Episode 4: The Brothers Galden and Felda
After the departure of the wizard Lavrito, Galden and Felda decided to enter the city full of sorcerers, doing their best to avoid the legal authorities. Their mission: to find Thomas Ferza.
Upon entering the City of Wonders, the atmosphere felt like a leap back into the Middle Ages—buildings, markets, and people... everything echoed that era. It was a strange place, with vendors selling magical items and street magicians performing bizarre tricks. Massive gates and a tall wall surrounded the city, stretching from its northern tip to the south. Uniformed guards stood atop the walls, making it clear that Galden and Felda had to keep their distance.
The most astonishing thing about the city was a gigantic palace floating above it like a drifting cloud. That was the "Government Palace."
Galden and Felda didn't know where to start their search. Then they noticed an old woman sitting before a crystal ball—a fortune teller. Remembering that Lavrito had given them some money, they approached her and handed over a few coins.
Galden asked,
"Where can I find Thomas Ferza? He's a boy dressed in formal clothes, always sitting in cafés."
The fortune teller repeated the question to her crystal ball. An image appeared—Thomas sipping coffee. She said:
"You'll find him at Café Loren. Look for him there."
They thanked her and headed off.
Meanwhile, Thomas was enjoying a cup of coffee when three loud men burst into the café. Their leader shouted,
"I'm strong—no one can beat me! And strong men drink strong stuff! Hahahaha!"
He stomped to the bar and barked,
"Hey, give me a drink! No, a whole bottle! Or I'll get angry. I'm a strong man! Hahaha!"
The bartender handed him the bottle. The man turned around and said,
"Now, I need the perfect spot to enjoy this."
His eyes landed on Thomas. He marched over and growled,
"Get up. I want this seat."
Thomas didn't even flinch, treating the man like empty air.
The man snarled,
"Hey! I'm not talking to a wall, brat! Move before I get mad!"
Thomas calmly replied,
"Listen, whoever you are… I got here first. This is my usual seat, so you have no right to it."
He glanced at his watch and added,
"Hmm... Don't worry, I'll leave by 11. (It was 9 o'clock.)"
The man exploded,
"You fool! You've made me angry! You'll regret this! Let's fight for the seat!"
Thomas smirked,
"I'm not moving until I finish my coffee. Leave me alone."
The man snapped and slammed the table, spilling Thomas's coffee all over his clothes.
"Hahaha! I guess you're done now!"
Thomas stood up slowly and said,
"You'll regret that."
Before the fight began, the café owner kicked them out. A crowd gathered outside to watch. Some shouted at the man, telling him to stop picking on a child, but he didn't care.
He charged at Thomas with wild punches—but Thomas easily dodged, mocking the slow attacks. The man changed tactics, hurling heavy objects, but again, Thomas evaded them effortlessly. Then, in a flash, Thomas struck back with his cane—Boom!
Just then, Galden and Felda arrived.
"Isn't that the guy we're looking for?" Felda asked.
"Yeah, that's him. He's actually strong," Galden replied.
The battle continued. Thomas moved fluidly, striking with his cane. The man was clearly outmatched. In frustration, he shouted,
"That's it! Time for magic! Muscle Boost Spell… HAAAA!"
His arms swelled grotesquely.
"Thousand-Punch Barrage!"
A storm of rapid punches came at Thomas. He couldn't dodge them all and was sent flying into a wall, disappearing into a cloud of dust.
"Nyehehehehehe!" the man laughed.
But then, Thomas stood up.
"Is that your logic, fool? If you have magic… then so do I. And mine is stronger."
"WHAT?!"
Thomas raised his cane to the sky.
"Transformation Spell: First Form—Cutting Sword!"
The cane turned into a gleaming blade. The man shouted again:
"Thousand-Punch Barrage!"
Thomas dashed forward as well:
"Blinding Slash!"
They passed each other in an instant.
Silence.
Blood began dripping from the man's abdomen. He collapsed. Thomas returned his sword to cane form and muttered,
"Yeah, yeah... I'm going back to my coffee."
The man's friends dragged him away.
Back inside the café, Thomas sat down again. Galden and Felda followed and asked to speak with him. He agreed and said,
"So, what do you two want now?"
Galden answered,
"We're nobodies—no official magical ID. The wizard Lavrito sent us to you. He said you could help."
"Help with what?" Thomas asked.
"We need your help creating magical identities."
Thomas burst out laughing,
"Haa? And why would I do that? Do I even know you? Get lost before I lose my temper. I don't need the headache."
Galden insisted,
"But—"
Thomas cut him off:
"You're asking the impossible. I should report you to the Council—they'd throw you in prison. But since you're friends with that senile old Lavrito, I'll let it slide."
"But—" they tried again.
He barked,
"Leave before I change my mind."
Crushed, Galden and Felda walked away, disheartened.
Meanwhile, the defeated man sat crying like a child. A massive man approached and asked,
"Why are you crying, little brother?"
"A kid beat me up... made me look weak..."
"What?! He dared do that? I'll make him pay!"
What will happen to Thomas next?
Find out in Episode 5!