Tyrus leaped from one rooftop to the next, feeling the wind rush over his skin. A thin glow of moonlight illuminated Valis' marble architecture, resembling that of an esteemed sculpture. He paid attention to the streets and their activity while he traveled, noting the landmarks. Patrolling guards were more noticeable than during daylight hours. There were still many civilians taking a stroll, despite the drastic reduction. Tyrus caught the distant chatter of a few people walking by.

As to why he was out, he didn't feel comfortable staying cooped up in the Explorer Guild. The lodging was comfortable, but the walls made him feel trapped and suffocated. In a city filled with unknown dangers, he felt vulnerable knowing the others knew of his identity. Not only was his identity exposed, but his hat was also missing, as if darkness had consumed it. Tyrus had searched the entire room and found no signs of it. He emptied his ring but still couldn't locate his hat.

The cave seemed to be the only place he believed it could be. It must have slipped from his head when unconsciousness overcame him. The idea of leaving the safety of the city to retrieve his hat beckoned him, but the risk of getting caught was too great. The capital's watchful eyes were everywhere, and slipping away unnoticed seemed an impossible feat.

He pondered climbing the towering city walls, a daring plan indeed, but one that seemed like a fool's errand. The sheer magnitude of the task taunted him, and the odds stacked against him were overwhelming. The risk was too great, and everything would come crashing down on him. He didn't just want to leave the Explorer Guild for freedom, he also wanted to find a new hat. Or maybe something to block his ears.

Perched inside the chamber of a clock tower, the structure overlooked the plaza. Metal poles with orange lights at the tips dotted the streets; Tyrus assumed they worked from an element as he sensed mana from the structure. The particular element was unknown to him. It wasn't fire for sure because the color and form were different. To him, it resembled a small sun, but without the searing temperature.

He surveyed the area, taking his time to appreciate the scenery. Since he always dreamed of entering Valis, he intended to take his time and explore the city now that he was there in person. His time has been immensely enjoyable so far, aside from the fact he almost died. The cheerful laughter of the citizens, the rich scents that flowed through the air, and the occasional sound of hooves and carriages on smooth cobblestone were all things he liked.

The absence of bugs spared him from constant annoyance, and the guild provided him with a pleasant temporary lodging to heal his 'wounds'. Additionally, he had some money with him, allowing him to purchase a light meal. With only ten sil to his name, he had to be frugal in his spending. After some thought, he pondered what ten sil could get him. When it came to money, he was clueless and had very little knowledge about the value of items.

"You really do need money for a lot of things," he mumbled absent-mindedly. Tyrus's eyesight drifted over to the tower staring down at him, a structure with a peak that oddly resembled a pointy hat. His heartbeat thrummed momentarily before returning to its original pace. There was a subtle energy emanating from the tower that he could feel. What was that place and why was it emitting mana?

Tyrus sighed and kicked his legs over the ledge. From his vantage point, he estimated he only explored a small section of Valis. From where he was currently at, the only notable landmarks were the Explorer Guild, the plaza that served as a marketplace, and the clock tower. The pointy tower was a good distance north, alongside the palace that lay on the northwest hill.

Traveling further was an option, but another section of the city was closed off by a much smaller gate than the outer walls. And just like the rest of the gates, guards patrolled them. He could do the same thing as before and show them the badge with the Explorer Guild insignia–as he was told by Selena–but to do that, he required concealed ears. Tyrus wouldn't feel safe without some form of cover.

Grunting to himself, Tyrus rose and scaled to the nearest rooftop. His knees buckled from the drop, but he shook it off and continued leaping. He kept his eyes peeled onto the streets, specifically the alleyways, as he searched for anything suitable.

There were a few rats scurrying about in the alleyways, but other than that, it was clean. Scattered trash or debris and overpowering stench were absent. The discovery of slumped individuals revealed mostly middle-aged men. One of them was even told to leave by a passing pair of guards. They mumbled some nonsense and hobbled away. No one had a hat or disposed of one.

"Is it really that difficult to find a simple hat?" Tyrus murmured. Buying a hat was out of the question; losing even one sil would weigh on him heavily. Also, he did not know the price of garments. He'd have to ask Fiona and the others some other time.

Tyrus came to a screeching halt as the overwhelming smell of alcohol burned his nostrils. He stood there in the shadows, his keen eyes darting from one person to another, focusing on those wearing hats. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to remain inconspicuous, ducking as low as he could on top of the tavern. He knew that stealing someone's hat wasn't a noble act, but he had his reasons. To explore the other section, wearing a hat would help him conceal his identity.

As the lively music and laughter continued to spill out from the tavern, the atmosphere became livelier. Patrons stumbled out, some laughing heartily, others swaying on unsteady feet. Tyrus carefully studied their movements, looking for the opportune moment to strike. He saw a lean man stumble out of the bar wearing a cap that resembled his old one, obviously drunk. It seemed like the perfect chance to attempt his plan.

As the man stumbled towards a nearby narrow alleyway, Tyrus followed at a safe distance, keeping his eyes firmly on the hat. His heart raced with anticipation, hoping that fate would favor him with the perfect opportunity to acquire it without resorting to thievery. If he were able to obtain the hat with no one noticing, he pondered how the man might react.

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Moments later, a gust of wind swept through the streets, causing the man's hat to wobble precariously on his head. Hoping to catch the hat, Tyrus held his breath. However, luck was not on his side, as the man adjusted his hat just in time, preventing it from being lost to the wind. Tyrus grimaced as he continued to follow.

"Come on already… Pass out or drop it! I got things to do…"

Frustration crept in as he continued his pursuit. They walked at a slow pace, and the smell of saltwater became more potent. Tyus was on the verge of activating augmentation and swooping down until an impressive sight befell him.

