They continued trading stories while working through their tea and pastries. William found himself actually enjoying the casual atmosphere, the gentle teasing and shared experiences creating a sense of camaraderie different from team training.
After the tea shop, Lyanna led them through the market square where vendors sold everything from essence-reactive trinkets to practical cultivation supplies to completely mundane household goods.
"Oh, look at these," Sara stopped at a stall selling small essence crystals shaped into decorative jewelry. "These are beautiful. Are they functional or just aesthetic?"
The vendor who was an elderly woman with sharp eyes, smiled. "Both, dear. The crystals are low-grade essence storage, they are not enough for combat use, but they'll hold a small amount for minor techniques or emergency situations. And they're really pretty too."
Sara examined a pendant shaped like a snowflake. "This matches my ice affinity. How much does it cost?"
