Authors note: Hello guys, sorry for the little delay RL got the better of me, well here it is I hope you enjoy it.
Aluzar was packing his sleeping mat, while feeling great with his adapted body. He had been resting since yesterday evening because of the huge strain caused by the reversed assimilation.
His vampiric body fused with the mana he condensed, not only did he have been getting a little stronger, but also resistent to sunlight. The little handsome boy could see now, like a normal human, in broad daylight and he wont´t be getting heavily burned, by the sunrays, anymore.
However, it doesnt mean that he is being fond of the sun, he was still a creature of the night. He only travelled at daytime because he didn`t wanted to be considered suspicious, what he already was. A small black cloaked figure riding alone on a cart without any hired guards, would be plenty to raise distrustfulness in the minds of the encountered people.
He also checked on his magic power and surprisingly the casting of improvised spells were now instantly, without casting time. Although, it was only creating fire and water. The small youth was determined to learn more complicated spells that were already existing and after that he would try to create his own spells.
Old granny told him that there were different techniques of mana cultivation based on their affinities they possessed. People of this world had one or two elemental affinities, when someone had three or more elements he was considered a genius.
The Platin silver haired boy asked himself, if it was a gift from the creator of creators that he was able to see all affinities, if so he was grateful to the great creator for giving him with this present.
Though, the old soul postponed the cultivation issue for another time. He required more information on those cultivation techniques, to create one for himself that draws out his full potential.
The little figure putted on his deep hood, climbing the coachmens seat, preparing to depart again on his way the town called Gringallos.
He pondered about the money matter and thought up various ways of making easy money, for when he has arrived in Gringallos. One of them was registering as an adventurer, but he worried about the adventurers guild having an age restriction, eventually he would have to find another way to make some liquid funds.
The Cart was rolling over the muddy road, caused by the rain that recently has begun to fall. The Rain was also filled with mana, he could feel it with his senses that were now enhanced a little more than before and could perceive the translucent blue particles lingering in the air.
The Ruby red eyed youth determined that the elemental essences constantly changed under certain environmental circumstances. In other areas he passed through he saw the same elemental particles clustered together building clouds in certain regions, depending on the weather, land and the day and night cycle.
If the sun was smiling up above the sky, shiny white particles emerged from where the sunrays layed down their touch and when the night grinned over the gleaming stars an almost invisible black essences gather into a huge cloud, fogging over the lands of Almastea.
The Only elemental essences constantly present were the brown earth particles, the translucent green wind particles and the translucent blue water particles because they were omnipresent in the world. He also concluded that fire essences and lightning essences emerged when special area conditions are met.
Aluzar was travelling, on the muddy road, for seven days and nights. He couldn´t restrain himself from investigating how the elemental essences would make an impact on his magic. However, he first had to find a way utilizing the elemental particles, he thought up and tried various methods to forcefully pull them into his body, but it was a fruitless endeavour for him.
He rolled down a small hill, the horse whinnied while pulling the roofless cart carriage forward. The Weather had gradually gotten colder everday and he rarely saw Dobukursi beasts roaming around the area. So it was true that they went into hibernation when the climate had gotten colder, he thought.
In his field of vision a distinct outline resembling a rectangular settlement appeared, it was noticeably bigger than Desol village. The Load area of his cart was filled with consumeable goods and sheltered under a cloth plain that was bow taut to the corners of the carriage.
He hadn´t been even touching one piece of dried meat, a loaf of bread, or a small barrel of water since when Aluzar and Azariah left Desol village. The young boy with an old soul got a sudden flash of insight while nearing himself the village entrance with every single jolt.
He stopped the cart, left the coachmens seat and stored away the edible goods, replacing them with the scrapmetal armors, weapons and other metallic goods. Since he didn´t need them because he couldn´t reforge them to ingots right now, this was another one of Aluzars ways of making money.
He would sell his acquired payment from the patients he medically treated, but the only problem was that his young appearance may lead to that people wanted to rob him. Not that he was overly concerned about those ill willed customers, but he would help them treating their kleptomania in a longterm therapy session until they were cured and would never think of such thoughts ever again.
There were no guards at the gates, what surprised him and the stonewalls measured one meter taller than the walls of Desol village. He entered through the entrance of the rectangular laid out defensive walls, heading to the center of the village.
It was nothing new that he attracted the attention of the local residents. The Village was arranged in four sections, in the middle was also a waterwell like in Desol village, separating the settlement were two stone framed roads that created four smaller rectangular areas inside the village, that was a football field bigger than Desol village.
The Houses were constructed with a mix of stone and wood, the major difference in contrast to Desol village was that there were small stores and inn`s, they could be discerned through the signs above the open doors.
There was a weapon and armor store, an open grocery market, at the center of the village, selling fresh meat and vegetable like things, a very small bookstore offering maps and lastly the magic and alchemy shop having ingredients, potions and magic tools.
He first needed some funds, although, he looted the dead bandits they had no coins on them, seriously how can they have no single copper coin, despite being waylayers, he thought.
The small black figure made his way to the weapon and armor store in the hope to sell his scrapmetal. The weapon and armor shop was named “Ingrit`s weapons and gears”, he jumped of his loaded cart and crossed though the open welcoming door.
Aluzar was greeted by a female voice, as he took a closer look of the individual that welcomed him. He saw a small creature and his curiosity was immediately peaked by that person.
