24th December, XXXX

Twenty-four days, it took twenty-four days to reach the town of Nadia: the capital of Mantric Kingdom.

It was a gruelling journey, and the weather had been relentless, turning what should have been a twenty-day trip into an extended ordeal. We were exhausted to the bone but the sight that greeted us was unlike anything I had ever imagined. The town of Nadia, true to its name meaning "hope," was a breathtaking sight to behold.

The town was a dazzling display of grandeur and riches. Lavish shops lined the streets, their windows filled with luxurious goods that sparkled in the early morning light. Fine silks, intricate jewellery, and ornate trinkets glinted in the sun, each item promising a glimpse into a life of luxury. Extravagant carriages clattered by, drawn by sleek horses adorned with elaborate bridles that gleamed with gold and silver accents. Their drivers wore livery as pristine as the carriages themselves, adding to the town's air of refinement.

But it was the people of Nadia who truly brought the town to life. Dressed in clothing of the finest silks and velvets, they moved with grace and sophistication, which made our simple village attire seem out of place. Women swept past in flowing gowns of rich jewel tones, their hair styled in elaborate coiffures adorned with delicate ornaments. Men strode confidently in tailored suits, their demeanour exuding an air of confidence and authority. It was clear that in this town, appearance and status were of utmost importance after all this was the capital of our kingdom where the King lived. Despite the bustling activity around us, there was a palpable sense of hope that permeated the air. It was as if each bustling street and bustling square whispered tales of dreams realized and aspirations fulfilled, casting a warm glow of optimism over the town.

Umbral, ever curious, pressed himself against the window of the carriage, his gooey form shifting with excitement. "Master, look at that! I've never seen such extravagance! And those clothes—do you think they're comfortable?"

"You think so too, right?...it's so much different from the clothes we wear in Denham." No indeed, the attire they wore seemed worlds apart from the simple garments of our village.

Dad guided the carriage through the bustling streets, searching for an inn where we could rest. Mom pointed out a modest yet inviting establishment, its sign swinging gently in the breeze. "Cozy Home," she read aloud. "This looks like a good place to stay."

And so we disembarked, our legs stiff and weary from the long days of travel. The innkeeper, a jovial man with a round belly and a wide grin, welcomed us warmly. "Come in, come in! You must be exhausted from your journey. We've got warm beds and hot meals waiting for you." He declared.

As soon as we stepped inside, the warm, inviting atmosphere of the inn enveloped us. The common room was bustling with activity, travellers and townsfolk alike gathered around tables, sharing stories and laughter. A large fireplace crackled in the corner, its flames casting a cosy glow over the room.

"Welcome to The Cozy Home," the innkeeper continued, his eyes twinkling with genuine hospitality. "I'm Albert, and this here is my wife, Martha." A kindly woman with a warm smile appeared from behind the counter, waving us in. "We’ll take good care of you, don't you worry."

Mom smiled, a look of relief on her face. "Thank you, Albert. We need some rest and a good meal."

"Well, you've come to the right place," Martha said, leading us to a set of rooms upstairs. "We'll have lunch ready in no time. Just make yourselves comfortable."

Once we reached the rooms, Dad took Albert aside. "Albert, I was wondering about the cost of the rooms. We come from Denham, where the inns charge about 50 silvers per night. How much do you charge here?"

Albert scratched his head, smiling apologetically. "Well, Denham is a lovely place, but the prices here in the academy town are a bit higher due to the demand. Each room will be 3 gold coins per night."

Mom gasped softly. "Three gold coins? That's quite steep. 100 silvers equals one gold coin, so this is much more than we expected."

Albert's smile didn't waver. "I understand, ma'am. But our inn is the closest to the academy, and with the exams starting tomorrow, most places are already booked. You'll find that the prices here reflect the proximity and convenience."

Dad sighed, knowing they had little choice. "We'll take the rooms for tonight, then. We need to be well-rested for the exams tomorrow."

The rooms were simple but clean, each furnished with sturdy wooden beds and soft, thick blankets. As we settled in, Umbral floated around the room, his curiosity unabated. "Master, do you think we'll meet other students staying here?"

"It's possible," I replied, stretching my tired limbs. "But for now, let's just enjoy the comfort of a real bed."

Lunch was a hearty affair, with steaming bowls of stew, freshly baked bread, and an assortment of roasted vegetables. We gathered around a large table in the common room, joining other travellers who were eager to share tales of their own journeys.

"So, what brings you fine folks to our town?" a burly man with a booming voice asked, his cheeks rosy from the warmth of the fire and perhaps a bit of ale.

"We're here for the academy entrance exams," Dad replied, pride evident in his voice.

"Ah, the academy!" the man exclaimed. "That's quite an honour. My nephew tried last year, but he didn't make it. Tough competition, they say."

"Well, we're just hoping for the best," Mom said, her smile warm but her eyes betraying a hint of nervousness.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Don't worry, dear," Martha chimed in as she refilled our mugs with spiced cider. "You've got a determined young man here. I'm sure he'll do just fine."

As the conversation continued, I couldn't help but notice the diversity of the inn's patrons. Merchants were discussing their latest wares, a group of adventurers recounting their exploits, and even a couple of performers who entertained us with a lively tune on a lute and flute. After the hearty lunch at the inn, we retreated to our rooms to rest. The beds, though simple, felt luxurious after the long journey. But sleep didn’t come easily. Instead, I found myself sitting by the small desk in our room, poring over my notes and revising for the examination the next day. Umbral floated nearby, his form dimming and brightening as he sensed my nervousness. The hours ticked by as I went over everything I’d learned, trying to commit the details to memory and it was already past 6'o clock in the evening.

