As the carriage rolled through the towering City of Saintellia, Tsukishiro's breath was caught in his throat as he looked out from the carriage. Everything exceeded his expectations. He had imagined what the city would look like, and as a child, he'd go to the place of their oath to look over the beauty of the Saintellia City at Night.
A faraway place, the place of magic. Even though he was far away from his home, he never doubted that he would reach this place. And now, is the fulfillment of that resolve.
Under the moon, the majestic buildings with intricate, golden carvings stood tall. Bright lights overflowed the streets, with colorful fabrics of the market stalls, glimmering trinkets, and many things he hadn't seen yet. The atmosphere was energetic.
His eyes gleamed and glittered at the scene before him.
The carriage slowly comes to a stop in front of a bright building. Tsukishiro slowly got out of the carriage, his eyes never leaving the City.
"First time being here?" The merchant asked.
"Y-Yes."
"Well, here you go." The merchant threw a pouch of gold, which Tsukishiro reflexively caught.
"That's your reward. I appreciate the help." The merchant flashed him a smile, which he returned with a smile of his own. "Thank you very much!" He bowed down in gratitude.
"You're on your own here, kid." The merchant said goodbye. However, there is still something he hasn't asked yet. As the merchant was about to turn around, he mustered his courage and spoke up.
"S-Sir! Uhm, about the job you mentioned..." The merchant turned around and chuckled upon hearing what he said.
"If you want a job, I am in the middle district."
"Middle district?" Yukishiro questioned the unfamiliar term.
"You are new here, I forgot. Saintellia City is divided into three parts: The Golden District, or the place we are here right now. It is the biggest part of the city, covering at least, uh, let's say 60 out of a hundred. Usually, rich folks or nobles reside here. Then, the Middle District, or the place where we, common folks, live. And lastly, though called by many unofficial names, the Slums, a place infested with poverty. I suggest you don't go there, criminals will eat you alive."
"I-I will do just that." He replied,
"So, can I get going now?" The merchant was getting a little impatient now. However, seeing the opportunity, Tsukishiro hesitated for a moment before asking, "Do you know a place where I can stay for the night? I don't really have anywhere to go."
The merchant clicked his tongue in disappointment. "That's for you to figure out, isn't it? However, given my kind grace, I'll tell you just that. There's an inn run by some old couple just in the middle district. Full Moon Inn, was it? Yeah. Bit far from the academy, but that'll solve your problems."
"Thank you very much!" He gave a vow of gratitude towards the man once again.
The merchant shrugged him off and waved goodbye. "Do your best, young kid." Before immediately entering the building in front of them.
He looked at the city once again, his eyes still gleaming in excitement. However, he realized that he needed to have some rest, or else it would be hard for him tomorrow. With his bag on his back, he carefully navigated the area.
The first step was to look for a way to the middle district. Luckily for him, near one glorious, tall building, was a wooden board with a map of the whole City pinned on it. The map included directions to where he was right now and labels for each area.
The Golden District covered the most land, as the merchant said. Just straight to the west was a path that would directly bring him to the middle district.
"Not far away from here... I should get going." Remembering the path on his head, he walked in the direction. After a few minutes of sightseeing as he walked, the path gradually transformed from a lively, and bustling area, to a more modest, but still well-maintained part of Saintellia city.
The city lacked the golden decorations seen in the golden district, however, the streets were clean, and the scent of fresh foods drifted through the air.
Although the area was relatively small, people's laughter and voices conversing could still be heard. Though lacking rich ornaments, it was a fine place.
After a few minutes of looking around, he found a wide, wooden inn, named "Full Moon Inn."
He stood in front, his heart pounding loudly as he slowly reached for the door. Greeting him inside was a quiet atmosphere, with several people chatting quietly over drinks. Behind the counter, was a thin, old man, sitting and reading a newspaper.
Tsukishiro nervously walked up to the old man, and in a clear, yet agitated voice, he asked. "U-Uhm, do you have a room?"
The old man glances over at him, analyzing him.
"New to this place?" The old man replied, returning his gaze back to his newspaper. His voice was rough, however, not unkind.
"Y-Yes."
"8 gold coins per night. Fifty for a full week."
