Karim warned me that today is what they call "market day", a special occasion when the streets are packed and the traders are exceptionally loud. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the reality — it's overwhelming. I can barely move without bumping into someone, and I've lost count of the times I've apologized for stepping on someone’s foot. Also, the sea of human faces is overstimulating for a solitary traveler like myself, and I feel a knot of anxiety forming in my stomach. Needing to escape, I duck into an alleyway, where I end up spilling my dinner from the previous night on the ground. I feel bad for Karim, who kindly offered me these nutrients. After a few breaths of fresh air, I wander through the quieter streets.

In an alleyway shadowed by tall buildings blocking out the morning sun, I walk past a shop window filled with all kinds of weapons and decide to go in for a closer look. The fresh air and the scent of metal are calming, and I marvel at a variety of weapons I never knew existed.

∼ I'd love to replace my rusty knife with something more... striking?

My attention is caught by a long-handled sword that looks familiar. Old Tak had a similar one hanging in his hut, though I've never seen him use it. I pick it up to examine it more closely.

– Hey! Put that back! Where do you think you are? These are top-quality weapons, forged by the Hagan Geika. If you’re not buying, get out!

Kicked out into the street, I glance back at the shop one last time.

∼ How did he know I wasn’t gonna buy anything?

I lower my gaze to my torn T-shirt, barely covering me, and my old, muddy shoes with toes poking out.

∼ I really need to find new clothes.

I continue walking until I reach the end of the alleyway where a crowd is gathered, blocking the path as they all seem to be staring at something. Curious, I climb onto an old barrel abandoned against a wall. It appears that all the attention is focused on a confident young man strutting down the street, flaunting his charms and leaving a trail of smitten admirers behind him.

– Look out! It's Jonathan from the Hivar Geika! You should have seen him win the final of the Geika tournament — he was like a god!

– I admit, he's not bad to look at. I wish he could be my son-in-law.

– Do you really think he'd go out with a peasant girl? At best, you daughter could become his mistress.

∼ What’s all the fuss about? His face isn't unpleasant, but it hardly justifies this level of excitement… Oh screw it!

– Excuse me!

I’m not sure if it’s my outfit or the fact that I just leapt over their heads to land in the middle of the street, but now everyone is staring at me as if they’ve seen a specter. As someone who hates being the center of attention, I would have felt nauseous in such a crowd if I hadn’t already emptied my stomach. But I can't let such an opportunity slip by, so I do my best to endure this awkward feeling and call out the young man.

– Can I ask you something?

– Who's this filthy guy daring to talk to him, murmurs a woman in the crowd.

– Don't become like him, son, adds another in an authoritative tone.

∼ What's wrong with these people? I mean, it’s just clothes. I even take pride in my hygiene. During my journey, I used to bathe once a week, though I sometimes went a month without finding a proper water place to wash.

– May I ask what a peasant wants from me, he asks me with a haughty expression.

∼ From his tone, you'd think the word "peasant" is the worst insult, although these honest workers are supposed to be the ones who keep everyone fed.

The man looks irritated that I’ve drawn all the attention away from him, though he’s trying to maintain his composure.

– You're part of the Hivar Geika, aren't you?

– You mean you don't recognize me? Hu-Hum, I mean… What does that have to do with a peasant like you, he retorts, once again emphasizing the word "peasant", visibly struggling more and more to keep his cool smile from slipping.

– Actually, I’ve just arrived in town and I’m trying to learn about the different Geikas. Would you be willing to tell me about yours?

– Are you some sort of spy from Techna?

– A what?

His face finally betrays his irritation.

– I don't have time to waste on a nobody like you. Get out of my way, he orders, shoving me intentionally before continuing his parade through the streets.

I can hear people whispering around me while avoiding eye contact.

∼ Pfff, this is gonna be more complicated than I thought.

After hours of wandering through the sprawling maze of this enormous city, I decide to rest in the shadow of a towering structure that stands out among the other buildings. The metal entrance door is so massive that I wonder how the inhabitants manage to open it.

∼ It must belong to very rich people.

Suddenly, a man in a black hood — probably not to shield himself from the sun — approaches the door. Summoning my courage, I step forward to speak to him.

– Do you live here?

The hooded figure extends a hand towards the doors, which immediately begin to open with a metallic squeal. Captivated by the show, I realize too late that they're already starting to close, engulfing the man in total darkness.