The One in question was a little female midget sitting on a high chair looking over the sales desk. She had pointed ears and looked middle aged despite being so small, the petite woman had beady eyes, full lips and a boxy nose that fitted with her slightly strong square chinned face. Her hair tied to the back in a ponytail and her puffed out huge breasts gave the mature midget a homey but also brute aura.
Aluzar was greeted with a hearty smile and an energy filled voice came out of her mouth,
“Heyo dear customer, what can I do for you. We have splendid weapons and durable armors, eh...?”
An arkward silence filled the room that consisted of three weapon racks, holding various medieval bats and stabbing arms, standing in different corners. On the walls were several armors hanging down fom the walls, while the service counter was placed next to the door.
The Face expression of the little dwarven woman showed she didn`t knew what to think of the new customer, who just recently entered the store. Unflustered the cloaked figure said,
“Excuse me, I wanted to sell some rusty weapons and armors, together with other things and hoped you would buy some for your store. ”
The short female dwarf tilted her head and replied,
“Oh, I am very sorry sir. We buy our goods from a blacksmith in Gringallos,...but let me see the quality of the metals and maybe I can write you letter of introduction.”
She jumped down from the lon legged chair and almost vanished behind the counter, only to appear besides him on the same eye level. The little woman curiously peaked under his deep hood but couldn´t caught a glance of his face, then she asked,
“Hey, are you maybe a fellow dwarf, I don´t often see people of my race around here anymore because of the war between the humans and draconians.”
He lifted his deep hood, revealing his silky black hair and icy blue eyes. He transformed into his human disguise after entering the village.
The short middle aged dwarf womans eyes widened and her cheeks began blushing. He smiled at her what caused her face to redden even more, he said in a charming voice,
“Beautiful lady, my name is Aluzar Refizul Hochstern and I am a traveller, who came from a far away country, unfortunately I am not a dwarf but a very young human. I am also not from this region and could you tell me more about the war between the humans and draconians while we can go outside so you can inspect the goods.”
The Dwarven woman snapped back to reality and hastily babbled out some words,
“ Y-yes o-of course, my n-name is Ingrit Stone, nice to meet you. Now, first lets go out to talk about the quality, we can converse a-afterwards.”
The charming boy smiled and showed his pearl white teeth and the both of them approached his cart that was covered with a cloth plane stretched out to the limit because of the huge pile of the metal goods, it looked like a small hill on a cart and barely fitted on it´s loading space.
He removed the covering and a huge pile of rusty swords, armors and other metal goods could be seen, Ingrit took a closer look at the metal and said admiringly,
“ Hooh, the quality is good, no it´s excellent, there is no chipped blade or dent armor. They were forged brilliantly but regrettably neglected for a long time, but it´s still can be polished and reused or reforged. Where did you acquired such materials?”
Aluzar smiled sadly,
“ Those weapons once belonged to my family and is the only fortune they have left me with, but unfortunately they are no longer alive and I can´t make use of those rusty gears anymore.”
Ingrit nodded as she understood the explaination the cunning boy told her and said while giving a comforting smile and rubbing her palms together,
“ I am so sorry for you, follow me inside and I will write you a letter of recommendation, since I guessed that you are on your way to Gringallos this will help you sell your goods there and guarantee you a safe entrance. When you have arrived there visit the blacksmith shop named Harolds Anvil, the owner will receive you and if you meet another male dwarf named Kusan tell him to move his ass, or expect a thorough beating from me.”
She scribbled something on a parchment rolled it up and handed it to Aluzar, who made it disappear behind his mat black snake skin cloak and stored it inside his interspatial ring.
The dwarven woman Ingrit caught a short glimpse of the black ring with the golden patterned emblem on a signet and humbly asked,
“ Little master are you perhaps a noble?”
The good looking boy answered in a modest attitude,
“ Well, my family was once of noble lineage, but we fell from misfortune and now I am the only one who is still alive, since we were nobles from a distant land I hold no power over you, so please treat me well and I shall treat you the same.”
Ingrit was surprised by his unboastful behavior because nobles usually were arrogant and looked down on a normal peasant, although, this didn`t applied to Aluzar because he didn`t cared.
He saw most living beings either as cattle to raise food, or as stepping stones for his current goals and if it was necessary he would crush them to dust without even blinking an eye.
The female dwarf Ingrit remembered that he wanted to know more about the war between draconians and humans, she began telling him about of what she knew,
“ You wanted to know about the war right, I will tell you what I know. There was a war between draconians and humans that started about 50 years ago, I don´t know the reason though but it continued until a few years ago and both parties signed a cease fire agreement, eventhough it was peace, it doesn`t mean the deep hatred for each other vanished. The Humans were forced to sign the treaty because they suffered huge losses in the war, although, the draconians did had many casualitys too. The two races still obstruct each other where they can and since the dwarven kingdom lies beyond the draconian lairs they won`t let any direct trading be held between the dwarfs and the humans and thus dwarfs are rarely seen in these regions. Me and my husband are the only ones in Latis village.”
The handsome youth listened to the speech from Ingrit and as she finished, he thanked her politely,
“ I thank you for telling me those informations. I have another question, do you know anyone who buys magic cores from magic beasts?”
