Morning.
Keal packed the pills carefully into a small cloth bag.
The red pills Arion made… and the two pills he made himself.
Keal: I'm going to market.
Liora ran to him.
Liora: I'm coming too.
Keal: Stay home.
Liora: No. I'm coming.
Keal sighed.
Keal: …Fine. Stay close.
The small fluffy beast jumped behind them.
Liora: He's coming too.
Keal: Let him.
Arion sat near the eggs quietly.
Arion: Return early.
Keal: Okay.
Market.
They spread a cloth and placed the pills neatly.
Customer: What are these?
Keal: Healing pills. Level 3.
Some people bought. Some walked away. Slowly coins began collecting.
The small beast sat beside Liora. She stroked its fur while watching people.
Suddenly the crowd started moving aside.
Whispers spread.
Crowd whisper: Royal family…
Crowd whisper: Move… move…
Four armored guards walked forward.
Behind them were two young nobles.
A girl around ten. Calm face. Cold eyes.
A boy around twelve. Straight posture. Proud expression.
They wore deep blue robes with silver patterns.
Crowd whisper: That's the Aurelios family…
Crowd whisper: From the northern capital…
Crowd whisper: One of the three ruling noble houses…
Crowd whisper: Don't look directly…
The boy stopped near Keal's stall.
His name: Vael Aurelios.
The girl: Seris Aurelios.
Vael looked at the pills.
Vael: A child selling pills?
He picked one up.
Vael: What level?
Keal: Level 3.
Vael: Who made them?
Keal: I did.
Vael slowly looked at him.
Vael: …You?
Keal nodded.
Vael: Do you think I'm foolish?
Keal: I'm telling truth.
Vael: You're an alchemist?
Keal: Yes.
Vael: Age?
Keal: Eleven.
Vael gave a small laugh.
Vael: Level-3 pills at eleven?
You expect me to believe that?
Liora stepped forward angrily.
Liora: My brother made them!
If you want to buy, buy.
If not, go away!
The crowd went silent.
Crowd whisper: She talked back…
Crowd whisper: To Aurelios heir…
Vael's expression turned cold.
Before Keal could react—
Slap.
He hit Liora.
She fell.
Liora: Ah…!
Keal's vision went red.
Keal: LIORA!
He rushed forward and tried to punch Vael.
Vael moved instantly.
Thud.
A kick landed on Keal's stomach.
Keal crashed to the ground, gasping.
Vael: Pathetic.
Seris stood beside silently watching.
Seris: Brother… let's go.
Vael ignored her.
He picked another pill.
Vael: Guards.
Guards stepped forward.
Vael: Take these pills.
How dare a street rat steal pills and claim he made them.
Guard: Yes, young master.
They collected all pills from the cloth.
Keal tried to stand but fell again.
Liora crawled to him crying.
Liora: Kael… it hurts…
Keal clenched his fists but couldn't move.
Crowd whisper: Don't interfere…
Crowd whisper: It's Aurelios family…
Crowd whisper: They rule half the northern trade…
Vael looked down at Keal once more.
Vael: Know your place.
He turned.
Seris looked once at Keal and Liora, then followed silently.
The guards walked with them.
The crowd slowly returned to normal like nothing happened.
No one helped.
After some time…
Keal slowly stood.
His clothes torn. Face bruised.
Liora held his arm, still crying.
Liora: Kael…
Keal wiped her tears quietly.
Keal: Let's go home.
They picked the empty cloth.
The small beast followed silently.
Keal walked with his head down… back toward home.