Walking out of the restaurant, we head to the next place "We" used to visit. It’s the market, apparently, Ustos and Keswick used to run around the whole market, looking at the shiny goods. Sometimes, Keswick's father would leave her a couple of gold coins to buy something with.

As we stroll through the market place, I notice a significant difference between the one here and the one in the slums. It’s more sophisticated; the fruit looks less rotten and old, the bread looks more appetising, and the clothes for sale look actually wearable for a person of high standards such as myself.

While walking, one stall catches my eye; it sells magic-related items. Approaching it, I scan over the merchandise: magic staffs, potions, and enchanted rings. I ask the clerk the functions of the rings. He says, "Left row for underwater breathing, middle row gives off warmth so you don’t freeze to death, and the right row is spatial rings," he says in a gruff voice.

I’m, of course, most interested in the spatial rings, so I ask for their price. "Each spatial ring costs 5 gold." Looking down in my pouch, I find three gold and 4 silvers. Annoying.

I sigh and leave the stall. I walk around with Keswick and watch as she buys different items with her money, which she probably put as much effort into gaining as she puts into learning in the academy. Whatever, at least I know that she will never surpass me in any way in the future.

As we entered a particularly large crowd while walking, something really annoying happens, someone suddenly wraps their arm around my neck. And then suddenly I can’t breathe and my vision is getting blurry.

I quickly scramble for my dagger and stab the attacker's hand that’s around my neck.

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He lets go, and I back off. Turning around, I see that it’s some rando with his face concealed.

Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my sword with me, and I watch the utter idiot in front of me, tear out my only other weapon out of his left hand and point it at me.

Meanwhile, I have no weapons besides my bare hands, and I’m wearing a very untactical noble outfit. So I make the most optimal decision, I run. Specifically, I run to a guard, whilst yelling, “Guards! Guards! This savage is trying to attack me! Please dispose of him at once!”

But no one helps, every guard I see just ignores me, has someone paid them off?

Damn idiots. Whatever, I can deal with this plebeian on my own, I change my plan and run into an alley.

Scanning the alley, I find a pile of trash and a bunch of stones all the way at the back of the alley.

I run up to the stones, probably left over for constructing a road around here or something, and pick as much up as possible with my left hand. I grab one with my right and get into a throwing position.

I wait for the idiot who is running after me to enter the alley. When he finally turns into the alleyway, I start throwing the rocks. Some hit their target and some miss, but it doesn't matter because of the multiple impacts to his body and the blood loss finally catch up to him, and he falls down unconscious.

I put down all the rocks I’m holding and approach the loser. I pick my knife back up and think about the situation.

I first thought this to be an idiotic surprise attack done by a bunch of equally idiotic commoners. But then the guards not acting proved that this was planned by someone else.

Well, I think I can find out I tell myself whilst looking at the commoner.

Wait a second, where is Keswick? I rushed out of the alley in search of her but I find nothing. This is very, very annoying. If Keswick suddenly goes missing and I’m the last person seen with her, I’ll probably be imprisoned or interrogated, which means the plan will be ruined.

I quickly return to the idiot in the alley. I rip off a part of his shirt and wrap it around his left arm to restrict blood flow.

I get ready to interrogate him and slap him awake.

“Wha–”.

Before he gets a chance to speak, I stick my finger into his stab wound and put my dagger to his neck. I’m getting tired of doing this.

“Tell the truth, and you may get to keep your life.”.

The man spits at me, “I ain't telling ya shit.”.

How dare this cretin? How—no, he can’t die yet. I will merely punish him with two missing fingers on his left hand; he should be thankful.