I wandered through the bustling streets of Norelana, trying to think of a way to scrounge up the gold I needed. 'Two and a half gold coins... that's not much for a noble, but for someone who's currently without funds, it's basically a mountain.' My eyes scanned the various shops, stalls, and market stands. Some sold exotic fruits, others peddled trinkets and baubles that would be worthless by tomorrow, but nothing caught my eye that could solve my little problem.

My thoughts drifted back to the shop. The chrotta was perfect—a high-quality instrument that wont be a trouble to be givin to a royal, But I wasn't about to risk stealing it, not with those guards and my lack of stealth. 'The last thing I need is to get caught for theft in Count Verkas' city. The embarrassment alone would be enough to make my grandmother cut my head off.' i shivered while walking

I glanced at the people passing by, most of them from a high status or rich merchants, dressed in their finest clothes, 'Maybe I should rob one of them? They'd probably wont even notice until it was too late.'

But no. That wasn't an option either. Too much risk for too little reward.

As I continued walking, the usual sounds of the bustling city faded, replaced by something a bit more... interesting. A scream, faint but unmistakable, echoed from a dark alley, Without much thought, I decided to check it out.

I moved quietly, jumping onto a nearby building to get a better vantage point. Sneaking has never been my specialty, but you'd be surprised how quiet I can be when I'm curious. From the shadows of the upper floor, I spotted the scene below—a typical shakedown. Three men surrounded an old guy, the usual situation where a group of toughs threaten someone weaker. 'Typical.'

The leader of the group wore an overly friendly smile, but his voice gave him away. "Old man, you know you've been avoiding paying us for the last four months, haven't you?"

The old man, responded in a tone that could only be described as... almost rude. "I told you, lad, I've got no money to give you. And even if I did, I wouldn't give it to the likes of you black fox brats! Rude as can be! I know your mother, and I'm going to tell her about this!"

'Wait... what?'

For a moment, the leader of the group looked utterly embarrassed, he sighed, clearly exasperated. "Old Thomas... you know you can't keep avoiding this. We've been covering for you with the boss, but it's getting harder. One day, he'll find out, and we won't be able to help."

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The old man didn't seem fazed at all. In fact, he scolded the group again, to my surprise, these supposedly tough guys just stood there, looking like scolded kids.

One of them opened his mouth to say something, but the old man cut him off. "Go away, or I'll break your other leg!"

The leader of the group flinched, his eyes wide with terror.

'So this is where the scream came from,' I thought, leaning back. 'Not quite what I expected.'

The guy who looked like the leader sighed again. "We'll leave for now, old man, but we can't keep covering for you forever. One day, the boss will find out, and we won't be able to protect you."

The old man wasn't having any of it. "Just wait until Martha hears about this!"

The leader practically jumped, his bravado crumbling in an instant. "Don't bring my mom into this!"

With that, they turned and left, looking more like children running than a gang of criminals.

I let out a long, quiet breath. 'Well, that was... something.'

After they left, I made the decision to follow him, I moved quietly across the rooftops, jumping from one building to another. The small, cramped streets made sneaking much easier than I expected.

The old man eventually entered a run-down building, its exterior chipped and weathered, like it had seen better days a long time ago. 'An equestrian hall, maybe?' It wasn't uncommon to find one of these in cities. Most knights were regular humans, after all. Becoming a novice in this world was rare. For someone with a commoner background, reaching the novice level would land them a position as a knight but soon, with some training in battle arts and a few achievements they will get into high places, they might even rise to nobility.

The hall had likely been a place for knights to train, sharpen their sword skills, or pick up other useful abilities. After all, serving a noble with decent skills was a solid career path.

I slipped into the hall after him, keeping to the shadows. The place was dark—darker than I expected, i walked cautiously, my steps barely making a sound as I moved further in.

The hall was in ruins. The ceiling was low, with beams that sagged dangerously. Dust clung to the air, and old, cracked weapons hung from the walls, relics of a forgotten time. The training dummies were worn down, barely holding together, and the faint smell of dampness filled the place.

As I moved deeper into the hall, I couldn't spot the old man anywhere. 'Where did he go?'

Suddenly, a sharp glint caught my eye, and instinct took over. I jumped back just as a knife stabbed into the wall, right where my head had been moments before.

"Hmm? How didst thou see that coming, kid?" A voice filled with genuine curiosity echoed through the hall.

I turned to see the old man standing there, a crooked grin on his face. He was holding another knife, casually tossing it in the air like it was no big deal.

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you welcome a guest?"

The old man laughed, his voice raspy but full of amusement. "A guest with no invite?"

I chuckled, lifting my hand. A small aura tornado spun lazily in my palm, casting a faint glow in the dim hall. The old man's eyes widened in surprise.

"Pretty cool, right?" I said, a smirk tugging at my lips. "So far, it's the best language I use to speak to others. Makes everything easier." I laughed softly.

The old man eyed me carefully, as if weighing his options. He tossed the knife aside, his expression shifting from amused to cautious. "What's someone like you doing here?"

"I have some questions," I said, my tone casual but firm. "And I'm guessing you've got some answers."