I rushed through the streets of the town’s Bazaar, careful not to hit any pedestrians in my way. There were a few shouts and complaints, but nobody paid me much mind. I didn’t bother to spare them a glance in return, since I was running late for work.
After Nico announced the news to our parents last night, they became so ecstatic that I worried they would faint from exhaustion. Mother started planning this big celebration for Nico, while Father smothered him with praise. My brother and I did everything we could to calm them down, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t envious of how they treated him.
I have never been as talented as my brothers, not in the way they both were. My older brother, Orion, might not have had magic like Nico, but he was shown to be a prodigy with a sword and bow. I tried to join him in several training and sparring sessions but couldn’t keep up. He was admired and praised by the entire community for his skills.
Nico wasn’t overly special before he Awakened, but he had this quiet and calming aura about him that made people listen to his every word. Whenever my brother got into a fight or argument, he would always use his words instead of his fists to resolve it. Even if he had a mischievous and temperamental side to him, Nico would always find a peaceful way of going through things.
Both of them had talents that I didn’t, ones that put them ahead of me. It was even more pronounced since I was the middle child of the family. Seeing them shine brighter than myself, I couldn’t help but form a nugget of jealous envy towards them. It wasn’t something that I would let control me, however.
My special abilities might not have been immediately noticeable, but I had always been smart and insightful. I searched for a way to catch up to my brothers, one that both suited me and would help our entire family. The solution I created was the reason I was running through town like an alley cat being chased by a pack of dogs. Straight to a large two-story building with a sign stating it as “Nizian’s Trade Emporium”.
I ran through the door of the emporium, the chime of the magical alarm signaling someone entering the shop. But I pushed with too much force, and before I could stop it the door banged into the shelf next to it. The shelf shook from the impact, but luckily none of the merchandise fell off or broke. The shout of anger that came next did nothing to soothe my nerves.
“By the Divines, who is it that’s trying to break my shop?!” a deep masculine voice announced, followed by quick and heavy steps.
“Apologies, Master Nizian,” I quickly spoke, barely panting from the exertion of the run. “I didn’t want to be late. Luckily, everything is intact.”
The steps had slowed down a bit, followed by a sigh of exasperation. Out from one of two doorways behind the main counter, a man wearing richly tailored clothes walked and glared at me with concealed frustration. Nizian Tripi was a man who was on the latter side of thirty, standing at the same average height as I was. His features primarily established him as having Rahimki blood, with darkened skin, light brown eyes, and a softer facial structure. His obsidian black hair and beard, however, showed he also had the same blood of Leontios that was flowing through my body.
“Lukyanos, thank you for finally arriving at work. Having you here always feels like a Blessing from the Divines to me, and the store’s reserves. That, however, does not permit you to cause damage to my shop without consequences. You might be the son of my best friend, but I'm not giving you any sort of special treatment because of that.”
“Yes, I understand. I am sorry, Master Nizian.” I bowed my head, looking properly admonished while just wanting to quickly get through my scolding.
“Good. You are the one who wanted this, and I have to remind you of that every day so you won't get arrogant. Now here’s a magic slate with a list of item prices. I want you to take stock of the front and figure out which price corresponds to which item or merchandise.”
I stifled a groan and closed the door behind me, cautious to not have it bang against the frame. Being a merchant’s apprentice was not how I thought it was. I pictured it as just having to talk to people and having them accept whatever deal that I offered or convince them to buy an item I showed them. A battle of wits and persuasion that I was excited to go through. But no, an apprentice has to do the grunt work first, like learning item prices and quality. It would still be nice if I didn’t have to memorize so many numbers.
I take the slate, a carved piece of stone bound in leather on the edges. It was a special item enchanted with Earth-attuned Vitae, allowing someone to use a special stylus to write directly on it and then erase it later. This version even came with a rune that stores what you write for later review. Something that most merchants wouldn't have, but that Master Nizian had managed to get his hands on.
Before I could start my assigned work, a calloused hand lightly grabbed my shoulder. I looked back and saw my Master’s thoughtful gaze analyzing me.
“Is there anything I should be worrying about? You’re not usually this late,” he asked me seriously.
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I smiled at him, touched by how willing he was to help me if I was in trouble. I shook my head and moved his hand off my shoulder.
“No, everything is fine. I just slept in after a slightly exciting night.”
“Are you willing to tell me why?” his voice became inquisitive.
It barely took me a moment to decide. The information wouldn’t exactly be secret, and Master Nizian would probably hear about it soon from my father or someone else.
“Nico had some good news yesterday from his mentor. They’re getting ready for his Foundation Establishment.”
The Merchant’s face started beaming, a boisterous laugh escaping from him. He did a small celebration before composing himself, a broad smile still stretching over him.
