The streets of Veymoor hummed with energy—merchants shouted over one another, the sharp bark of haggling punctuating the air. Carts laden with goods creaked along cobblestone roads, and the chatter of townsfolk wove into an unrelenting symphony of life.
Amid the chaos, Reo strode ahead, calm and purposeful, his crimson eyes set firmly forward. Liana trailing slightly behind him.
"Why are we walking, Young Master Leo?" Liana finally asked, her voice laced with concern. "A carriage would've been more convenient for you."
Reo turned his head slightly, glancing at her over his shoulder. "Sometimes walking is better," he replied evenly, his tone calm but final. "You see more this way."
she bit her lip, her eyes scanning the crowd with faint wariness. She wasn't entirely convinced. Despite how much her young master had changed, how steady and self-assured he'd become, her instinct to worry over him hadn't faded.
It was one of the things he liked about her—how her quiet care reminded him of Grace, his old housekeeper from Earth. That warmth, that concern, it was grounding in a way nothing else was.
As they made their way through the crowd, Liana hesitated before asking, "Where exactly are we going?"
Reo slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the folded blueprint. The scrawled address along its edge caught his attention again. "Don't know," he said simply. "There's an address written on this. We're finding out why."
Liana frowned slightly but didn't press further. The energetic noise of the marketplace began to fade as their path took them toward the edges of town. The buildings became older, their once-pristine facades dulled by time and neglect.
The streets narrowed, the shadows stretching long against the walls as the bright sunlight seemed to dim. The air grew heavier, colder, and Liana shivered, glancing around nervously.
"Young master…" she said softly. "This feels like a bad idea. Maybe we should turn back."
Reo didn't slow down, glancing back briefly. "Scared already?" he teased, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. Her unease was almost amusing—a sharp contrast to her usual composure.
"I'm serious," she hissed, clutching her sleeve. "This place feels… wrong."
"We're almost there," he said calmly, brushing aside her fears.
At last, they stopped in front of a weathered building at the end of the street. The structure slouched against its foundations, warped and sagging with age.
The sign above the door was faded, the letters barely visible, but it was clearly an old shop.
Reo's eyes stayed on the building, his face unreadable. Beneath his calm exterior was a flicker of disappointment. *This is it?* he thought. He called Elynn.
[Elynn here, Reo.]
Scan the building and the area, Reo thought firmly. Check for traps, hostiles—anything unusual.
Elynn's holographic glow spread through his vision, scanning the building and street. The results came quickly.
[Scan complete.]
[No hostiles or traps.]
[ However, the structure is unstable. Significant pressure could cause collapse.]
Reo nodded, his eyes fixed on the projection. "Good to know." He stepped forward, brushing his hand against the door.
"Be careful," Liana urged, her voice filled with worry.
The door creaked as he pushed it open, the hinges groaning. The air inside was heavy with soot and rust, a sharp contrast to the lively streets outside.
Reo stepped in cautiously, his crimson eyes scanning the dark room. Behind him, Liana hesitated at the doorway, her fingers gripping the frame.
The shop was a relic of the past. Dust smothered every surface, and the tools and weapons looked more like forgotten artifacts than items for sale. The forge sat cold in the corner, its fire long gone. Weapons and armor lay scattered—not polished showpieces, but raw, functional creations. There was a quiet dignity in their simplicity.
"This place…" Liana whispered, her voice uncertain. "It's empty. Are you sure this is the right address?"
Reo didn't reply immediately. His eyes lingered on a short sword, resting on a rack with dull steel but perfect balance. He stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. Elynn, he murmured.Scan this.
Elynn's projection outlined the weapon.
[Name: Ferras Fang.]
[Craftsmanship: excellent.]
[Blade forged with folded high-density alloys for strength and flexibility.]
Reo's fingers brushed the hilt. Whoever crafted this wasn't just skilled—they had precision and purpose. Before he could think further, a gravelly voice cut through the silence.
"Who the hell are you?"
Reo turned sharply, his guard rising. From the backroom stepped a figure—stocky, stout, and rugged. A dwarf.
The dwarf barely reached Reo's chest, but his presence was commanding. He has muscular frame bore scars from countless forges. A fiery red beard, thick and slightly tangled, flowed down his chest, braided loosely. His grey green eyes glinted, sharp and piercing beneath bushy brows.
