I walked from Isadora's shop to my new apartment while reminiscing about the events that led me here...

***

After Isadora accepted me as her apprentice, I ran with a big grin plastered across my face to my uncle's house so I could tell everyone the exciting news.

I found most of my family seated around the table, as it was shortly before dinner. I looked at my father, who had accompanied me to the market. He was engaged in lively conversations with my uncle Leif. On the opposite side sit my cousins Kari and Ylva, as well as my brother Konrad. Aunt Ingrid was just starting to bring out the food from the kitchen, so I had made it just in time.

Sadly, my mother, as well as Helga and Rolf had stayed in the village, so I will have to tell them later. I waited until after dinner before breaking the news to them. At first, they thought I was joking, but when I took the freshly signed apprenticeship contract out of my pocket, their faces instantly paled, and everyone looked at me with widened eyes.

It was unheard of for someone from the countryside to land such a prestigious job in the city. But they soon regained their composure and began to congratulate me. My whole family was very excited that I was able to secure my future here.

Well, except for Konrad. He was the only one not particularly thrilled by this. That was not too surprising, as our relationship was far from healthy. He had always had a big ego and thought himself superior to me and Rolf.

For some strange reason, he was able to get along well with Helga. It was probably because he didn't see her as a competition. This behavior became even more exacerbated after he established himself in the city, and that was also the reason I mostly avoided him.

But now that I have secured an even better job than him, his pride must have been hit hard. He gritted his teeth as he forced out a smile and congratulated me too, as was expected of him, but I could see on his face that he didn't mean it one bit.

The simple dinner then instantly transformed into a celebration. Leif used this opportunity to hurriedly take out a bottle of mead and, together with my father, began to enthusiastically toast my achievement with big smiles. I was left wondering if they were truly so excited about my success or simply because they had a reason to get drunk.

I decided not to dwell on it and instead stuffed myself full of my aunt's delicious cooking while trying to ignore Konrad's angry looks.

I guess our relationship won't be mended anytime soon. Not that I care. If he wants to be petty and envy others, that's his problem. I won't let it ruin my mood.

I then asked my uncle if I could stay with them during my stay in the city. Aunt Ingrid looked at me with sad eyes and said that they couldn't afford to take care of both me and Konrad, so I had to look elsewhere.

I responded by saying that they don't need to take care of me and that I will pay them rent. However, my uncle didn't want to hear it. His honor would never allow him to take money from his nephew.

'So he can't take my money, but throwing me out and letting me fend for myself is fine?' I never understood such stupid reasoning, but there was nothing I could do about it. Seeing their resolve, there was no point in arguing. I had to find another place to stay.

I wondered for a bit if I should pay a visit to the Vogt in his house here in the city and try to convince him to let me stay there, but I declined the idea. I didn't know him too well, and although I was a good friend of Myra, I didn't want to look like I was taking advantage of that.

I could stay in an inn. I certainly had the money for it and wouldn't have to worry about food or laundry. But it was too expensive for me. There is no telling what may come in the future, and spending all my savings while my future remains uncertain is not a wise thing to do.

I vowed to abandon convenience in favor of frugality for the time being, and when my future is secured, there will be plenty of time to enjoy myself.

***

The next day, I asked my father to allow me to stay in the city for longer to look for a place to live. I said farewell to him. While he headed south along the main road out of the city back to our village, I turned north to look for a suitable place to stay.

The west quarter was out of the picture since only the rich and powerful lived there. Even if I could somehow convince someone to rent me a place there, it would be well outside my price range.

Staying in the south quarter would be most convenient since it was close to Isadora's shop. However, most of the places were taken by inns, and the rest were occupied by shop owners and their staff. Finding any accommodation here requires some connections, which I didn't have.

Staying in the craftsman district was out of the picture too. Despite it being relatively close and cheap, the constant noise and smells coming out of the plethora of workshops were something I couldn't tolerate. So that left only the northern quarter.

Now that I think about it, I never properly explored the Northern residential district as it was officially named, but the locals simply called it the Northern Quarter. It was a place filled to the brim with apartments and lodgings, where most workers and the poor lived.

When I was first exploring the city several years ago, it seemed too scary and dangerous to venture there. My uncle warned me that the plethora of dark alleyways behind the tall apartment buildings are swarming with beggars, criminals, and other questionable beings doing their shady dealings, and I should avoid them at all costs.

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But despite the unflattering image the quarter had, I could feel the bustle of life all around me when I entered the quarter.

The streets were filled with people. Hawkers selling their wares, street performers entertaining the crowds with their music and dance, and children running around playing their games. The smell of delicious street food wafted through the air.

I looked at everything with interest, thoroughly enjoying my newfound freedom. When I returned from my ordeal in the Forest and told my parents, who were both worried and livid at the same time, that I got lost on a hunting trip, I was unsurprisingly grounded for a long while and forbidden to go hunting ever again. So this was my first opportunity to get to the city.

