The night was getting dark as he looked back at his house. He noticed a light was burning brightly through the courtyard. After unlocking the rusted steel gate, he was greeted by a barren, but growing, garden with a central, decorative firepit.

"Uhm, hello?"

"Oh, Andrew, come sit down," laughed Keryzn as he waved the boy forward. "This fellow is our neighbor. True, he is young, but give him, at the very least, the same respect you'd give me."

The grey-haired young man looked at Andrew curiously before his eyes flickered. "Andrew, is it? I'm Derek, a fellow guardsman as well. I've done a stint with mercenary work, but after a few close calls I opted for more... stable employment."

Andrew scratched his head and nodded. "I understand." Giving the man a soft smile, the boy spoke, "I trust this area is... safe? You've been here longer, you see. I just don't know too much."

The man laughed warmly and nodded. "As much as we guardsmen can make it. Although I'm sorry to say your father did have to relinquish his title as Captain. He is training under one and will soon carry that honor once more, but little old me only has so much influence."

Andrew genuinely laughed at that and sat down next to his father. "Father, I finally got paid at that stone mason's shop. Here, hopefully, this helps a little."

Andrew handed his father a gold coin and turned to chat with his mom and sister. However, the two gave him odd looks.

'I'm a horrible actor,' mused Andrew inwardly. 'Nevertheless, the man has enough influence and power to work both areas.'

Leya prodded his side and handed him a glass of milk. It was warm, but Andrew drank it all the same. After several introductions with other neighbors, Andrew noticed a fair number of the guardsmen were involved with the Theives Guild. However, their true names always seemed reminiscent of their own names. In fact, as far as he could tell, in his admittedly limited experience, only one in ten did not hold a notable connection to the guild.

Andrew eventually saw Derek off as his parents entertained the rest.

"Feeling the family out?" Whispered Andrew.

"You're safe," laughed the man. "Strange place for the man to chose. I will hold back a recruitment speech if you wish."

Andrew bit his lip and nodded. "Please. I don't know the influence it has, but I'd rather he be out of it... directly anyways."

Derek smiled, "there must have been a connection for the trade. However small, it likely existed. Know that your mother or father holds some secrets as well."

Andrew sighed and lowered his head. He thought for only a second, but the man disappeared. After several long minutes, Andrew returned back towards the campfire. A few commented on the house, a few noticed the oddly raised walls and other small details. However, most were admittedly forthright in their praise towards Andrew and Leya's parents.

Leya accepted the praise from the thieves guild members happily and offered a small show involving her blade dance. It seemed more decorative than deadly, but Andrew was well-aware of the threat her blades carried. After all, he willingly sparred with her enough in his free-time.

Several days passed afterward and Andrew was always jumping back and forth from his new job, stores, and training. He focused predominately on darkness and earth techniques. In fact, his own sheathed blade had been turned over several times. Since he had his own room to work on it, he replaced some of the guild blades with his own to allow for further training outside.

Many times his sister commented on its lack of use, but the pommel and handle always remained the same so she could not see it outwardly. However, with the new responsibilities adopted by both Leya, who found more common work, and Andrew, their mother was hard-pressed to find a reason to work.

Leya received as much as a full-time employee due to the commision earned from a local weapon shop. Just showcasing the potential of the goods as a child gave her outrageous popularity amongst the commoners and led to many sales. Andrew's work paid far better due to the nature of the job, but his true pay would always be hidden.

As he was meditating with four daggers revolving complex patterns around him, Leya called out, "hey, Andrew. Why can you always match me? You seem to be on good terms with the neighbors and all, but how is it that a simple apprentice, if you even call it that, can make that much?"

"Huh? You told me to match your contribution," spoke Andrew feigning irritation. "So I did. Sometimes I help the neighbors remodel their houses."

She took a side-long, appraising glance before sighing. "Hell, even holding that spell all day now. There was hardly much of a point in the first place, was there?"

'It's second nature now, honestly. But not really,' thought Andrew projecting it forward.

Leya's bright blue eyes narrowed, "I will find out."

'Good luck, I guess?' Replied Andrew through the ear-rings.

She shook her head and grabbed her sheathed blade. After attaching it her belt, she donned on a vibrant blue cloak and left for the weapon smith.

'I wonder what she'd say if I told her,' mused Andrew quietly.

'Told me what?'

'Ah, uhm, nothing,' replied Andrew as he cut off the flow of mana.

He could have gone back to the guild to make some more coin, but he decided against it. Rather, he half-heartedly followed her through the streets. On the way towards the shop where she worked, he paused several times to alter the shade around his ear.

When he was content with it looking magical by nature, but not outwardly noticeable, he kept his pace.

'I need to talk to him of all people too. Why isn't this just easier?'

After heaving out a heavy sigh, Andrew flicked a silver coin to a nearby street urchin wordlessly. There was a subtle wave, but he disregarded it all together.

