Chapter 10

“An old friend, very old. He is a Physical Affinity user and can help train you…hopefully. I haven’t seen him in quite a while but he is one of the only people on Caelum that I would trust training you.” Alira said as she started putting her belongings away.

Eli stood at the edge of the Heart Spring, his feet sinking slightly into the damp soil barely hearing Alira.

My legs don’t hurt, not only that they feel strong. When was the last time he could stretch his legs and not grimace with nerve pain shooting up his legs?

His body felt different—stronger, lighter, faster—but it was an unfamiliar power, one he hadn’t yet tested.

The water had settled back into its quiet, glass-like stillness, a stark contrast to the chaos of his awakening.

The HUD flickered softly in his vision, the purple light dimming now that his initial selections had been made.

Can this even be possible?

Alira was securing her satchel, adjusting the straps with an ease that suggested she had done this a thousand times before. She looked up at him, scanning his expression.

“You’re still thinking about it,” she noted.

“Thinking about what?” Eli asked, rolling his shoulder, surprised by the effortless movement.

“Your body.” She gestured vaguely at him. “It doesn’t feel the same, does it?”

“No. It’s… I don’t know how to describe it. I feel like I should be sore, but I’m not. I feel like I should be tired, but I have more energy than I’ve had in years. It’s like—I’m me, but I’m not.”

Alira nodded, as if this was expected. “That’s what happens when mana actively integrates with your body. It rewrites everything, whether you’re ready for it or not.”

Eli let out a slow breath. He hadn’t had time to truly process what had happened.

He was standing here, whole again, walking without pain for the first time in years. His hands flexed at his sides. This wasn’t a dream. This was real.

Alira slung her bag over her shoulder. “Come on. We need to get moving.”

“Right. And where exactly are we going?”

“A small village west of here.” She turned, walking through the archway at the edge of the garden, she vanished and Eli just stared at the archway, really wondering how he went from pushing a cleaning cart to having to save a world.

He turned and walked through the arch and into the dimly light room that lead to the winding stairs. As Eli was walking out of the temple Alira was already stepping onto the dirt path that led away from the Heart Spring. “So, where are we headed?” Eli said as he started walking her way.

“A small village, it’s independent—no control from the Capitals, no oversight from the Coin Guild. They don’t like outsiders, but they have their own Electric mana user. That’s important.”

Eli fell into step beside her. “Why? Because that’s how they power everything?”

Alira glanced at him. “You’re catching on fast.”

“What’s the deal with the Coin Guild and the Capital?” As they stepped beyond the Heart Spring’s protective barrier, the world shifted subtly. The glimmering air behind them sealed shut, leaving no trace of the hidden sanctuary they had just left. The road ahead stretched wide, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, but Eli’s mind was still turning over Alira’s words.

Alira adjusted the strap of her satchel, glancing at him as they walked. “The Coin Guild and the Capitals,” she said. “It’s complicated, but let’s start with the basics.”

Eli nodded, falling into stride beside her.

“The Capitals control the world’s governance, and most of the major mana resources. They set the laws, they maintain order, and—depending on the region—they either guide or outright rule over their people. Each Capital governs its territory differently, but they all share one thing: power.”

Eli frowned. “And the Coin Guild? They run the economy?”

Alira let out a dry chuckle. “Run it? They are the economy. Every coin that changes hands, every trade, every tax—it all funnels back to them. The Coin Guild isn’t tied to any one Capital. They exist outside the political systems, which makes them untouchable. They control the balance of wealth and commerce across Caelum. A town that doesn’t use their system? That’s a town the Guild doesn’t protect.”

Eli tilted his head. “So that means… this village we’re heading to?”

Alira nodded. “It’s self-sufficient. No Coin Guild banks, no Capital-funded military. They have to rely on their own strength—which means their Electric mana user is their lifeline. No mana-powered trade routes, no Capital-supplies. If they want lights, heating, or machinery, someone has to generate it. If he dies? Or leaves? The village goes dark.”

Eli exhaled sharply. “That’s insane.”

