Once Gamling regained his composure, everyone watched as he walked over to the nearest tree. They had camped on the side of the road, providing plenty of trees to choose from.

Gamling selected a tree that wasn't overly massive, but still had a thickness comparable to Ethan's thigh. Gripping the blade firmly, he took a deep breath with a powerful swing exclaimed, "Cut!" The blade illuminated with a vibrant blue glow, leaving a brief streak of light in the air as it passed.

Rather than merely biting into the tree, the blade went right through it, causing Gamling to stumble from the lack of resistance. Frowning at the blade and then at the tree, he spoke up. "Ethan... It went right through it. There's no cut on the tree."

Seraphina's eyes shone with interest as she got up and walked over to the tree alongside Ethan. He couldn't believe it—had he made a mistake?

Seraphina studied the tree for a moment, then gave it a firm push, causing it to topple over, the trunk cleanly cut as if by a laser cutter. Gamling and everyone else gaped in astonishment. Even Ethan was shocked by the result, and instinctively took a few steps away from the dwarf.

Turning to Gamling, Seraphina remarked, "You better thank Ethan properly for this, Gamling. I'm not even sure what an enchantment like that would be worth."

Gamling nodded automatically, still staring at the fallen tree in amazement. Alec jovially slapped Ethan on the shoulder. "You should demand everything he owns for that, Ethan."

Gamling's attention snapped to Alec. "No, no... I didn't know it would be like this! I thought it was supposed to be free, right?"

Seraphina looked at Gamling with disapproval, but Ethan simply smiled and raised his hands. "It's fine, Gamling. Perhaps you can owe me a favor instead."

Alec gaped at Ethan, and Gamling grinned. "I can do that! As long as it doesn't go against my personal principles, you can ask me anything."

Ethan smiled. "Deal."

To Ethan, money was certainly welcome, and he needed it, but he also recognized the value of connections and goodwill, which could prove invaluable in the future. Perhaps a bit biased for thinking it, but based on popular dwarf stereotypes, Gamling might be able help provide him with rare materials down the line. It was worth taking a gamble on he thought.

Enchanting seemed like a lucrative avenue that could generate a significant income, and if that were the case, Ethan could explore all kinds of possibilities. He envisioned himself being fabulously wealthy, traveling the world at his leisure, encountering magical wonders, and delving into the science of magic wherever it led him.

It was a pleasant dream, and Ethan smiled to himself. Yes, building connections should be his priority for now—coins could come later.

The remainder of the night was spent engaging in conversations with the adventurers. He was repeatedly asked to enchant other items, but Seraphina shot down every request. "Stop pestering our guest!" she would sternly reprimand, though it wouldn't be long before someone else tried their luck.

Curiously, the beastkin remained silent, communicating among themselves without uttering a word. Ethan couldn't sense anything sinister about them, but their silent interactions still struck him as strange.

They reached Bilgrad around noon the next day, and As Ethan's eyes landed on the city for the first time, he couldn't help but be awestruck. The place seemed to be a melting pot of cultures, at least judging from the mishmash of architectural styles, and vibrant colors that painted the cityscape.

Bilgrad stood tall in the foothills of the mountains, the ancient walls that surrounded it spoke of the dangers of the area, but it was the bustling streets beyond that truly captured his attention. The energy in the air was palpable, a symphony of languages, scents, and sights that danced around him.

No two buildings seemed alike in Bilgrad. Towers with domes and minarets rose alongside grand cathedrals and ornate plazas. The streets were a vibrant mix of market stalls, where traders from far and wide showcased their goods.

Seraphina walked beside him as they passed through the city, she led him to the inn Calandra had mentioned, ‘The Golden Cockerel’. They entered together as a group, and the place got real quiet as they did. Only the very rotund innkeeper with the huge mustache seemed energetic, he came running over immediately, and he was all smiles and bows. ‘’Welcome adventurers! Seraphina is it not? We are quite honored, how may I be of assistance?’’

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Seraphina smiled politely, and it was the kind of smile that would make any man stop and stare, ‘’dear Oldrik, no need for formality.’’

The innkeeper seemed taken aback. "You... You know of me?"

Seraphina beamed at him. "Of course, your establishment is quite famous. I'm here for my friend, Ethan Okamura. He needs a place to stay for a while."

Oldrik nodded eagerly. "Certainly, Lady Seraphina, certainly. We have a few rooms available. Please, follow me."

