Of course, the fact that I emerged onto the city streets in a place different from the central square did not magically make people suddenly stop recognizing me. However, in contrast to the crowd gathered at the Arena's staircase, the passersby on the street weren't those who wished to carry me on their arms to the temple, touch me, or tear off even a small part of my clothing, hoping to snatch a piece of the winner's luck. So, after saying goodbye to the arena workers, I adopted the most indifferent and independent expression and quickly headed home. People did turn to look at me, but no one dared to block my way. If anything, most passersby tried to clear my path as quickly as possible.

Halfway home, I noticed that I was walking on a familiar street, which immediately gave me an idea of how to combine business with pleasure. Summoning one of the children playing in the alley, I gave him a ten-copper coin and sent him with a message to a familiar shop. I didn't have to wait long for the boy's return; he was back in less than five minutes. The lad returned with a short answer, "I'll wait!" for which he got some more coins, and I continued on in an even better mood.

In front of Aun's house, all the neighbors naturally greeted me. Led by the baker, they had pulled several tables out onto the street, and each one brought out something to treat others. Notably, an already-opened barrel of beer was placed on each table.

Today, almost every one of the neighbors had been at the Arena, cheering for me. I warmly greeted everyone and thanked them for their support. Then, citing exhaustion from the battle and the ritual of the Great Tree, I declined the invitation to join this spontaneous celebration. To avoid offending anyone, I didn't head straight home. Instead, I filled a mug with beer, went around all the tables, and took a sip from my drink at each one. But even after such a gesture, they didn't let me go so quickly. Every neighbor seemed to feel it was their duty to offer me some food, and refusing would have been rude. As a result, I entered the house practically sideways, laden with various supplies and treats. Before I closed the door behind me, I called over the street elder and asked him to help me discreetly leave the house at sunset without the revelers noticing. I then whispered the reason for my request without mentioning names. Upon hearing my explanation, the baker blushed deeply, smiled broadly, and assured me that if I exited through the back alley at sunset, I wouldn't encounter any neighbors there. I genuinely thanked this kind and caring man, said my goodbyes, and closed the door.

Spreading all the products on the table in the atrium, I practically collapsed into my favorite wicker chair. Stretching out with all my might, I laid my hands behind my head and smiled at the clouds drifting somewhere in the distant heights.

It's very rare that everything planned can be fully realized. Especially when the success of your plans doesn't entirely depend on you. I couldn't know if Seguna would forgive me after the trick I was going to pull off. I had assumed and hoped, but I didn't know for sure. Moreover, I couldn't be fully confident that even if the Night Sister were pleased, the Echo of Antares would not awaken in response to my insult. Yes, such an outcome was unlikely, but nonetheless, the chance existed.

Of course, the Sun wouldn't incinerate me on the spot. After all, since the Fall, the powers of the remnants of the gods in Ain to influence the physical reality have significantly diminished from what they once were in ancient times. However, I could easily get some curse on my soul. Although there probably wouldn't be any curse, but I might easily lose my Affinity with Light.

However, despite my willingness to take that risk, even this sacrifice turned out to be unnecessary. But was it really a sacrifice? Perhaps it would have been better if I lost my Affinity with Light? In that case, the conflict of the two deities within my soul would be nipped in the bud.

The finale itself brought me genuine pleasure - even considering that, unlike Ronin and Nate, I wouldn't say I love fights and battles. Yet today's duel was different, and I savored every second of it. Maybe it's because, knowing the character of the fencing master, if things hadn't gone as planned, I could have persuaded him to let me win in exchange for later giving him the "Metal Elevation" pills. So, no matter how the fight unfolded, I would have achieved my goal today, making me feel more relaxed than usual. Perhaps that's the case, or maybe it was something else; I can't say for sure.