Alira shrugged. “That’s independence. Some people would rather struggle on their own than be another piece in someone else’s system.”

Eli rubbed his temples, trying to wrap his head around it. In some ways, it reminded him of Earth’s power struggles—governments, corporations, monopolies—but here, mana wasn’t just a resource. It was survival.

“So, if these Capitals are so powerful, why not force every town to join their system?”

“They could,” Alira admitted. “Some already have. But there are too many places, too many people. Even with all their power, the Capitals don’t have the reach to control everything. Independent villages are tolerated as long as they don’t become a problem. The moment they do? The Capitals send in their enforcers, or worse—the Guild strangles them economically.”

Eli was silent for a long moment, watching the road ahead.

Alira glanced at him, then smirked. “Not what you expected, was it?”

He huffed. “I don’t even know what I expected. I’ve been in this world for, what? Two days? And I’m already learning that everything is a power struggle.”

“That’s the way of the world,” Alira said simply.

Eli sighed. “Yeah. That sounds depressingly familiar.”

They walked in silence for a moment before Eli spoke again, glancing at her. “And you? Where do you stand in all this? You work for one of the Capitals?”

Alira’s expression shifted, her usual sharp confidence softening into something unreadable. For the first time, Eli caught the glimpse of someone who had seen too much.

“I stand where I need to,” she said. “No more, no less.”

Eli frowned at her answer, but she didn’t elaborate.

Eli let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as the weight of reality settled in. Welcome to Caelum. Where survival, politics, and power were all the same damn thing.

The landscape around them shifted as they walked. The lush greenery of the Heart Spring faded into rolling hills, the trees growing denser in some areas, thinning in others. Stone roads—crafted seamlessly by Earth mana users—cut through the terrain, smooth and unwavering.

As they walked, Eli couldn’t shake the feeling that he had stepped into the past and the future at the same time.

“So… this whole world runs on mana?” Eli asked.

Alira nodded. “Mostly. Not everyone has an awakened affinity, but mana saturates everything. It’s in the land, in the air, in the people. It’s used for energy, construction, medicine, agriculture, warfare—everything.”

Eli looked down at the road beneath his feet. “These roads, too?”

“Yes. Every region has Earth mana users who specialize in construction. They pull stone from the ground, refine it, and lay it down seamlessly. No cracks, no need for repairs unless something big happens. Roads like this last centuries.”

Alira kicked a loose pebble off the smooth stone road, watching as it tumbled down the shallow incline ahead. “Roads like this are everywhere, connecting villages, towns, and cities,” she continued. “But for longer distances, people don’t just walk there, most cities are connected to Caelshold through the Grand Mana Rail.”

Eli frowned. “Wait—you have trains?”

“Caelum has a multitude of transportation.” Alira said glancing at Eli.

“And all of it runs on Mana?” Eli asked.

“Different types of Mana depending on the type of technology being used, but yes. This world is flowing with Mana, so its as easy to get as air. The main problem comes when you need to control it. That is where power meets necessity. It doesn’t always work out for the less powerful. But, it is a system that works for most.” Alira said

Eli looked around, “I just figured you rode carriages or dragons or maybe those magic portals that tend to be staples of fantasy stories you find on Earth. Because, honestly, that seems like the go-to transport system for a world like this.”

Alira raised an eyebrow. “Carriages? No.”

“Portals?” Eli asked, hopeful.

She gave him a flat look. “Some can use portals, but most can’t even draw enough mana to open a portal for a single person until they are high gold or Emerald.” She turned her head back towards their direction and continued,

“And even then, it is so mana intensive that it’s just not worth the risk you put yourself in. Don’t get me wrong, they are very useful, but I have been on this world a long time and I think I have been through a handful of portals in my lifetime.”

Eli nodded. “Right. No portals.”

Alira smirked slightly before nodding ahead. “The Grand Mana Rail runs through most of the major regions, cutting travel time from months to days.”

“The Grand Mana Rail is one of the most advanced systems in Caelum. It’s built into the infrastructure of the Capital and major cities, but not every town has access to it.”