'Forgot to pay him on time, huh? No matter, he works for the guild all the same. Now, how can I go about heading to an auction with Leya's fen- Master... or employer, or whatever.'

He thought long and hard before he finally just bought various fruit, fresh and smoked meat, and even a roll of cloth. While it was not anything that would cost him much, it was simply a type of gift basket that he himself would have wanted. Something utilitarian, useful, and can never have too much of.

His teeth pierced the juicy innards of the apple as he offered an indifferent wave to his sister. She had just started her first display, but her customers were already pouring in. This shop was filled with many, many blades. In fact, it was the new, albeit temporary, home of the double-headed axe.

"Yo," spoke Andrew quietly to his sister. "Is the old man around?"

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"This isn't like you. What's going on?"

Seeing the confusion and suspicion in her eyes, Andrew laughed and walked into the open room. The ringing of steel, churning of air, and a radiant heat pervaded the room as he walked in.

"Hey, Stenson," shouted Andrew over the dull echo of iron. "Rather, Mrs. Stenson."

A gaunt woman appeared from behind a work bench and wiped the soot from her hands. As she looked towards the extended basket, Andrew skewered a piece of boar with his dagger and extended it to her.

"Want breakfast right now? It's all yours, but I will steal a bite or two," chuckled Andrew.

She smiled warmly and grabbed the hilt of the dagger. It was reformed many times and lost some durability. However, it was still a silent mark from the guild.

"Thank you, young sir. What can I do for you?"

"Ah, nothing. Just a present for my sister. You've been helping her from what I hear. Hey, Princess, stop trying to juggle your swords and eavesdrop. It isn't all that becoming of you. You almost slashed that little one."

Leya bit her lip with a scarlet face and quickly bowed towards the crowd. After making sure the curious, handsy toddler was not injured, she made haste into the room.

"Did I say you can stop," grumbled Mrs. Stenson. "Whatever, no matter. Leya, your brother came by to drop off a gift. In return, I'd like to invite him to see the auction I've been telling you about, is that alright?"

"How is that alright?" Glovered Leya. "He just came and you're taking him to a top ranking craftsmen auction! I hear they will have anything from custom made elven bows to dwarven steel there! And... he gave you a gift?!"

Andrew raised his hands lightly, "it's not that suspicious, you know? I heard about it before so I wanted to go. Mrs. Stenson was so kind as to let me know before hand. You haven't lost anything," spoke Andrew with a small laugh.

Tilting her head ever so slightly, the middle-aged woman shrugged. "I can bring one more. However, you'd better remain quiet. Don't bid on anything 'less you got the money."

Andrew pulled up the simmering meat and started to cut it apart. The blackened blade and perfectly roasted meat gave off an exotic aroma.

"After you," spoke Andrew calmly. "You're my dearest... uh, well, my sister's benefactor."

Leya snorted and pulled an apple from the basket. After settling down with a quick breakfast, Andrew noticed the rest of the meat was cooked and laid to the side. He spent a little while inspecting the blade before he cleaned out the pit. All the black soot collected before him and merged into a few blocks of impure carbon.

Even the otherwise commonplace contaminates were removed in favor of clearing out the pit completely. Naturally, it'd only last a few uses before the soot reclaimed it. However, it was now perfect for creating high-quality iron and copper, rather than simple, low-grade steel. Of course, the collected carbon could be reclaimed for such a purpose so he left it in the open.

However, he simply idled around the room looking at the weapons for new flashes of inspiration. One of which was a gladius. A short-sword that was completely designed to sever limbs. The point on it was hardly noticeable, but it was a weapon that was very effective on the battlefield through the use of slashes alone.

'Clumsy, but there is a lot of potential,' beamed Andrew inwardly. 'Square off the head completely to focus on using the momentum... add a small spike to allow for piercing attacks with a backswing...'

He was involved in his little world for a while and he did not know when, but he pulled out the steel blade by his side to inspect. It took a fair amount of effect to hold back, but he finally visualized a new weapon for slaughter. It was a barbaric design, but would no doubt be effective.

"Half-ways between a sword and axe. Could do bigger versions as well," laughed Andrew happily.

He had actually wanted to do nothing more than to work on his militarized clever. However, as the sun rose to its peak, he was ushered forward by Stenson and his wife. The gruff looking man did not say anything; with a look, however, he was already making connections. Nevertheless, Andrew willingly followed the two as his sister lingered at his side.

"There are more attendants, you know?"

"Yeah, but it feels wrong. A lot of people just came to watch."

"And not spend money," smirked Andrew. "Those that did probably already got what they wanted by now."

Leya rolled her eyes and rose her head a little higher. "So, why have you really come?"

Andrew scratched his cheek lightly and laughed. "Trying to find a better magic book. Saved up a bit for a low to mid-tiered one, but I can at least test the waters price-wise."