When my thoughts turned to the "Metal Elevation" pills, I took out the engraved gift box from my belt pouch and opened it. Out of the five indentations in the velvet lining, four were occupied by elongated pills of different colors. Taking them in a strictly established order no more than once a day provided enough energy for the Core's growth to undergo Elevation at any rank of the Metal coil. As my "memory of the future" suggested, there is nothing particularly complicated about making these magical pills. Any alchemist of legendary rank can produce them. Even the five-sixths of their composition is not a big secret. Outside the Alchemists' Guild, the only unknown ingredient to everyone in Ain is the last one. It is believed that this ingredient comes from an incredibly rare flower that blooms only once a year. According to legends, the Alchemists' Guild knows of only three such flowers. Hence the immense rarity of this undoubtedly useful set of pills. Today, right at the award ceremony, I took the first pill, thereby initiating the process of charging the Core. I listened to myself, but so far, I haven't felt any effects from taking the first pill. However, this is probably normal. I likely won't feel anything until I take the last - fifth - pill.

The only drawback for me with this set was that after filling the Core with this alchemy, I would have to undergo Elevation immediately, or the magic would dissipate. This detail means that I won't be able to reach the next rank with the Overflow effect this time. But, an early transition to Wootz more than compensates for this shortcoming. In the past cycle, "I" managed to increase rank with Overflow only three times, and I can't say I was weak compared to other earthlings or local fighters and mages. That is, of course, if we exclude the "magnificent four" from this comparison because, against their background, things were a bit sad.

Weighing all the pros and cons again, I came to the final conclusion that early Wootz will give me much more than losing a few weeks and advancing to the next rank with Overflow.

Also, in the gift box, besides the pills, there was a small amulet in the form of a brooch, the size of a thumbnail. This item was already bound to my aura, and only I could wear it. This artifact symbolized my victory in a tournament organized by one of the Great Guilds. Wearing it equated me to members of the junior nobility, analogous to earthling knights or squires, and as a result, it gave me the right to a personal motto. Also, strictly formally, when I wear this amulet, I can demand to be addressed as "Om." However, it's better to refrain from such demands until reaching the Precious Coil of the Spiral of the Great Path. Because the formal right is one thing, and local traditions, which imply using the prefix "Om" only for those on the Precious Stone Coil, are another. In my case, adhering to unwritten rules is a much more prudent option. As it will allow avoiding unnecessary clashes and conflicts with particularly aggressive aristocrats or those on Steel or Wootz, but not having the right to such an address.

Flipping the amulet on my palm, I took a closer look and smiled. The questers, in giving their task to obtain a motto, apparently wanted to bury me, but no luck for them! Tomorrow morning, I'll visit the Tunnellers' Guild office, register as their member, and, by showing this artifact, get the opportunity to record my personal motto in the Book of the Great Guild.

This amulet wasn't particularly beautiful, but nonetheless, I still admired it. Because it embodied my next victory over the questers. Although it was a fleeting victory and largely contrived, and not over the questers themselves, but over their desire to put me in the most difficult position, it hardly diminished the achievement in my eyes. At least I was pleased to think in this vein, and gazing at the brooch, I was literally savoring the moment.

Even when Aun entered the house and stood opposite me in the atrium, I didn't put away the amulet, continuing to twirl it between my fingers.

"Master, congratulations on your victory!" The boy handed me a small basket filled with pastries from the shop of that annoying old man that I so enjoyed. "Please accept this small gift from me, Om Raven."

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"You shouldn't do that," I responded, noticing his tone, and took a bite of the treat. "Address me as you always have."

"Alright." The cheeky young man winked and began to kindle the hearth. "Your fight today was simply outstanding! Many in the stands expected all the grand-final participants to be crawling in the sand because of the effect of the Great Tree Ritual. So, the speeds you and the mask from the 'Rising Dragon' school displayed surprised many. No, not many, everyone!"

"Better tell me, did you gather the needed amount?" I interrupted his praises, hiding the amulet in its case and stowing the latter in my belt pouch.

"Yes. As planned." The boy's face became extremely serious. "There'll even be two hundred and forty-three gold left over." It was clear he had meticulously calculated everything and probably double-checked it multiple times.