“This might be as shocking to me as the thought of dragons. Do you use coal powered tech?” Eli asked.

“Non-mana users do a little in some machines, but because of the smoke and the damage it causes to the surrounding mana and environment, coal is frowned upon, and highly regulated.”

Alira shrugged. “Every world needs a way to move people and goods. Ours just happens to run on pure mana. Does your world use just coal to fuel your transportation methods?”

“No, we use oil, it a fossil fuel, and I honestly don’t remember how we make it, I know we get it from deep underground and maybe it’s from dead dinosaurs or maybe not, I have no idea.” Eli said as he shrugged his shoulders.

Eli ran a hand through his hair, muttering to himself. “Man, every game I’ve played, every movie I’ve watched—it’s always medieval tech with magic sprinkled on top. But you guys just skipped straight to trains?”

Alira smirked. “Mana isn’t just for throwing fireballs, Eli. It builds civilizations.”

“And there was no skipping, Caelum when through the hard times to get to this point.” She said.

Eli exhaled slowly, absorbing the information. This world ran on mana, but it also ran on power—who had it, who controlled it, and who fought to keep it.

After a few minutes of silence, Eli said quickly, “Can I use my abilities?”

Alira smirked, “I figured you would have already tried to rip tree out of the ground.”

“You think I can do that?” Eli said with a sense of aww and a little trepidation.

Alira laughed, “Probably not on just your strength alone yet, but with your Titan Form Power, yes for sure. Let’s move out into those trees and you can use it.”

“This will be a good way for you to see what it does to you after the ability wears off.”

They walked for a bit, finally reaching the tree line, Eli was nervous. The thought was amazing, but also the unknown of it freaked him out. “Wait, if I use my Titan Form will my clothes rip off, like I am the Incredible Hulk?”

Alira tilted her head, “Incredible what?” Eli was looking at his clothes, “Hulk, he is teammates to Ironman, the dude that beat Thanos. But that is not important right now, we can go over Marval lore later, what about my clothes?”

Alira looked at his clothes, “I am not sure, they are not from here, so I doubt they can form to your growth, so we might need to wait to use that until we can get you clothes that can form to your changes.”

Eli looked dejected, “Fine, let me punch this tree then with Fusion Punch.” Alira waved him ahead, “Go for it.”

Eli looked at the tree and then thought Fusion Punch, he felt the Mana building in him. He swung his hand at the tree, but at the last second pulled off afraid he was going to hurt his hand.

Eli went spinning into the nearby bush and just laid there for a moment. He could hear Alira laughing.

His HUD chimed in with its neutral voice:

🔹 [HUD Scan Activated]

→ Object Identified: Thornshade Bramble

Classification: Flora – Common

Durability: 3/10 (Highly Fragile)

Special Properties:

* Thorned Growth: Small, hooked thorns designed to latch onto flesh and fabric.

* Mana Absorption: Very low-level mana-draining properties, harmless to most creatures.

* Ecological Role: Provides shelter for small wildlife; leaves are mildly toxic if ingested.

[Status Effect Applied]

⚠️ Minor Irritation – Duration: 2 minutes

* Your Cognitive Processing (Reflexes) is reduced by 5% due to lingering discomfort.

* It really, really itches.

Eli groaned, peeling a thorn-studded branch off his arm. “Great. My first epic training move, and I get nerfed by a shrub.”

Looking at Alira as he started to remove himself, “This did not go as planned. Also, this stays between me and you. Got it?” He was pulling himself out of the bush, it clinging to his clothes ripping a few holes in his shirt.

Alira was laughing so hard, she bent over.

“Alight, alright, it wasn’t that funny.” Eli said dusting off any debris.

Alira tried to straighten up and compose herself, but had another bout of laughter.

Eli just stood with his arms crossed looking at her. “You done? Don’t we need to get to some mysterious town lead by some mysterious Electric mana user?”

Alira finally getting herself together just looked at Eli, “I am not sure I have laughed that hard in a long time, so Eli for that, I appreciate it. Also,” she said looking serious, “I won’t tell anyone about you missing the tree and punching the bush.”

