Cael pushed through the infirmary door to find the three adventurers waiting in the hallway, just as promised. Darin straightened from where he'd been leaning against the wall, while Mira and Lyra turned from their quiet conversation.
"Ready to see what Kaelthorn has to offer?" Darin asked.
The city hit Cael's senses like a wall of sound and smell the moment they stepped outside. Merchants called out their wares from colorful stalls, the scent of roasted meat and exotic spices filled the air, and people in everything from simple tunics to elaborate robes crowded the cobblestone streets. Buildings rose three and four stories high, their walls a mix of weathered stone and dark timber that gave the whole place a rustic but prosperous feel.
"Market district," Lyra explained, gesturing to the organized chaos around them. "Best place to get oriented."
They wove through the crowd, passing stalls selling everything from weapons to jewelry to strange fruits Cael couldn't identify. Mira pointed out a particularly impressive armorer's shop, while Darin showed him where to find the best travel supplies.
"So," Cael said as they paused beside a spice merchant's colorful display, "mana sense—what does it do again?"
Lyra glanced at him, then nodded as if remembering his amnesia.
"Right. Mana sense lets you feel the flow of mana around you—in people, objects, spells being cast. Think of it like extending invisible fingers into the space around your body. You're not seeing mana, you're feeling its presence and movement."
She held up her hand, and Cael watched a faint shimmer of energy dance around her fingers.
"Focus on the sensation in your core, then try to push that awareness outward. Don't force it—mana responds better to gentle guidance than brute strength."
Cael closed his eyes, reaching for that warm presence in his chest. The sensation felt natural, like flexing a muscle he'd always had but never used. When he pushed that awareness beyond his skin, the world suddenly became richer. He could sense the three adventurers beside him, their cores glowing like steady flames, and dozens of other people moving through the market like distant candles.
"Whoa," he breathed, opening his eyes.
A few stalls down, a food vendor held his palm over a grill, flames dancing from his fingertips to cook skewered meat. The scent made Cael's mouth water, but what caught his attention was how casually the man used his fire magic.
"People use their powers for basic things too?"
"Well," Mira laughed, "if we couldn't, then what would be the point of having them?"
"Depends on the power," Darin interjected, his tone more serious. "Some Talents are too destructive to use openly."
They continued through the market until Darin gestured toward a two-story building with warm light spilling from its windows and the rich aroma of cooking food drifting onto the street.
"Come on, let's get some real food into you. Three days of healing potions and broth isn't much of a meal."
The restaurant's interior buzzed with conversation and the clatter of dishes. Wooden beams crossed the ceiling, and lanterns cast dancing shadows on the walls. They found an empty table near a window overlooking the street, the worn wooden surface bearing the marks of countless previous diners.
Cael settled into his chair, taking in the atmosphere. The other patrons ranged from rough-looking adventurers still wearing travel-stained gear to well-dressed merchants conducting business over their meals. A few tables over, someone was demonstrating a small light spell to impress their companions, the tiny orb bobbing between their fingers.
A young woman approached their table, her brown hair tied back in a practical bun and an apron wrapped around her simple dress. She carried herself with the easy confidence of someone comfortable in her work.
"Welcome to The Golden Griffin. What can I get for you today?"
Darin and Mira immediately launched into their orders, clearly familiar with the menu. Lyra requested something called honeyed ale and roasted chicken with herbs. When the waitress turned to Cael, he opened his mouth, then closed it again. The problem struck him suddenly—he had no idea what any of these foods were, what they cost, or even what currency this world used.
"I..." He glanced at the others, feeling heat rise in his cheeks. "What would you recommend?"
The waitress smiled kindly, but before she could respond, Lyra leaned forward.
"He'll have the shepherd's stew with fresh bread, and a mug of small ale," she said smoothly. "It's hearty food, perfect for someone recovering from an awakening."
"Excellent choice," the waitress agreed, jotting down the order. "I'll have everything out shortly."
As she walked away, Cael gave Lyra a grateful look.
"Thanks. I wasn't sure..."
"Memory loss extends to food preferences too," she said with understanding. "The stew's a safe bet—filling, tasty, and not too heavy on the stomach after what you've been through."
