After the incident, Ark could sense countless eyes attempting to sneak glances at him from afar. This scrutiny unsettled him; unnecessary attention was never a good thing. While ordinary onlookers couldn't grasp the true nature of what had just transpired or the source of the oppressive aura, those with sharper instincts recognized it. Among them, some managed to pinpoint Ark as the origin of the palpable threat.
"Who was that rude boy?" Ark asked, his tone calm but laced with curiosity. Mizan, however, was too shaken, breaking in cold sweat by the raw display of Ark's power to respond immediately. It dawned on him that the man seated across from him wasn't just formidable—he was utterly dangerous. After taking a moment to steady himself, Mizan finally replied, "H-His name is Loric Cromwell. He's a student at Luna Ray Academy, just like me. He's arrogant and spoiled, born into one of the elite families. H-He has a reputation for looking down on others and treating anyone he considers beneath him like dirt."
The conversation hung in the air as the two finished their meal. As they prepared to leave, a staff attendant approached them, bowing politely. "Sirs, the manager has asked me to extend her apologies for any inconvenience you may have experienced. Your meal has been fully covered by the establishment."
To the attendant's surprise, Ark declined the offer. "I can afford my own meal," he stated firmly. Reaching into his cloak, he retrieved a pouch and placed it on the table. "This should cover it—and the damage I caused to your establishment."
Ark and Mizan departed, leaving the attendant flustered and unsure of how to proceed. Clutching the pouch, the staff member hurried to the manager's office and recounted what had happened.
Miora, the manager, carefully opened the pouch and examined its contents. Her eyes widened in surprise. As the head of the eastern branch of the Golden Divine Merchants—a powerful and affluent trading conglomerate—she was well-acquainted with the various gold coins used across the continent and even beyond its borders. Yet the coins in Ark's pouch were unlike anything she had encountered before.
The coins in Miora's hands gleamed under the light, their weight and lustrous color speaking of gold of the highest purity. Yet, what captivated her most was the engraving on each coin: a single word, "Nox." The name sent a faint chill through her, though she couldn't place why. Frowning, she called for her assistant. "Find out everything you can about these coins. Their origin, their significance—everything."
The assistant bowed quickly and scurried off, leaving Miora to stare at the coins with a mix of intrigue and unease. The name Nox lingered in her mind, 'Was there a faction with such a name In the empire?' She poundred.
***
Outside the Divine Fragrance Palace, Ark handed Mizan another pouch of gold coins, his tone casual yet sincere. "Thank you for your help thus far. Here, this is the payment I promised." Without waiting for a response, Ark turned to leave.
Mizan stood frozen, the weight of the pouch in his hand doing little to ground his thoughts. But as Ark began to walk away, a surge of determination broke through his hesitation. "Wait!" he called out.
Ark paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"I don't want the gold," Mizan said firmly, his voice trembling but resolute. "What I want is to become strong. You said my ability is gravity manipulation—not just making things weightless. If that's true, then I need your help. I need to understand what this power means. Teach me, train me… Please!"
Mizan's plea carried the weight of years of frustration and longing. Ever since he had been labeled a porter boy, and the academy's lowest rank, he had endured ridicule and scorn. But after witnessing Ark's overwhelming power, he felt a glimmer of hope. Ark had been the first person to see potential in his strange, misunderstood ability.
The professors at Luna Ray Academy, renowned as they were, had failed to unlock the mysteries of his power. But this man, with a single glance, had identified it as gravity manipulation. Mizan refused to let this chance slip away.
A faint smile played on Ark's lips, before he turned fully to face the boy. 'Perfect.' Inwardly, he rejoiced. His words and actions thus far were in hope to plant the seeds of ambition in the boy, and now they were sprouting. This was precisely what he wanted: a chance to test whether Mizan could be molded into something useful to his cause.
"You want to be strong?" Ark asked, his tone unreadable. "I don't mind teaching you. But…" He paused.
Mizan's eyes widened, and he listened intently.
"As you already know, I'm a traveler," Ark continued. "I don't plan to stay in one place for long. If you want my guidance, you'll have to leave this city and follow me. Think carefully about what that means."