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Eli just turned, “Very funny. I am never going to live this down.”

They got back up on the road and continued, Alira would chuckle every once in a while, and Eli would half glare at her.

They spent the next couple hours going through Eli’s help guide. They discovered how the points work from tier to tier. How long his cooldowns were and the most important thing, how to mute the annoying AI voice.

The sun was lowering on the horizon when they finally saw the first signs of civilization. The village was small but sturdy, built into the natural landscape instead of over it. Stone buildings with wooden accents sat nestled between towering trees, and small lanterns flickered to life as dusk approached.

Eli noticed movement—figures watching them from the rooftops, others from the narrow alleys between buildings. They were being observed.

This has more of a Western movie vibe than a Lord of the Rings magical world. Eli had thought to himself as he was watching all the different shadows moving around.

Alira didn’t slow her pace.

Eli kept his voice low. “They don’t look too happy to see us.”

“They won’t be.” Alira’s tone was calm, but firm. “They don’t trust outsiders.”

As they stepped closer, Eli’s eyes widened. Not everyone here was human.

“Holy shit!” Eli said, louder than he intended.

Alira gave him a half glance out of the corner of her eye.

Eli was trying to play it cool, totally normal to seeing reptiles with clothes on a Saturday…or was it Sunday. I need to ask Alira how their calendar works.

His HUD pinged:

🔹 [HUD Query: Local Time System]

→ Calendar System Identified: Caelum Standard Cycle

Time Structure:

* 1 Year = 360 Days

* 12 Months = 30 Days Each

* 1 Week = 6 Days

* 1 Day = 26 Hours (Localized adjustments detected; HUD internal clock syncing…) ✅

Month Names (Celestial Influence Detected)

* Solryn – The Sun’s First Rise (New Year begins as Caelum’s orbit resets)

* Verdalis – Blooming Season (Spring begins, named for renewal and growth)

* Emberis – Rising Heat (Summer’s arrival, honoring the Flame Affinity)

* Pyrosen – Peak Sun (Hottest season, named after Caelum’s celestial fire)

* Zephyris – Winds of Change (Shifting weather, preparing for storms)

* Stormclad – Rains and Thunder (Strongest storms, unpredictable mana surges)

* Aetheris – Mana’s Balance (Celestial midpoint, marking equilibrium of elements)

* Duskrun – Fading Light (Autumn’s arrival, marking early harvests)

* Noctara – The Deepening Night (Longest nights before winter’s grip)

* Frostmere – Cold’s Embrace (Mid-winter, marking frozen mana wells)

* Obscura – The Waning Cycle (Darkest month, often used for mana meditation)

* Dawnveil – The Cycle’s End (Light returns, marking a new beginning)

Day Structure:

* 1 Day = 26 Hours (Time distortion within Caelum detected; HUD adapting to planetary rotation.)

* 1 Week = 6 Days

* Moonday (Honoring lunar cycles and magic’s ebb and flow)

* Brightday (A day of learning, training, and energy realignment)

* Midday (A neutral day, often used for trade and governance)

* Veynday (Named for the shifting winds, unpredictable in nature)

* Hollowday (A day of caution, used for preparations or reflection)

* Restday (Traditionally a day of respite or strategy discussions)

[Syncing HUD Clock with Caelum’s Local Time…] ✅

Thank god I muted the voice, that would have gone on forever. Why does this world feel like a sci-fi writer’s attempt at ‘realistic fantasy’?

Eli tried his best not to stare, but for everything he has seen, this was by far the most not Earth thing yet. This was either real or he was on some amazing drugs at whatever insane asylum he was currently at.

A group of Draconids—tall, reptilian humanoids with scaled arms and slitted eyes—were standing near a blacksmith’s forge, their tails twitching as they murmured to each other.

Further down the street, Fae figures with luminescent markings moved gracefully through the shadows, their presence almost ethereal.

A few Beastkin—part-animal, part-human hybrids—watched from a distance, their ears twitching as they whispered among themselves.

