The morning light poured into Amon's small, cramped apartment, rousing him from his sleep. The excitement of the day ahead buzzed in his mind like an electric current.
He jumped out of bed, stretched, and quickly freshened up in the barely functional bathroom. A quick, simple bath, nothing luxurious, but enough to get him ready for the day.
He slipped on his white shirt and black trousers, careful to smooth out any wrinkles. After eating a light breakfast—just some bread and water—
he grabbed his suitcase, feeling its weight in his hand, and headed for the front door.
He paused at the threshold, looking back at the small, humble apartment that had been his home for the past three years.
The place wasn't much, no, but it had been a safe space. A home, in its own way.
Sighing, he locked the door behind him, the familiar click of the lock sounding like the closing of an old chapter.
As he stepped outside, the bustling city of Valerion greeted him. The streets were alive with the chatter of the morning crowd—merchants setting up their stalls, children on their way to school, and workers heading off to their various jobs.
Amon took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling his lungs. Even though life here had been tough, he'd gotten used to it. He'd learned to find small joys in the chaos, the everyday things that made this city feel somewhat bearable. Even the simple act of walking down these crowded streets had a rhythm to it.
With a small smile, he made his way to the market district, where The Iron Mug Tavern stood, as familiar to him as any old friend. The tavern's sign creaked slightly in the wind, hanging low over the wooden door.
He stood in front of the tavern for a moment, gazing up at the sign. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia.
This was where everything had started for him, where he'd found work and a sense of stability.
As he pushed the door open and entered, the familiar warmth of the tavern washed over him, along with the scents of roasting meat and the faint bitterness of beer.
Inside, Mr. Ellias was busy cleaning a mug behind the counter, his gruff voice filling the air as he chatted with Leon, Matia, and the other workers, who were all bustling around getting the place ready for the morning crowd. The tavern was never quiet for long.
"Good morning, everyone!" Amon called, a bright smile on his face as he walked in. He took a deep breath before continuing. "Hey, Mr. Ellias, I've got some good news to share with you."
Mr. Ellias paused, setting down the mug he was polishing, and raised an eyebrow. "Good news, eh? This should be interesting."
Amon chuckled. He couldn't help himself. "Last night, I… well, I got a golden ticket to Arcadia Academy."
Amon tells them about everything that happen last night and how he got ticket from that drunken lady.
For a moment, the tavern fell quiet. Mr. Ellias blinked, clearly processing the news, before he let out a loud laugh.
"Well, I'll be damned! You, Amon? Going to Arcadia Academy? That's a hell of a story. I've known you for years, and to think you'll be going to the most prestigious academy in the entire continent... Ha!"
Leon, who was leaning against the counter with an amused grin, suddenly straightened up, his eyes widening.
"Wait, wait, wait! You, going to the academy? Seriously? You—?" He paused, glancing at Amon, and then lowered his voice. "Aren't you a little… weak? I mean, can you even survive there?"
Matia, who had been silently wiping down the tables, let out a long sigh and turned to face them. Her expression softened, and she gave Amon a brief but encouraging smile.
"He'll be fine. He's been through worse." She paused, then added, "At least, I hope so. Just… stay away from the nobles, okay?"
Amon chuckled nervously. "Yeah, I'll try my best to stay out of trouble. I've been dealing with nobles since forever, right?" He gave Leon a wink. "But no promises. You know how much trouble I can get into."
Matia said with worried tone "Just be carefull.Dont get into unnecessary fights"
Amon shrugged. "I'm not worried. I might be weak, but I'll make it through. And when I get out, I'll have a bright future. Not like I've had much of one up until now."
Mr. Ellias clapped him on the back, his voice full of warmth. "That's the spirit, boy. You've got grit. You'll need it up there with all those nobles and their fancy magic tricks. I'll miss you, Amon. You've been a good worker here. Not many people can handle my charm." He chuckled at his own joke, though there was a touch of sincerity in his tone.
"Don't worry, Boss," Amon said, grinning. "I'll come back during vacations. You'll see me around."
Leon was still looking at him with a mix of disbelief and worry. "When do you leave, then?"
"Train leaves at 10 a.m.," Amon replied, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Can't afford the teleportation gate. But that's fine. I'm used to taking the long route."
Mr. Ellias nodded with a knowing smile. "You've got guts, Amon. Alright, you've got a new adventure ahead of you. Make sure you don't waste it."
Amon felt a sense of warmth welling up inside of him. Despite all the difficulties he'd faced in this city, he'd found a small family in this tavern.
They were his first real connection in this world after his parents died, after all the years of being alone and struggling to survive.
"Thanks, everyone," Amon said, his voice a little softer now. "I won't forget any of you."
With that, he gave one last wave and made his way out of the tavern. The air was cool as he stepped onto the street, the sun rising higher in the sky.
The railway station was only a short walk away, so Amon decided to take his time. It was a strange feeling, knowing that this was the last time he'd be walking through the streets of Valerion for a while.
But there was a sense of excitement mixed in with the sadness. A new chapter was waiting for him, one he hadn't dared to dream about until now.
As he reached the railway station, he was struck by its Victorian Gothic architecture. The high, arched roof seemed to stretch forever, supported by iron beams twisted into ornate patterns.
The trains that ran on mana crystals were sleek, polished, and practically hummed with power.
He bought his ticket to Elarith at the counter. 200 silver coins. It wasn't cheap, but it was the most affordable option.
Teleportation gates, with their instant travel, would have cost him 2 gold coins, a sum he couldn't even dream of affording.
He settled down on a wooden bench near the platform, the weight of his suitcase beside him. Looking up at the big clock on the wall, he saw it was 9:40 a.m. The train would be arriving in 20 minutes, and the journey would take about 7 hours.
Amon leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment, trying to focus his thoughts.
"It's the 10th of the 1st month, Year 1236 E.S.," he muttered to himself, remembering the exact date.
He'd need to make the most of the five days before the academy started. The entrance exams had already taken place, and the academy would officially start on the 15th of the month.
For now, though, he had a little time to relax.
The sound of the approaching train rumbled through the station, drawing him from his thoughts.
He stood up and grabbed his suitcase, heading to the platform as the train came to a halt. Its mana engine hummed with power, and the black exterior gleamed under the light.
He found his seat near the window and settled in. The train slowly began to move, the city of Valerion receding behind him. Amon stared out the window, his heart heavy but hopeful.
"Goodbye, Valerion," he whispered to himself. "It's been cruel, but there were moments of kindness too. I'll never forget that."
As the train picked up speed, he let out a long sigh. A new journey awaited him.
He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in years, he felt a spark of hope.
"Here's to whatever comes next," Amon muttered, the smile on his face growing as he looked forward to his new life at Arcadia Academy.