Aiden had left the upper city area in search of the market.
Though wasn’t really searching since he had taken note of his surroundings when Alaric’s horse had ridden through the roads toward the academy.
He came upon the market and proceeded to look for where he could purchase new clothing.
He eventually found a merchant who sold decent garments, and after selecting a few good pieces, it was time to make payment.
"That would be one hundred silvers in total," the merchant said.
Aiden put his hand in his pocket and made a single gold coin appear in it. He simply left it on the merchant’s table and began to walk away.
The merchant followed him for a few moments, trying to explain to Aiden that he had overpaid, but lost Aiden in the crowd of people who filled the market.
As soon as Aiden left the market, a notification screen popped up before him.
[Daily Mission: Head to the Market to Purchase New Clothing → Complete]
[+1 to Endurance Stat]
[You have gained +150xp]
He rolled his eyes and continued on his way back, though he asked, "Why exactly do I have to do a mission as silly as this?"
The question was directed to the system, and it immediately provided an answer.
[All Quests are assigned based on the system’s knowledge of your life and what it deems best for your improvement. Right now, except for the clothes you traveled in and Alaric’s that you’re currently wearing, you have nothing else.]
Aiden felt embarrassed after the system said that and shook his head. "But I have no reason to make friends. Why do I have to complete such a quest?"
[In a Kingdom as large as Xathia, you’ll need one.] The system replied.
Aiden sighed and said, "Fair enough."
He continued slowly until he reached Alaric’s home.
He could see two small figures playing with wooden toys in the front yard, and the moment Mira spotted him, she dropped her doll and squealed.
"Aiden’s back! Aiden’s back!" she shouted, running toward him.
Kira immediately followed, abandoning her toy horse.
Aiden couldn’t help but smile as both girls crashed into his legs, nearly knocking him off balance. "Easy there, you two."
"Tell us everything!" Mira demanded, tugging on his shirt. "Did you see the Lord?"
"And did you see Lady Amelia?" Kira added breathlessly. "Mama says she’s really pretty!"
"About that..." Aiden began. He wasn’t sure how to answer both their questions because even though he had seen the Lord and his family sitting at the upper level, he hadn’t paid close enough attention to pick out the details of his children.
He tried to walk toward the house while the girls clung to his arms, so he simply said, "Lord Oberon was sitting up high with his family."
The questions continued until Aiden finally reached the main house.
As they entered, Elara looked up from where she was kneading dough at the kitchen table. Her hair was pulled back, and flour dusted her apron.
"Aiden, you’re back," she said warmly, then studied his expression with concern. "How did it go? Did you get accepted?"
"Yes, I did," Aiden replied.
Elara’s face broke into a genuine smile. "Oh, that’s wonderful."
"He saw Lord Oberon!" Mira announced.
Elara chuckled slightly. "Don’t mind the girls. Nessa told them about how you would see Lord Oberon and his family at the magic academy."
Aiden simply smiled, and at that moment, Alaric’s heavy footsteps announced his entry as he walked down the wooden stairs from above.
He carried a hefty canvas bag behind him; apparently the things he had taken from the dungeon they had cleared, mostly glowing crystal rocks.
"Oh, Aiden! How’d it go, lad? Yer in, eh?" he asked.
Aiden nodded affirmatively, and Alaric said, "Didn’t expect nothing less. Now come with me, we’ll go drop this off at Garant’s."
...
Meanwhile, within the palace of Lord Oberon, he sat alone on his throne. No other throne was kept for his lady, so it was just him and him alone.
He had black hair topped with a crown and wore a red robe over a dark outfit fit for royalty. A sword lay at his side.
Walking into the throne room was Grand Magus Thamoryn, carrying her staff as the door behind her was closed by the guarding knights.
When she was close enough, she took a slight bow and said in greeting, "My Lord..."
"You will address me properly," Oberon said in a somber tone.
"Accept my apologies, Your Grace," Thamoryn said, taking another bow.
The truth was, the address of "Your Grace" was reserved only for Jarius, the King of all nine kingdoms, his queen, or his heir.
However, Oberon hated being addressed as anything less.
"Good. Now please continue," Oberon said.
"Your... Grace," Thamoryn began, "this year we have once again recruited new mages with better potential than those of Dragonhold."
A smile appeared on Oberon’s face. "And what about Dragonhold’s assessments? How did they go?"
"It seems only the princess shows real potential. I have it on good word that she awakened her father Jarius’s gravity magic at S-rank level," Thamoryn said.
"Hmm..." Oberon muttered, nodding. "The boy with SS-rank magic, I don’t believe for a moment he’s a commoner."
"That is a generally shared opinion, Your Grace," Thamoryn said.
"Yes, but there’s one thing, that face looked familiar. I’m failing to recall where from. Thamoryn, when that boy returns, make sure you find out about him."
"It shall be done, Your Grace," she replied.
"And what about the other one with rare magic? Did you find out what type it was?" Oberon asked.
"Unfortunately, Your Grace, he did not heed my instructions to seek me out, but the induction ceremony is tomorrow," Thamoryn said.
"Very well then. See to it that those boys and the elf girl are under your watch," Oberon commanded.
"I understand, Your Grace," Thamoryn said, and Oberon replied, "That will be all."
Thamoryn took one more bow and turned back toward the doors leading out of the throne room.
Oberon had a devious smirk on his face as his Grand Magus left. Everything was proceeding far better than expected.