∼ I’ll get used to being ignored if this keeps up.

I approach the doors and notice an inscription embedded in the metal: "Jiskar Geika"

– Geika members are definitely all eccentrics.

– You’ve got that right, a voice responds from behind me.

I turn around, surprised, and discover an elderly woman whose back is as arched as a crescent moon.

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– I swear, it’s ridiculous that the country relies on this bunch of idiots for protection. The kingdom of Historia has really hit rock bottom.

– Um, who am I speaking with?

– Just a bitter old woman with no place in today's world. Don't mind me, she replies before turning on her heels and beginning to walk away.

With that, she turns on her heels and start going away.

– No, wait! I’d really like to ask you some questions. Could you spare me five minutes?

She stares at me for a moment — a treatment I'm beginning to get used to — then closes her eyes and changes hands with her cane.

– Well, if there’s one thing still working in this old body of mine, it’s my memory. What do you want to know, kid?

– I'd like you to tell me about the Geikas.

– They're a bunch of good-for-nothings. End of explanation, she says sharply before resuming her walk.

Her small legs move surprisingly fast, making me have to put in effort to catch up with her.

– Why do you hate Geikas so much?

– Back in the day, the Geikas were much closer to the people. Their members used to help citizens for a modest fee and weren’t as arrogant as they are now. Nowadays, even the smallest favor from a Geika costs a fortune, and they lock themselves away in their towers, completely indifferent to the needs of the people.

∼ That’s consistent with the impression I’ve gotten so far.

– And why is a brat like you interested in Geikas?

– If possible, I'd like to find a teacher to help me perfect my training.

– Hmph... I wouldn’t recommend dealing with the Geikas, but I know that at your age, you don't listen to the advices of your elders.

– Hahaha, sorry. I’m really determined to see this through to the end.

– Well, if it's that important to you, I can show you the way to the nearest Geika in exchange for a small favor.

– Would you do that? Thank you so much!

– Don’t thank me! If old folks like me don’t guide the young, who will?

Despite her rough manner, I’m convinced she has a warm heart inside. It’s clear that something serious must have happened with a Geika in her past, but I decide not to ask.

Arriving in front of the Medras Geika building, I part ways with the old lady and step inside, donning my best smile. The entrance hall is quite plain, lacking any decorations. A young man behind the counter greets me with a friendly smile.

– Welcome! What’s the purpose of your visit?

– I’d like to learn more about the Geikas.

– Why’s that? Are you interested in joining one?

– Well, I’m not sure yet. I'd like to see if it's the kind of place I'm looking for.

– I see... If you’d like, I can take you to meet our boss so that you can ask him your questions.

– Would you really do that?

– Of course! It’s the least I can do for a traveler who’s come all this way. Follow me.

∼ Goes to show that my status as a traveler can be useful from time to time.

I follow him until we reach a dimly lit corridor.

– Go this way and open the door at the far end. Behind it, you’ll find the answers to all your questions, he says, indicating the direction with the same fixed smile still stretching across his lips as if it had been carved onto his face.

I thank him politely and follow his instructions. When I reach the end of the corridor, I open the door abruptly, eager for answers. After a few moments of glare caused by the sudden light, I find myself back on the shopping street I arrived from. I turn around, but the door has vanished, replaced by a fishmonger trying to sell me fish apparently fresh from this morning.

– What exactly just happened?

– You, my boy, just got royally screwed, the familiar voice of the old lady responds behind me, while I am still under the shock of what just happened. You've been tricked by an illusion. That's the Medras Geika’s specialty. But don't worry, it happens to everyone who tries to get something out of those egoists. Anyway, don't say I didn't warn you. Come on, close your big mouth before a bird makes a nest in it and help me carry my groceries.

– So, are you going to buy the fish or not, yells the fishmonger as we walk away.

When we arrive at her house, I thank the old lady and watch the sun set over the horizon.

– Already twilight...

– What’s your plan now, kid?

– I'm gonna keep trying for a bit. I came all this way to find a master, after all.

– Ah, youth… Just as beautiful as foolish, she says in a weary voice.

As I squint, I catch sight of a shape being swallowed up by the gigantic celestial fireball at the top of a hill.

– What's that over there?

– Oh, that! It's the Izar Geika estate. They moved up there to make the most of the sunlight, from what I heard.

– In that case, I’ll try my luck there to end the day. Thanks again for everything!

