The first time I looked at the growing pile of gold coins in my dormitory chest, I felt a thrill that I’d never experienced before. In two months of running packages for One-Bill, I had earned what many laborers in the capital worked half a year to accumulate. The gold gleamed under the soft light of my lantern, a tangible reward for the risks I’d taken—and a reminder of the gap I was slowly closing between myself and the nobles.
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My nightly runs had become a routine. The unease I’d felt on my first delivery had dulled, replaced by the efficient rhythm of the work. One-Bill’s cryptic packages were still a mystery, but I stopped questioning them.
Hexa kept track of my earnings with her usual precision.
“TwentyEight gold coins, fifty-three silver, and an assortment of copper,” she announced one night as I added my latest haul to the chest.
I stared at the pile, trying to suppress the greedy satisfaction bubbling in my chest. This money wasn’t just a means to an end—it was power, freedom, and the first step toward leveling the playing field.
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With my newfound wealth, I allowed myself to indulge in things I could only have dreamed of before.
The first purchase was a wooden plank enchanted with wind and levitation magic. I’d seen children zipping through the streets on them during my first days in the capital, their laughter echoing as they performed tricks and darted between crowds. Now, I could join them.
The hoverboard, as I thought of it, wasn’t cheap—five gold coins. But the first time I stepped onto it and felt the wind rush past me as I soared down the cobblestone streets, I knew it was worth every coin.
Hexa was less impressed.
“This is a frivolous expenditure,” she commented as I practiced weaving through an empty alley. “It provides limited utility and draws unnecessary attention.”
“It’s transportation,” I argued, grinning as I leaned into a sharp turn. “And it’s fun.”
The next purchase was less practical but even more satisfying. I’d been eyeing the Ash twins’ impeccably tailored Academy uniforms for weeks, envying their sharp cuts and subtle enchantments. With twenty gold coins in my pouch, I walked into one of the capital’s finest tailoring shops and ordered a custom uniform.
The result was a masterpiece. A long, dark overcoat with silver trim, enchanted to repel dirt and water, paired with a finely tailored suit beneath. The enchantments also offered minor protection against cuts and stabs—not that I planned to need it, but it was a nice touch.
When I tried it on, I barely recognized myself in the mirror. Gone was the village boy from Valda-Ashdock. In his place stood someone who looked like he belonged in the capital—someone who could walk alongside the nobles without feeling out of place.
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The transformation wasn’t just physical. As the coins piled up and my confidence grew, I began to feel like I was finally taking control of my life. The frustration and powerlessness I’d felt during my first weeks in the capital were fading. “We are finally making some non noobie gains” I thought
But Hexa, ever the pragmatist, wasn’t convinced.
“Your actions are creating dependencies,” she warned one evening. “You are becoming reliant on income generated from questionable activities. This may have long-term consequences.”
“I know,” I admitted, fastening the buttons on my new overcoat. “But what choice do I have? If I don’t find a way to keep up with the nobles, I’ll always be behind.”
“Short-term gains often come at a cost,” she replied.
I didn’t respond
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One-Bill had been watching my progress with a mix of amusement and approval. On one particularly quiet night, after a successful delivery, he leaned back in his creaky chair and pulled a worn bracelet from his pocket.
“Figured it’s about time I showed you how to use this properly,” he said, holding up his wrist, where a similar bracelet gleamed faintly.
I glanced down at the City-issued bracelet on my own wrist. “What do you mean?”
“These things ain’t just for show,” he said, grinning. “Hold yours next to mine.”
I hesitated but complied, raising my arm until the crystals embedded in our bracelets aligned. A faint pulse of mana rippled through the air, and a tiny rune lit up on my bracelet.
“There,” One-Bill said, satisfied. “Now they’re linked.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“What does that mean?”
He tapped his bracelet, and a moment later, a small projection appeared above it—a miniature version of his grinning face, frozen mid-laugh.
“You can send messages,” he explained. “Visual and audio. Just touch the rune, think about what you want to say, and it’ll send the message to whoever’s linked to you. Keep it under five minutes, though, or it won’t go through.”
I stared at the projection, equal parts fascinated and impressed. “Why didn’t anyone tell me about this before?”
“Because most people know how to use ’em,” he said, shrugging. “Dont you have friends boy? Well i guess you wouldnt keep coming round if ya did. But anyway now you do. Makes the job easier, don’t it?”
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The new functionality proved invaluable. Instead of making trips to the night market every evening, One-Bill could now send me instructions directly to my bracelet. A small notification rune would pulse softly, and when I tapped it, his gravelly voice or a visual recording would appear, detailing the next job.
