Rowan shook off his daydream as he started packing his stuff into his old bag. He was buzzing with excitement but also feeling a little nervous. It was a wild mix that made his stomach flutter.
Before heading out, he took a last look around his apartment. The place felt both comforting and painful. It had been his safe spot, a place where he felt trapped, and also somewhere he fought through tough times.
Now, it was time to step away, even if it was just for a little bit. He slung the bag over his shoulder.
Suddenly, he heard the System's calm voice in his head.
Great!
The System wasn't really helping, but he had to admit the cloak he got from it was a lifesaver. It helped shield him from the harsh sun, which he still didn't like as the burn from the sun always makes him wary.
Taking a deep breath, Rowan stepped outside. The morning was bright and loud. He instantly felt weaker, like his stats had taken a dip, but the cloak made it bearable.
He pulled the hood of the cloak over his face to block out the sun. He had become quite familiar with the annoying itch that the sunlight caused on his skin, but he learned to live with it.
Vauli City was alive with various sounds. Merchants shouted, trying to outdo each other, wanting people to buy their stuff. Kids ran around, laughing and playing, their joy mixing in with the chatter of the grown-ups.
Rowan moved carefully through the crowd. He kept his head down, and the hood snug on his head. He was aware not to draw any attention, especially with some weird things happening inside him.
His first stop was the marketplace. He felt the coins in his pocket remind him of how little he had, but he was set on making each Hinar count.
He paused at a stall with second-hand clothes. The merchant was a skinny guy with sharp eyes. He looked Rowan up and down before smirking. "You seem like someone trying to save a coin or two," he joked.
Rowan rolled his eyes. "Just show me what you've got."
He dealt with merchants like this all the time. They always tried to make people pay too much for things that weren't worth it. But Rowan was no newbie when it came to trading. After some back-and-forth, he snagged a bundle of sturdy, plain clothes.
This should last him a bit if he was careful. He stuffed the clothes into his satchel and moved to the next stall, grabbing some dried meats, bread, and a small pouch of herbs.
As he walked toward the inn he had seen before, excitement bubbled up again. The academy was just days away, and he was ready to see what it had to offer. This was his chance to change everything.
But no matter how hard he tried, the burden of his past pulled at him. His mother's harsh words echoed in his mind: "This isn't for people like us, and you know it."
His fists clenched, and he found himself whispering, "We'll see about that."
By the time he reached the inn, the sun was lowering in the sky, giving the city a warm, golden hue. The innkeeper was a kind-looking woman in her middle years. She greeted him with a warm smile.
"Looking for a room?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, sliding some coins across the counter. "Just for a few nights."
She nodded and handed him a key. "Room three, up the stairs. Supper is at seven if you're interested."
Rowan thanked her and headed to his room. It was small but clean and cozy. Just what he needed.
He plopped down on the bed, utterly worn out.
A flood of thoughts rushed through his mind, the System, dealing with sunburn, the academy test, being labeled a Dhampir, a term he didn't quite grasp, and a mysterious reference to Tikva.
But one name stood out, a name he didn't recognize.
"Krist," he said softly, tasting the name on his lips. What did it mean?
Thoughts swirled until sleep finally whisked him away, sending him into dreams that slipped through his fingers like sand.
***
Morning arrived sooner than Rowan planned. He woke up to the soft sounds of the city waking up outside.
After a quick breakfast, he figured it was smart to explore around the academy. He wanted to know the area better before he started classes.
Living in the poorer parts of the city, he rarely got to visit this bustling and busy part of town.
Not too far from the busy streets stood Volmork Magic Academy, one of the few magic schools the state boasts of.
And even farther away was the Freehigh Forest. It had earned Its name from the city's oldest inhabitants with its characteristic tall trees boasting a mundane and magical ecosystem alike.
Rowan stopped at the academy gates. Even though they were locked, he couldn't shake off the awe he felt.
But then, he scratched his head, snapping out of his daydream.
Today wasn't about the academy. He had to shift his focus to the Freehigh Forest.
Having spent most of the three thousand Hinar Coins he had, he quickly realized he would need more money, and soon.
They say to use what you have to get what you need. For him, that meant using his knowledge of herbs.
With that in mind, he decided to check out the outer parts of the forest, hoping to find some herbs to sell for a few extra coins.
He had been to the forest before, but the memories of Aunty Verci came flooding back. She taught him about herbs and how to identify them. He appreciated that knowledge.
Rowan came ready as he touched the sheath at his side to make sure the small blade was still there.
While he didn't want to go deep into the forest, he knew better than to be careless. Anything could happen.
As he got closer to the forest, the tall trees stretched out in the dim light, casting long shadows on the ground.
Rowan steadied his breath and tightened his grip on his bag as he moved forward.