Aaron awoke at dawn, tensing when he sensed someone right besides him, but then he relaxed. Right, he had fallen asleep right next to Lesia. Carefully he peeled her arm and leg off him and stood up. Aaron had never had problems waking up, but since becoming a cultivator the need for sleep had decreased quite a bit as well. In the end he only needed a few hours a day to be not just fine, but comfortable. It did not matter to him if it was dark or light out, he could see perfectly as long as there was any kind of light source. He looked back to the sleeping woman and wondered at his own tender feelings towards a total stranger. He knew part of it, or rather a majority of it was the mind blowing sex, but then again if that was all it was, then why did he feel the urge, no the need need to cover her with a blanket?
It was a strange sensation and he hesitated before he followed that impulse and covered her gently with the blanket. As he did so he realized it was a fondness he felt for her and it did not necessarily feel bad. But he also realized it was a weakness others could exploit or this woman could exploit. It was most certainly not love. That would be ridiculous, he did not even know her. Aaron shook his head and got dressed, ensured he had all his things and then turned to leave. But again he hesitated. It felt bad to just leave her to wake up with him gone and so Aaron groaned silently and got out the folded stretch of parchment he had experimented with note taking and set up the quill and ink out of a small pouch at his belt. Then he ripped off a corner of the parchment and wrote:
‘Thank you for the wonderful time.” he paused and then continued. ‘I hope we see each other again. Aaron.’
Then he placed the piece of parchment on the chest right next to the lamp and silently left.
It was early morning and Aaron oriented himself and wondered how much time he had until Merix went for his shopping trip. Enough for a training session? He had missed last nights training and was itching to do catch up with it now. He looked for a quiet backyard and found it at the back of a closed down shop. Nobody was in yet. Perfect. Aaron looked around in the twilight and hopped the fence with ease. There, covered from prying eyes he did his morning routine. It felt good to stretch and overall he felt much more...settled. Calm. He was not sure if that was the effect of settling on a goal for himself or if it was because he had gotten laid. Maybe a mixture of both.
He kept his punches quiet once he switched to the katas, took it as a challenge, made himself work for it. It felt good and once he switched to the Unceasing Palm training he made sure he kept the illusions to barely a meter around him, increasing the difficulty again twofold out of necessity. He got hit a lot that morning by the illusions. But that might have also have been partly because he paused every minute or so to check his surroundings for anyone that could see him mess with illusions in a backyard for training purposes. Aaron smirked and looked at the memory core. He knew the illusion would persist on its own for a few minutes, so if he threw it into the face of someone who spotted him they would find themselves attacked by a plethora of illusory beasts and enemies. Used like this they would be an excellent distraction. But in the end he doubted he would ever use these cores that way. They were too valuable and this kind of distraction would create a lot of upheaval, noise and attention. He did not want that, even with a tentative alliance with the district he would try to be a ghost in the city.
Once he was done training and had worked up a bit of a sweat he went back out to the streets that by now were filled with people going to work. He fit right in with his cheap cloak. All he had to do now was wait for Merix to get to his appointment at the tailor, follow him and then take the key from him. Moving quietly was not really a problem for Aaron, although to his own ears he was painfully loud, for other people he was a silent as a ghost.
Aaron walked through the crowd and started to do another kind of training. Pick pocketing. His agile hands slid into pockets as he walked past people, even though his hands felt too big to do the task he managed just fine. In the end people going to work were tired, sleepy and their senses so dull Aaron felt stupefied. Sometimes he screwed up and his victim did not notice it at all. It was always difficult to gauge how silent he was, how quick and easy his fingers were. It took him a lot of practice to feel remotely confident and he put his spoils back into his victims pockets most of the time. He did not really care to steal from a poor normal person, but he did keep the purse of middle aged man with a gaudy tunic and beringed hands. It was not really a code of honor, or him trying to do good. If Aaron needed the few shards in the purses he would take them. But most of the time he relished the challenge of putting the stolen purse back even more than the shards in them.
As he walked about the streets around the Trading House Aaron scoped out the place thoroughly with almost all senses. He listened to the house until he had found Merix who was still asleep and he made sure to remember the man’s scent. Because Aaron noticed that everyone smelled distinctly different. He noticed that little detail when he could smell Lesia leave her room. His senses pinpointed her in a heartbeat. Her familiar scent was so recognizable, it felt like she was walking down the stairs right in front of him. He could hear her yawn and stretch and in his minds eye he could see her body flex. His instantaneous fixation felt very strange to him and he did pointedly not look into her direction as she walked over to a food stall. A few minutes later her smell vanished in what his scent told him was a pharmacy. It was really difficult not to snoop on her and so he concentrated on his task as best as he could. He felt like a dog as he inhaled the air silently and kept the scent of Merix in his mind, trying desperately to forget Lesia.