The words struck Mizan like a hammer. He didn't know this man well—this was their first meeting, after all—and Ark's aura of danger was undeniable. To follow such a man to an unknown destination was daunting, especially for a thirteen-year-old boy.
And there was the academy to consider. Leaving would almost certainly result in his expulsion. Though he was already teetering on the edge of being dismissed due to his lack of progress, the academy had been a source of pride for him. Gaining admission had once felt like his greatest achievement.
'Can I really give that up?' he thought, doubt creeping into his resolve.
Before Mizan could sink deeper into his thoughts, Ark's voice cut through. "Miz boy, if you want to achieve something in this world, don't waste time agonizing over what you'll leave behind. Instead, focus on what lies ahead. For the future is ahead of you, not behind you."
Mizan stared at him, his mind racing.
"I'll be leaving in two days," Ark continued. "If you've made up your mind by then, meet me at dawn, in the cemetery where we first met. Bring only what you truly need. If you hesitate, don't bother showing up."
Without another word, Ark turned and walked away, his cloak billowing slightly in the breeze.
Mizan stood rooted in place, clutching the pouch of gold and staring after Ark's retreating figure. His heart was a storm of emotions—fear, doubt, hope, and determination clashing all at once. He didn't know what the future held, but Ark's words echoed in his mind: 'Don't think about what you'll leave behind. Think about what lies ahead.'
For the first time in years, Mizan felt the faint stirrings of a dream worth chasing.
***
Ark meandered through the lively business district, his pace slow as he indulged in every street food that caught his eye. He would buy it, devour it in seconds, as though he hadn't just finished off a substantial meal—one that could easily satisfy four or five people—at a restaurant moments ago. His appetite seemed insatiable. After savoring yet another snack, he finally reached his destination: a towering structure that loomed over the area, the Divine Trade Pavilion. The double doors stood imposing, adorned with a brilliant crest. Above them, a golden sun shimmered, framed by silver laurels—an unmistakable symbol of the prestigious Golden Divine Merchants Group.
The pavilion was a marvel of architecture and opulence. Its golden stone facade shimmered in the sunlight, adorned with intricate carvings that depicted legendary tales of trade and prosperity. Each floor was tailored to a unique theme: the first floor buzzed with vendors selling general goods; the second floor offered elixirs and medicinal herbs; higher floors showcased weapons, armor, rare artifacts, and treasures beyond imagination. The pavilion was not merely a marketplace—it was a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Upon entering the second floor, Ark was greeted by an attentive staff member, despite his unassuming appearance. The attendant, dressed impeccably, bowed slightly and asked how he could assist.
"Do you have magical beast blood essence?" Ark inquired.
The attendant replied. "Of course," his voice filled with pride. "The Divine Trade Pavilion provides the finest alchemical and medicinal materials in the region."
"I need the highest-order blood essence you have," Ark stated flatly.
The request caught the attendant off guard. His professional demeanor wavered as he processed the bold demand. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "The highest we have in stock is the fourth-order Snow Wolf blood essence, known for its potency in strengthening one's physical attributes. However…" He paused, glancing at Ark carefully. "We also have a vial of sixth-order Giant Sea Snake blood essence. But due to its extreme venomous nature, it is only suitable for highly specialized cases. It is not recommended for general use."
To the attendant's surprise, Ark responded immediately. "I'll take all the fourth-order blood essence available–and the sixth-order as well."
The declaration left the attendant stunned. He hesitated, wondering if this mysterious man could truly afford such costly items. Struggling to maintain his composure, he asked nervously, "May I inquire about your preferred method of payment? Gold? Or perhaps a trade involving rare valuables?" He added cautiously, "These items are… extraordinarily expensive. The Snow Wolf blood essence is priced at six-hundred gold coins each, while the Giant Sea Snake blood essence is valued at two-thousands and five-hundred gold coins."
Without a word, Ark reached into his cloak and retrieved a palm-sized slab of prismatic metal. Its surface shimmered with a swirling spectrum of colors, as though it held the essence of a rainbow itself.
"This should suffice," Ark said evenly, placing the slab into the attendant's hands.