The big breasted dwarven woman frowned as she heard magic beasts but answered friendly,
“ Ah, yeah the only one who needs magic cores is the magic and alchemy shop, since this village is the closest to Gringallos it is used as a base for adventurers, eventhough, there is no branch here from the adventurers guild and those adventurers need a constant supply for healing potions and the like, which leads that the alchemy store requires magic cores and herbs for their production. I think you can visit Hendrick he is always in his workshop.”
Aluzar thanked her once again and moved his cart in front of the magic and alchemy store. The Shop signs described what they specialized in and what they sell and on the magic and alchemy store sign were pictures of filled bottles, magic circles and mortars and pestles and the letters“Hendricks magic alchemy shop”. The Pictures were probably for analphabets in this world and what was likely for most people here.
He entered the gloomy two storied building, the wooden window doors were closed, a wooden chandilier with strange luminous stones dimly lit the shops interiors. The Counter was unattended but a bell rang somwhere inside the house as he entered over the doorstep, a rumbling on the upper floor shook the ceiling and rash steps could be heard.
The Shop reeked of various herbs, there were multiple shelfs behind the sales desk and a decent room between the entrance and service counter, even leaving enough space to fit in two tables and several chairs filling the room.
A human man in his twenties appeared behind the service bar with a business smile and rubbin his hands,
“ Welcome, how can I help you ehm....”
Seeing the small child his smile slightly cramped,
“ Little one did your parents send you to get some medicine for them.”
Aluzar in his human disguise approached the counter that reached up to his eyes and said with his preteen voice,
“ No, I wanted to sell something you might need for your production.”
The Mans face changed to an angry expression and said in an annoyed tone,
“ Hey kid listen, we don´t need your grass you picked from the side of some roads, now get out !”
Little Aluzars eyes narrowed and he got also really annoyed but supressed his urge to kill this human bug because he didn`t wanted to cause a commotion yet, instead he made a magic core appear behind the curtains of his cloak and waved it before the mans eyes and said smug,
“ Then I think you don´t need this right. Well, I thought of making some quick coins but if your shop don´t want it. I can`t do nothing about it, good bye. ”
The young mans face behind the sales desk froze as he saw the magic core and the ring with the signet, he hurriedly apologized,
“ I am very sorry young master, please forgive my insolent behavior a second ago. Sir please understand that we
don´t have any patrons as young as you, but please don´t leave I will call my master, then you both can negotiate over the price. ”
The small childs sensual lips curved up to a lite smile,
“ Okay, I reconsider leaving but hurry up and bring me your master before I decide otherwise.”
He left behind the shelfs through a small gap and ran up the stairs, after a while an old man with long grey hair, bushy eyebrows and a long full beard hanging down from his chin, his roundish almond eyes glanced at Aluzar,
“ Nice to meet you little noble, I am Hendrick Silveglass and I apologize for my apprentices ignorance, although, we have never gotten a younger customer than you. Now, could you show me the magic core you wanted to sell.”
He smiled with a gentle expression and thought of him as small child who didn`t know the value of magic core. It was true that Aluzar didn`t knew the exact market price, but from old granny Jedwigas reaction as he gave her the dozen smaller magic cores from the rabbit like magic beasts, they must be very valuable.
He placed the core, that barely fitted inside his small hands, on the counter. Hendrick grasped the core and held it before his eyes, his hands began to shake but he evidently tried to keep his composure in front of the little boy.
The long bearded old man laid the magic core back on the wooden sales desk and said in a calm manner,
“ Good, I confirmed the geniunety of the magic core and I am willing to pay 5 gold coins for this. I think it`s a lot of pocket money for a noble child.”
He brigthly smiled because Hendrick expected that a little kid couldn`t possible possess the knowledge on how precious something is and it was probably a present from his rich noble parents.
Small Aluzar could hear the heartbeat of the old bearded man pounding like crazy as if he would be getting a heart attack any moment, right now.
The Juvenile smiled back at Hendrick and grabbed the magic core while saying disappointed,
“ The Price is really low here, I think I can get a better price in Gringallos, but thanks for your effort and good bye.”
Hendrick was shocked by the sudden reaction and his wrinkly face changed to a troubled expression, he hesitantly shouted,
“ W-w-wait, wait little noble please wait. I give you 8 gold coins, okay !”
Aluzar didn`t stop walking into the direction where he entered and a big sweat pearl formed on Hendricks temple while he shouted,
“ Urgh, okay I give you 10 gold coins. ”
The Boy still didn`t stopped his steps, the old man was sweating bullets now and spitted his saliva whilst screaming now,
“ Okay you got me damn it, I will pay you 20 gold coins for such a magic core.”
The Youth abruptly stopped and turned around with a vicious grin and replied satisfied,
“ Hehehehe, Mr. Sivlerglass you won`t regret your decision, that I can guarantee you.”
Seeing this grin from a child a cold chill ran down Hendricks spine. Aluzar returned to the shop counter placing the magic core in front of the bushy browed granpa, who exhaled a breath of relief and frowned while exhaustingly sighed,
“ Haaaah, you are quite the devil, little noble. I didn`t think you would be so mischievous, but oh well it was my mistake underestimating someone because I believed he was only a child, hahahaha you got me good little noble.”
Hendrick slightly kneeled and pressed his hands against an area under the wooden desk counter, he focused his mana and a hidden from Aluzar a magic circle flashed and opened a small secret door.
