The cobblestones of Eldralis felt different beneath my feet that morning. The sound of my polished shoes tapping against the stone echoed with a confidence I hadn’t known before. It wasn’t just the clothes, though they played their part; it was the way the world around me reacted to those clothes, to the image I now presented.
As I walked through the bustling streets, I noticed the subtle shifts in the crowd. Where before, as the tailor’s son, I might have been jostled, ignored, or even scowled at, today the townspeople parted before me like water around a stone. A woman carrying a basket of bread glanced up, her eyes widening slightly before she dipped her head in a hurried nod. “Apologies, milord,” she murmured, stepping aside to let me pass.
I nodded in return, a small, practiced gesture that I had observed countless times from the nobles I had watched in the market. The gesture felt natural, as if I had always been meant to wear this role. A man in a shabby coat, clearly a laborer, moved out of my path with a muttered apology, avoiding eye contact. The deference was new to me, but it was also empowering. These small interactions confirmed that my appearance was doing its job—presenting me as someone of importance, someone not to be trifled with.
As I continued toward Cedric’s mansion, I took in the city with fresh eyes. The bustling market, the wide streets of the Noble Quarter, the towering spires that reached toward the sky—it all seemed to reflect back the image of the man I was becoming. And yet, beneath the confidence, there was a thread of tension, a sense that I was walking a tightrope, where one misstep could send me tumbling back to the life I was trying to leave behind.
When I reached Cedric’s mansion, a grand structure with dark marble columns and an ornate iron gate, I paused to gather myself. The gate stood open, as if inviting me in, but I knew better than to think it was a simple invitation. Every step from here on was part of the game, a game I had only just begun to learn.
A liveried servant greeted me at the door, his demeanor respectful but distant. “Good day, milord. Lord Cedric is expecting you. Please, follow me.”
I nodded, following him through the marble-floored foyer, my eyes taking in the details of the mansion as we walked. The tapestries on the walls, depicting scenes of old battles and grand hunts, the polished silver candelabras, the rich, thick carpets—all of it spoke of wealth and power. But there was also a subtlety to it, a restraint that suggested this was not just a display of riches, but a carefully curated image, much like the one I was crafting for myself.
The servant led me to a drawing room, where a fire crackled in the hearth, despite the mildness of the day. The room was tastefully furnished, with leather-bound books lining the shelves and a collection of fine glassware on a sideboard. The servant gestured to a chair near the fire. “Lord Cedric will join you shortly,” he said before bowing and leaving me alone.
As I sat, I couldn’t help but note the significance of being made to wait. Cedric was asserting his position, reminding me that while I might be dressed as a gentleman, I was still seeking something from him. It was a subtle power move, one that I intended to respond to in kind.
While I waited, I occupied myself with observing the room. The books on the shelves were a mix of histories, treatises on politics, and volumes of poetry—each one carefully selected, no doubt, to project an image of cultured intelligence. The glassware on the sideboard was of a design I recognized from my father’s stories—exquisitely crafted, each piece a work of art. The room spoke of a man who was not only wealthy, but educated, someone who understood the value of knowledge as well as power.
The servant returned after some time, offering me a drink—brandy, from a decanter so finely etched it might have been worth more than a year of our shop’s earnings. I accepted with a nod, taking a sip and allowing the warmth of the drink to settle in my chest. It was smooth, refined, much like the man who would soon join me.
Finally, the door opened, and Cedric entered. He was dressed impeccably, his manner relaxed but with a deliberate air of authority. His dark hair was combed neatly, his jacket tailored to perfection. He moved with the ease of someone who knew his place in the world and was comfortable in it.
“Edwin,” Cedric greeted me warmly as he entered the room, extending a hand. His smile was broad, but there was a flicker in his eyes—a hint of curiosity and calculation. “It’s good to see you again.”
I rose smoothly, taking his hand with a firm grip, and offering a slight bow, just enough to show respect without appearing subservient. “Lord Cedric, thank you for seeing me.”
His hand was warm and dry, the handshake lingering just a moment longer than necessary—an assertion of control. As he withdrew, he waved a hand dismissively, as if to brush away the formalities. “Please, call me Cedric. We’re friends, after all, aren’t we?”
“Of course,” I responded, allowing a small, calculated smile to play on my lips. He’s setting a tone of camaraderie, I thought, to lower my guard, perhaps to draw me into revealing more than I intend. “It’s kind of you to invite me to your home.”
Cedric gestured for me to sit again, and I complied, watching as he took the chair opposite me with an air of practiced ease. He seemed relaxed, but I noted the subtle signs—a slight tension in the way he crossed his legs, the way his fingers briefly drummed against the armrest before he settled them—that suggested otherwise. “I’m glad you could come,” he began, his tone light, almost casual, but I could see the gears turning behind his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about our last encounter. You’re a man of talent, Edwin, and I’d like to hear more about your aspirations. Surely, there’s something you’re aiming for—a goal, perhaps, or an opportunity you’re seeking?”
He’s probing, I realized, trying to uncover what it is I truly want. Cedric was a man who understood the value of knowledge, especially knowledge that others were eager to keep hidden. He wanted to position himself as my benefactor, but only if he could secure something valuable in return. This was my chance to guide the conversation where I needed it to go.
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“I appreciate your interest, Cedric,” I began, carefully choosing my words. “As you’ve probably surmised, I’ve been considering how best to move forward. My father has given me all the skills I need to thrive in the world of tailoring, but I feel there’s more I can offer. More I can achieve.”