Eli had seen plenty of fantasy worlds in books, games, and movies—but standing here, in the middle of it, was something entirely different.

He muttered under his breath, “Okay… I might be freaking out a little.”

Alira finally stopped near the center of the village. A tall, muscular man with lightning scars across his arms stepped forward. His eyes crackled with faint traces of Electric mana, and his expression was unreadable.

“You shouldn’t be here,” the man said, his voice carrying authority.

Alira met his gaze without hesitation. “We need passage.”

The man’s eyes flickered to Eli, and something unreadable passed over his face. “Who’s the boy?”

Eli frowned but didn’t say anything.

Alira didn’t hesitate this time. “A friend. One who needs to pass through quietly.”

The man didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t immediately reject them either. Instead, he turned his head slightly as an older man beside him whispered something into his ear.

Eli had already noticed his hearing had sharpened since his abilities started integrating, but it still startled him just how clearly he could make out the hushed words.

“Sir, that is Alira, The Grace.” The older man’s voice was reverent, cautious. “If she is here, there’s a reason. And if she’s asking for discretion, you can bet she means it.”

Eli saw the way the younger man’s expression shifted just slightly. The recognition settled in, but with it came something else—wariness.

The man finally turned back to Alira, crossing his arms. “So, the stories are true then. The Grace walks among us. Can’t say you look like the legends make you out to be.”

Alira’s response was calm, almost bored. “Stories are never based in reality. That’s why they’re stories.”

The man snorted. “Fair enough.” His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he glanced at Eli once more, this time with undisguised suspicion. “And what about him? He one of your ‘legends’ too?”

Eli tensed. He didn’t like the way the guy was looking at him. Like he was trying to put together a puzzle where the pieces didn’t quite fit.

Alira, to her credit, didn’t falter. “He’s not your concern.”

The man arched a brow, clearly amused. “No? Because it seems like he’s yours. And if someone like you is going out of your way to protect someone like him… well, that makes him interesting.”

Eli didn’t love the sound of that.

Alira shifted her stance slightly, her tone lowering. “We need supplies. We need transportation to the Midland Hub. And I’m willing to pay over the normal price to keep this discreet.”

The man tapped his fingers against his bicep, faint sparks of electricity bounced between his arm and fingertips for a fleeting second with each finger. He tilted his as if weighing the risk. Then, after a beat, he exhaled sharply and nodded.

“Fine. You’ll get what you need,” he said, though his eyes still lingered on Eli, like a question left unanswered. “But be quick about it. The longer you stay, the more attention you’ll attract.”

Eli wasn’t sure if that was a warning or a threat.

Maybe both.

The Electric mana user exhaled, the tension in his stance shifting from caution to acceptance—though not without lingering wariness. His eyes flicked between them before he finally spoke again.

“Name’s Varek,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I keep the lights on around here.”

Eli barely had time to process the introduction before Varek gestured toward the older man beside him. “And this is Osric. He’ll get you the supplies you need. When you’re done, he’ll bring you to the meeting hall, where we’ll talk about your transportation.”

Varek’s expression darkened slightly, his tone making it clear he wasn’t doing this out of kindness. “This isn’t cheap. We don’t give handouts here.”

Alira nodded, unfazed. “As I said before, I am willing to pay double.”

Varek studied her for a moment longer before scoffing under his breath. “Fine. Do what you need to do. But don’t linger.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Osric to step forward. The older man had a face carved by time and experience, deep lines around his mouth and eyes, but his posture was straight and firm—not the kind of old man that time had worn down, but one it had forged instead.

“What are you needing?” He asked in his dry but whispery voice.

Alira smiled, “Clothing, herbs and alchemist supplies.”

“Come,” Osric said simply, motioning for them to follow.

The village was compact, but not lacking. Despite its independence from the Capitals, it had a strong self-sufficient atmosphere—shops built from sturdy stone and reinforced wood, market stalls lining the main square, and small, dimly glowing mana lanterns lighting the pathways.

The people watched them as they passed, whispering in hushed tones. Some simply observed, others looked wary, even hostile. Eli didn’t miss the way some of them kept their hands near their weapons, which ranged from swords, to strange looking firearms.