The Store owner wanted to bring out the money but before he could, the currently black haired boy added two magic cores and said in an innocent tone,
“ Mr. Silverglass, you said you would buy such magic cores for 20 gold coins, right? You are lucky I stumbled on 2 other fresh magic beast corpses on my way to Latis village, they probably killed each other at the same time, aren`t I lucky ?”
The Old granpa smiled wryly and he ought to be happy, however, his entire life savings was about to be greatly reduced,
“ H-hey can`t we not set another price for three magic beast cores a bit lower since I will buy them all ?”
The Youths face grew stern and he answered with an unwavering attitude,
“ Alright, I will go now and take those cores with me, selling them in Gringallos would be fairly easier than here, for sure.”
But before he could grasp the magic cores, Hendrick slammed a pouch on the service bench and added some coins to it and growled,
“ Here 60 gold coins, you can count it on one of the tables over there, little monster.”
He lifted the heavy pouch with a daring grin,
“ Thank you, Mr. Silverglass and I have another question. Do you sell tools and utensils for alchemy?”
The bearded elder sighed,
“ Haaah, unfortunately no. You have to go to Gringallos, since it`s a large town you will surely find equipment ror alchemy there.”
The Supreme pure blood vampire in human disguise sat himself on a chair and counted the glittering gold coins in the pouch while in the background Hendrick inspected the magic cores with sparkling eyes and wisphered to himself,
“ Hohoho, three rank E magic cores, with thisI can make some good mana cultivation elixirs and compensate my loss, hehehe.”
So there are such methods of using those magic cores, he thought as Aluzar checked his newly acquired funds.
The small figure left the magic alchemy shop with the intention of going to the small bookstore to buy some books and maps of Almastea, or at least about Vetra`Zulo.
He had to spend his money wise for now, he knew from granny Jedwiga that 100 copper coins equaled 1 silver coin and 100 silver coins equates 1 gold coin, but there were also gold plates and mithril plates.
One gold plate amounts to 1000 gold coins and one mithril plate compensates for 100 gold plates, not to mention they were ment for saving up ones wealth.
As he entered the small bookstore, he was greeted by a female voice,
“ Hello cutey, are you on an errand for your parents, although, I never saw you here in this village, that means your family must be new in this village. I am Natlia Pagella, nice to meet you.”
The voice belonged to a young woman in her mid twenties with curly reddish brown hair, she had a round shaped baby face, big round eyes under thin brows and full lips with a small button nose. Her body was slender and she had a moderate bust.
The charming boy met her with a brilliant smile displaying his pearl white teeth,
“ Unfortunately no, Ms. Pagella. I am the last survivor of my family and came from a remote country in the hope to restore it`s former glory. I am sorry i didn`t introduced myself first, my name is Aluzar Refizul Hochstern.”
Natilias face changed to a guilty and sad expression,
“ Oh, I am so sorry. You are so young thats why.....but you are so grown up in your mind. I will give you a discount on your purchase because it will certainly help you and how can`t I help such a cute boy like you, but can you actually read at such a young age?”
He responded eloquently,
“ Please don`t worry Ms. Pagella since I am well versed in reading and writing without those indispensable knowledge I wouldn`t have last so long, but I appreciate your concern.”
Natilia held her cheeks with admiring eyes for the brave little child,
“ Oh my, you are so brave and intelligent, please look around in this humble bookstore of mine.”
His head nodded once and he quarried through the manageable bookshelfs filled with literature containing stories about herod and myths.
Aluzar found what he sought, a book about basic mana cultivation and a book about elemental strengthening for beginners, he also requested a map of the region he is currently travelling through at the moment.
The Button nosed woman gently smiled at him,
“ Wow, do you want to be a famous mage or maybe a warrior? Since i said I will give you a discount it will only cost 1 gold coins and 50 silver coins all together, only for you.”
The handsome child paid with 2 gold coins,
“ Thank you very much Ms. Pagella, I hope we will one day meet again and maybe you will hear of my name in the future.”
Natilia nodded with a gentle smile and he left the bookstore while discreetly storing the books, map and his change inside his interspatial ring.
He jumped on his carts coachmens seat and headed the north gate, since there were only two entrances. One he already passed through entering Latis village and the other one is on the opposite of the rectangular shaped village.
Azariah was coiled around him the whole time and unperceivedly watched her master interact with those individuals. The eight headed serpent had to fold her wings as smal as she could, eventhough, Aluzar permitted her to hunt in the near vicinity for the short time but she insisted on following him where ever he would go.
The knowledgable Aluzar worried that his adaption to this world and his reaction caused by the pain, triggered a little trauma in her, since then she didn`t let go of him for even a second. He will have to correct her excessive clingy behavior sooner or later.
He passed by a group of people, who were donned in gaudy armor and had flashy weapons they are probably adventures and had currently a heated discussion but he just rode passed them and paid no heed to the adventurers.
The carriage cart left Latis village and the sun began slowly to descend, he embarked on the road to Gringallos with the parchment letter that stated that he had good quality resources for Harolds Anvil and is the inheritance of his family, the books he acquired from the small bookstore and the now 58 gold coind and 50 silver coins he received by selling three magic cores.
3 Weeks flew away in the blink of an eye, he was still on the move but he could see big fortified walls from afar and he gradually got closer to them.