It streamlined the process, giving me more time to spend on other pursuits—or to enjoy the capital’s luxuries.
Still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this new convenience came with strings attached. One-Bill had given me a tool, but he’d also tightened his grip on me I wasn't sure if this connection was traceable
As I rode my hoverboard through the bustling streets one evening, the wind tugging at the edges of my coat, I couldn’t help but wonder how long this balance would last.
For now, though, I pushed the thoughts aside. I had gold in my pouch, magic at my fingertips, and the sense that, for the first time in two lives, I was in control and making gains in the real world, not the virtual one.
The final days of the break came faster than I expected. For weeks, my nights had been filled with deliveries, my days spent wandering the capital or practicing with my hoverboard.
But as the routine of work slowed with the approach of the new term, I found myself reflecting more and more on what I’d done to earn it. I might have really liked this line of work.
The morning Ava was due to arrive, I stood at the river gate, leaning casually against the stone archway. The enchanted hoverboard rested at my side, its faint hum blending with the soft sounds of the city waking up.
I’d dressed carefully, pulling on my tailored uniform and fastening the buttons on my long overcoat. The silver trim caught the morning light, and the enchanted fabric shimmered faintly. I adjusted my coat one last time, smoothing the lapels as I scanned the arriving boats.
“Your appearance is vastly improved from your arrival last year,” Hexa noted.
“Thanks,” I replied, smirking. “Let’s hope Ava thinks so too.”
The river was alive with activity. Merchant boats laden with goods bumped against the docks, their crews shouting orders as they unloaded crates and barrels. Among them, smaller vessels carried passengers, their chatter drifting across the water.
It didn’t take long to spot Ava. She stood near the outer gate guard having just given her the mandatory bracelet, her expression a mix of excitement and apprehension as she took in the towering walls and bustling streets of the capital.
When she stepped onto the streets, her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on me. For a moment, she didn’t react, her brow furrowing in confusion.
“Wolfhart?” she called hesitantly, stepping closer.
I pushed off the wall and gave her a casual wave. “Hey, Ava.”
Her jaw dropped as she stopped in her tracks, staring at me as though I were a stranger. “What... what happened to you?”
“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning innocence as I mounted the hoverboard and glided over to her.
She blinked, taking in the coat, the polished shoes, the confident posture. “You look like... like a noble.”
I laughed, dismounting and offering her a hand with her bag. “I’ve been busy.”
“Busy?” she repeated, still staring at me. “You don’t even sound the same.”
I shrugged, shouldering her bag as we began walking toward the Academy. “The capital changes you, I guess.”
She glanced at the hoverboard, her curiosity breaking through her shock. “What is that?”
“Transportation,” I said, grinning. “Way better than walking everywhere.”
As we walked, I pointed out landmarks and shared snippets of what I’d learned during the break. Ava listened intently, her awe growing with every detail.
“This place is incredible,” she said, her eyes wide as she took in the towering buildings and bustling streets.
“It is,” I agreed. “But it’s also a lot to take in. You’ll get used to it.”
When we reached the Academy gates, I paused, turning to face her. “Before we go in, there’s something you need to know.”
“What is it?” she asked, tilting her head.
I held up my wrist, showing her the Academy-issued bracelet. “These aren’t just for show. They’re actually pretty useful.”
I walked her through the linking process, showing her how to align the crystals and activate the runes. When our bracelets pulsed softly, signaling the connection, she looked up at me, impressed.
“Now we can send each other messages,” I explained. “You’ll figure it out as you go, but it’s a handy trick.”
She smiled, her earlier apprehension melting away. “Thanks, Wolfhart. I don’t think I would’ve figured this out on my own.”
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As we stepped through the Academy gates, I felt a strange sense of pride. Ava was here, and for the first time since leaving Valda-Ashdock, I felt a connection to home that didn’t make me ache with longing.
“You’ll do great here,” I said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“I hope so,” she replied, her voice soft. “It’s all so... big.”
“It is,” I agreed. “But you’ll get the hang of it. And if you need help, you know how to reach me.”
As we made our way to the dormitories, I couldn’t help but wonder how Ava’s experience would differ from mine.How she wouldn't struggle as I had. Hopefully she would thrive, untouched by the shadows I’d chosen to walk in at least Ava will be much better at making friends than I was.
For now, though, I pushed those thoughts aside. The new term was beginning, and with it, a new chapter in both our lives.