Osric led them first into a clothing shop, a modest but well-kept store with rows of garments tailored for travelers. The shopkeeper, a stern-looking Fae woman, gave them a once-over before begrudgingly acknowledging their presence.

Alira moved through the racks with purpose, selecting a few items for both herself and Eli. She didn’t ask for his input—just shoved a bundle of clothes into his arms and said, “These will do.”

When they touched his hands his HUD flashed:

☰ Item: Traveler’s Tunic – Uncommon

☰ Crafted by: Master Tailor – Arindral Trade District

☰ Material: Mana-woven cloth (Self-Fitting)

☰ Durability: 95/100

☰ Enchantment: Adaptive Fit (Automatically adjusts to wearer’s size and proportions) Water resistance.

☰ Item: Traveler’s Trousers – Uncommon

☰ Crafted by: Tailor’s Guild – Caeloria

☰ Material: Reinforced Weave

☰ Durability: 90/100

☰ Enchantment: Adaptive Fit – Water Resistance - Minor Stain Resistance (Repels dirt and minor spills)

☰ Item: Stepstone Boots – Rare

☰ Crafted by: Dwarven Leatherworks – Lirienvale

☰ Material: Mana-treated leather, reinforced soles

☰ Durability: 120/120

☰ Enchantment: Adaptive Fit – Water Resistance - Minor Stain Resistance - Enhanced Traction (Improves grip on uneven surfaces)

He almost mentioned to Alira about what his HUD said, but he caught her look and just held onto them.

Eli looked down at the clothes, mostly dark tones, practical materials.

He turned toward Osric. “Everyone sure seems friendly.”

Osric chuckled under his breath. “They’re cautious. Outsiders rarely bring good things.”

Eli didn’t argue. He could feel the tension in the air.

Once they had their purchases, Osric guided them to the next stop—a small herb and ingredient shop, its scent thick with dried leaves, crushed roots, and faint traces of mana-rich plants.

Alira browsed quickly, grabbing ingredients with an expertise that didn’t go unnoticed. Dried kelpa leaves, mana-rich lotus stems, and powdered emberroot—all things Eli didn’t recognize but could tell were deliberate choices.

Osric raised a brow as he watched her. “You know what you’re looking for.” Not a question but a statement.

Alira barely glanced at him. “I don’t take chances with my supplies.”

The shopkeeper, an older Fae woman with graying hair and long pointed ears, watched her work with a keen eye. After a moment, she reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small collection of glass vials filled with shimmering liquid.

“Healing potions,” the woman offered. “Pre-made, stabilized. Saves you the trouble of mixing them yourself.”

Alira didn’t hesitate. “No.”

Eli blinked, glancing at her still holding his clothes. “Wait—why not? Wouldn’t it be easier to just take those?”

Alira’s fingers tightened slightly around a bundle of herbs. “Healing concoctions aren’t just about mixing ingredients. Pre-made potions lose potency over time. They’re convenient, but they’re not reliable.”

The shopkeeper’s ears twitched, an amused glint in her eyes. “You sound like a master alchemist.”

Alira didn’t confirm or deny it. She simply finished gathering her supplies, paid without another word, and stepped away.

Osric’s sharp eyes lingered on Eli, as if peeling back layers that even Eli didn’t know he had. His tone was casual, but the weight behind his words suggested otherwise.

“You have quite the friends,” the old man murmured. “Many of the most powerful in all of Caelum would pay twenty Ruby coins just to seek council from Alira The Grace.”

Eli let out a breath, running a hand through his hair. “Friend, as in one. But yeah,” he muttered, shaking his head. “I’m starting to get that.”

Osric squinted at him, tilting his head slightly. “Where are you from, boy?” His voice carried a note of curiosity, but also suspicion. “You speak Veylan as if you were raised among the Fae, yet your Arindric is flawless. No accent, no hesitation.”

Eli froze for a half-second, his mind racing.

He spoke two languages without realizing? That… that wasn’t normal, was it? It hadn’t even registered—everything had just sounded natural. Like breathing.