They ascended a flight of exquisitely carved stairs, which didn't make a single creak or groan. Ethan was impressed by the craftsmanship and made a mental note to inquire about the carpenter later. The room he would be renting was comfortable, featuring a large, inviting bed, a small table, an empty wardrobe, and a small balcony that overlooked the bustling street below.

Ethan smiled at the innkeeper. "This will do nicely. Thank you. How much per night?"

Oldrik hesitated for only a moment before responding with a smile. "One silver per night, including two meals a day. Five for a week, and eighteen for a month."

Ethan considered that for a few moments before nodding and counting out twenty-five silver coins. It was a significant portion of his funds, but it would cover his lodging and meals for quite some time. He felt confident that he could easily earn back that amount.

Oldrik accepted the coins with a nod. "That will cover a month and a half, sir. Please, feel free to let me know if you need anything." He wrinkled his nose slightly. "Perhaps a bath to wash off the road?"

Ethan smiled. "A bath would be most welcome."

Seraphina approached and clasped hands with Ethan. "It was a pleasure, Ethan Okamura. I'll stop by sometime if you don't mind. I'd like to have a more in-depth conversation with you."

Oldrik gaped at the elf, then at Ethan, while Ethan simply shrugged. "Sure, feel free to drop by anytime. Let me get settled in first though. I want to explore the city on my own for a bit."

Seraphina smiled at Ethan, winked at Oldrik—who nearly fainted—and then left.

It took some effort to get Oldrik back on track, but once he was, he promised to prepare a bath for Ethan. Ethan thanked him and closed the door, then sat on the bed and took a deep breath. Finally, he could relax for a bit with no one to see and nothing to do. It was just him and whatever he felt like, and right then, food and a bath sounded wonderful.

Oldrik indeed prepared a bath for him, and Ethan couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for the men lugging warm water upstairs. As they finished, he soaked in the warm water for a while, contemplating how he could improve the situation. Options like water towers and aqueducts came to mind, but he would need to think about the logistics of constructing localized pumping systems for buildings.

After the bath, Ethan dressed in a simple robe provided by Oldrik, who had kindly offered to wash his dirty clothes. He made his way downstairs for dinner, where he was served half a chicken, accompanied by root vegetables, bread, butter, and a strong ale.

The meal was decent, but nothing extraordinary. Ethan wondered if more exotic dishes were available in Bilgrad, though it wasn't high on his list of priorities.

Deciding to rest for the night, Ethan leaned back in his chair, making a mental list of things he needed to do the next day. First on the list was acquiring clothes— He wanted something decent, because although he didn't particularly care about fashion and preferred to spend his coin on other necessities, making a good first impression is important.

Next, he planned to explore the markets to scope out the competition. Lastly, he really wanted to visit the library, and he also had Calandra’s return to the city to look forward to.

Oldrik joined him at the table sometime after dinner, placing a large pint in front of both of them. He smiled at Ethan and remarked, "So, you know Seraphina. Impressive company for a newcomer."

Ethan shrugged, "We've met, but we're not particularly close. Only met a few days ago, in fact, so it's not a deep connection."

Oldrik nodded and took a long sip of his ale. "I see. But still, quite impressive. So, what brings you to Bilgrad?"

Ethan had been observing a young woman singing on the far side of the common room but turned his attention to Oldrik. "I'm an engineer and an enchanter. I suppose I'm here to see if I can start a business."

Oldrik's eyes widened. "An enchanter? I see. You'll have to visit the Crafts Guild then. You need their seal, or a license to work in the city."

Ethan smiled, "Good to know. I have my own plans, but if they don't pan out, I'll consider that route."

Oldrik looked intrigued. "Your own plans, huh? I must admit, I'm curious."

Ethan smiled back. "I'm not ready to share them just yet, but perhaps in time. I'll likely need help navigating the city and its rules, so having a local who can assist would be great. I'm willing to compensate for the inconvenience, of course."

Oldrik pursed his lips at the mention of payment. "I could be of some assistance, I believe. Just be cautious not to make enemies of the local guilds, sir. It's usually not a good way to succeed in Bilgrad."

Ethan nodded, thanked Oldrik for the food and drink, and made his way back upstairs. He wanted to get an early start in the morning, and fatigue was setting in. He felt a surge of excitement—there was so much he could do here. With his knowledge and careful planning, he had the potential to make something of himself in this new world.

Ethan was pleasantly surprised by the ambitious feeling stirring within him. He had never considered himself a particularly ambitious person, but now, armed with his advantages and ahead in knowledge, he could leverage his skills and shape his destiny. Smiling as he rested his head on the pillow, he anticipated that tomorrow would be an interesting day.