"You just gonna stare, or are you gonna speak?" the dwarf said. "Who are you, and what do you want?"
Reo steadied himself. "Leonhardt Caulem," he said, his tone calm. "Student of Obsidian Academy."
The dwarf scoffed. "Academy brat. Figures. I don't waste my time on kids who know nothing about real weapons."
"Watch your tone when speaking to Young Master Leo!" Liana snapped, stepping forward.
"Liana," Reo said, his voice firm but calm. "It's fine." He pulled a folded blueprint from his jacket and held it up. "I came here because someone wrote this address on this. Was it you?"
The dwarf's eyes narrowed as they fell on the blueprint. He steps closer, his hands reaching out. "Give me that," he demanded.
Reo confused but handed it over. The dwarf snatched it, his fingers tracing the design. His eyes widened, scanning the intricate details.
"Did you make this?" he asked, his voice quieter now.
"No," Reo replied. "I made the base. Someone added the details—and wrote this address."
The dwarf studied the blueprint closely, muttering under his breath. "Whoever did this… they're brilliant. Stabilizing Gravion in these amounts—it's unheard of. This… this is genius."
Reo watched the dwarf carefully. Whoever tampered with the blueprint sent him here for a reason. His eyes flicked toward the weapons on display. Even the simplest tools carried marks of exceptional craftsmanship.
"What's your name, old man?" Reo asked bluntly.
The dwarf snorted, looking up from the blueprint. "Torgrim Ironflare," he said. "Master smith. Not that you'd understand what that means."
Reo smirked faintly. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out another blueprint, laying it on the counter. "If you're impressed with this," he said, tapping the first blueprint, "then let's make a deal."
************
The Duchess sat on a plush couch, her back straight, holding a letter tightly in her hands.
A maid stood nearby, pouring tea quietly, but Maria didn't seem to notice. Her face was calm, but the way her fingers gripped the letter giving her frustration.
Sighing, she stood up, her long gown brushing the floor. She walked to the fireplace. Without hesitation, she throws the letter into fire.
She watched as it burned, curling into ash, her eyes fixed on the flames.
"Mother," a soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned, her face softening slightly when she saw her son standing in the doorway.
Lucian, calm and composed as always, stood there with his red hair catching the light of the fire.
"I'll be heading back to the academy tomorrow," he said, his tone steady and formal.
A small smile appeared on Maria's face as she walked toward him. "You've grown so responsible," she said gently, patting his head. Lucian tensed slightly at the gesture, not used to such affection, but he didn't move. His cheeks turned the faintest shade of pink.
"Be careful on the way," she said, her voice soft.
"I will, Mother," he replied with respect.
"It's already late." Maria gave him a lingering smile. "Goodnight, Lucian."
"Goodnight, Mother," he said, turning to leave. His footsteps echoed softly in the quiet hallway.
As Lucian walks, he caught the sight of a small figure peeking out from the corner of the corridor. His six-year-old sister, Vivien, stood there, her red hair falling around her round face, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Vivien," Lucian said, his voice softening as he approaches her. "Why are you still awake? You should be in bed."
Vivien hesitated before stepping closer. "Big brother," she asked in a small voice, "are you leaving for the academy tomorrow?"
Lucian knelt so he was at her eye level, reached out and gently ruffled her hair. "Yes, I am," he said with a kind smile. "You might feel a little lonely while I'm gone, but don't worry—I'll be back for the winter holidays."
Her expression shifted, sadness across her face before hope returned. "Will you… check on big brother Leonhardt too?" she asked shyly. "I'm worried about him."
He paused, surprised by her request. Leonhardt had never been kind to Vivien—he barely spoke to her, let alone acted like a proper brother. Yet Vivien still cared about him, her pure heart undeterred. Lucian didn't understand why she felt this way, but he couldn't bring himself to disappoint her.
"I'll check on him," he said at last, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry."
Vivien's face lit up, and before he could react, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you, big brother!" she said.
He chuckled softly, returning the hug briefly before gently pulling away. "Now," he said, placing a hand on her small shoulder, "off to bed with you. You don't want Mother catching you wandering the halls this late."
Vivien giggled, nodding quickly before running off to her room. Lucian stood watching her disappear down the hallway, his smile fading slightly as his thoughts turned to Leonhardt. I'll check on him.