Alira had stopped just ahead of them, looking over her shoulder, her expression unreadable.

Eli met Osric’s gaze and let out a small chuckle, lifting his hands in a half-hearted shrug.

“From a galaxy, far far away.”

Osric studied him for a long moment before exhaling through his nose. “Hmph. A vague answer. Fitting.”

Eli smirked. “Yeah, I learn from the best.”

Alira shook her head, muttering something under her breath before turning forward again. “Come on. We’re wasting time.”

Eli followed, but he could still feel Osric’s gaze lingering on him for a few more moments. Like the old man was trying to place a puzzle piece that didn’t belong.

Osric led them toward a larger, sturdier building at the village’s center. It wasn’t grand, but it was well-built, reinforced, and clearly a place of importance.

“This is where we handle outside dealings, trade agreements, and negotiations,” Osric explained as he pushed open the heavy wooden doors. “Varek will meet you inside.”

As they stepped in, Eli felt the weight of curious and suspicious gazes settle on them from the handful of people inside. This was not a place where outsiders were welcomed easily.

Alira remained composed, unfazed. Eli straightened his posture, trying to do the same.

Osric gave them one last glance before stepping aside. “Good luck with your travels.”

Alira thanked him and handed him what looked like a green coin. Osric glanced down and just stared at the coin mouth open.

Eli walked by him and just said, “See you on the flip.”

Osric squinted and started to walk away mumbling, “What is a flip, and why will we see each other there?”

The interior of the meeting hall was dimly lit, the only sources of light coming from mana-powered lanterns lining the walls. The air smelled of aged wood, parchment, and the faint crackle of raw energy—Eli could feel it in his bones, a subtle hum that resonated beneath his skin.

The space itself was simple but sturdy, built for function rather than grandeur.

A long wooden table dominated the center, maps and ledgers scattered across its surface.

A handful of people lingered near the edges, their eyes sharp, their expressions unreadable. They weren’t soldiers exactly, but they carried themselves like fighters. People who had lived through enough to know how to measure threats.

And right now, Eli was the unknown variable.

Varek was already waiting for them, arms crossed as he leaned against the far wall. He pushed off as they entered, his gaze flicking between Alira and Eli before settling on the satchel in Alira’s hands.

“You got what you needed?” His voice carried a note of impatience.

Alira nodded. “Enough to get us where we’re going.”

Varek studied her for a long moment, then turned to Eli. That same unreadable look from before. “And what about you? You find anything interesting?”

Eli frowned looking down at the clothes still in his hands. “Uh… clothes?”

Varek let out a short, dry chuckle. “Right. Clothes.” His expression sharpened. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Eli glanced at Alira, unsure how much to say, but before he could respond, she cut in smoothly. “Eli isn’t here to cause problems, Varek.”

He stood at the head of the table, arms crossed, eyes flicking between Alira and Eli.

“You’re asking for a lot,” he said finally. “Passage to Midland? Discreet? That’s not something we offer freely.”

Alira met his gaze, unfazed. “I know about the tracks, Varek.”

Silence.

The words hung in the air, heavy and sharp. Eli saw the way Varek’s entire body tensed, how the people in the room visibly stiffened—hands inching toward weapons, eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Varek’s expression darkened. “That’s not something you should know.” His voice was low, controlled, but Eli could hear the underlying threat beneath it.

Alira didn’t move, didn’t flinch. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. “I know because I can feel them.”

Eli watched as Varek’s jaw locked, but before he could respond, Alira knelt and placed a hand on the wooden floor.

A heartbeat passed.

Then another.

Eli felt something shift—not in the air, not something visible, but something deeper. Like the land itself was holding its breath.

When Alira opened her eyes again, there was a flicker of something ancient behind them. She spoke softly, but the weight of her words filled the space.

“The tracks run deep, hidden beneath the bedrock. Reinforced tunnels, sealed with layers of Earth mana. The rails themselves are lined with tempered steel, likely infused with conductivity runes—makes for a faster charge. There’s an access point three streets east of here, disguised as a supply shed.”