A massive dock stretched out below a flight of stairs. The docks stretched like a serpentine artery along the water's edge, a labyrinth of sturdy wooden planks that interconnected and formed an expansive platform with tall constructs. Weathered and cracked wood dominated the foundation, and it was clear that a replacement was underway. A pile of timber sat on the stone platform, and many large houses were still. Barrels, boxes, and sacks were also present in the place.

Majestic ships, adorned with painted motifs and fluttering flags, stood tall like floating fortresses. Sturdy merchant ships displayed their precious cargo laden with goods. Simple fishing boats bobbed gently in the undulating waters, waiting to be used the next day. The creaking and clanging of boats alongside the rocking of waters crowded Tyrus' ears.

"I know Valis has a lot of money, but how much exactly?"

Tyrus had to clamp his mouth shut and shook away his entrancement. He looked around the docks, searching for the man's whereabouts until he finally spotted him entering one of the big houses. Embedded within the top front was a weird structure with a rope dangling from a beam. With one look around, the man vanished. Tyrus waited a minute or two before finally descending the steps. Pinching his nose, he weaved through the scattered containers. Once he arrived at the large house, he glimpsed gray mold and cracks on its exterior.

This thing must be old, Tyrus thought. He stood at a crossroads, pondering whether he should give in to his gnawing curiosity or leave. Did he really have to go so far just for a single hat? Not really, as there were many more chances to get one in the city. The man's decision to enter such an empty place far from the tavern intrigued him. It didn't look like a typical living space. Just before he entered, he searched around hurriedly, as if checking if he was followed.

"Only one way to find out."

Surrendering to his desire to learn, Tyrus inspected the building once more. He found a good foothold for his limbs, and he stealthily climbed the building and leaped to grab the suspended rope. Now that he was resting on the beam, he activated augmentation and jumped upward again, landing on the roof. To his left was a balcony that wrapped around the entire upper floor. He squatted down and lowered himself as far as possible.

At the third-floor entrance, a creaky wooden door stood ajar, and Tyrus ran inside as quickly as he could, wincing as he shut the door. A flickering torch, mounted on the adjacent wall, offered dim illumination, creating flickering patterns on the dusty floor. The floorboards, silent for so long, let out a groan under his weight, like a giant stretching after a long nap. Cobwebs hung in intricate patterns from the rafters above, their silk-like threads glinting like silver in the torchlight.

The vast expanse of the warehouse stretched before the docks; rows upon rows of wooden crates and barrels stacked haphazardly. The faint scent of aged wood and musty leather wafted through the air. Dilapidated windows, adorned with stained glass that had long lost its luster, barely allowed stray moonbeams to seep through.

A group of five stood in the center of the warehouse. A floating sphere of light, similar to the ones on the street, was between them. The guy he was following was among them, and he had an aloof expression on his face.

"What is this?" Tyrus mumbled. "Why do I get a bad feeling from those guys?"

Was it really the right thing to do, just sitting back and observing? Their actions made it obvious they were up to something. The choice of a run-down building on the outskirts was a deliberate attempt to maintain secrecy during the meeting. The reason behind it was a puzzle screaming to be solved.

Based on their conversation, he'd have to consult with Fiona before taking action. Tyrus might get a reward if it turns out to be something ominous that she has to tell Selena. The thought of earning more sil made him drool.

If the situation leaned negatively, then it was possible his life was in danger. They might capture him if they discover he was snooping around. Tyrus was confident he could escape now that he was a sorcerer. In a difficult situation, he would break the door and run as far as possible.

Lowering his body, Tyrus poked his head through the railing and watched intently. Thanks to the darkness surrounding his current spot, it was almost impossible for them to spot him. Their only source of light was on the first floor, and he was on the third. For good measure, Tyrus slowed his breathing and hid as much mana as possible. One of them must be a sorcerer if they could manifest a floating ball of light.

There were five, including the drunkard. One of them stood out because two cloaked figures accompanied him. Guards accompanied a man with shoulder-length brown hair and a silver necklace that clinked with every movement. On his middle finger was a ring that looked exactly like Tyrus's.

Finally, the last member was… peculiar. They covered their shoulders with a cloak, and they hid their face underneath a black mask. They wore high boots and leather leggings that seemed brand new.

"Ugh! You smell of booze!" said the one with jewelry. He squeezed his nose and faced the masked figure. "Start the meeting already, now that the drunkards made it. You better have a good reason for this."

"Patience, Sezor. From one businessman to another, I'm certain that what I say will spark your interest.

"Does that have to do with the imbecile standing there? Hate to break it to you, but that spark is gone."

The drunkard grimaced and got up from his seat. "Imbecile? I'll have you know I am perfectly sober!" He took a wobbly step forward and nearly toppled over. "Sober, but stumbling around. Oh, how foolish these legs of mine are!"

Sezor was ready to throw a punch, rubbing his knuckles and scowling until the figure snapped their fingers. A powerful wave of mana that extinguished all the torches plunged the warehouse into darkness. Tyrus's hair stood up as he panted. The guards had pushed back their cloaks and unsheathed their swords. Sezor and the drunkard stumbled back, their faces turning pale.

"I will only say this once," it said, their voice dripping with venom. "Unless you pull yourselves together, I'll personally make sure that I wipe both your businesses out and not a shred remains. Do I make myself clear, Sezor, Doyle?"

The threat worked, and the duo sat down and kept quiet. Continuing on, the figure in the mask nodded. "We will discuss a development that has caught my master's interest. I have a specific reason for gathering the two of you. But before I go into detail, it seems a little rat has broken in."

The masked figure directed their attention towards the third floor immediately after the words were spoken. Fear flooded Tyrus's heart, prompting him to rapidly ascend and break through the rickety door. In one swift motion, he activated augmentation and fled the area.