Sai sat cross-legged in the guest room, he held a vial of pink Mountain Frog Poison in one hand. Concentrating, he causes a poison bubble to form in front of him. To his delight, the bubbles began growing larger and more numerous by the second.
Slither the snake, Sai's grouchy companion, slithered over to investigate. "Why are you so obsessed with bubbles?" he grumbled.
Sai grinned. "It's just a fun way to practice my magic. And it uses less mana and less poison than some of the other shapes."
Slither rolled his eyes. "You should try some other ideas. Bubbles are hardly the most practical application of magic."
Undeterred, Sai continued to experiment with the poison, creating bubbles of various sizes and shapes.
But then Sai decided to try something new. He focused his magic on the vial, attempting to transform the poison into a needle. Unfortunately, his spell went awry and made a large ball of poison. "This is harder than I thought."
Slither gave a begrudging nod of approval before slithering off to find a quieter corner of the room.
It was only later another visitor entered the guest room where Sai was practicing.
As Sai continued to practice his Magic Art, he was interrupted by the arrival of Duran and his servants, who were carrying a small chest. Duran strode into the room, his expression haughty and his voice gruff.
"I have brought the money for your loan," he said, gesturing to the chest.
Sai stood up and approached Duran, eager to complete the transaction and be done with him. Duran brought out a contract, which Sai began to read carefully. He noted the one year grace period, it had the monthly installments, and the interest rate of 20 percent. He also saw the clause about imprisonment and seizure of assets for failure to pay back the loan.
‘Thankyou Duran for your million coins donation,’ Sai signed the contract with a paint brush with some cheer. He knew that he wouldn't be in the Sapphire Principality for long, and he had no intention of paying back the loan anyway. Duran sneered at Sai as he signed, clearly enjoying his position of power.
"Remember, Sai, if you don't pay back the monthly installment, I will have you thrown in jail and all your valuables seized," he said, his tone harsh.
Sai tried to be polite, but he couldn't help feeling a sense of disgust towards Duran. He forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your assistance, Duran. I hope to do business with you again in the future."
Duran simply grunted in response before turning on his heel and striding out of the room, his servant leaving the chest on the table before trailing behind him. Sai watched them go, feeling a sense of relief that the transaction was over. He knew that he had made a risky move, but he was confident that everything would go according to plan.
Sai moved and picked up the chest and immediately opened the content to inspect the content, “Great, I have some spending money.”
The box was neatly filled with coins with a ten numerical value on them.
The coins had many names. Peacock Coin, Ancient Coin or Clinging Coin. The coin features a beautiful peacock design on both sides. These coins were made from bronze and the global currency in the world.
What makes these coins stand out were their magnetic properties. The coins are attracted to each other and will stick together if they come into contact. The Coin was valued at three different levels 1, 5, and 10. These values were indicated by numerical inscriptions on the coins themselves. The number 1 was inscribed on the smallest coin, the number 5 on the medium-sized coin, and the number 10 on the largest coin.
‘It must have taken a considerable amount of effort to make these coins,’ Sai thought as he had the coins cling and separate from each other.
Frauderant currency was an issue on Earth. To make these coins was difficult. The peacock design would be hard to make. Making the coins magnetic was nearly impossible since bronze was not a magnetic metal. Sai thought there must be another metal in the recipe to make it magnetic.
“Now then, where should I spend all of this...”
----
Sai was searching for Ray and Roy, the reason is that he needed someone to escort him into the city.
He spotted Erisenda in the halls. “Do you know where the guards are? I need to go shopping in the city and need an escort.”
“The guards are busy with their duties as of late. I wouldn’t mind escorting you shopping.”
“Well? Okay then, please lead the way.”
---
Erisenda had a coach carriage pulled by two horses and a driver to meet Sai in front of Tulip Palace.
“Do you have everything?” Erisenda asked.
Sai patted his pouch full of coins. He then caressed his left pocket, Slither was resting in. He patted his right pocket where his delicious Mountain Toad Poison was located. “Yup I am ready to go.”
Erisenda pulled out a cloak from thin air.
“Here you will need this. We wouldn’t cause trouble for a hero.”
Sai put on the cloak without fuss. “I am set, let's go.”
---
The carriage ride was quiet. Sai's only complaint was that Erisenda was staring at him silently the entire time. Sai's solution to the unnerving stare was to look out the window.
Sai gazes out the window at the passing scenery. The noble houses and palaces that he saw were grand and impressive, with towering columns and ornate carvings. The streets were wide and clean.