Leya sighed and nodded. "Oh, normal people don't have floating daggers. Well, they're still in their scabbards, but still. Cut that out."

"Shit. Thanks. I forget about that. Are we allowed blades in school? I mean, it should be magic-y and all, but we're not really at a responsible age."

"Mom and Dad should have already told you. We're are enrolling in a school that typically caters to ten, eleven, twelve-year-olds. So, while annoying, it'd be less painful. Most likely can carry one or two, but they'd checked the striations."

"I can always change them," scoffed Andrew.

Leya barked a small laugh. Mrs. Stenson, however, muttered, "it isn't a common skill. That magic is frowned upon."

"Huh?" Spoke Andrew in feigned confusion. "It is? Well, I only really temper my own blades with it, but is there a reason?"

"Not anything too major," spoke the woman calmly. "Just frowned upon."

Andrew nodded and took on a pensive gaze. He began to inspect his own dagger as he walked through the crowd. While they still wore their original marks, they were altered to a fair degree.

"Weapons," called out a man in front. "You'll receive a number, signed letter, and compensation should the weapons be lost; however, they must not be allowed inside."

Andrew saw the guard and sighed. He sheathed his dagger and offered up the other three. The sword soon followed and the guard wore a strange expression. However, he did not voice his concerns of a child being so heavily armed. Next was Leya who was equally small and unassuming but carried her sheath tenderly.

Stenson and his wife merely dropped off a few hidden blades, a few potentially weaponized work tools, and walked inside. After settling into a few bleachers, the four looked over the growing crowd as they waited for the auction to start.

"Lot number one: a salvaged pair of sapphire earrings from the wreck of the sunken Esanard fleet. Women of all circles would be entranced with the bright glow of the restored work."

He showed an illusion of the amplified item. Several vines wrapped around a large sapphire as it weaved around the bottom. It looked the earth and sky and each slightly differed from one another. Andrew held a wry smile as he looked at his sister's expression.

'It took a full day to come out with that one,' thought Andrew. 'Got a full gold off of it, though.'

"Five gold!"

"Ten!"

As the prices sore, his face fell several times. He started to sniffle and cry inwardly as his heart seemed to break. However much he tried to calm his face, it looked truly anguished. At its final conclusion, the pair of earrings sold for seventy gold. While the cost of the work was only a few silver, the design and false backstory of it caused the price to rise exponentially.

'Well, at least I can hopefully make more with the axe! It has a purpose! A definitive use unlike simple, uselessly pretty things,' thought Andrew as he tried to reassure himself.

However, the moment the axe came onto the display, he was vexed with the fact it was only gathering attention rather than bids. At the highest, it sold for ten gold as a prototype to further weapon research from the supposed era. Andrew took great measure to refold the steel several times after he heard about its intended purpose so he did alter its structure after the fact. However, the price allowed him to net only a few trifling gold.

'Next time I'll just make jewelry. I need more money! I give up on weapons... or...' an evil glint appeared in his eyes as he looked outwards. 'All I have to do is wait for a war. When the time comes, the prices with sky-rocket! Then more bandits and highwaymen to add to the ranks! Arm both sides and get paid by both - then take the crown!'

Leya smacked him for cackling quietly on principle. However, he was far too absorbed in his own thoughts to even notice the next item.

However, by the time the last bid fell, his eyes narrowed on the piece.

"Fifty gold to the buyer. While unordinary, the book may serve you well," spoke the auctioneer as he handed the ominous looking book towards a steward.

"No! A demon-magic book," cried Andrew pitifully. "H-how rare w-was it?"

"Quite," laughed Leya. "However, it was low end. Guy said only basic body transformations."

"My horns! My future, beloved horns!"

He wallowed for a good half an hour and hid from the curious gazes. Some recognised Leya and were astounded by her brother's reaction. However, few voiced anything to the quietly sobbing child.

"I-I had just enough too," pouted Andrew as he wiped a few tears from his eyes. "Almost. So close, but so far!"

"Quiet, Andrew," murmured Leya. "You're making a ruckus. It is annoying."

Seeing Leya's frown, Andrew scowled before he tried to concentrate on the next items. After so many small lots, they finally began to deal with bigger ones. Some were carriages, others property; but few exceeded the estate of a fallen noble. There was even an opportunity to use the estate to pry a title from the King. Therefore, the attendants began to cause the price to rise and rise until only the most wealthy could afford to even remain in the room.

Andrew, downcast, had long since left the room when he heard about it. Knowing it was the last item, he left quietly and hid in the encroaching darkness. He did manage to buy a doppelganger spell for a few gold. However, the effect is obvious so it can only really be used for certain circumstances.

Should he require it, he could cloak the figure, utilize his own voice, and even allow it to carry items after awhile. However, the range was dependent on his own mana pool. Therefore, currently, he could only watch its thickly formed, bubble-bodied black mist sulk away a few dozen meters away.