Tsukishiro quickly calculated in his head. The elder gave him 300 gold coins and added to that the 20 gold coins from the work he did. He isn't sure how long he's going to need before finding a permanent place, and for now, a week will do. He reached to the pouch given to him, and pulled out the required coins, before placing them one by one on the counter.
The old man glances at the stack of 50 coins, before sweeping them into a drawer, not even counting them. Then, he grabbed a paper, a bottle of ink, and a writing quill.
"Write the name here." he pointed at the paper.
Tsukishiro grabbed the quill, and dipped it into the ink, before carefully writing his name down. When done, he gave the materials back to the old man. The old man grabbed the paper and looked at the written name.
"Tsukishiro... certainly not from around here. Aight, take these keys, go to room 18 upstairs."
Tsukishiro bowed down and grabbed the keys given to him, before going upstairs. The hallway was long, but he managed to find his room.
His room was small and simple—just a bed, a wooden desk, a small room for the restroom, and a small window that overlooked the street. It wasn't much, however to him, it felt surreal.
He placed his bag on the side of the room, and sat on the bed, tired from the constant traveling he did. This was what he had worked for all these years.
Every struggle, every moment of doubt—it had all led to this. If he passed, he would finally be able to walk the path of a magician.
He thought of Yoko. Would she be there? Would she even remember him?
The thoughts ran around his mind. Eventually, drowsiness hovered above him, and he soon went into a deep, peaceful sleep.
...
The morning sun cast a golden hue over the city, as Tsukishiro, who woke up at the beginning of the morning went downstairs. He had one goal, as he remembered the advice of his elder.
Buy new clothes, and fascinate yourself with a new look. This will help you blend in.
And so, using a portion of his coins, he aims to buy some clothes that will help him blend in.
He was about to reach for the door when suddenly, the old man's voice echoed.
"Up so early, young man." He remarked as he read the newspaper while sitting behind the counter.
"I-I'm about to buy some clothes." He nervously responded.
"Good. Some folks are very wary of what you wear. Off you go."
Tsukishiro awkwardly bowed down, before leaving the inn.
He walked around the middle district. Just early in the morning, and the common folks are already lively. Merchants selling their goods, with some kids running around. This somehow reminded him of his village.
A small, yet peaceful village, where he and Yoko would run around. He unconsciously smiled as he remembered this memory. He looked and looked around, and stumbled upon a humble, clothes shop.
A young woman inside, who was in charge of assisting customers, noticed his curious gaze towards their shop.
"I'm going to assist him, maybe he's interested." She said jolly to the owner, who was behind the counter.
The female owner, who was in her late thirties, looked at Tsukishiro with disgust and doubt.
"Are you sure you can sell to that boy? I mean, look at him." The owner remarked. The girl looked at Tsukishiro again—torn, old tunic, with an old set of pants.
"You shouldn't be like that, Miss! You should never judge a book by its cover!" The girl defended, before going outside.
"Looking for something in particular?" she asked, offering a kind smile.
"Uh... just something decent," Tsukishiro, who was surprised by her sudden appearance, admitted, rubbing the back of his head.
"Alright, please follow me." She opened the door for Tsukishiro, and with a smile, signaled him to enter inside.
The line of the differently designed clothes set his eyes excited and amused.
With her assistance, he selected a black high-collared, with a white outer garment, a yellow overcoat, a black trouser that still allows movement, and many other simple clothes, spending a total of 100 coins.
After paying, he returned to his inn, and to his room. He went right into the bathroom and soothed his body. The time for the exam was nearing, and nervousness was slowly creeping up inside him.
Once he was clean, he changed into his new outfit and stood before a mirror on top of the desk.
Everything about him changed, to a point where even he, didn't recognize himself for a second.
He was once a weak, thin-framed boy. However, after years of training, his body transformed; Now filled with lean muscle and a much bigger frame. His face became more defined and more mature, his eyes, showing still the blazing determination he had when he was young.
"I... grew," He murmured to himself, as his lips curled into a proud, little smile.
Although nervous, he took several deep breaths, before going downstairs.
"Going to the academy for an exam?" The old man asked,
"Yes."
"I wish you the best." The old man encouraged.
Tsukishiro flashed him a smile, before leaving the inn, with renewed confidence. This will be the path maker for him, to finally get ahold of his dreams.