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In those three weeks he read the basic mana cultivation and elemental strengthening for beginners books. The Information he gained was about various basic cultivation techniques to enrichen his body or mana pool like densing up the mana clouds by meditating and absorbing the surrounding mana into the body.
What helped him greatly since his mana pool was now miniscule and his body produced a minimal amount now, he had deduced that the cause was his reversed assimilation. The mana didn`t adapted to him, his body adapted to the mana.
The wise Aluzar also knew now, why the elemental particles wouldn`t gather around him because he first had to establish an elemental core for every affinity inside his mana pool or body by being one with the affinities nature and deeply concentrating, after that the elemental essences will naturally flock to him.
The young boy left it for now since he already knew the crucial methods, he could start anytime, but he wanted advanced techniques, or even expert techniques for his mana cultivation.
Aluzar with Azariah enwrapped under his snake skin cloak, whose interior was covered with soft white tiger fur beforhanded to fight the ice cold climate, arrived at a waiting line.
Numerous carriages with goods and many people queued at the huge stone gateway, several hundred meters away flowed a partly frozen river besides the town and across the river started an open forest that grew denser when someone would venture deeper inside.
The Town of Gringallos was surrounded by thick sturdy 50 meter tall stonewall encircled in an oval shape, there were several round towers integrated and measured up to 70 meters in height.
On the walls, many guards patrolled and observed the vicinity at the gate, they controlled the goods and checked the incoming peddlers.
The Line vanished into the town in a slow pace and finally it way Aluzars turn, he had put his deep hood over his head and advanced with his wooden cart, a guard stopped him and mustered him while demanding,
“ Halt, show your face and state your business. We will also check your goods, if you have a certification of your person or a recomendation it will make our work easier.”
The little juvenile showed the guard his human disguise and the rolled up parchment he received from Ingrit the dwarven woman, that he secretly made appear behind his cloak.
The Guard rudely snatched the parchment from his hands, as he saw the beautiful boy what apparently displeased him because he himself was visibly not an eyecatcher.
In the moment the rude guard opened the letter and finished reading, his face went pale and changed his attitude in an instant to a humble demeanor,
“ I am very sorry sir, I didn`t knew that you are supplying for Harolds Anvil, please you can go on without further compications.”
Now the humble guard waved him through the entrance and added,
“ Harolds Anvil is located at the craftsmen quarter in the east section of Gringallos.”
Aluzar slightlly nodded and whipped the reins, moving forward into the town, in a flash an extreme bad smell reached his nose. He had endured the lite stink in Latis village because the people there had an average odour especially Natilia smelled sweet to him since he prefered female virgin blood but he wasn`t stingy.
However, the penetrating stench of human and animalic excrements made him nauseous as he rode on the rough paved stoneway into the deeper part of the town. The streets of Gringallos are full of life with people roaming the wide paved roads filled with different sized housings made out of either wood, stone or both.
The Town was crossed by two 30 meter stonewalls incorporated into the protective wall around Gringallos with steep steps.
The lively streets had no sewer systems what explained the horrible smell, but there were small alleys in between the houses where the residents disposed ofc their trash by either throwing it out their side doors or window.
The small forehead of Aluzar frowned as he saw a woman pouring an obscure liquid out of her window, he thought to himself why are these people so primitive and just why they didn`t use magic to make their lives more comfortable.
His old soul had already experienced the medieval time period on earth, but didn`t understand why they didn`t us magic.
The small boy, who had his deep hood back on, shook his head and pitied those poor inhabitants that are blessed with ignorance, without possessing intuitiveness to control their own fate, or even the circumstances of their lives.
His carriage reached the center of Gringallos and the sickening malodour lightened a bit up, but still unbearable in comparison it was like going from a dirty drain channel full of shit to a deep embrace from granny Jedwiga.
Although, the housings became more elegant and colorful he must be in a rich quarter, he said to himself and questioned a passerby,
“ Excuseme, do you know where Harolds Anvil is, I was told that it was located in the east section of Gringallos in the craftsmen quarter but alas this is my first time here, thus could tell me the directions, please?”
The Passerby smiled whilst pointing to the left and saying,
“ You have turn left, then you are in the craftsmen quarter, you can`t miss the store it`s the only dwarven smithery in town.”
He thanked the guy and followed the description turning left, he arrived at a street filled with various shops offering a wide scale of products,but the smell turned back fron bad to worst.
On the two side of the wide bumpy paved stonestreets are multiple crafted objects being displayed like, table, chairs, swords, shield, armors. Above the entrances of the stores were lettered signs with pictures of what they sell or produce like in the village of Latis, as he slowly moved through this street he saw a sign with an Anvil and the name Harold on it.
The hooded child stopped in front of the smithery with his cart and made his way into the shop, that was neatly arranged with many well crafted weapons and armors, behind the counter two dwarfs sat on long legged chairs and laughingly conversed with each other.
The cloaked figure neared himself the sales desk and interrupted the two,
“ Excuse me, please...”
The two noticed the black hooded figure and one of them said,
“ Ah, sorry we didn`t noticed you. Welcome to my humble smithery shop, I am Harold Caminus the owner and if you came here to apply for an apprenticeship, note that I only take talented people.”
The other dwarf besides Harold laughed out loud,
“ Hahahaha, come on Harold. In your eyes everyone in the human kingdom is incapable to meet your demands”
Harold shrugged his shoulders,
“ Well, what can I do, if the humans in the whole Ehrental empire are unworthy, especially in this Superbia`Montis Kingdom. Now what can I do for you, hmmm.... are you maybe a fellow dwarf?”