In the end it was his mana sense that gave him the exact location of the magical safe while he walked past the building. It was on the second floor in the second room from the window. The signature felt like a very big magical item. Which was exactly what it was Aaron guessed. It was funny how much more he could gain from that sense after learning sensory harmony. He could feel the magic on his dagger, but also felt it emanating from mages and even from some shops and buildings. Still it was the sense he was least proficient in. He could not pinpoint the key for the safe for example and in range and efficacy it was far below even his sense of touch. Aaron noticed he could feel people walk on the street from the vibrations their steps made. But he quickly pulled back from concentrating on physical sensation.
His sense of touch was the most dangerous sense he had because it made things hurt so much more and feel that much better. It was the real reason why he wanted to ascend to the Foundation realm and get full control over it. Unbelievable pain was not really something he looked forward to in the future. Partly to distract him from his thoughts he turned from the main road into an alleyway and then climbed to the rooftops out of sight from the main road. From there he planned his exact entrance strategy into Merix house. From what he had seen through the window in Kramius office its lock should be easily opened with his enchanted dagger. It would cut through the lock’s short metal hinge easily if necessary. But he could also open it slower and without leaving a trace, which was the more elegant solution in his mind.
Opening doors and windows was another thing he should probably train for while he had the time. Going over the rooftops was the easiest part of the plan. He could easily make the jump over the street towards Merix building and Aaron guessed an agility based class could do the same.
Aaron spent half an hour hanging from the edge of roofs and sitting on windowsills like a gargoyle opening windows with barely any success. His knives were not thin enough to go through most of the gaps in between windows, so in the end he conceded defeat and went to a blacksmiths shop that smelled like coal and iron. He asked the smith if they sold thin metal wire and eventually after some haggling Aaron was the proud owner of a one meter roll of metal wire they used to hold a row of chain in a chainmail originally. It was luckily thin enough that he could slip it through a window and then use it, bent into a hook, to open the window from the outside. It would also make for an excellent garrote. Not a bad tool to have for sure.
Aaron suddenly froze as he was about to relieve one of the wealthier looking men walking ahead of him of his wallet when Merix scent was on the streets. He quickly followed the smell moving through the crowd like a shadow. In his cloak he was not noticed by many people and with the leisurely pace he set people dismissed him as just another worker. From a distance Aaron followed Merix through the streets until they reached a big tailor shop on one of the busier main streets. In the distance Aaron could see big stone buildings that looked important and were probably government buildings, or rather in the Town of Beginnings: guild buildings.
Aaron studied the tailors shop and listened to the man being welcomed by the ‘master’ tailor personally. The sign outside said he was lvl25, which was absurdly high for this town he guessed.
“Welcome in our humble abode. If you follow me we will take your updated measurements and then fit you.”
The shop did not look like he could simply wander in without an appointment. A burly man eyed him suspiciously as he walked past. Aaron circled around the shop until he found an opening to slip into the shop’s backyard. He hopped over a tall metal fence and then waited at the backdoor of the shop while he listened to the tailor taking measurements and then showing off fabrics and cuts. But Merix just told the tailor to get on with it and use his own best judgment. Only when Merix was told to change clothes did Aaron enter the shop through the back door. He evaded the assistants easily and silently stepped up to the changing booth. Now that he was this close he could pinpoint the key with his mana sense and when Merix was not looking he swiped it from behind the curtain. It was a big metal key with a triangular shape and Aaron pocketed it and then slipped out of the backdoor without anyone being any wiser.
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With one leap he was up on the roof and moved as fast as any rogue he had seen towards Merix home. He was on a time limit now. The clock had started ticking and Aaron was tempted to throw caution into the wind and increase his speed. But that would make him a target for any onlookers and the rooftops were not empty this time of day. A few other cloaked figures ran along the spines of the rooftops and leapt across gaps with superhuman grace. This particular group was actually headed in the same direction as him. Aaron cursed under his breath and changed course to move around the group. But one of the men stopped, stared at him and then called out to his friends:
“Look at that guy, where is he going off to in such a hurry?”
“He is fast, lets not get involved Gerrus.”