"So, everything's fine with you?" I clarified, finishing off the first pastry that faintly tasted like a familiar meringue and catching the crumbs from the treat that had scattered on my pants.

"Almost," Aun evasively replied, and I didn't particularly like his tone.

"What's wrong?" Setting the basket of pastries aside, I leaned forward, showing my complete attention.

"Well, everything seems fine," the boy shrugged, pouring dry berries into the water and stirring them without lifting his head. "It's just... I'm still nervous. I don't know why; I've planned everything and am confident in the success of the negotiations with Aunt Zian, but still..." He stretched his hand over the pot; his fingers were even trembling.

"That's normal," I tried to comfort the lad. "Stories about 'real men' having nerves as strong as ship ropes are as much a myth as tales about dragons still roaming the distant mountains of Ain."

"They... aren't roaming... right?" Why do I have the feeling that I just told a child that Santa Claus isn't real?

"No. They aren't."

There are many legends and tales on this matter, but throughout the Last Cycle, none of the earthlings found any evidence that live dragons remained in Ain. It's worth noting that many among us sought and believed in these legends. But it seems that all these tales by the locals were of the same kind as the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. Dragon bones and even skulls the size of a compact car were found, but no live ones. Not a single one.

"But have you been to the Top of the World? Or the mysterious Yanakari archipelago?" Aun found something to counter my words, then added with slight doubt, "You haven't, right?"

"I haven't," I readily agreed with his arguments.

"Well, maybe they live there!"

The Top of the World refers to the northernmost part of the Great Ridge, and the mountain peaks there truly rise far above the clouds. And I heard about the mysterious Yanakari archipelago for the first time just now.

"Being anxious and worried in your situation is normal," I steer the topic back to its initial track. "The main thing is that your worries don't cloud your mind, the rest isn't that important."

The young man waited for the berry drink to boil, then poured it into mugs and, handing one to me, said:

"Master, can you help me?" He rambled quickly as if afraid I'd interrupt him. "No, nothing like that... Nothing complicated... Just... Just stay by my side... Nothing more... You won't even have to speak... Please."

"Alright," I agree, and, taking a sip from the mug, I stand up. "Let's go."

"What?" Aun didn't understand.

"I said, alright, I will help you. I'll help you right now. Let's go to Aunt Zian's shop before it closes."

"But... but... but..." The young man was flustered, then waved his hands. "Not today! It won't work today!"

"Why? It will work. Get ready, and let's go," I smile, taking out the box and, opening it, I hang the winner's sign of the Alchemists' Tournament on my chest.

"But... Master..." Swallowing a lump in his throat, the boy begins to wave his hands. "It won't work! Aunt Zian isn't in town today, and she'll return closer to noon tomorrow."

"Oh, that's what you meant..." Exhaling, I removed the amulet and hid it back, then fell back into my favorite chair.

"Tomorrow evening, will you help?"

"No."

The young man's eyes are hard to look into, and I tell him about the agreements I made with Oma Ai, even though I initially had no intention of doing so.

"But..." after listening to my story, Aun suggested, "But Oma Ai Tahayasi merely gave you advice. She didn't insist or command, just offered advice. Can't you delay your departure from the city for just one day?"

"I can't." My voice is firm. Deep down, I want to help the boy regardless of everything, but I suppress that desire. "First, advice from people like Oma Ai should be taken as a command or a very insistent request. And nothing else. Second, I've already agreed with the Ninth Praetor about the exact time. Trust me, breaking that agreement won't bode well for either of us. And third, and perhaps most importantly, you're now facing a massive problem. It's your first personal encounter where your father can't help. Yes, you wish for support right now. I understand that desire. However, there are problems you can and should solve on your own. And this conversation with your future mother-in-law and fiancée, however hard it might be for you, is your conversation. At most, I could just silently stand by your side. But from what I've come to know of you, you can handle this conversation on your own. It might even be better for everyone if you go alone; it will show your determination and, most importantly, your independence."

"I understand, Master." Nodding, the young man hid his face behind a mug of fruit drink.

