, shimmering with hope and disbelief, then clutched the pouch of coins to her chest as though it were the most precious treasure in the world.
“R-really?” she asked, her voice wavering between fear and relief.
“Yes, really. Now go back home to your father,” I said gently, reaching out to pat her head. She flinched at first, then leaned into the touch.
“T-thank you, big brother!” she said, her voice brimming with gratitude.
Kaelon threw his hands up. “Why the hell is she thanking you? That’s my money!”
“Don’t worry about it,” I replied with a small smile to the young girl. “But just a warning—don’t go around stealing other people’s money again. Some people wouldn’t let it slide as easily as he did.”
Her expression faltered for a moment, and she nodded quickly, clutching the pouch tighter.
With that, she gave us both one last, tearful bow before turning on her heel and dashing off, her small figure disappearing into the crowd, leaving just the two of us standing in the quiet alleyway.
Kaelon let out a long, defeated sigh. “Damn it, as if I should be moved by such pathetic excuses.”
“Wow, so you do have a conscience. O great nobleman,” I said with a smirk.
“Argh, shut up, would you?” he snapped, glaring at me from the corner of his eye.
‘Still friendly as ever, it seems…’ I thought, shaking my head.