“What? And waste a perfect opportunity to cause some mischief? I don’t think so.” Gerrus said and to Aaron’s surprise the man’s voice sounded more like a childs in his ears. The whole group hesitated and then followed Gerrus who had sped up. Their speed was impressive for sure, but Aaron would have been able to escape. But he would have to use Wind Steps to do so and considering how often he had used the technique to escape if anyone saw him use it in the Town he might be busted. So Aaron slowed down with a frown and studied the small group that quickly surrounded him.
Gerrus was a small man with stocky features and when he took of his cowl Aaron raised his eyebrows in surprise. Gerrus was a child. Well an adolescent. But he did not look like he was 15, but his physique told a different story. This child was for sure a Vessel and with that he fell out of the norm. Aaron studied the group and they were all young men, barely old enough to grow beards. But they were all Vessels and from the looks of it quite powerful.
“Where are you running off to, thief?” Gerrus asked with a smirk. His sandy blonde hair was cut short at the sides and tied into a knot on the back of his head and he was clearly armed well. Aaron hesitated only a moment before he pulled the crimson armband out from under his sleeve.
“District business.” he said and it was not even a lie.
A slightly taller man stepped next to Gerrus and said quietly.“Come on Gerrus, we don’t fuck with the district.”
“Why? Marius? Why?! Because they sell us shit? Fuck the district. Come on thief, show us what you got and we might let you leave.” Gerrus said, shrugging off his friends arm and taking a step closer to Aaron.
Aaron was surprised and a bit miffed. He did not have time for a childish spat with some wannabe vessels who were still green behind their ears. So he squared up and with one quick and smooth movement drew his enchanted blade.
“Move or die.” he said calmly and looked the reasonable guy in the eyes that had cautioned Gerrus. The atmosphere changed. Every single one of them changed their stances, their hands moved to their weapons and Aaron was surprised at the speed and coordination of the group as they encircled him and 2 men stepped into his blind spots behind him. This was not a group of amateurs. Even Gerrus had reacted instantly. Aaron could not help himself and smirked as he fell into one of the rejuvenating fists stances, his dagger held in a backhanded grip. These fools were in for a surprise if they really sought trouble. Shifting his position brought both of the men into view again, even though it was only out of the corner of his eyes. Marius, who seemed the most level headed of the group put a hand back on Gerrus arm.
“You know the rules. We do not fight Climbers unless we have to.”
“I know the rules.” Gerrus snapped angrily. “But this Town, this floor. They barely count as Climbers. They are worms, they know nothing and they will never cross the gap. So why should I care? He looks like a good fight.”
“The plan is to have…”
“I know the damn plan, Marius. I could recite it since I was 5 years old! Stop fucking lecturing me! We have 3 days of free time while we resupply. Why not have some fun? If he is willing to fight a whole group then he has something valuable or is fleeing from something.” Gerrus said with a broad grin and tensed his muscles while Aaron stood still. He did not really want to fight kids. That was one of his golden rules. He did not kill children and adolescents counted. Well until they bought a gun and killed someone for real. This group was strange, really strange. The talk of plans and rules was not typical of the Town and their whole demeanor spoke of training, lots of it. They were still hotheaded kids though. He thought he could scare them off, but there wasn’t really time for this. Aaron sighed and sheathed his dagger. He balled his fists and gave Marius a cold look.
“Last chance.” was all he said and this time Marius grabbed Gerrus and pulled him aside. Gerrus was too surprised and outraged to do anything but struggle weakly. Aaron took one step and was past the two and continued on his way. He did not look back but his senses tracked every single movement of the group. They hesitated, but then stayed where they were. Aaron sped away while he listened to them fight.
“Are you out of your fucking mind Marius. I am the leader. I have been chosen. You must obey me. How dare you lay your hands on me! My father would flay you alive if he heard of this!”
“Sir. I am your Sergeant. Your father gave me the mission to protect you and that man would have killed us all.”
“What? That man?” There was a pause as Gerrus stared at Aaron’s back, then the young man scoffed. “He was a bloody alchemist! They can’t hurt a fly. What the fuck are you talking about? Let me go!” Gerrus raged and struggled, but Marius held him tightly and then sighed.
“An alchemist does not leap over rooftops. That was a guise. Either that or a very, very high level potion. Neither would end well for us. Calm yourself.”
There was a moment of silence and then Gerrus shrugged Marius off entirely and stomped on the roof tiles so hard that they cracked. “Fuck.” he shouted.
After a few moments that Aaron used to bring a few more roofs in between them Gerrus turned to his group.
“I am sorry. The clash with the 52nds just made me so angry. I should not have lost control like that. I just hate being stuck here following a backup plan.”
