Kael entered the city and was immediately engulfed by the vibrant scene around him. Despite its simple appearance, with uneven stone streets and wood-and-clay buildings, there was a palpable energy that made it feel unique. The city was much larger than he had imagined, with various intertwining streets leading to different districts and sectors.
The houses and shops had a rustic charm, but the population was diverse—humans, elves, even some dwarves, and smaller magical creatures, all coexisting naturally. The sound of chatter and trade filled the air, creating an atmosphere of life and movement.
"Wow... this is... bigger than I expected," Kael murmured to himself, his eyes shining with curiosity.
He had never seen such a variety of people gathered in one place, and it fascinated him. Unlike the quiet, isolated forests where he had grown up, this city was full of life, sounds, and scents. The smell of fresh bread mixed with the aroma of herbs and spices, and Kael couldn’t help but smile.
"This is a city of people who know how to live," he commented, almost to himself, feeling oddly at home, despite how new this environment was to him.
Umbra, floating beside him, gave a mischievous smile. "Now you’re starting to understand the fun of living outside that forest... but if you keep wandering around like this, you’ll end up getting lost in these streets without even noticing."
Kael chuckled, his eyes still fixed on the various weapon shops and magical goods markets. "It’s not like this is my first outing, but yeah… it does seem easier to get lost here than in the middle of the trees." He observed the hustle and bustle around him, watching people negotiating, arguing over prices, and making deals.
As they continued walking, Kael saw potion shops, food markets, and even a group of lively musicians playing at a street corner. The city, though humble, radiated warmth and energy. A stunning contrast to the isolated life he had known until now.
"I wonder what life here will be like..." Kael mused aloud, feeling excitement growing as he moved forward. "I guess we need a place to stay, right? The day is ending."
Then, he suddenly realized something. "Wait a minute... I left home at midday... so why is it getting dark only now?"
"Well… when you defeated the spider… you slept for five days..." Umbra said.
Kael froze, his eyes widening as he processed what Umbra had just said. "Five days?! But I… I thought I only slept for a few hours… I was in so much pain and—"
Umbra laughed softly, her tone as playful as ever. "Ah, the magic of the forest and that deep rest… You were so exhausted that you didn’t even notice, but time in that forest is… well, let’s just say it’s not very reliable. By the time you woke up, the world had already moved forward."
Kael rubbed his head, completely stunned. "Five whole days... How did I not notice that? I… I spent almost a week sleeping without even knowing?" He looked genuinely baffled, as if time itself had played a trick on him.
"Pretty much," Umbra continued with a playful smirk. "You must have had an amazing recovery. But now, you’re already tired again and need to rest. Your body isn’t used to walking long distances or building stamina yet… Probably because your mother protected you too much."
Kael looked toward the horizon, the weight of the revelation still making his head spin. "My mother… She was always overprotective, but I never thought it was this bad. I guess I’m weaker than I imagined..." he murmured, reflecting on how little he truly knew about the challenges of the world.
Umbra floated beside him, her voice now softer, though still carrying a teasing edge. "Of course, you’re weak. You were raised like a prince in a hidden garden, far from everything that could shape you into something stronger. But look at you now—five days asleep, and you’re already out of that forest, standing in a city full of strangers, with a spirit who refuses to leave your side. I’d say you have more strength than you think… you just need to start using your head a little more."
Kael let out a nervous laugh. "Well, one thing’s for sure: I’m not in that forest anymore. And that’s already a huge step forward."
"Yes, yes, we can finally start focusing on the future, right? If you keep this up, soon enough, you’ll be a real problem for others. And who knows? One day, you might even become a threat to your dear grandmother!" Umbra said in a sarcastic tone, clearly amused by the idea.
Kael looked at Umbra, letting out a small laugh. "And would that be a good thing or a bad thing, huh?"
"Ah, I’d say that depends on your point of view," Umbra replied, an invisible smirk in her voice. "But before anything else, you need to rest. Then, we can think about what to do with all that power that’s starting to grow inside you."
Kael nodded, already feeling the effects of exhaustion creeping in after the long walk through the forest. The night was falling quickly now, the city’s lights turning on, creating a calm and welcoming atmosphere.
"Alright, I get it. Let’s find an inn and rest." Kael sighed, then started walking towards the nearest buildings, searching for a place to stay.
He spotted a signboard, read it briefly, and then stepped inside.
Kael entered the inn and was immediately greeted by a warm yet lively atmosphere. Despite the strong smell of ale and the soft glow of candlelight, the place had a cozy charm to it. The main hall was filled with simple wooden tables, some occupied by weary travelers, others by loud conversations and merriment. The heat from the fireplace was comforting, but Kael quickly realized that the scene wasn’t as peaceful as it seemed at first glance.
A man, clearly drunk, was shouting at the attendant behind the counter. He was waving a bottle of liquor, his wild gestures making the woman, who seemed to be the innkeeper, take a nervous step back. The man showed no intention of stopping his outburst, and the attendant was struggling to keep the situation under control.
"What are you giving me, girl? I pay well, so stop being so uptight!" the man yelled, his boozy eyes barely focusing. "I just want another drink!"
Kael frowned. He hated seeing people mistreating others, especially women. He looked around, noticing that nobody seemed willing to step in, as if they were used to this kind of behavior.
"Hey, buddy. I think you’ve had enough for today," Kael said, his voice calm but firm as he approached.
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The drunkard stopped yelling and turned his head sluggishly toward Kael, his hazy eyes struggling to focus on this new intruder. "And what do you want, kid? You think you’re gonna give me a lesson on manners, huh?"
Kael crossed his arms, staying composed. "No, I just think it’s time for you to take a break and leave the lady alone."
The man laughed loudly, completely ignoring the warning, and clumsily tried to stand up. "Ohhh, you gonna teach me, huh? Hahaha! Come on, then!"
Umbra, floating near Kael, whispered with a playful tone, "Looks like you won’t get through this without a little fun, huh? No such thing as just a peaceful night of sleep. Do something about it."
Kael glanced at Umbra, smirking slightly, then turned back to the stumbling drunk, who was now moving toward him with unsteady steps.
"You really wanna do this, huh?" Kael asked, his voice still calm, but now carrying a subtle hint of menace.
The drunkard didn’t wait for an answer. As if deciding that the best way to settle this was a fight, he lunged at Kael.
However, before the man could even get close, Kael made a quick flick with his hand, and a light breeze cut through the air.
In an instant, the drunkard was pushed backward, stumbling and crashing back into his chair with a loud thud.
The man blinked in confusion, trying to process what had just happened. He attempted to steady himself, but it was clear that the small display of power had shaken him.
"Now," Kael said, his smirk widening, "you’re either gonna sit down and stay quiet, or I’ll show you what else I can do with this little breeze."
The attendant, who had been watching the scene with a mix of relief and surprise, finally stepped forward and let out a sigh. "Thank you so much, sir... I really didn’t know what to do with him. He’s been coming here for days, but it seems like no one could get him to stop causing trouble."
Kael gave a slight nod. "It was nothing. He just needed to be reminded of his place."
The drunk, now completely shaken and suddenly much more sober, mumbled something incoherent and sat down without protest, clutching his bottle tightly against his chest as Kael stepped away, with Umbra floating beside him.
"Well... I think that’s enough for today. Now, where’s the cheapest room in this inn?" Kael asked, flashing a small smile at the attendant.
She smiled in relief, still a bit shocked. "Of course, sir. Follow me, I’ll show you."