Cedric nodded, his expression attentive, but I could see the slight narrowing of his eyes—a tell that he was waiting for the revelation of my true ambitions. “Go on,” he encouraged, his voice smooth and inviting. “What do you have in mind?”
I paused, allowing the silence to stretch just long enough to heighten the anticipation. Let him think I’m carefully weighing the risk of revealing my intentions. “I’ve been thinking about the Sovereign College,” I said at last, watching for his reaction. “It’s a place where I could refine my skills, gain the connections and knowledge necessary to truly make a difference. But such a step… it’s not something easily achieved. It requires more than just desire; it requires the right support.”
Cedric’s eyebrows lifted slightly, just a fraction, but enough for me to notice. He didn’t expect that, I thought, but now he sees an opportunity. “The Sovereign College,” he repeated, a note of approval in his voice. “Ambitious. It’s a place that shapes the future leaders of our society. And you wish to be one of them?”
“I do,” I replied, my tone measured, but firm. “But I know the cost, both in terms of time and resources. It’s not something I can do alone.”
Cedric leaned back in his chair, tilting his head slightly as he considered my words. He’s weighing the benefits now, I realized. If he sponsors me, what does he gain? “The Academy is indeed prestigious,” he said slowly. “It would be a significant step up for someone like you. But as you said, it’s not easy to get in, nor to thrive once you’re there. What kind of support are you looking for?”
This is where I need to be careful, I thought. Ask for too little, and I seem unambitious. Ask for too much, and I risk overstepping. “I need more than just an invitation to the admission test,” I began, allowing my voice to take on a tone of earnestness. “I need a sponsor—someone who can vouch for my potential, ensure that I’m seen as a serious candidate. And beyond that, I need someone who can introduce me to the right people, guide me as I navigate this new world.”
Cedric’s expression didn’t change much, but I caught the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—a sign of intrigue, perhaps even amusement. He likes this, I noted. He likes that I’m asking for something significant, but not impossible. “You’re asking a great deal, Edwin,” he said, his tone light but with an undercurrent of something more serious. “Such support isn’t given lightly. But, I must admit, I’m impressed by your determination.”
I met his gaze evenly, allowing a brief pause to show that I was considering his words carefully. “I understand that, Cedric,” I said finally. “And I’m not asking for charity. I believe that with your support, I can achieve great things—things that will reflect well on you as my sponsor. I want to succeed, not just for myself, but to show that your investment was well-placed.”
Cedric’s smile deepened, and he leaned back further in his chair, steepling his fingers as he studied me. “You’re very confident, Edwin. But I like that. Confidence is necessary in our world, as long as it’s backed by capability.”
He’s still testing me, I thought. Trying to gauge just how much value I might bring to him. “And what would you offer in return for such support?” he asked, his tone casual, but his eyes sharp.
This is it, I realized. The moment where the true negotiation begins. I needed to offer something valuable, yet also leave myself in a position of strength. “I’m willing to commit to being an asset to you in whatever way you see fit,” I said, carefully choosing my words. “Whether that’s through tasks requiring discretion, or as someone who can represent your interests within the Academy and beyond. I’m offering my loyalty, Cedric, but in a way that ensures we both benefit.”
Cedric’s smile deepened, a flicker of amusement in his eyes as he leaned back slightly in his chair. “You’re quite perceptive, Edwin, and I appreciate that. Discretion and observation are indeed qualities I’ve noticed in you—qualities that are not only valuable but rare. I find myself in need of someone who can carry out certain tasks, someone who can deliver messages or information without attracting undue attention.”
He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing with a tone that suggested a mutual understanding. “You see, there are times when I require a bearer of information—someone respectable, yet not so entangled in court politics that their presence raises suspicion. You’ve already demonstrated your ability to move unnoticed when needed, and I believe that in you, I’ve found exactly the kind of person I need.”
The subtlety of his proposal was not lost on me. He wasn’t asking for a mere favor—he was positioning me as someone he could rely on, someone who could navigate the delicate channels of communication that others might overlook. It was a role of trust, but also one that came with its own risks and rewards.
“I would be honored to serve in such a capacity,” I replied, inclining my head slightly, signaling both agreement and respect. “Discretion is something I value highly, and I understand the importance of observation in the world we’re entering.”
Cedric’s smile widened, satisfaction clear in his expression. “Very well, Edwin. You have my sponsorship. I’ll see to it that your entry into the Academy is secured, and that you’re introduced to the right circles. And when the time comes, I will call upon you to deliver—both in carrying messages and in representing my interests.”
“Agreed,” I said, meeting his gaze with a steady confidence. “You have my word.”
Cedric stood, signaling the end of the meeting. I rose as well, feeling the weight of the conversation settle in my chest, but also the lightness of having achieved what I had come for. I’ve secured more than just a sponsorship, I thought. I’ve positioned myself as someone of value, someone he will think twice before trying to manipulate.
“Then it’s settled,” Cedric said, extending his hand again. “Welcome to the beginning of something great, Edwin.”
I shook his hand firmly, meeting his gaze with confidence. “Thank you, Cedric. I won’t let you down.”
As I left the mansion, my thoughts were racing, cataloging every detail of the interaction, every nuance of Cedric’s behavior. The game had begun in earnest, and I had made my first move. Now, it was up to me to ensure that each step I took from here on out was deliberate, calculated, and always in my favor.
The city of Eldralis seemed different as I walked back through its streets, the air buzzing with a new energy. The faces in the crowd, the sounds of the market, even the feel of the cobblestones beneath my feet—all of it felt more alive, more real. The future was uncertain, but I would shape it with my own hands.
And with Cedric’s sponsorship secured, I had taken the first step toward becoming the man I had always known I could be.