Aaron’s frown deepened. This group was strange and at first he thought the 52nd was a gang name or something. But then he remembered that floors had numbers as well. It was just a hunch, but he wondered. Either way now was not the time to follow this new mystery. The whole encounter had cost him valuable time he did not have any time to spare. Aaron finally reached Merix Trade Emporium after another minute of measured speed. Then he had to wait another two or three minutes until nobody looked towards this window. Aaron fell from the roof onto the windowsill with Wind Steps, making no noise and quickly and quietly opened the window before hurrying into the small office.
It looked more like a library, book shelves lined the walls and a small desk with three ink pots and a whole array of feathers lined the head of the desk. Aaron only took a cursory glance before he moved to the door leading into the hallway. He did not hear anyone close by, only a few men counting shards a few doors down the hallway. Aaron pushed the handle of the door down quietly and then was flabbergasted when the door turned out to be locked. With a silent curse he knelt down and used both ends of the wire to pick the lock. It took him even more valuable time as he struggled to bring his skills from another life back to him. But eventually he managed to get the tumblers in the correct position and the door unlocked. Aaron hurried out of the office and let his mana sense guide him to the safe. The door to the vault was not locked and Aaron was surprised to see a giant block of stone instead of steel. It looked vaguely like marble and the mana emanating from it was thick and heavy. There was an almost invisible keyhole in the smooth rock in a darker part of the marble.
Aaron pushed the big key into the hole and turned it slowly and smoothly. He could sense the mana shift, felt spells catch and a signature of mana rippled through the vault before the marble parted with an audible grinding of stone.
Damn, he had not anticipated this. Luckily he had closed the door behind him and now he listened for anyone who had heard the vault open. But the servants were still busy a floor down and the men counting had not lost track. He breathed out a sigh of relief and then saw the next problem. The stone doors that had swung open revealed shelves filled with papers and valuables. Aaron ignored anything but the documents and read through them. He was sure they were meticulously sorted and once he finally found the property deeds he got the whole stack and leafed through it as quickly as he could read the title of the deeds. Finally he found the deed he had come for and double checked it with the notes he had gotten from Iris. Only when he was sure it was the right document he closed the stone doors, which closed on their own once he touched the rim of the doors.
Aaron turned the key, locking the safe and then removed the key. Now he had a decision to make. Did he have enough time to return and put the key where he had found it or did he not? He had to try and he hurried out of the vault room and into the small corner office. He opened the window and inhaled the aroma of the city searching for Merix and to his dismay he found him, moving quickly down the streets. Too quickly. He definitively had realized he was missing his key. Aaron hesitated and then walked back into the hallway, keeping silent he passed the occupied room and then went one floor up instead of down, making sure none of the servants saw him. He slipped into Merix bedroom and put the key on his nightstand. He knew where his bedroom was because he had heard Merix snoring in here. That done he hurried back to the corner office, while he heard Merix storm into the building. Aaron closed the office door behind him, but could not lock it up quickly, so he left it unlocked. Then he opened the window, scanned the surroundings and stepped on the windowsill. He closed and locked the window and then climbed onto the roof.
Only once Aaron had jumped off the building and paused to listen to Merix order the house searched and personally search the vault. Five minutes later one of the servants found his key on his nightstand and a very embarrassed Merix called off the search. But not before he checked the safe. The man searched a bit and then grumbled about magical keys while he left now satisfied. Aaron breathed out a sigh of relief. That was the second task done.
The group of youngsters was gone by now, but he would be capable of trailing their scent. A part of him wanted to follow them and find out what and who they were, another part wanted to give them a nice beating. But he did neither of those things. The next task would involve politics inevitably and he did not really like politics. Too much pretense, too little action. The criminal underworld was much better at actually getting things done than governments in his experience. Both were usually inherently corrupt. He had did not really want to go knee deep into that cesspool of corruption and pettiness. He doubted this world was any different than his old world was in regards to that. Aurix death sentence of him just because Aaron was a cultivator had proven that already.
The third task was to learn the intentions of a high ranking elder. Which was just impossible if said elder did not actually do anything. Intentions were nebulous and very hard to find out. You could eavesdrop on confidants or themselves of course, but there was no guarantee they would actually talk about what you wanted to find out. The easiest way would be to interrogate them or put them into a position where they wanted to tell you about their plans. Which was harder to do than it sounded and it sounded impossible. But first things first. He had to get eyes on the elder, do some rudimentary digging and then he could formulate a plan. Aaron sent one look into the direction where the group of teenagers had vanished and then put that mystery out of his mind for now. It was time for another bout of reconnaissance.