Ximing woke up earlier than usual.
Today was their first full day in the human border city.
He looked out the window.
The streets were already busy.
Merchants were opening their shops. Carriages moved through the streets, and magical lamps slowly disappeared as the morning sunlight grew brighter.
Ximing smiled.
"Let's explore."
Kael was already waiting downstairs.
"You took your time."
"I was deciding where we should go first."
"Where?"
Ximing held up his notebook.
"The market."
Kael sighed.
"We were at the market yesterday."
"That was the food market."
"And?"
"Today we're visiting the magic market."
Kael stared at him.
"You never mentioned a magic market."
"I just found out there was one."
"Of course you did."
The Magic Market
The magic district was unlike anything Ximing had seen before.
Shops lined both sides of the street, displaying glowing crystals, enchanted tools, magical books, potions, jewelry, and strange objects that seemed to move on their own.
Ximing stopped in front of a shop window.
Inside was a crystal floating above a wooden stand.
"What does that do?"
Kael looked at it.
"Probably stores magic."
"Probably?"
"I don't know much about magic."
Ximing's curiosity increased.
He entered the shop.
A human woman behind the counter greeted them.
"Welcome."
Ximing pointed toward the crystal.
"What is that?"
"A basic mana crystal."
"How does it work?"
She explained that mana crystals could store magical energy and were commonly used to power enchanted objects.
Ximing immediately began thinking.
A restaurant could use magical lighting.
His eyes moved around the shop.
The clothing workshop could use enchanted sewing tools.
Then another thought appeared.
Maybe I could make magical refrigerators.
He smiled.
Kael noticed.
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing."
"That's the same face you made before starting the restaurant."
Ximing laughed.
A Magical Sewing Machine
Then Ximing saw something that completely captured his attention.
A small enchanted machine sat on a table.
The merchant explained that it could automatically stitch simple patterns into fabric.
Ximing picked it up carefully.
"How much?"
Kael immediately looked worried.
"I haven't bought anything."
"Yet."
The merchant named the price.
Ximing paid.
Kael stared at him.
"You bought it."
"Yes."
"We came here for restaurant supplies."
"I bought restaurant supplies."
"And fabric."
"I bought fabric."
"And now a magical sewing machine."
Ximing smiled.
"Exactly."
Kael shook his head.
"You're impossible."
A New Possibility
They continued exploring.
Ximing discovered that magic was divided into many branches.
There was:
🔥 Fire magic
💧 Water magic
🌿 Nature magic
🌪️ Wind magic
🪨 Earth magic
❄️ Ice magic
✨ Light magic
🌑 Shadow magic
🛡️ Defensive magic
💚 Healing magic
There were also people who specialized in magical crafts.
Enchanting.
Alchemy.
Rune writing.
Magical architecture.
And magical farming.
Ximing's eyes practically sparkled.
"Kael."
"Hm?"
"This world has everything."
Kael smiled.
"Pretty much."
"I think I like it here."
A Surprise for Kael
Before leaving the market, Ximing stopped at a jewelry stall.
He noticed a dark green stone set inside a simple silver pendant.
He picked it up.
"This would suit you."
Kael looked surprised.
"For me?"
Ximing nodded.
"Your earth magic is green, right?"
"Usually."
"And you like dark colors."
Kael looked at the pendant.
"It's nice."
Ximing bought it.
Kael hesitated.
"You didn't have to."
Ximing handed it to him.
"It's a gift."
Kael smiled.
"Thank you."
Ximing smiled back.
"You're welcome."
It was a small moment.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing complicated.
Just two people becoming increasingly important to each other.
The Royal Capital
As they left the magic district, they noticed a large notice board.
One announcement caught Ximing's attention.
ROYAL CAPITAL MAGIC ACADEMY — ADMISSIONS OPEN
Ximing stopped.
He read the announcement carefully.
The academy accepted students from both human and beastfolk territories.
There were classes in magic, history, mathematics, languages, medicine, magical theory, combat training, and many other subjects.
Ximing stared at the notice.
Kael noticed.
"You like the academy."
"It's impressive."
"Thinking about attending?"
Ximing laughed.
"Me? No."
He looked at the announcement again.
"But..."
Kael waited.
Ximing smiled.
"Maybe our children could study there someday."
Kael's expression softened.
"Our children?"
Ximing looked slightly embarrassed.
"I mean... someday. If we have children."
Kael nodded.
"Someday."
Ximing looked back toward the road leading deeper into human territory.
The Royal Capital suddenly felt much more interesting.
Not because he wanted fame.
Not because he wanted to become powerful.
But because he could already imagine little footsteps running through the halls of their future home.
Children carrying school bags.
Complaining about homework.
Arguing over breakfast.
Coming home excited about their magic lessons.
Ximing smiled.
"Let's go home tomorrow."
Kael raised an eyebrow.
"Already?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Ximing held up his notebook.
"Because I have a restaurant to build."
He paused.
"And a clothing brand."
Kael laughed.
"And a family someday."
Ximing smiled.
"That too."
Then they continued walking through the busy city streets, carrying their purchases and carrying something else with them:
a new vision for the future.