Part 2: A Big City

  Chapter 6: Torvus

  Hilvire never stopped being my tutor even during the journey to Torvus.

  “Before we get to Torvus, you must know how different it is from the small town where you grew up.

  Streets and homes are lit up at night, not by fire, but by magic.

  Water is heated and cooled in the same way, and other technologies such as more advanced stoves and cold containers to slow the spoiling of food are commonplace here.”

  Technology? This world really has it? I’m even more glad I left that starting town then!

  “These appliances require mana, but in order to bring it into mass production of homes and machines, mana is rarely applied directly by mages, and instead it is adventured for.

  As you know, magic runs from your core. This is the same for monsters.

  Just as good mana brings life to humanoids, bad mana gives birth to monsters in forests, dungeons, and labyrinths.

  These monsters are slain and their stones are harvested for use in various products.

  Consider a swordsman Enhancer battling a skeleton. They could remove the skeleton’s head to kill it, but mana would leak through its wounds, and some value of the core would be lost.

  Had the swordsman sliced the core in two, the core would stop working, killing the skeleton instantly, but the energy is still contained in the two halves, losing almost no value.

  Not only are stones useful to the world, but they are useful to adventurers.

  First, they can be sold for coin. Second, stones can be crafted into potions through alchemy. And third, they can be crafted into wands, staves, and other magic gear.

  Once we arrive in Torvus, my birthday gift to you shall be a trip to the magic shop.”

  Mr. Rolmand was always great at summarizing these topics quickly.

  A quick nap followed the brainpower I had used getting that information to stick, and before I knew it, we had arrived in Torvus at the dawn of a new day.

  Hilvire flashed his identification to the guards and said a few words about me. That quickly, we were past the gate.

  Within seconds I had seen more people than I had in my entire second life.

  The streets were lively and shops were scattered close to the entrance of the city walls.

  As Hilvire said, the streets were lined with light posts, and I even saw evidence of a large sewage network through manhole covers.

  I could hear the symphony of footsteps, marketplace yelling, and rolling carriages.

  The scent and variety of mana was thick. I closed my eyes and stuck my nose in the air to take it in for a second.

  “In the city, your nose for mana will be your greatest friend. Not many can sense it as good you.

  Use it to tell friend from foe.”

  “Yes sir.”

  I followed him to a magic shop close by, although I probably could have gotten there myself with its distinct scent.

  “Welcome in, Mr. Hilvire Rolmand. What brings you here today?”

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  An old dwarf fitted how I imagined a noble, stood on the top floor in front of shelves filled with boxes of wands. He began to make his way down the steps.

  Despite the busy streets, the store was empty. This is basically a mattress shop.

  “Good morning, York. My newest apprentice is setting forth on their own today.

  I’m here to get them fitted.”

  York made his way in front of us and studied me.

  He grew giddy. His old age and experience must have alerted him to my secret already.

  The dwarf trotted behind us, locked the front door, flipped the sign, and closed the blinds.

  Another few trots and he was ahead of us again, inviting us deeper into the maze of shelves of wands and staves.

  We sat down in a side room. A circular booth with an opening towards the shop.

  “So,” the store owner leaned forward, his large nose still barely holding onto his heavy glasses. “What’s your name?”

  “Vespera Sol.”

  “Vespera Sol. Vespera Sol. I’ll be sure to remember.

  Well, Vespera. What kind of magic do you like?”

  I looked to Hilvire, hesitant. I was somewhat sure that York already knew of my talent for antimagic, but it was best to confirm how honest I could be.

  He nodded, giving me the reassurance I needed. I turned back to answer.

  “Manipulation of magic is my favorite, but I love all kinds.”

  York leaned back and took the deepest breath I have ever heard. I could hear his core crackle like a drag from a cigarette.

  Suddenly, he grew alert, lept up, and rummaged through the shop to find something.

  He returned shortly with a small, rectangular, white box and slammed it on the table. “This one.”

  Hilvire placed it closer to me and I did the honors of opening it.

  Inside was… “A dagger?”

  It was beautiful, sure. Its handle was thin and curved, a shape that would grow with my hand.

  But I can barely cast enhancing magic at the moment. I thought I was here for a wand, how is this helpful to me?

  “A caster of antimagic has no need for a wand or staff.” York’s eyes continued to look through me.

  “You can’t enhance magic through an appliance if you don’t use any. This dagger suits you.”

  I looked down at the steel again. I guess I do need to cover my weak spots. “I understand, thank you.”

  York giggled. The strange man found something funny.

  Hilvire was content. “How much do I owe you?”

  “70 gold coins.”

  Mr. Rolmand froze and stared at him. I still had no frame of reference for currency in this world.

  “York.”

  The old man broke off the single word. “I wouldn’t have shown you if I didn’t want Vespera to have it! 30 gold coins and it’s hers.”

  “Of course.” Hilvire grabbed the pile from his coin pouch and jingled them into a bag York had retrieved.

  With that, my tutor looked at me, the knife, and nodded. It was mine.

  We stood from the booth.

  I slid the sheath and dagger onto my belt, and covered my arms and body with my dark cloak, hiding the evidence.

  “Thank you, Mr. Rolmand. Thank you, Mr. York.” I bowed to them both.

  York did his strange giggle again. “Of course. I look forward to hearing about you, Vespera!”

  Hilvire brushed it off. “Don’t worry about it. I know you will put it to good use.”

  The both of them had such faith in me. Had I really done anything that special yet? I’ve just been lucky so far.

  The front door to the magic shop was unlocked, and it returned to normal business.

  “Good to see you two. I appreciate the company!” York waved us off and we were back into the bustling city.

  The square’s fountain shot up.

  “This is where I depart.” My tutor spoke confidently as always.

  “Your adventure is ready for you here in Torvus.”

  He handed me a sealed letter and pointed deeper into the city. A large square building rose above the rest.

  “Take this to the adventurer’s guild and register yourself. They will know the letter is from me.”

  Despite the fact that I was essentially a 34 year old man now if I added up my two lives, in this world, I felt compelled to hug him.

  Feelings that I would have to finger through later.

  “Thank you for everything, Mr. Rolmand. You’ve taught me so much.”

  He hugged me back, something that I thought must have been painful for him. “I’ve only told you the basics. Magic is much more interesting than what you know from the village.”

  I feel as if I should have been sad saying goodbye to my parents and tutor, my only real friends in this world.

  But I’m far too excited.

  There is so much mystery and adventure that awaits me.

  The towering guild was an inviting next step.