“By Rahimateh’s Guiding Light, that is amazing news. I knew that boy was talented for an Awakened, but to even surpass the Gifted? Your brother will be the talk of all of Khasain when this gets out.”
The kernel of jealousy made itself known for a moment, but I quickly repressed it before it could be noticed.
“I was just as surprised when I found out. Nico can’t keep a secret even when he tries.”
“Eh, that boy is good at other things. Knowing your mother, I would gamble that she’s already out preparing for a celebratory feast.”
I nodded in agreement, telling my Master about what happened during dinner the night before. We talked for a little bit longer about it before I was released. After just ten minutes, I began wishing we were still talking about my younger brother’s accomplishments.
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Several hours pass and I am finally done taking stock. I quickly store the list in the runic enchantments and set the magic slate down on the counter. A handful of customers have entered over time, and I did what I could to provide for their needs. Some of them bought their items and immediately left, and I was able to convince a few to leave with more than they had originally wanted. Every silver ganzhi was just extra practice for my burgeoning merchant skills.
The magical alarm sounded out again, and I looked up from the counter. I put on my usual smile and started to greet them.
“Welcome to Nizian’s Trade Emporium. How can I-” I stopped as I recognized who entered.
A girl that was the same age as myself, with long brown hair tied in a braid that flowed down her back. She was wearing a beautiful peplos dress crafted out of a stunning shade of purple to match her shining eyes, and the plain green sash of an apprentice alchemist covering her from shoulder to waist. The dress was form-fitted to be both comfortable and not get in the way of moving around outdoors, showing hints of her body’s gorgeous outline. She wore a single necklace containing a ruby hanging from a silver thread, an expensive gift from her father during her and Aristo’s recent name-day celebration.
She might have been the very essence of beauty and wealth made manifest, but her humble and friendly demeanor had made her even more perfect. The fact that she and I have been close to each other for a large portion of our lives only further stirred the jealousy and envy of many men. It was in stark contrast as we awkwardly started looking at each other silently.
“...Hi, Phaedra. It’s nice to see you here.” I lamely greeted her, internally wincing at myself.
“Right, yes it certainly is. Even if we saw each other a few days ago.”
Both of us wince at the reminder, the air around us becoming even more awkward and tense. Me and Phaedra had been friends for many years. It all started when her twin brother, Aristotelis, was being beaten by a group of bullies. Myself and Nico happened to be nearby while it was happening, and the four of us managed to drive the bullies away. Since then, all of us had formed a tight-knit group with each other, and it didn’t come as much of a surprise to me when I started to develop feelings for Phaedra.
Five days ago, I finally gathered the courage to tell her and proposed that we start courting each other. When I was met with silence for several minutes, I knew immediately that she didn’t share my feelings. She tried to politely explain to me that, while she did have feelings of admiration toward me, it was more that she thought of me in a brotherly sense.
I had just stood there in stunned silence, all sounds around me completely ignored. She tried to reassure me and snap me out of it, but I instead ran home with tears flowing from my eyes. That night I had trouble sleeping, the shame, disappointment, and frustration of that moment constantly going through my head. Afterward, I just kept avoiding her, and this was the first time since then that we talked to each other.
“Anos, I’m sorry for how I made you feel that day. The way you reacted, it wasn’t what I in-”
“It’s completely fine, Phaedra,” I hastily announced, but my voice couldn’t conjure any emotion into it, “I- I understand. It was stupid of me not to realize how you truly felt. I shouldn’t have expected that you would agree, I put you on a pedestal in my mind and didn’t think there would be any other response from you than yes.”
“...No, you were right to think that. I didn’t notice any clues, or if I did I just ignored them. If I had, then…” Her lips scrunch in concern, even the sight of that makes my heart skip a beat.
“But, we can talk about that another time. Your father forgot to pick up the shipment of Hasana roots yesterday, so he sent me to get them along with a few other things.”
Quickly taking the opportunity, I called out to Master Nizian about the shipment. He permitted me to go in the back for it, and after doing that I talked to Phaedra about what else she needed. It was mainly other herbs and such for my father’s shop, but she also bought a few things for her alchemy training. We gave each other a friendly if stilted goodbye, and I slumped down and groaned on the counter right as she left.
“I do not envy what you are going through, boy. Troubles of the heart are the bane of every man in the world.” Master Nixia amusedly smirked next to me.
“May I tell a joke about how rude and impolite it is to eavesdrop on people?”
“No. This is still my shop, so I am free to listen however I wish in here.”
The older merchant laughs loudly at me, the sound as irritating as it always has been. I prayed to any God that listened for this day to be over quickly.