"Luc, you finished revising?" Dad asked, ruffling my hair affectionately.

"Yes, Dad, just going through the spell one last time and—"

"Luc, you have studied hard. Too much study can make you forget," Dad interrupted with a chuckle.

I laughed, and the tension of the upcoming exam momentarily lifted. "Alright, Dad, I get it. I'll take a break."

"Yes let us visit the town a bit, it will make your mind fresh!" Mom said from behind.

"Yaaaaaa" Umbral exclaimed, his happiness evident in his voice which only I could hear ofcourse.

We set out to explore the academy town, the streets were bustling with activity even after 6 pm, a stark contrast to the quiet of our village.

As we walked, we overheard snippets of conversations from the townspeople. A pair of passersby discussed the latest shipment of enchanted goods, while a group of young men boasted about their magical prowess.

"Did you hear about the new enchantments at the apothecary?" one man said excitedly. "They say they've got potions that can heal almost anything!"

"Really? I've got to check that out," another replied. "And did you see the jeweller's new display? Those amulets are supposed to boost your mana."

I listened, intrigued by the casual talk of enchantments and magic that seemed so commonplace here. It was a stark contrast to our village, where even the smallest hint of magical ability was a rare and precious thing.

As we continued through the market, I noticed something curious. Many of the townspeople had golden eyes, a trait that was considered a rare blessing back in our village. Here, it seemed almost common. People with golden eyes were performing small feats of magic, enchanting objects, and selling enchanted potions in the market.

"Master, did you see that?" Umbral whispered excitedly. "They're enchanting objects right here in the streets!"

"I did," I replied, intrigued. "It seems having golden eyes isn't as rare here as it is back home."

We watched as a young man with golden eyes enchanted a simple trinket, making it glow with a soft, ethereal light. He handed it to a customer, who paid him with a few silver coins.

Maybe I spoke too loud because the man with golden eyes enchanting the trinket smiled at me as he said, "Not everyone with magical talent gets into the academy, kiddo!", he added "Preparing for tomorrow's academy exams?"

Before I could respond, I noticed a group of parents nearby, instructing their children with a mixture of urgency and sternness. "You need to practice your spells more," one parent said sharply. "You don’t want to end up like that young man, enchanting objects in the streets."

Their words were an insult, but the young man only smiled, a knowing glint in his eye. He had a green hat perched jauntily on his head, a green robe draping elegantly over his shoulders, and long hair that framed his face, with a distinctive mole beneath his right eye.

I who couldn't even see mana let alone cast spells felt a sharp pang through my heart, and so I decided to speak on his behalf, "Isn't understanding how to use mana and mastering the basics the most important foundation? Those who have this strong foundation can grow stronger. Magic isn't just about showing off or flashy spells—it's about understanding and discipline."

The young man’s smile widened, "Well said," he replied, nodding appreciatively. "You’ve got a good head on your shoulders. It’s not about where you start, but how you use what you’ve learned."

The parents fell silent, taken aback by my words, while the young man stepped closer. "Tell me, boy," he said, moving a lock of hair from my face, "why do you think some are born with golden eyes? What does it mean to go to the academy?"

As his fingers brushed my forehead, a strange sensation washed over me. I felt a mix of emotions—curiosity, respect, and something deeper that I couldn't quite place. It was as if I could sense the young man’s genuine interest in my answer.

"I think," I began slowly, "that golden eyes are a gift, but also a responsibility. They’re a sign of potential, and going to the academy is a chance to nurture that potential, to learn and grow. But it’s also important to stay humble and remember that magic is a tool, not a trophy."

The young man’s eyes sparkled or so it seemed "Exactly. Many get arrogant, thinking their eyes entitle them to greatness without effort. But true mastery comes from understanding and hard work."

With that, he reached into his robe and pulled out a small, intricately designed ring. He handed it to me, the metal cool and smooth in my hand. "Take this," he said. "Consider it a gift and a reminder of what you just said. It’s a simple enchantment, but it will help you focus your mana."

I hesitated, unsure if I should accept such a precious gift from a stranger. But when I looked towards Mom and Dad, they nodded at me with encouraging smiles.

"Thank you," I said, feeling a mix of gratitude and awe. "But why are you giving this to me?"

The man’s eyes twinkled with amusement. "Hmmm.." he replied cryptically. "I want to see how you use it. Besides, something tells me you’re destined for great things."

I slipped the ring onto my finger, and a shiver ran down my spine. His words lingered in the air, leaving a sense of uncertainty. "May I have the pleasure to know this little man's name?" he asked politely, his gaze piercing yet enigmatic

"I'm Lucifer," I replied, my voice steady.

He nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "A pleasure to meet you, Lucifer. Let's meet again."

And with those words, he gathered his belongings and vanished into the bustling crowd. Umbral, who had been watching the exchange with a look of growing unease, turned to me with a disturbing expression.

"Umbral, what’s wrong?" I asked, concerned by his sudden change in demeanour.

Umbral hesitated, his form shifting uneasily. "No, it's nothing," he said quickly, shaking his head. "Let's not dwell on it. We should head back to the inn."

Though his response left me with a nagging sense of unease, I pushed the feeling aside and followed Mom and Dad back to the inn. But as we walked through the lively streets of the academy town, I couldn't shake the feeling that our encounter with the mysterious man was only the beginning of something much larger and more mysterious.