As the carriage rolled on, the scenery began to change. The houses became smaller, and the streets narrower. The grandeur of the noble area faded away, replaced by the bustling energy of the more common area.
The houses were clumped together, and less impressive. The streets were crowded with people, and the air was thick with the scent of cooking fires. Children ran alongside the carriage, laughing and shouting as they played.
The carriage stopped and both Sai and Erisenda stepped off.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Sai was standing in the middle of a market where many different foods, vegetables and other miscellaneous goods were being sold.
“Where should we go?” Sai asked Erisenda.
“What are you looking for?”
“Weellll I recently been gifted spending money. So enough food to last a month,” Sai then had another idea. “I also want an inventory.”
“What is an inventory?”
Sai started to wave his hand around. “You know, like hammer space. Freak no wait,” Sai tried to elaborate. “Like a bag that can hold a lot more items than it should be able to fit. Like it is bigger on the inside. I mean how did you get this cloak? It looked like it appeared from thin air.”
“You mean a storage enchantment or Kibisis?” Erisenda asked. “We will need to ask a Master Enchanter or a Master Artificer to create one. It will be quite a challenge if you don’t have the correct connection. The materials alone are rare and hard to come by. I doubt you will be able to find it in the marketplace...”
“You know anywhere they sell enchantment items? Why don’t we go there?”
“Certainly, please follow me.”
----
Erisenda led Sai to a large shop with white wooden design. The shop's white wooden sign creaks gently in the breeze, bearing the name Lucius Emporium, painted in gold letters. As Sai steps inside, the rich scent of aged parchment and exotic herbs fills the air.
The interior of the shop is a treasure trove of curiosities. Shelves line the walls, displaying an array of enchanted items, their intricate details beckoning curious eyes. Magic Balls of various sizes rest atop velvet cushions. Each orb is accompanied by a small card telling its name and price.
An old gentleman with a fine tailored suit and monocle was behind a white wooden counter table. “Welcome to Lucius Emporium Lady Erisenda.”
“Hello Lucius, we are here looking for Storage Enchantment do you have any in stock?” Erisenda asked.
“I'm afraid not,” Lucius shook his head. “You may browse the shop if you find anything to your liking.”
Sai nodded his head. A particular display of numerous rectangle boxes on one shelf drew his attention. “Is this a microwave? Does it warm food?” Sai asked, gesturing toward the object.
Lucious moved forward and tapped the metal box. “Oh no this is a Bread Maker. It makes a loaf of bread once every day when activated. You can even add your own yeast, or use the one that comes with the enchantment item.”
“Doesn’t that kind of item solve world hunger?”
Erisenda looked confused. “World hunger? The Fairy Religion provides food and water to all that needs it.”
Sai came to realization. “You guys don’t have a huge portion of your population starving because of magic,” Sai pointed to the mental cylinder that looked like a thermostats. “What does that item do?”
Lucious answered, “This is a Water Maker, it will endlessly spill out fresh, cool and clean water.”
“Amazing,” Sai was thrilled. It turns out there were three other small metal boxes that can create an endless amount of salt, flour, sugar, and milk.
There was even enchantment that could create the four element wind, water, earth and fire.
The craziest part was that Sai couldn’t get his head around. They didn’t need any Mana to use. “How do these even work? It needs some kind of energy source.”
“Ho ho, it is very ancient magic art,” Lucious explained. “The first magic we called the Divine Magic. It uses the power of the system to perform the magic. Very few people are born with Divine Magic. For example, Lady Erisenda can perform Repair Divine Magic.”
Sai looked over the Erisenda. “You can? Can you show it to me?”
“Of course,” Erisenda agreed. “My Repair Magic was an ability I had for as long as I could remember.”
A paper appeared in Erisenda hand. She then ripped it in half.
“I have a theory that my Repair Magic is actually time magic. I rewind the time of any object I wish to repair,” Erisenda explained. As the paper was whole again, without any signs that it once ripped in two.
“Incredible,” Sai said. “What about those enchanted items that need mana to work.”
Sai pointed to a metal basket. The basket was able to fetch a single Magic Orbs from the level you are in the dungeon. It required mana to activate its effect.
“These are made from Magic Orbs for their effect. The Fishing Basket was created by a Trawl Orb. The Trawl Orb will draw all items to the user on a given dungeon floor. The benefit of using a Fishing Basket then a Trawl Orb, is you can use the Fishing Basket multiple times even if it is less powerful.”
“I see. So enchanted items are either created by Divine Magic or Magic Orbs.”
Sai looked over the Magic Orbs in the display. He asked Lucius about the different Orbs.