Upon this question Aluzar pulled back is hood and showed his human disguise,
“ No, I came travelling to Gringallos from a far away country and happened to pass through a village named Latis, there I wanted to sell my old rusty weapons and armors with some other things in a shop named Ingrits weapons and gears, after she checked my goods Ms. Stone wrote me a letter of recommendation, telling me to visit this store.”
He held the rolled parchment in his elegant little finger and handed it over to Harold, who overwhelmed by surprise read the letter and laughed,
“ Hahahaha, how admirable of you to be so young and still able to take care of yourself. Hahahaha, how rare of your wife to personally write such a letter, she must have spotted their true worth, right Kusan ?”
Kusan the dwarf, standing next to Harold,frowned and a troubled expression, his bulging almond eyes slightly narrowed making his old man face more wrinkly and his big hawk nose disorted upwards with his mouth framed in full beard curving downwards, showing a disheartened look of fear.
The sadistic boy looked a Kusan and added in an inoccent manner salt into the wound,
“ Oh Ms.Stone also told me, if I happen to meet a dwarf named Kusan I should tell him that he should move his ass or he can expect a thorough beating from her.”
Kusans healthy face grew pale and cold sweat ran down on the sides of his temple, he grabbed his brown unkempt hair while his thick brows moved up wrinkling his forehead into many folds. Whereas Harold laughed till he cried tears out of his small round eyes with crow feet wrinkles besides them, his brows were burnt and his head hairless.
The Blacksmith also had a brown full beard surrounding his big dry lips and his face had a leathery glint shining from his bulbous like nose. Harold snorted with laughter,
“ Hahahaha, I told haha.....that your wife hahahaha....will get angry ha....hahah....you can`t just leave her alone with the store for so long, hahaha...you should have gone home weeks ago...hahaha.”
Kusan wheezed in depression,
“ I just wanted to have some fun, how can this be a reason to get angry. Well, I should pack my suff and get going before I get killed by my wife, thank you boy.”
Kusan disappeared heading to the second floor of the shop and tbe dwarven craftsmen resumed the business talk about the goods,
“ Ok small lad, show me the goods you wanted to sell.”
They both walked outside to the cart and he removed the covering cloth plane, revealing a pile of rusty metal goods ranging from candle holders to swords and armors piled up to a small hill on the cart.
The small muscular dwarf inspected the rusty goods and was astonished by their durability,
“ So this belonged to your family? Although it`s a little rusty the blacksmith had to be amazing otherwise it would have already crumbled from the rust, but that is only on the surface, incredible !”
He rummaged through the pile and was fascinated by the crafts as a fellow craftmen but Aluzar had seen better quality on earth, thus he didn`t cared much about the metal goods. He already inspected everything close up in the dark room inside the mountain.
Harold turned to the small youth,
“ Do you want to sell it all? I will give you a fair price since Ingrit hinted that you are an orphan in the recommendation letter and it belonged to your family, what do you think?”
The cloaked juvenile masked himself with a sad face and said in a genle unwilling tone,
“ I have no choice Mr. Caminus. I have to acquire money to guarantee my survival, even a single copper coin may sustain my life. I made up my mind to register at the adventurers guild, but I doubt they would let a six year old child take on a quest.”
The rough looking dwarven blacksmith pitied the poor child and really wanted to help him,
“ Hey, don`t fret I will write a letter for the adventures guild and you can work part time in my shop, since you seem more mature than your age tells.”
Aluzar acted perplexed and relieved but he already anticipated this,
“ Thank you very much Mr. Caminus. I am deeply indebted to you.”
Harold gave off a rough laugh and resumed to the matter at hand,
“ Good, since you need money and the quality of these goods are excellent, but only a little rusty. I can give you 450 gold coins without making any losses on my side and truth be told I can even make a good amount of profit with these because of the hardened steel and the magic steel.”
The slightly slanted almond eyes of the boy twitched upon hearing the words, magic steel. He couldn`t believe it he worked on earth as a blacksmith for years, yet he couldn`t discern the hardened steel from magic steel and now he was dumbfounded again.
His anger at himself boiled inside him, once again he was blinded by his narrow thinking and his vast knowledge what made him sighed inwardly.
Aluzar maintained his composure and smiled bitterly,
“ This is more than a fair price, I considered myself to work here as a part timer, too. I want to repay your kindness and maybe I can even learn a thing or two.”
The Dwarfs expression grew happy,
“ Well, first stop calling me Mr.Caminus just Harold is fine cause I am not good with formalities and a helping hand is always welcomed but don`t force yourself to come here everyday. I have some slaves and employees to help me out, if you can`t make it, so don`t worry about me and now lets get inside to seal the deal.”
The two figures who were on the same height went into the store and Harold shouted some names and 4 bulky muscular guys came out of the workshop part of the back of the building.
They all went outside to the cart and carried the goods inside to the workshop area while Harold had gone upstairs and came back with one heavy small chest, it was 30 cm in height and width, and a wax sealed rolled up parchment.
The Chest had no lock and Harold explained,
“ This small chest has a magic lock and is hard to break open, it`s common for people to secure their belongings and since you are on your own take this with you as a small gift, the 450 gold coins are already in the chest look for yourself and open it by imprinting your mana, then it will recognize you as it`s owner afterwards.”