Varek didn’t react right away. He didn’t move, didn’t breathe. The tension in the room coiled tighter.

Eli wasn’t sure if Varek was about to deny it, fight her, or order them killed on the spot.

Then Alira’s lips twitched slightly. “And while I was listening, I also found something else.” She turned her gaze toward him, her voice smooth. “A rare mineral deposit buried deep beneath the eastern ridge. Untapped. Pure aetherite.”

Varek’s fingers twitched. That got his attention.

Silence stretched long enough that Eli swore he could hear the faint hum of the mana lanterns. Then, finally, Varek exhaled sharply.

The shift in him was small, but noticeable. The hardness in his expression didn’t fade, but the tension in his shoulders eased just slightly.

“You’re telling me,” he said slowly, “that there’s untouched Aetherite sitting right beneath our feet?”

Alira nodded once. “Deep, but within reach.”

Varek stared at her for a long moment, then let out a rough chuckle. “You really are something else, Grace.”

He turned, pacing slightly before shaking his head. His entire demeanor shifted—still wary, still guarded, but there was something else now. Something closer to reluctant respect.

“I don’t know if I like how much you know,” he muttered, before stopping and pinning her with a look. “But you just gave us something valuable. So, fine. You can use the rail.”

A ripple of unease spread through the room. Eli could tell that the others were not happy about this.

Varek ignored them. Instead, he turned to Eli, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

“And you,” he said, voice firm. “Keep your mouth shut about this.”

Eli blinked. “Yeah, no problem. Not exactly looking to get thrown off a moving train.”

Varek narrowed his eyes, like he was trying to figure out if Eli was an idiot or just smart enough to survive.

After a beat, he grunted. “Good.”

Eli stole a glance at Alira, starting to truly grasp just how powerful she was.

She hadn’t threatened them. She hadn’t demanded anything.

She just knew.

Knew the land, the rails beneath it, the hidden truths no one else should have been able to sense. And that terrified them more than any show of force.

Eli suddenly understood something—if Alira wanted this whole town destroyed, she could do it and still have mana to spare.

And judging by the way Varek kept looking at her, Eli got the impression that Varek knew it, too.

“Osric will take you out the back to the entrance. Zethis is already down there prepping the train.”

Eli barely had time to process that before Varek reached over and grabbed something off the nearby table—a metallic device, roughly the size of a speaker box, covered in intricate engravings and a mana conduit along its edges. It looked like a mix between an old radio and something far more advanced.

Varek pressed something on the side, and a low hum activated. He brought it close to his mouth and spoke into it.

“Zethis, we’re running early. Get the train prepped and ready to leave in the next ten minutes.”

A second of silence.

Then a crackling voice on the other end: “What? That’s not enough time—I still have to—”

“Do it now.” Varek cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. Without waiting for a response, he clicked the device off.

Varek glanced at Eli, tapping something on his wrist—a thin, metallic bracer pulsing faintly with mana. Within seconds, the door to the meeting hall swung open, and Osric appeared.

The older man’s eyebrows lifted slightly, the only real sign of surprise he allowed himself. But it was there. For just a fleeting moment, he looked between Varek and Alira, clearly putting the pieces together.

Then, without a word, he nodded.

Varek jabbed a finger toward the back exit. “Take them through the hidden passage. Get them to the tracks and make sure they’re loaded onto the train.”

Osric hesitated. “Are you sure that’s—”

“No,” Varek interrupted. “I’m not. But I’m doing it anyway. Now go.”

Osric didn’t argue further. He simply gestured toward Eli and Alira, motioning for them to follow.

Varek exhaled, running a hand down his face before giving them one last look.

“Good luck,” he said, though his tone suggested it wasn’t entirely sincere. Then he scoffed. “And let’s both hope I never have to see either of you again.”

With that, he turned and strode toward the front of the meeting hall, already barking out orders to the others still inside.

Eli exchanged a glance with Alira before following Osric through the hidden passageway.

He had a feeling that Varek wouldn’t be so lucky.