The college district faded behind them once the bus doors shut.
Aren stepped off onto a street that felt entirely different from the advanced, futuristic feel of Imperial Mystic College.
The buildings here were older, stacked tightly together with hanging lanterns swaying overhead and signboards jutting above alleyways to tell others that their shop was located inside.
Red paper charms fluttered along storefront windows. Somewhere nearby, a vendor was shouting about fresh skewers. Out of all the places he'd been so far, this was the closest Imperial City had ever felt to Sun City.
I should take Anna and Dad here when I have the time.
Daniel walked ahead as always, paying for a skewer before turning around.
"Welcome to East Ward," he said casually. "This is where the Urban Bounty Hunting Committee operates."
"Well, one of the branches anyway."
Aren glanced around.
"This is… less official than I imagined."
Daniel chuckled.
"That's the point."