Despite what I said, I can see he doesn't truly understand. His mind might grasp what I've explained, but his heart rejects it. I'd feel bad and guilty if he held a grudge against me, but I'd get over it. Making Oma Ai an enemy by breaking our agreement just to make Aun's conversation with Aunt Zian easier seems too shortsighted to me.

We finished our warm berry drink in silence, and I even managed to slip into a light meditation, focusing on the Core, when the boy finally spoke again:

"So you're leaving the city tomorrow morning?"

"Yes."

"Which means tonight is the last time you can train me?" I don't understand how he arrived at that conclusion.

"Only for a couple of hours. I have plans for the rest of the evening and most of the night."

The young man's eyes widened in surprise. He opened his mouth, probably to ask a question, then immediately closed it. He then shook his head in disappointment and said:

"You won today. And the winner is entitled to rewards. I understand."

It's surprising. He remembered my explanation, given after the fight with the champion of Cisto, and has now drawn the correct conclusion. Sometimes, he really does think very quickly. It's a pity this doesn't happen all the time.

"You're not finishing the pastries I brought you for this reason... You want to treat Mistress Talia with them?"

"Do you mind if I treat someone else with your gift?" I reply with a question.

"No, it's your gift now. You're free to do whatever you want with it, even feed it to the seagulls," Aun says, a hint of annoyance in his voice, or so it seemed to me.

"Want one?" I offer, pulling a pastry from the basket and handing it to the boy.

"I'm not a seagull!" He raises his voice but quickly deflates, seeing the amusement in my eyes. "I apologize."

"It's fine. I understand you're going through a tough time. So instead of getting stuck in a loop with the same thoughts, grab the dagger and get into the starting stance of the 'All Elements' routine!"

"Yes, Master!"

Training will indeed help him calm his thoughts. After ensuring that the boy was doing everything correctly, I instructed him to repeat the routine twenty times and returned to observing my Core.

The achievements I earned today didn't have any unique bonuses. They could only serve to fill the Core with growth energy. And I had already realized this filling through Elevation. Even for winning the final of the Alchemists' Guild tournament, under the Ritual of the Great Tree, I was only awarded a Wootz entry, let alone other minor rewards.

After this review, I checked how my "Perseverance" and "Determination" had improved over the last few days. Both of these indicators were steadily approaching twenty-five. For the locals, this was a decent level even on the Legendary Coil. In the Last Cycle, "I" had to go to great lengths to increase these values. Otherwise, many teachers refused to teach "me," and well-coordinated teams of the Tunnellers' Guild wouldn't take me on expeditions to the Inverted Towers on floors below the twentieth. Now, however, these parameters grow naturally, like fermented dough. I just move towards my goal, and they rise. Although "Perseverance" lags behind "Determination," but only by only two points, and such a minor difference can be overlooked at this stage of development.

After having another mug of berry drink, I took out the Thunder Dagger and joined Aun in training.

That's how we spent our time until sunset.

"Will you not be back by dawn?" Aun asked, with what seemed to me a hint of envy as I began to change.

"I think I'll be back after sunset, in an hour or two at the latest," I replied, putting on a clean shirt.

"I see, you need to rest before passing through Sundbad's Gate."

"That's right."

"Why do you need a cloak? There's no rain outside, and it's warm."

"That's why," I said, putting on the cloak and pulling the hood over my nose, using an illusion to enhance the shadows. "So as not to compromise the lady by a visit of 'that very Raven, the tournament champion!'"

"Alright."

The way he said it seemed to scream, "he cares about the well-being of some woman but doesn't want to help a friend!" Or maybe it was just my perception. I can't really tell here. I gave the boy a training task as a farewell, waved to him, and headed for the exit.

Hiding a basket of sweets under my cloak, I opened the back door slightly and peered out into the street. At the far end of the alley, pretending to inspect the unpainted walls, stood none other than the baker. Noticing me, he waved, indicating that the way was clear.

As I walked past the street elder, we exchanged knowing winks without speaking. After all, male solidarity is the same everywhere, even in Ain.