The buildings were crammed together, leaning precariously towards one another as if supporting each other in their dilapidated state. The upper floors jutted out over the streets below, casting shadows on the cobblestones. Laundry lines crisscrossed overhead, laden with clothes and linens of every color.

The apartments themselves were cramped and poorly lit, with small windows looking out onto the streets below. The district residents lived close to one another, often sharing their living spaces with several generations of family members.

I wandered through the quarter for hours, taking in all the sights while looking for a suitable place to rent.

I looked through several free apartments. They were small and cramped, with only a few rooms to accommodate entire families. Even though I could rent an apartment meant for a whole family for the price of a single inn room back in the Southern Quarter, it would still cost too much. All I needed was a suitable room, but I couldn't find any.

That is not too surprising since there is very little demand for them. Children usually stay with their parents until they are married, or at least until they start working and want to live on their own. Young single men often stay in shared rooms in one of the many worker's lodgings.

This option is certainly cheap, but it's not something I could accept. I need privacy to practice my magic in peace. Not to mention, not being constantly afraid of being robbed or attacked by drunks is a pleasant bonus.

As I was frustrated by not finding anything after a day of searching, the night began to descend upon the city.

The district took on a different, more eerie feel. The narrow streets became dark and shadowy, with only the dim light of flickering torches guiding the way.

I rushed through the streets with my heart pounding in my chest. The evening here was certainly scary, but I was determined to succeed. I didn't want to return to my uncle's house empty-handed, wasting a whole day for nothing.

I learned from one of the landlords about an old woman named Martha. She is one of the sellers at the local market, and apparently, she knows every gossip in the quarter.

So if anyone knew about a free room, it would be her.

As I entered the market, I was getting stares from several suspicious-looking people standing in a dark alcove. It was quite late for a lone kid to be out.

However, I was in my poor villager's clothes, so everyone thought of me as a nobody. I moved quickly while maintaining a low profile, so no one would think twice about me.

'Yeah, that's right, look away; there is nothing to see here,' I thought as I carefully and cautiously navigated the market.

Not that I was particularly afraid of random thugs trying to rob me. But I would gather a lot of unwanted attention if their heads suddenly exploded in the middle of the street. Not to mention the chore of cleaning all the blood off my clothes.

'Perhaps I should look for a way to kill without leaving a trace.'

'Wait... Why am I thinking about killing people?' I must be getting tired...

'Focus dammit!' I need to find that woman before it gets too dark to see since I don't have a torch with me.

I got to the center of the small plaza. There were still many stalls open despite the late hour, neatly arranged around an old water fountain. 'I found her!'

The old Martha stood there among the women selling food and other household items. Luckily, I was given her description, so I didn't have to ask around the market, and I headed straight to her.

"Good evening. Are you Martha?" I asked her, trying to sound polite so that I could make a good first impression.

"Yes, that's me." She replied with a perplexed look on her face.

She studied me for a while before asking, "What do you need, boy? Did you move here recently? I'm pretty sure I have never seen your face before..."

"And besides, what are you doing out so late? Did your parents not teach you that it's dangerous for a kid to walk alone at night around here?"

As soon as she recovered from her initial surprise, she threw me a barrage of questions without giving me time to respond. It was my turn to be surprised by her outgoing personality. No wonder she knows every gossip here, I thought, but I quickly recovered and told her my request.

"Ehm. I'm Darian. I'm not from here, but I will start an apprenticeship in the city. And I'm looking for a room to rent since my master doesn't have one in her shop. I was told that you know a lot of people around here, so you would know if there is anything."

"Hahaha! You make it sound like I'm some old gossip. But you're right. If you will move here, you should know that we are a tight-knit community and we care for our own."

She thought for a bit and then said, "I quite like you, Darian. You're very polite, not like those scoundrels who run around here all day and do mischief."

"Come back here tomorrow at noon. I will ask around for you."

"Now run along quickly; it's not safe for you to linger here at night!"

"Thank you, Martha; I will keep that in mind."

I ran back to my uncle's house, excited to be closer to my goal. It didn't mean I had a room yet, but it was a start.

The next day, Martha kept her word and introduced me to an old tailor. He was already retired, and after his wife died a few years ago, he lived alone.

It seems he and Martha were old acquaintances since they were quite familiar with each other. He had an empty attic room that he was willing to rent to help him make ends meet.

He was even willing to wait until I started my apprenticeship, under one condition. I had to help with shopping and running errands for him since he had trouble walking. I was fine with that.

Compared to the shabby apartments I saw before, this house was sturdy and well taken care of. The room was clean and fully furnished, which was a nice bonus. I thanked Martha for her help because, without her, I wouldn't be able to get such a nice place at such a low price.

She must have really liked me to arrange this.

***

I smiled as I lay in bed, remembering how I got here. Now that I had successfully finished my first month as an apprentice, I felt more confident that I could make a living in the city.

Despite the numerous challenges, there were also many possibilities before me, and all I needed to do was grab them. Tomorrow I will have my first chance to explore the city since I started working here. I can't wait to see what kind of adventures it will bring.