The night was quiet and still as Soral slipped through the trees. Since night had just fallen, the lights were still on in many buildings, including the guild building. That might make things difficult… but looking at something wasn’t illegal, right? And if it was open, he had every right to enter.

Soral shoved his justifications out of mind as he approached the building. Should he boldly go through the front door? That made him nervous. But sneaking in could be worse. There was another problem. He didn’t know where to start looking for the bag in question. He closed his eyes and recalled the room that Grace had led him to. That seemed like a good place to start.

The building was certainly still open, but there was next to no traffic going in and out. If he entered through the front door, all attention would be on him immediately. He lapped the outside, careful to avoid any windows or eyes of anyone passing by.

There was a back door that led to some kind of training yard. He could hear people practicing in it so that was out. There was a side access right next to the street with a dumpster of sorts beside it. Seemed like some sort of employee entrance. It could work but it was pretty far from where he needed to go. As he got closer to the section where the room would be he noticed an open window on the second floor. It was more than big enough for him to fit through, and it offered an easy escape.

No point in standing here, Soral decided to go for it. He backed up a few paces before leaping onto the wall, using his momentum to get just high enough for him to latch onto the window ledge. He was conscious of every sound he made as he moved. Once again he reminded himself that all he was doing was taking a peek.

Soral carefully raised himself so he could peer inside the room. It appeared to be some sort of office. It was empty and the door was closed. He also noticed the very object he had been seeking sitting on the desk. No way! It was hard to decide if he was lucky, or if this was some kind of trap.

He could drop down, but the sound might be loud and alert those inside. Besides, the bag was right there. Just one little peek. As long as he didn’t take it the trap probably wouldn’t be triggered, right?

The slightest rustles of his own clothes seemed to echo through his ears as he pulled himself through the window. Here goes. He felt the adrenaline rushing through him as he reached his hand out to touch the bag. Maybe he could tell what material it was made of.

“It’s a nice bag, isn’t it?” a man’s voice said from behind him. The door was open but he hadn’t heard a thing.

The man seemed calm, amused even. The man was tall, almost seeming to tower over Soral. He wore mostly browns, save for the black shirt under his vest. Soral’s eyes landed for a moment on the well defined muscles that showed beneath the man’s short sleeves. Not someone he could overpower, for sure. He met eyes with the man again. They were green, but a lighter shade than Jazz’s. The man’s hair was also brown, as if to match his clothes.

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“It is,” Soral answered, lowering his hand as naturally as he could trying to ignore his racing heart. He needed to be calm. He wasn’t guilty. He hadn’t stolen anything and he hadn’t been going to. Probably.

The man walked over to the bag, scooping it up and plopping it into Soral’s hands. “You wanted to check it out, right? I’m afraid I can’t let you take it, but there’s no harm in letting you look,” he told Soral with a knowing smile.

Something about the man’s gaze gave Soral the feel of a prey being hunted but he tried his best to ignore it. After all, he had just been given permission to do exactly what he came here for. Unfortunately, before he could stop himself a question popped out.

“Who are you?” he demanded in an accusatory tone.

The man’s smile widened. “I thought you would know since you are standing in my office,” he began, “but since it seems you used unconventional means to enter, you likely missed the nameplate by the door. I am Sibel Toll.”

Sibel Toll? The founder of the Belleas Guild and the one who invented magic. The bag suddenly seemed a lot less interesting than the man standing before him. Would he teach Soral how to invent magic?

“Did you invent this?” Soral asked instead.

“I did,” Sibel confirmed, “I wouldn’t put my hand inside, if I were you.”

Soral’s hand that had been creeping towards the opening of the bag shot back lightning fast. Was it trapped? That was so cool! Maybe he had made it so no one but him could access what was inside. Maybe others could only put things in but not take them out.

“Can I-”

“Have it, no,” Sibel interrupted and took the bag back, “But I could show you how to make your own. Or, you could invent your own version.”

“My own version?” Soral asked.

“Yes. You have the magic potential to fulfill any magic you create,” Sibel told him, “Wouldn’t it be more fun to make it your own rather than use my recipe?”

It did sound more fun. In fact, he already had ideas flying through his mind. The bag seemed kind of inconvenient, so what if he attached it to a pocket? But where would everything go? Portal magic could definitely be adjusted for this, but he needed a place to put it.

Sibel smiled as he watched Soral sink deep into thought. “Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.” he prompted.

Questions? He had so many questions but what was okay to ask? Sibel had caught him sneaking about, so he had to be careful not to arouse suspicion.

“A safe place,” Soral decided, “How do I make one of those?”

“A safe place?” Sibel repeated and thought about it, “That depends on how safe you want it, how hidden you want it, and how large you need it.”

“I can start small, but I need it to be hidden,” Soral said, “I guess I can work on the other over time as well?”

Sibel nodded. “Then it shouldn’t be too hard. You live in the forest, right? Forests lend well to illusion magic. Use that to disguise your entrance. If you really want it hidden, hide it in existing terrain or underground. You can use magic to reinforce the ground above to remain sturdy and sound.”

Soral took a minute to process everything he had just said. Illusion magic? Magic to reinforce ground? At that point he might as well just magic the whole thing into existence. Actually… he might be able to do that. Sibel said he could create magic, right?

“Thank you!” Soral said, and went over to the window as if it was the most natural exit to take, “I’ll tell you how it goes later. I’ve got some things to try!”

Sibel chuckled to himself as he watched Soral jump out the window and take off running down the path into the forest.

First things first, Soral needed to scope out a spot. Then he needed to test magic on a smaller scale. Then… Pockets? He definitely needed to find out which of his clothes had the most convenient pockets.

The excitement raced through him as his thoughts continued to swirl. This was why he had followed Ruena, he decided. If he had continued living as he had been he never would have had this opportunity.