Later that afternoon, the sun began its slow descent over Celadon Hawk City. Trevor walked through the crowded market streets, his sharp eyes scanning the stalls for essential supplies before their long journey across the sea.
He first stopped at a clothing stall and bought a thick, dark scarf to wrap around his neck—effectively concealing the metallic cybernetic seams along his jawline as well as hiding Eelon’s resting form beneath his collar. That cost him 5 Silver coins.
Next, he tracked down an apothecary and purchased several glass flasks filled with high-grade castor oil to keep his internal micro-servos lubricated, paying 1 Gold and 40 Silvers.
Though his 45th-century body didn't require traditional food for survival, Trevor still enjoyed eating as a hobby and to savor local flavors. He spent 3 Gold on high-end travel rations, cured meats, and dried fruits.
At a specialized mana shop, he secured two heavy-duty mana fuel cell bottles for the Junk Boat’s thrusters at 5 Gold each (10 Gold total).
Finally, he stepped into an upscale tailor shop and traded for a fancy, noble-style trench coat in deep crimson red. It featured a high, reinforced collar and deep interior pockets—perfect for concealing his heavy armaments and gear.
With his purchases complete and his pocket money adjusted, Trevor made his way toward the center of the city, entering the bustling Fountain Plaza.
A massive crowd had gathered around the wide cobblestone square. Muffled cheers and shouts of excitement echoed off the surrounding stone buildings.
Trevor paused at the edge of the crowd, adjusting his new red coat, and looked over the spectators' heads.
In the center of the plaza, a non-deathmatch duel was underway.
On one side stood a female Siamara spellcaster, wearing intricate robes and holding a long wooden staff topped with a glowing mana gem. On the other side was a young guy—roughly 16 years old—wearing light, form-fitting traveler’s gear. He carried no staff, no heavy tome, and no defensive shield.
“Begin!” yelled the referee, a local guild officer.
The Siamara spellcaster immediately raised her staff, her voice ringing out as she began incanting a high-tier fire spell. “O fiery spirits of the blazing abyss, lend me your heat and shape the flame of—”
She never finished the third line.
Alister had already moved.
With blinding athletic speed, the boy sprinted across the cobblestones. He didn't recite a single word. He didn't draw a magic circle in the air.
Zap!
A crisp blue arc of electricity shot from Alister's open palm.
[SPELL ACTIVATED]
* Skill: Lightning Bolt
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The instant shock struck the Siamara spellcaster's magic barrier, shattering her concentration and canceling her chant. Staggering back, she panicked and swung her staff to cast a defensive wall, but Alister dropped low into a slide.
His hands slammed onto the stone floor.
[SPELL ACTIVATED]
The cobblestones beneath the spellcaster instantly dissolved into a thick, sticky mud pit. She sank to her knees, trapped.
Before she could recover, Alister sprang up from his slide, twisted mid-air with effortless acrobatic grace, and thrust both palms forward.
[SPELL ACTIVATED]
* Skill: Aqua Cannon
A high-pressure torrent of water blasted from his hands, striking the Siamara spellcaster square in the chest. The force sent her flying backward out of the mud pit and crashing onto the soft turf past the boundary line.
She hit the ground, gasping for air, completely disarmed and soaked.
“Winner: Alister!” the referee shouted.
The crowd erupted into cheers.
Trevor’s eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the 16-year-old brush dust off his sleeves, barely winded. The kid wasn't raw power—his raw mana hit wasn't overwhelming—but his execution speed was absurd.
“Eelon,” Trevor muttered under his breath, hiding his lips behind his new scarf. “I need that guy Alister assessed.”
Beneath Trevor's collar, Eelon’s emerald eye flickered momentarily. A faint blue scanning grid expanded across Alister’s body.
“Target scan complete,” Eelon’s synthesized voice echoed directly into Trevor's neural interface.
[TARGET ASSESSMENT: ALISTER]
* STR: 35
* AGI: 97
* INT: 102
* VIT: 40
* STAMINA: 70
* MANA CAP: 90
* Observed Spellbook: Lightning Bolt, Quagmire, Aqua Cannon
* Talents: Athleticism, Chantless Magic
“Note,” Eelon added. “Skill book analysis is incomplete; data is strictly based on visible combat performance.” Visit g.com for the full chapter.
“Fair enough,” Trevor mused, a cold smirk forming under his scarf. “I need that guy.”
Alister was busy waving to the crowd and collecting his small winning purse when Trevor stepped through the line of onlookers, his heavy dark-red coat sweeping behind him.
“You've got fast hands, kid,” Trevor said, stopping in front of him.
Alister blinked, looking up at the tall, intimidating stranger in the red coat. “Uh, thanks? Just basic application.”
“I'm Trevor. I'm an aspiring adventurer,” Trevor said smoothly, cutting straight to the point. “I'm looking for a traveling partner to head out to Gaia Pangea. You coming?”
Alister’s eyes went wide. “Gaia Pangea?! Man, that’s my dream! I’ve always wanted to go there and explore the unknown... but the travel costs across the western ocean are insane. Plus, we’d need an official Adventurers' License first.”
Trevor scoffed. “I own a flying junk boat. Are you coming or not?”
“Wait, seriously? An air-vessel?” Alister grinned, then scratched his head. “Then we should head north to Port Segovia first to get our Adventurers' Licenses processed properly...”
“No. That would be a waste of time,” Trevor interrupted flatly. “We travel directly there. We can register at the local guild hub on the continent.”
Alister looked at Trevor suspiciously. “Why pick me as your traveling partner? We just met.”
“I see potential in you,” Trevor said.
Alister eyed Trevor's broad frame, posture, and the heavy leather case strapped to his hip. “What about you? Are you a knight or some sort of frontline fighter?”
“Kinda,” Trevor replied. “Now let's move our asses to the junk boat. We leave this afternoon.”
“Alright, alright!” Alister held up his hands. “Let’s meet back here in the plaza in an hour. I just need to gather my things from my lodging.”
“Make sure you don't bring a lot,” Trevor warned. “It's only a junk boat with limited space for two people.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know! Compact packing,” Alister yelled over his shoulder as he started sprinting down the street. “I'll be back in an hour!”
Exactly one hour later, Alister returned with a single light travel pack slung over his shoulder. Trevor led him through the winding residential streets and up to the rooftop where the Junk Boat was parked.
The old property owner nodded lazily from his chair as Trevor settled the final balance, stepped aboard, and started up the mana core.
The thrusters hummed to life with a low blue glow. The vessel lifted smoothly into the sky, clearing the rooftop railings and rising above the stone towers of Celadon Hawk City.
Trevor gripped the helm, turning the ship’s bow sharply toward the west.
Below them, the city slowly shrank into the distance, giving way to the vast, shimmering expanse of the Western Sea. Ahead of them lay Gaia Pangea. end of chapter