Chapter 97: Welcoming
Abel entered the mayor's office, feeling the weight of the new chapter in his life settling in. The room was well-furnished, filled with wooden furniture that emitted a faint scent of polished oak, giving the space a comfortable yet authoritative air. Behind a large desk sat Mayor Elliot, a tall man with graying hair and sharp features. Standing beside him was Burt, the head of law enforcement, a man who exuded vitality despite his middle age. Both men had an air of authority, but Abel noticed something else: a faint aura of magic, indicating they had magical artifacts. This intrigued him, as only the wealthier nobles or certain high-ranking individuals understood the power of mana or possessed such artifacts.
Mayor Elliot smiled as Abel entered, his eyes momentarily lingering on Abel’s apostle robes and the knife that hung by his side which occasionally was hidden by the robe. However, he seemed to lack a full understanding of their significance. The mayor rose to shake his hand, his voice warm. “Abel Noria, welcome to Reinhart. It’s a pleasure to have you here in our town. We’ve heard quite a bit about you.”
Burt extended his hand as well, his grip firm and steady. “I’m Burt, head of law enforcement. We’re glad to have someone of your... expertise around.” His tone was respectful, but there was a subtle weight behind his words, hinting at the challenges ahead. Burt was no stranger to chaos and issues as he had delt with plenty in his many years working with the enforcement office, and he hoped this guest wouldn't add to hi list of issues.
Abel smiled politely, shaking both men’s hands and taking a seat. “It’s my pleasure to be here. The town is beautiful.”
The mayor beamed at the compliment, clearly proud of his town. “Reinhart is growing fast, as you can see. It wasn’t always like this. People came here for the flowers—Reinhart flower, to be specific. It’s rare, and its beauty brought people from far and wide. Now, we’re an up-and-coming village, nearly a town, and we’re building for the future. We hope to create something similar to those huge cities in the central region one day.”
Abel nodded, taking in the mayor’s words. The more Elliot spoke, the more Abel could sense the ambition that drove him. This wasn’t just a simple village expansion; there were larger goals at play.
“I’m sure you’ll come to enjoy your time here,” Mayor Elliot continued. “You’ll be staying in the Lully Grove Villa on First and Oak Street for the time being. In the coming week, you’ll be able to choose an estate on Fifth Street.”
Abel raised his eyebrows slightly at this. A villa jut for himelf? That was certainly a luxury he hadn’t anticipated. "Thank you, that sounds... wonderful."
Burt leaned forward, his expression more serious. “Once you’re settled, we’ll have you come down to the Reinhart enforcement building. It’s on Pine and Second Street. I’ll give you a rundown of everything that’s been happening—the town’s growth, the strange occurrences, and the people you need to keep an eye on.”
Abel nodded, appreciating the straightforwardness. He would need to familiarize himself with everything quickly. “I look forward to it.”
As they spoke, Abel couldn't help but notice the short sword hanging from Burt's waist. It wasn't an ornamental piece—it was well-maintained and seemed to hum faintly with energy, as if it had seen real battle. Abel made a mental note of it, his curiosity piqued.
“You’ll also be working closely with the mayor’s office and my Fuzon family,” Elliot added. “Reinhart’s in a transitional period. With more people moving in, especially immigrants from other parts of Bask, we need someone with your... talents. There have been some magical disturbances lately, things our normal people can’t explain.”
Although Elliot was aware that Abel was arriving from a powerful organization within the Bask region, he didn't know the intricacies and how much power an organization like the Stone Tower possessed.
Abel’s attention sharpened at the mention of disturbances. It seemed his work here would be more complicated than he initially thought. “Of course. I’m here to help with whatever you need.”
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The mayor gave a nod of approval, his eyes sincere yet filled with a glimmer of something more—perhaps the weight of his ambition to grow Reinhart even further. Burt, on the other hand, looked more cautious, as if sizing Abel up.
Elliot had a guest before sent by the Tower, the guest was able to delve into magic, which Elliot and his Fuzon family had been trying to learn of for centuries, but have never gotten far into understanding much about it. He possessed his own personal library and items that delved into the history of certain people and their possible relation to magic, as he was a stout fan of magic.