I bow respectfully before running off.

∼ I need to get there before the sun completely disappears behind the horizon.

– I swear, what a carefree kid. Reminds me of another one at his age…

Turning back one last time to say goodbye, I think I catch a faint smile on her wrinkled face, but she quickly looks away.

∼ How many steps has it been?

I lost count when my lungs started burning, desperately trying to escape from my ribcage. After a final, seemingly endless effort, I finally collapse at the top of the stairs, gasping for breath. From here, the sun is still high in the sky.

– Oh? It's not often we get visitors, surprise me a voice on my right.

I stand up to face my interlocutor: a young man in his twenties, draped in white cloth and wearing sandals. I'd never seen such a handsome face before. His long, silky gray hair and light eyes, framed by long silver lashes, give him an elegant and ethereal appearance, very different from ordinary city dwellers. His figure is slim, but his muscles are certainly not just decoration.

∼ Living at the top of such a staircase certainly requires a certain level of fitness. Or maybe it's from living here that he’s sculpted his body? Either way, he must have all the women under his spell.

– You're very brave to have come all this way. What's your name?

– Ishizora.

– What an unusual name. You're not from the capital, that's for sure. A traveler maybe?

– Yes, a traveler.

– And what can I do for you, Ishizora the traveler?

– I'd like to know how to join a Geika.

– You want to join one? Hmm, since you've come this far, I can take you to see my brother. But if I were you, I'd turn back. My brother's criteria are a bit... selective, he admits to me with compassion.

– Oh don’t worry, I'm already used to eccentrics.

– Haha, I like you. Follow me; I'll take you to him.

∼ After everything I've been through today, it can't get any worse.

I am first dazzled by the pristine whiteness of the Geika Izar building. It is entirely made of white marble, supported by majestic, finely carved columns. All the members are dressed in white tunics and radiate an aura of prestige. Their sculpted bodies confirm my suspicions about the staircase.

– Big brother! Here's a traveler who'd like to ask you a few questions.

– A traveler? Is that really the case, asks the older brother with a suspicious look.

The so-called big brother is barely taller than a child, but the opulent marble throne he sits on makes it clear that he is indeed the authority here. The sunlight streaming in from behind him reflects off the marble columns, creating a blinding glare that forces me to lower my gaze. He scrutinizes me from head to toe, but this time, it's not to try to understand what species I belong to. No, he seems to be analyzing every detail of my form, like a painter who’d have only five seconds to memorize my body before recreating it with his eyes closed. His gaze now fixes on my eyes, and I feel as if he’s probing directly into my mind. I eventually look away, uncomfortable.

– You are not shining, he suddenly says.

∼ My tanned skin and black hair must stand out against all this blinding whiteness.

– Please excuse my appearance. I’ve just returned from a long journey and haven’t had the means to buy new clothes yet.

– There’s that, but I was referring more to your posture, your attitude. You look like one of those limp bugs that crawl on the ground. You know? Slugs.

∼ What?!

His acolytes laugh silently, covering their mouths with their hands, while the good-looking man who guided me here looks at me with compassion.

– But let’s set appearances aside. May I ask why you’ve come all this way?

– I'm looking for information on—

– No, not that! I'm talking about your real purpose, he specifies imperiously, striking his marble armrest.

– Well... As my previous master passed away before I could complete my training, I'm searching for a new one to help me grow stronger.

– Ooh? And why do you seek strength?

I recall a familiar voice urging me to become strong, strong enough to never lose to anyone. I've heard this voice many times in my dreams, but I’ve never known whose voice it is or why it speaks to me.

– To be honest... I don't know.

My answer causes a stir among the assembly, and murmurs begin to be heard.

– What do you mean by that, Ishizora, asks the silver lashes man with a worried face.

– I have a reason, but... it’s complicated, I can't remember what it is.

The whispers among the assembly grow louder until their leader silences them with a wave of his hand.

– Of all the stupidities I've ever heard, congratulations, that takes the cake. Walking the path of power requires unwavering determination. We all have our own reasons, and you claim to want strength without knowing why? Don’t make me laugh! Those who seek power merely for self-satisfaction are always first to die!

I remain silent, unable to respond to these legitimate accusations, and a heavy silence fills the room as the little man’s words continue to echo.

– This is absurd. I don’t have time to waste on this nonsense. Get him out of my sight!