Nathaniel walked down the streets of the city, exploring and getting used to the place getting accustomed to it's unique "culture"
Yet.. He felt uneasy, he was always alert yet the city felt.. Off in a way
'It's to gloomy.. The sky turned grey the moment we stepped in, any it isn't the kind of grey that looks like it will rain.. More like Britain type of grey.. No nevermind it always rains back home'
He reminisced of his past life, the atmosphere reflecting and reminding him of his homeland
'It wasn't the best place to live but it was home afterall..'
He smiled as his mask slowly dimmed in light a sign that his mana was slowly depleting
He sighed as his mask vanishes into small embers, looking around to make sure no one recognized him something interesting got his attention..
'Food.. I'm hungry..'
...
Nom!
Nathaniel bit into the small piece of fried chicken in his hand not minding what others thought, absent mindingly eating in the middle of the street while he walked
'They're staring at me..'
He paused for a minute, the citizens of the fortress staring at the adventurer broughr him even more unease..
'I haven't found any people eating in the street nor actual vendors selling food to be eaten on the street.. Is this another culture difference?.. Well, I'm still hungry so who cares.'
He shrugged the gazes off and continued eating his food until..
Arf arf!
A small black wolf pup emerged from his back pack, wagging his tail and moving up and down it stared at the drumstick Nathaniel was holding
' ' Have it. ' '
He gave it to the dog as he took another one from his bag eating it
...
After what felt like hours of walking they arrived at the tallest building of District 13,
A giant tower with black and gold accents, the pride of the Golden Merchants and their center
Westventer Arcaium Tower
A former Magic tower now turned business building housing countless employees preforming trades, loans and deals every second inside
'I should get ready'
Embers began to spark and grow as they manifested into a mask covering Nathaniel's face, hiding his identity
'This is quite grand..'
He thought to himself, looking around the gigantic building filled with countless people, it's grand interior breath taking to behold would catch Nathaniel off guard, it's sheer beauty staggering the adventurer making him pause
After a few minutes of blankly staring, he regained his composure walking towards the center of the building towards a grand marble staircase
' ' Halt. ' '
A man clad in yellow died leather armour would stop Nathaniel, holding his spear preventing Nathaniel to move
' ' What is your purpose here. ' '
He questioned Nathanial staying alert but making sure his actions were not to agressive as to follow protocol
' ' I'm here for an appointment with the Mistress. ' '
Nathaniel answered, letting go of the the hilt of his sword to show he means no harm
The guard in response narrowed his eyes staring Nathaniel up and down before sighing moving to the side
' ' You may go. ' '
' ' Thank you. ' '
Nathaniel waved him off as he climbed up the magic tower, bright chandeliers and countless other decorations filled the tower showing off the Guild's financial wealth with extravegance only rivalled by nobles
'If I didn't know any better I'd have thought of this as a branch of the Atkins county'
He observed as he continued to climb before ariving half way through the tower he stumbled upon a door designed with beautiful Red Lotuses
Knock knock
He knocker softly at the door, once, twice and then thrice before he spoke
' ' It's me, Sol ' '
His distinct voice would catch Elanor's attention setting her papers neatly aside before she answered
' ' Please, come in ' '
Creak-
The door opened revealing Nathaniel behind, wiping his boots off with the floor mat he allowed his mask to leave him as he closed the door
' ' What did your father say? ' '
Nathaniel asked Elanor as he tidied up his clothing, with a smug smile Elanor replied
' ' Of course, we have plenty.. ' '
She paused, staring at Nathaniel before continuing to speak
' ' Though, it will cost a lot. ' '
She stated looking at Nathaniel eye to eye, her presence was.. It was almost suffocating, now thay she was in her zone, her talent as a merchant was blooming in full force
'To think this kind of pressure is being caused by a kid my age.. Are you really 14?'
He scoffed as he calmly took the pouch of gold dangling from his side, locking eyes with Elanor..
It was a battle of dominance, on which genius would falter first though it may seem like a simple deal it was far more complex than that..
'If I show weakness here I won't get any benefits in the future.. I have to show her I can resist.'
' ' So, let's see.. With this amount of gold you could get 2 C grade Magic Crystals~ ' '
Elanor would interrupt Nathaniel's thoughts as she spoke before taking a glowing, blue crystal from underneath the table, a supressive almost glorious wave of mans could be sensed coming out of the stone
' ' ... ' '
Nathaniel's eyes shined brightly looking at the stone, smiling ear to ear as he reached out his hand to touch it
Swoosh!
' ' No touching until the deal is set~ ' '
Elanor interrupted swiping the mana stone away from Nathaniel, teasingly holding it as to irritate Nathaniel
'This woman..'
Nathaniel clenched his fist veins popping up in irritation but he managed to remain calm.. (Enough?) as to not create a scene
After a while to debating with himself staring intensely at the crystal whilst stroking his chin he finally sighed and spoke up
' ' Fine.. I'll buy it ' '
He said, getting gold from him pouch, the coins preforming a jingle as he fiddled with the pouch
' ' It will be 50 gold coins for both. ' '
Elanor stated pulling out another one setting it beside the other one before grinning ear to ear as she locked eyes with Nathaniel once again
' ' I can gurantee you our products are premium. ' '
Nathaniel merely sighed putting his payment on the table before taking the crystals and leaving
'To think he'd try to intimidate me.. My heart is racing huh.'
She smiled as she thought about him one more time..
To be continued