6 Moving on
With my revelation, the young man disappeared from my vision. Almost instantly hundreds of ideas went through my head.
My first concern is disappearing, and then my second one will have to be hiding these markings on my face. If they suspect I am still alive all they have to do is post something about a 16-year-old boy with strange markings on his face.
These markings are most likely rooted in my magic power, so I just need to stop my magic power from activating. I focused and meditated as the violet in my bloodstream started to fade and then finally it was gone.
With it went the markings on my face as they faded into my skin and my eyes went back to their blue color. Now next will have to be my appearance the best thing to do would be to change my hair color.
I'll go to the next market town nearby get some dye, dye my hair, change my clothes, get a map, and finally leave this wretched place.
As for what I will do afterward that will come when I cross that bridge, for now, survival is the most important thing to me.
I started walking and finally found a trail it seemed merchants had been around here not too long ago. I decided to follow the tracks hoping they would near a city soon. I didn't want to be seen by the out of risk of being remembered.
As I followed the trail 4 days passed, when I finally found the town. I found a tiny bazaar with shacks of foods and clothing a few little buildings and a lot of tents all around.
Despite the small size, the bazaar was practically full of hundreds of people near shacks and in buildings. As for the tents, not many were around them as for the scenario inside I wouldn't know.
I had a few gold pieces from my time as a thief and some from the basic training. Protection fees and a gift for exemplary performance. I made sure to hide them in places they wouldn't think to search.
I went down to the bazaar and walked around looking at the shacks looking for my product. I found a stout fellow at a shaft with hair dye.
So I walked over while eyeing the product to get his attention. He naturally responded well by picking up the product putting it on the table and looking me in the eye.
"It's 1 silver piece." He said with a crafty gleam in his eye.
Naturally, that doesn't mean much to me but I'd rather not be too eye-catching.
"That isn't even worth 2 bronze and you want a silver piece?"
The stout man flinched in response it was indeed at most 1 bronze but it seemed to be an important product to this boy. He hoped that he could make a good profit of this.
"Well, what are you willing to offer for it." The merchant said expectantly
"I'll give you a silver piece if you include a map of the surrounding areas and miscellaneous knowledge," I said with a chuckle
The merchant's eyes gleamed in response he went to the bottom of the shack and took out some papers.
"This is a map made from info gained by travelers for this bazaar, I gained this info on the side for a price and made this map. Of course, I expect at least 1 silver and 5 bronze." Said the stout man with a smile.
I put the money on the counter and took my map and hair dye.
"What about the miscellaneous knowledge?" I said with a calm and even tone
"Just ask and I will answer what you need to know, I work as an information broker on the side." The merchant said pridefully
I remembered what the mage told us back then about magic and knights. I needed power, so I need to become a warrior.
"Where is the best place for magical or knight training?" I asked
The stout man remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"The best place would be the Rain kingdom's top school, Rolnose which has been at the top of almost all international competitions."
I looked at the map which showed the surroundings of the bazaar to the south was the Rain kingdom. The dessert was basically a no man's land going unclaimed. To the north was Kirin Dynasty.
'I came from the north so the old man and the knight are there I will remember that.'
"But don't get your hopes up admissions is mostly for nobles and only very talented commoners even get a chance by riding the coattails of the noble families." said the stout man with a sigh.
"Alright explain the admissions to me then that will be all," I said dismissively.
The stout man just shook his head thinking that I was just having a foolish dream but he still told me anyways.
"Admission is only for anyone who has reached basic training completion by age 10. Admissions tend to start at age 16 and the graduate courses start at 25. Applicants must also demonstrate talent in either the knight or magic test. Success in both areas means being allowed into the school. They will be having admissions in 30 days at the capital." The stout man pontificated, almost drooling from envy and desire.
"Thank you that will be all," I said a little concerned about this merchant
I took my items and left I kept my eyes on the map I looked at the path to the Rain kingdom. From here to there by foot would take 15 days. Assuming there are no other issues I should be there on time.
The only problem would be gaining entry to the Rain Kingdom without any legitimate background. But there were always less than legal ways of getting in. With my knowledge of crime, I would be able to deal with it when I approach the border.
For now, I will deal with the apparent problems I went to one of the merchants at a shack. Bought some water, a tent, and some food. Mostly dried foods like jerky and some fresh and hot stew with coffee for lunch.
I sat and eat my stew afterward, I drank the coffee then I took my items and started walking towards the Rain Kingdom
When it was night I finally dyed my hair black and wiped my head clean with water. I set up a tent near a sand dune and left some traps near my tent. Then I went to sleep after eating some of the rations I bought at the bazaar.
The next morning it was peaceful as I went on my journey keeping an eye for any bugs on the ground or bandits.
Luckily I had yet to encounter any significant threats, I occasionally saw some bandits or merchants but I just avoided them.
Day by Day I was getting closer to the Rain Kingdom, soon I would be near the border and would need to get some crime contacts to cross.
Luckily, I had contacts in the Silent swords thief guild back in the Karin kingdom. The thieves' guild has its fingers in a lot of pies throughout all the kingdoms.
Although I am not in the guild anymore I am still marked they didn't remove my markings.
I finally reached the border town which was strewn with many small houses but the desert started to disappear and in its place was a vibrant green land. With a large building to the north labeled The Rain Migration Agency.
Near it was a long line of people queuing into the building holding various documents. I looked around the town until I found the Iron Truck Inn.
It was homely and rustic, made of clay, stone, and wood. I walked in to see few people inside, and It smelled of strong whiskey.
In the left corner was a man with light armor on and a marking on his left arm. I sat next to him and showed him my marking and then he spoke to me.
"Are you from Kirin?"
"Yes."
"It's been awhile since I've seen anyone from the guild in Karin on business I presume."
"Indeed I need documents to pass through the migration agency."
"1 gold will be enough, I'll give you a guild discount and hook you up with a friend wherever you need to go."
"Deal," I said as I handed him the gold piece.
I stood up and he responded.
"It'll be done in 2 days, It'll be easy since you're so young hehe."
I didn't bother to dignify his statement with a response as I walked up the inn manager.
"I'd like to pay for 3 nights here and please deliver food to my room."
"Alright, that will be 40 bronze or 4 silver."
I handed him 4 silver and he guided me to my room on the top floor.
It was a small wooden bed with an empty chest near it and a small window to the right.
I laid on the bed and drifted off to sleep thinking about those markings.
When I woke up I spent most of the time thinking in the inn as I waited for my request to be finished. My food would be brought up to me so I never bothered to leave.
I touched my face to feel the brandings that Remmie put on me, how does the spell circle work I came back to life using the vitality of other people. So how does this absorb vitality that would be useful...
What role does a God play in the use of magic and how does magic affect my potential as a knight. That knight said I couldn't become a mage or a knight because of shadow magic. Does that change if I have shadow magic?
Sadly none of these questions would be answered by just thinking about them. I would need to get info from a school of magic for any success.
But the most important thing on my mind was the dream, that young man is myself...We've become one, that's why I feel like I've changed.