The previous guest stayed for three years, and although he was knowledgeable in magic, his prowess wasn't impressive. He was physically inept and seemed to stay reserved and mysterious, he had chosen a small hut on the outside of the village back then before the expansion and didn't interact with the village much. At that time the village was dealing with range flora that were terrorizing the locals but over time that issue came to a halt, and Mayor Elliot assumed that the guest took care of that issue. Obviously, these guests seem to have a different purpose each time, however, Elliot hoped that this guest was at least capable and may be willing to satisfy his magical obsession.
Magical Artifacts were no longer a secret within the bigger families of Reinhart, however, their dangers and unpredictability had yet to impact these families making them more wary and careful.
At that moment, the mayor called out, “Jet!”
The door opened, and a young man entered. He was tall and well-built, wearing finely tailored clothes that hinted at his noble upbringing. His hair was dark, and his features were sharp, not unlike his father’s. A small olive hat sat on his head with a colorful flower sewn on the side. He greeted Abel with a firm handshake, his tone polite. “I’m Jet Fuzon, the mayor’s son. I’ll be showing you to the villa and helping you settle within Reinhart.”
Abel smiled and shook his hand. Jet looked to be around the same age as him, though there was a confidence in the way he carried himself—likely from his noble background. Yet, beneath that confidence, Abel could sense traces of magic. A magical artifact, perhaps? This family seemed more connected to the magical world than he initially thought. If most big families within this town were like this, it was no surprise that strange occurrences were happening.
Abel bd his farewell to Elliot and Burt who stood there looking at him as he followed Jet out of the room.
Jet led Abel out of the office, and as they walked down towards First Street toward the villa, the town unfolded before them. Jet was personable, though not overly talkative. “You’ll like Reinhart,” he said as they walked. “It’s growing fast, but it’s still got that charm of a small village.”
Abel nodded, taking in the sights. “It’s certainly much bigger than my home village. I’m impressed.”
Jet chuckled. “Yeah, my father’s been pushing for the expansion for years. There are a lot of opportunities here. I know this town like the back of my hand, so if you ever run into trouble, just find me. I’ll make sure no one causes you any issues.”
Abel inwardly smiled at the thought of needing protection but kept his tone polite. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you.”
As they neared the Lulli Grove Villa, Abel paused, taken aback by the beauty before him. The villa was a grand, gated property nestled among vibrant flowers and lush greenery, the combination of wood and stone architecture blending elegantly with the natural surroundings. The air was thick with the scent of blooms, and the soft rustling of leaves in the breeze created a serene atmosphere that felt almost otherworldly. Abel's senses sharpened, absorbing every detail of the villa as he took in the scene with quiet amazement.
Jet moved forward, nodding respectfully as he opened the gate. “Welcome to Lulli Grove Villa,” he said. “My father wanted you to have the best location. You’ll stay here until you’re ready to choose an estate.”
Abel nodded, stepping inside the gates, feeling the warm glow of gratitude at such thoughtful hospitality. “It’s incredible,” he murmured, smiling with genuine appreciation. “Thank your father for me. This place… it’s beyond what I imagined.”
Jet returned the smile. “Settle in and make yourself comfortable. If you need anything, you know where to find me.” He turned, striding back toward the street, leaving Abel alone in the villa’s serene beauty.
With a deep breath, Abel took a step forward, feeling the weight of this new chapter. Inside, the villa was just as impressive: polished wood floors caught the soft sunlight streaming through expansive windows, illuminating the carefully crafted furniture, each piece seeming to whisper of elegance. The faint scent of fresh blooms mingled with the faintly earthy aroma of polished wood, grounding him in the present.
Retrieving his badge, he focused his mana on it, sending a faint but steady glow through it. The badge pulsed, confirming his arrival to the Tower and signaling his readiness for whatever lay ahead. For the first time, he felt the stir of possibilities, both exciting and uncertain, knowing that his time in Reinhart had only just begun.