Trawl Orb which will draw all items to the user on a dungeon floor.
Scanner Orb which will find items and hostile enemies.
Snatch Orb which will steal a random item from a target.
Luminous Orb which will brighten a dungeon.
Identify Orb which will reveal all information about any target.
Radar Orb which will give a map of an area.
Repel Orb which will repel Horned Dogs.
Sai then moved to a very strange Magic Orb that was glowing in a golden color.
“Hey? Why is this Magic Orb glowing?” Sai asked.
“Pardon me, I don’t know what your asking. That Magic Orb doesn’t seem to be glowing?”
Sai looked closely at the Magic Orb. ‘Yes this Magic Orb is glowing.’
The paper tag read Slow Orb. Slow Orb which has the ability to lower enemy speed.
Sai nodded his head, ‘This must be a hero thing and I am going to have to investigate the phenomenon. Your coming with me, my precious.’
Sai bought the Slow Orb for 2000 coins. He also purchased the Bread Maker for 10000 coins and the Water Maker for 1200 coins. Lastly he bought Identify Orb for 100 coins.
----
Sai and Erisenda had been shopping all across the principality. Buying enough groceries last a month.
Sai was watching the people of the Sapphire Principality and discovered an interesting divide. The younger generation had spirit and hope, while the older generation had shadow in their eyes, like a deep misery.
Sai recalled home, he realized everyone just seemed tired. Like life had grinded them to death.
Maybe it was easier working in the medieval time than in the modern day? Was the modern person working themself to death?
“My Lord? Are you hungry? We can stop at that restaurant for lunch. I highly recommend the food.”
Sai nodded his head. “Alright. I'm always in the mood to eat.”
Sai gazed upon the petite restaurant, its name beginning with the letter 'R' intricately scribed in a cursive script that proved indecipherable. Constructed from bricks, its yellow hue had gradually faded over time, setting it apart from the pristine white buildings that flanked its sides. A charming outdoor seating area beckoned, featuring a cozy wooden chair that exuded comfort.
Sai and Erisenda decided to sit outside. Sai took a look through the menu. He recognized none of the food except the word chicken.
A young female waiter showed up. “Hello Lady Erisenda and guests. Is there anything I can get you?”
“I will have the cheese chicken sandwich,” Sai said.
The young waiter turned to Erisenda. “For you Lady Erisenda?”
“I will have the Fusilli a la Provencale. Bordeaux for the drink and a lava cake for my pudding,” Erisenda said calmly.
Sai perked up. “I will also have a lava cake.”
“I will have your orders ready,” The young waitress said before scurrying away.
Sai and Erisenda were quiet when the waitress left them alone.
Erisenda was looking at the restaurant before saying. “My husband and I would love to come to this restaurant.”
“You mean the late king.”
Erisenda frowned. "I was never that man's wife. I was once in your shoes," she said, gesturing toward the enchanted cuffs. "But I managed to escape."
Sai was intrigued. "How did you do it?" he asked.
Erisenda thought for a moment, "I was once married to a brave and charming knight named Philip," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "We had a beautiful wedding, and I was expecting a child."
She took a deep breath and continued. "But then King Jason had Philip murdered," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was forced to abort the baby and become a concubine for the King. He was a horrible man, and I lived in fear every day."
“Rebellion happened led by Mitton the Hero,” Erisenda tapped the table. "I need to give context. The nobles were rotten, the rebellion wasn’t started by the Hero but by the common folk that were abused by the noble class. The Hero Mitton only joins afterwards. The King broke the taboo of killing the hero."
Sai listened intently as Erisenda continued with the kingdom's history. "As a result, the Queen, Unicorn, and Knight Orders were put to death. As well as the Mage Tower and the Archmage, along with the three Duke houses, were massacred by the Great Fairies," she explained. "The Great Fairies executed everyone involved in the hero's murder."
"The Everlasting Diamond Kingdom was split up into three territories," Erisenda said. "The Sapphire Principality, Ruby Republic, and Emerald Country."
“I’m sorry. I’m such a jerk bringing this up,” Sai admitted, feeling a sense of guilt like a rock lying in his stomach.
“No, no it’s not your fault,” Erisenda replied. “It happened so long ago that the pain and anguish I felt has faded. However I still yearn and miss Philip dearly... If I could give you one piece of advice. The princess is painfully similar to her father... and also myself. Some people want to be needed, others want to be loved. If you can... give her a hug.”
Sai looked Erisenda right in the eye and nearly blurted out what he was thinking. ‘Are you crazy!?!’