Aluzar focused his mana into the lid and a magic circle flashed opening the box, revealing a pile of gold coins inside, though it didn`t reach to fill up the entire box, the old dwarf added,
“ No one can open it now besides you, but if you die the the chest becomes masterless, then it can be obtained and opened by the next person who finds it, so be carful, it`s a lot of money for a little kid and here is the letter for the guildmaster show it this to the reception and they will take you to “him”.”
The small supreme pure blood vampire in disguise thanked him many times and left the store with the heavy box that weigthed like a pillow to him, what suprised the dwarven craftsmen for a moment but he quickly forgot about this phenomenom and directed his attention to the resources he newly bought.
As he passed through the door he let the gold filled chest vanish in to thin air before he setted a step outside of Harolds Anvil.
The Supreme pure blood vampire had delighted expression on his handsome face, he departed with his cart carriage to the merchant quarter, after he inquired some local residents about the layout of Gringalllos, that was only a corner away and located in the same east section as the craftsmen quarter.
He attracted the glances of all the women and girls of all ages, they all blushed as they sighted him what earned him more annoyed stares from jealous boys and mans when they saw that their females paid no heed to them at all.
The Merchant quarter was filled with merchant stalls and stores selling various goods, like spices and pots for cooking, fabrics and leather pieces for tailoring, , but his destination was a part of the merchant quarter that connected to the north section of Gringallos.
The Area slowly became more shabbier every meter he advanced forward to the desired destination, he suddenly stopped before a big black building. The Sign only said Timothys slave shop and he decided to buy one, or two if he was in the mood, since he had now the necessary money to start a small cell of his organization here in Gringallos, that currently had no name.
One reason that he required a slave was that he can`t possibly manage everything alone with his current appearance and the second was that he didn`t trusted anyone who wasn`t a part of his household, a slave was just a disposeable pawn for his plans.
He knocked on the solid black double doors with his tender hands, but it sounded as if Pekaz would hammer on granny Jedwigas wooden door.
The Double doors opened up and a shady individual with a fat belly and crooked nose looked at Aluzar with his darting eyes, he uncourtly snorted,
“ What do you want brat!? This is no playground for brats like you, unless you wanted to become a slave to clear your families debts, now scram before I get uncomfortable with you.”
Before the fat bellied man could close the doors, the boy waved a big pouch jingling with a metallic sound and made sure that the ugly fatass saw his golden signet on his black interspatial ring.
The Attitude of that man made a turn like the day and night cycle,
“ Oh young master, please enter our esteemed establishment. We are the only slave trading store in Gringallos, thus we can offer you a good quality and a wide range to choose your slave, I am Timothy Incenum the humble owner of this business and I am deeply sorry for my rude remarks earlier, I was too narrow minded to think a young noble like you couldn`t possibly visit my store.”
Aluzar passed by the slave trader and said in a disdainful manner,
“ Well ugly money hungry merchants are known to eat more thsn they chew, right? ”
Timothy furrowed his brows and swallowed his rage down his troath, rapidly nodding in agreement,
“ Y-yes right, You are truly intelligent young master. Now would you please follow me young master, I will show you my best slaves I have for sale.”
The Whole front of the building was a big hall with iron cages alined into rows, forming small passages. In the cages men and women, adult and children were all confined alike and everyone wore a black collar with inscribed magic circles and they all smelled horrible.
The fat slave trader led him to a separated room in the back of the building with a semi luxurious interior, the youth guessed that should have been a V.I.P room for rich customers and his prediction was on point.
Timothy smirked evily,
“ Please wait here for a moment, my employees will bring them in this display room, please take a seat and do you have any preferences young master ?”
The Boy thought hard for a second and replied with an indifferent expression,
“ I want to have something exotic and I don`t buy used products so they should be all virgins, understood!?”
Ugly Timothy hurriedly left through another door that was right in front of Aluzar, he didn`t seated himself because the private room was dirty and run down, thus were the furnitures.
After a short time two strong looking men, who were armed, opened the door before his eyes and the fat slave trader came in with several individuals that were also armed with various weapons ranging from double axes to pikes and swords.
Timothy grinned despicable and snarled impudently,
“ Hmmph, did you think that I would sell slaves to a little fake noble brat like you, even if your family belongs to nobility, I have never seen that emblem and noble children won`t even leave the vicinity of ther home without guards, so your attempt of deceiving the great me failed and I will surely get a hefty sum for such a good looking human specimen,hehehehe, now restrain him and put a collar on his neck.”
The fat bellied slave trader laughed full of self confidence and the seven armed people surtounded the small youth, one of them said,
“ Sorry little boy, the master ordered us and if we don`t obey his commands, we will get punished by the magic circles on the collars, too bad for you.”
Timothy was about to leave the scene with the two strong looking men, but Aluzar only smiled a smug grin. He drew hid black dagger hidden behind his back and in a flowing motion he twisted in a circle and decapitated the seven approaching men and women, who tried to enclose him, in one full swing.
Blood spurted out of their headless necks like multiple crimson red fountains around him, shrouded him in a fine red mist and fogging the area in a bloodred, filling the room with an iron and salty scent.
The bloody raindrops pearled down his snake skin cloak and he opened his mouth, stretching out his small delicate tongue to catch a taste of the blood pouring down, as the seven beheaded lifeless bodies of the men and women stumbled down on the ground the fat slave trader witnessed the sight in disbelief.