Mira nodded approvingly. "Plus it's one of their best dishes. The cook here actually uses a heating spell to get the perfect temperature throughout."
As they waited for their food, Mira leaned back in her chair and studied Cael with curious eyes.
"So what are your plans now? I mean, once you're fully recovered?"
Cael ran a hand through his white hair, the question hitting him like a weight in his chest.
"I honestly don't know. Without my memories, I'm kind of lost on what I should do next."
The admission hung in the air for a moment before Lyra brightened with an idea.
"You could work as an adventurer. That way you'd earn money while gaining fighting experience. Plenty of people start fresh in this business."
"That reminds me," Darin said, reaching into his leather pouch. He pulled out two glowing orbs—one small and dim, the other larger with a brilliant inner light that pulsed like a heartbeat. Both objects radiated an energy that made something deep in Cael's chest stir with recognition.
The larger orb especially drew his attention. Its crystalline surface seemed to contain swirling motes of spatial energy, and he could almost taste the power emanating from it.
"What are these?" Cael asked, unable to keep the fascination from his voice.
Darin chuckled, setting both orbs on the wooden table between them.
"Right, I keep forgetting. These are beast cores—what magical creatures draw their mana from. The small one came from that F-rank wolf you killed, and the big one's from the C-rank Riftfang Stalker."
Cael's Eyes of Origin activated without conscious thought, analyzing the cores' internal structure. The wolf's core contained basic earth-aligned mana, while the Riftfang's core practically hummed with spatial energy that matched what he'd absorbed during the fight.
"They go for a great price at the guild," Darin continued. "Core buyers always need fresh ones for enchanting and alchemy."
"And they can help you break through to higher ranks as well," Mira cut in, her healer's knowledge evident. "By absorbing the mana from a core, you can strengthen your own core and push past bottlenecks."
The cores seemed to pulse brighter under Cael's gaze, as if responding to his presence. His Talent whispered possibilities—ways to not just absorb their mana but understand and integrate their very essence.
"These are both mine?" he asked, still staring at the mesmerizing lights within the crystalline spheres.
"Your kills, your cores," Darin confirmed. "Standard adventuring law."
Cael smiled shyly, his fingers hovering over the pulsing cores but not quite touching them.
"Could you keep these for me? At least until we head back to the adventurer guild?"
Darin nodded, carefully wrapping both orbs in a soft cloth before tucking them back into his pouch.
"No problem. They'll be safe with me."
"Thanks." Cael glanced around the bustling restaurant. "Where's the bathroom?"
"Back hallway, past the kitchen," Lyra pointed toward a narrow corridor near the bar.
Cael pushed back from the table and made his way through the crowded dining room, weaving between servers carrying steaming plates and patrons deep in animated conversation.
The moment he disappeared down the hallway, Lyra leaned forward and lowered her voice.
"Is it just me, or are there way more awakeners in the city than usual?"
She gestured toward the dining room, where the telltale signs were impossible to miss. Gleaming armor caught the lantern light from multiple tables, weapon hilts jutted above chair backs, and the subtle shimmer of mana enhancement flickered around several patrons as they ate.
Darin followed her gaze and chuckled.
"Yeah, loads of people came here early for the grand tournament. Word's been spreading for months—best chance most of these folks will ever get."
Mira scoffed, rolling her eyes as she picked at her bread.
"Who would even want to attend some snobby academy anyway?"
"It's the best academy in the empire, Mira," Darin replied, his tone patient but amused.
"Whatever," she muttered, tearing off another piece of bread with perhaps more force than necessary.
The comfortable banter was interrupted by raised voices from somewhere near the restaurant's entrance. Lyra's head snapped toward the sound, her healer's instincts immediately alert to potential trouble.
"What's that about?"
Through the large front windows, they could see a small crowd gathering on the cobblestone street outside. Two figures stood in the center of the commotion, facing each other in what looked like a tense standoff.
Darin squinted through the glass, then cursed under his breath.
"That's Cael."
The white-haired boy stood with his shoulders squared, his relaxed posture from moments before replaced by something more alert and dangerous. Across from him, another young awakener—this one with elaborately styled blond hair and expensive-looking clothes—gestured angrily while speaking words they couldn't hear through the window.
"How did he even get into a confrontation that fast?"