*CRACK*
The surface of the house cracked, under the aura of the woman who stood in the abandoned house.
She immediately discerned that the people who once lived here had run away and upon not finding Alex's things in his room, it was apparent that they had taken him away as well.
The silver-haired woman told those two idiots to never leave this nation, given this one was the safest place for Alex to reside. Of the three major human kingdoms, Grimland was the strongest one so her kingdom would never try to search for the child here.
However, those two dumb people took him away to God knows which part of the world!
"Agh! Fuck!" She punched the wall, creating several cracks, that threatened to take down the wall with a single impact.
The lady looked around to find a single clue as to where they might have gone...however, everything was taken away. Alex's room was empty as well.
Taking off her hood, she revealed her snow-white face and enchanting blue eyes that stared at the cupboard where Alex stored his clothes and belongings.
She closed her eyes and muttered something inaudible under her breath, and the moment she opened them, a bright radiance erupted from those shining orbs.
The surroundings of the woman shifted, things were being placed back where they originally belonged. Alex's clothes and books were now back to their original position and right before the lady stood a certain blond girl.
'The Princess...' The silver-haired knew this girl. She has seen her with Alex before and also has heard from Alex's 'parents' about the closeness between the two children.
Although the lady was unwilling to let Alex be near a noble, considering how shy he was about making friends, she didn't take any action against the relationship between Alex and Celestria.
However, now that she saw the Princess weeping while looking at Alex's belongings, the lady discerned that their connection had become more intimate. But more than Celestria's cries, what worried the lady was the fact that she was crying for Alex.
'Did something happen to him?' A very horrifying feeling was born in her heart as she closed her eyes and released the spell.
Clenching her fist, the lady decided to visit the Soulforge Academy to investigate the matter.
The boy whom her mother saved all those years ago shall not die in any case. Alex has already faced a fair share of torment in the past. Someone who was called the Cursed Child, Alex was disowned by his blood-related parents. And before they could have executed him, the lady's mother took the child and escaped.
Erasing his memories so the boy doesn't feel burdened by his existence, and sealing away his curse so the new connections he forms don't get severed once again.
For him to wander away, out of the lady's sight was not a good sign. Not at all
'I need to find him...' With such thoughts, the lady disappeared from the house, advancing toward the most prestigious academy of Grimland.
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The headquarters of the Steelhound was situated around seven hundred kilometres away from the Academy and it took a whole day to reach there on a horse.
However, Alex had a certain place to visit before going there so he asked the carriage driver to head towards that place in exchange for an extra gold coin.
He wanted to buy the cauldron and the necessary herbs for the refinement. He wouldn't be able to find the sacred flames and spectral water there, but he wasn't in a rush as of now. While working with the Steelhound, he would first collect numerous Soul Stones and, if he could, the other two necessary ingredients for the refinement.
Once he would be done with all the preparation he would start refining the Soul Stone once he returns to the academy since showing his knowledge in front of those nosy hounds would be problematic. They might as well, won't let him go.
The people of the Steelhound clan are weird creatures with whom Alex has to deal calmly and carefully. There is no doubt that they are exceptional hunters, however, the attitude that comes with that strength is quite problematic.
"We are here, dear sir." The carriage coach announced as they entered the small town called Dunvale—famous for arenas and their ironwork.
Alex asked, "Do you know some good place to stay here?" It was already evening and Alex was surely not going to restart his journey right after shopping. Since he had to reach his destination by tomorrow, he decided to depart from Dunvale tomorrow morning.
The older one thought for a moment before suggesting, "There is one good place near the Grand Arena. But the charges are a bit...you know."
"Including your commission, surely it would be expensive." The driver grinned hearing that, urging Alex to say, "Fine, bring me there, but don't ask for any extra money for your stay."
"Don't worry, kind sir, I am not that big of a leech."
Alex didn't say anything after that and just enjoyed the scene of the market outside.
The town was a paradise for warriors since the arenas here openly allowed betting and death matches. This is the reason why no academy brings their children here, nor do they allow them to come here. Naturally, Soulforge was the same.
Since the market remained open the whole night, Alex decided to first have dinner, some hours of rest, and then go out shopping.
En route, he spotted the massive dome built in the middle of the town, which people named the 'Grand Arena'. The biggest coliseum for the warriors.
Soon Alex reached the hotel and checked in using ten silver coins. He paid an extra five silver for three portions of meals.
Reaching the room, he first checked around to see if there was any surveillance artefact or a secret door.
There was a cupboard in which Alex stored his bags, a king-sized bed, two windows and a tea table. There were three jugs of water and complimentary cookies.
Alex sat down and allowed his fatigued body to relax a bit.
Not so long after dinner arrived and after eating, he left the place to look around the market and find the things he needed.
Just in case, he took the slim single-edged sword with him. Carrying a weapon here is not illegal, but yes, killing someone outside the arena would surely throw someone into a cell for years.
Alex was roaming mindlessly in the market, looking at the variety of tools and weapons being sold at a much higher price compared to the market where he went with Celestria.
In one of those shops, Alex went and asked, "How much will it be for that cauldron?" He just wanted to get an idea of what would be the range of the cauldron.
However, the price was unexpected, "A thousand gold coins for the gold-coated cauldron."
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The price made his eyes widen since Alex only expected two hundred or so gold coins would be required.
He went to other stores and the price was nearly the same...making him realize that he should have inquired more about the market price before leaving the academy. He has only brought ten platinum plates, considering carrying more can be dangerous.
And now, all the money he brought along would be spent on a cauldron....then how would he buy the herbs? And for the rest of the month, how would he afford his living?
'I need to earn quick cash somehow....' The answer to that question was quickly found as Alex turned his eyes to the giant arena.
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A/N:- Thanks for reading.