Timothy stuttered in rage to his two bodyguards,
“ Don`t you two have rank 4 strengthened bodies and practicing swordsmenship that make you hold the Inquisitor title right ?”
The two men drew their short swords without saying a word and released an aura of killing intent, they neared themselves and tried to grab a hold of the small child, but the boy gallantly avoided the attempts of the two bodyguards by stepping side to side.
The two swordsmen became obviously annoyed, the undetestimated the small boy and were now serious, one took the front position facing Aluzar head on, the other one on positioned himself at the youths rear side.
The Man at his rear slashed downards to him and while he avoided the attack, the man in the front stepped in and grabbed him, but in that instant where he touched him at his small shoulder a black serpent head lunged out of his cloak and bit him in his hand.
The Inquisitor warrior stepped back in perplexity he stared at his hands and sank on his knees, couldn`t move anymore nor even talk then he just slumped down on the floor lying motionless on the ground.
The other Inquisitor who attacked from the rear hurtied to his comrade and shouted,
“ Craig what happened, stand up!!”
Aluzar smirked with a smug expression, he didn`t kill them immediately because he wanted to see the strength of the humans here on Almastea.
The remaining warrior turned to the boy and his eyes fueled with rage and hatred burned up and his body glowed in a blue hue and his sword radiated a translucent green light, as he shouted,
“ You damn brat, you should have accepted your fucking fate, but now you will die by me Harzil Beckenberg. Take this! [Wind art: Translucent Wind Blade]”
Harzil swung his green glowing short sword and a green 60 cm wide crescent wind blade arc flew in a straight trajectory towards Aluzar.
The small child readied himself for the impact because the wind arc fast approaching him at fast speed he had no time to avoid it, he blocked the attack head on and had to use all his current physical strength to block it while being gradually pushed back with a strong wind pressure and he broke through a stone wall that buried him under it`s rubble.
The Ugly slave trader screamed enraged at Harzil,
“ What are you doing, you dumbfuck, destroying my store. I paid you to protect me not to rampage in my shop and now you even killed that brat, he would have been worth a fortune with his looks, damn you!!!”
Harzil angrily glared at the fattso and he instantly shut his mouth because the swordsman could decide to kill him anytime he pleased, if he wouldn`t have paid him not to do so.
Harzil walked over to his comrade Craig to check his condition, but in that moment the rubble began to move and float in mid air and a bleeding Aluzar resurrected from within the pile of stone.
The small child bled from his broken forehead and his right arm holding the black dagger was also broken, his regeneration immediately started to fixed his broken and fractured bones to the right position and healed the flesh wounds he sustained.
In a mere second he was back as he was before except the huge bloodstain on his head. He brushed over his brows with his finger where the wound was and licked them and laughed,
“ Oh so lang has it been that someone was able to wound me, that was not bad. muhahahaha....”
The Slave trader and swordsman trembled in disbelief and shock of the sight they just witnessed.
The little boy added,
“ Now lets play for real, show me what you got. I am Aluzar Refizul Hochstern and this name will maybe be the last name you will hear in your life.”
He threw the hovering stone rubble from the former wall into the direction of the three people and Harzil cutted trough them, thereafter, Aluzar leaped with incredible speed to him and their weapons clashed together creating sparks, eventough, Aluzars dagger was made out of bone material it was hard as steel and could keep up with any short sword.
clang, clang, clang,clang, clang, clang,
They exchanged numerous blows at high speed and flashing sparks flew around them, the stunned Harzil had no time to think or speak and only swung his sword to defend and then to counter.
The experienced Inquisitor titled swordsman thought that he got the upperhand with his skills and strengthened body, but he had a hard time defending against the attacks of the little brat.
The same applied to Aluzar the only difference was that he had more experienced than Harzil, but he couldn`t fully utilized his strength with his current body, but he had all the martial arts knowledge from earth and was battle proofed a long time ago, tricks and deception was not honorable but decided over life and death and only the living can tell tales over their glorious accomplishments.
He retreated and stood before the paralyzed Craig, he evily grinned at Harzil who ran to him to stop him from whatever the cunning child was about to do and thrusted his sword to stab him in the head, but suddenly Craigs body raised from the ground.
The Thrust of Harzils short sword couldn`t be stopped anymore and impaled through the chest of his comrade, from Craigs mouth spurted blood and it dripped down on the sword stuck inside him.
Harzil was stupified and horribly shocked, he grabbed his comrade kneeling to the ground and shouted while tears ran down from his eyes,
“BROTHER WHY!!!! why did you protect him!?”
He cried tears for his brother and forgot about his enemy while mourning , the small youth grinned sinisterly at the dramatical scene he caused with his telekinesis and casually sneaked himself behind the Inquisitor warrior, he lashed out and as Harzil realized that the enemy was behind him it was already too late.
The Head of Harzil was send flying to the air and the headless corpse collapsed on his brother, who was bleeding to death and could witness everything what happened, splashing the dying brothers face with his blood.
He turned to the pale faced fat slave trader Timothy Incenum and slowly approached him with devilish smile, the fatass tried to flee but Aluzar focused his mind and had him running on empty air above the ground, he delightfully said,
“ Now, now, you despicable fat bug tell me what should I do with you?”