Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

Sophie turned to Ain with a curious smile as they walked side by side down the dusty, uneven streets of the slums drawing farther apart from her apartment. So, um... I never really asked you your name," Sophie said, her voice soft but steady.

Ain hesitated for a moment before replying, "It's Ain. Ain Moltern."

Sophie nodded approvingly. "Ain," she voiced out softly testing the fluidity of the name with her voice. "Well, Ain, our destination is the Hero Academy in Maetral City. It's a long journey from here, but I've mapped out the route."

She then gestured ahead, pointing down the narrow street they were traversing. "First, we'll head to Leningrad, a small village just outside these slums North West. There, we can buy horses to quicken our pace. Once we're mounted, it's a straight shot to the Great Gate of Maetral City.Upon reaching there our plan is to sell the horses we bought in Leningrad for as much as possible whilst catching a decent carriage to the academy."

Ain nodded, absorbing the plan. He appreciated the clarity of her explanation, even if it sounded like the setup to his obituary. The thought of traveling such a distance made his legs ache preemptively—or maybe that was just his body protesting the idea of surviving long enough to get there.

Sophie briefly pulling him out of his thoughts added "We should pick up the pace", suddenly breaking into a brisk run. "We can't afford to waste time here. Follow me!"

Ain jogged after her, surprised by her stamina. They weaved through the labyrinthine streets, dodging stray animals and the occasional watchful eyes of suspicious onlookers. Thanks to Sophie's navigation skills, the journey had been swift and smooth. Too smooth, in fact. Ain couldn't shake the feeling they were either incredibly lucky or just speeding toward their doom faster than usual.

"Leningrad is just ahead! Once we're out of the slums, the roads will get better. The village is close to the outskirts of the capital, so you'll notice the shift in the environment soon enough." Sophie voiced out in order not to travel in silence however it was futile as Ain was more interested in sightseeing than her words

As they ran, Ain with keen observation, noticed the gradual transformation of their surroundings. The grime and decay of the slums gave way to cleaner, cobbled streets and sturdier buildings. The air even smelled fresher, though Ain wasn't sure if that was because they'd left the slums or because his lungs were too busy screaming to notice. Either way, he made a mental note: apparently, society works better the further you get from people who actually need it.

In the blink of an eye at least to Ain , they finally reached the edge of the slums. Ahead lay Leningrad village, a modest yet bustling settlement with tidy cottages and market stalls brimming with activity.

---

As they slowed to a walk, Ain suprisingly didn't feel tired at all despite jogging for 30 minutes straight instead he felt rejuvenated, but as he calmly adjusted his cloak & draped it over his shoulders. His calm demeanor instantly turned to an alert one... senseing an odd tingling sensation, making it seem as though the fabric itself of his cloak was alive.

"This cloak… there's something strange about it," Ain remarked, holding the fabric out to inspect it.

Sophie coming over, channeled aura into her eyes to investigate what Ain had found unusual about his cloak.

With her vision enhanced by the aura, she carefully examined the fabric. After nearly a minute of inspection, she found nothing unusual and was about to dismiss it as ordinary—until purely by chance her sharp eyes caught a glimpse of something unexpected. Discreetly hidden within the sleeve was a tiny, nearly imperceptible mana core.

As she focused on it, Sophie's expression shifted as realization dawned.

"Oh, this... this cloak isn't ordinary. It's called a mana cloak," Sophie explained, intensifying the aura around her eyes. "It's essentially a regular cloak enchanted with magic, granting it unique abilities. When worn, the user can channel mana to alter the cloak's appearance as well as their own. It doesn't get dirty, nor does it smell, making it both rare and valuable. If I were to estimate its worth, I'd say around 2,700 Carats."

Sophie paused, gradually diminishing the aura she had gathered in her eyes before continuing.

"For you to own something like this, your family background must be quite influential. When you regain your memories, would you mind introducing me to them?"

Ain, however, completely sidestepped her question and shamelessly asked, "Alter my appearance? How does that work?"

Sophie, caught off guard by his blatant redirection, smiled awkwardly. Realizing his intention, she decided not to press the matter further. Instead, she shifted her focus and explained how to use the cloak. "It's simple. Just channel a bit of mana into the fabric. You're a mage, right? It should come naturally."

---

Curious, Ain closed his eyes and focused on his mana. A faint glow emanated from his fingertips as he directed the energy into the cloak. Instantly, he felt a shift. The cloak responded to his touch, and his reflection in a nearby shop window revealed that his hair had turned stark white.

Startled, Ain quickly ceased the flow of mana, and his hair reverted to its original black.

Sophie chuckled lightly. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. It's a handy trick, especially if you need to disguise yourself."

Ain nodded, filing away the information for later use. He couldn't deny the utility of the cloak's magic, though the thought of altering his appearance made him a bit uneasy.

---

Upon entering Leningrad, Sophie led Ain to a stable near the village square. The smell of hay and horses filled the air as they approached a stern-looking merchant. Sophie negotiated deftly, eventually purchasing two mana-infused horses. The animals were sleek and strong, their coats shimmering faintly with an otherworldly glow.

"These horses are special," Sophie explained as she handed over what she calls a small fortune —(300 Carats)—to a merchant in charge of horse sales. "They're infused with mana, so they can run indefinitely without tiring. Perfect for long journeys."

Ain's eyes hearing the price asked. "Is that ...a lot of money?."

Sophie shrugged, a faint smile on her lips. " Meh..it's worth it. Time is precious, and these horses will save us plenty of it. Besides, the academy will reimburse me once we arrive."

With their horses saddled and ready, Sophie mounted hers gracefully. Ain hesitated for a moment before following suit. To his surprise, he found himself riding with ease, as if his body remembered the motions despite his lack of experience.

As they set off towards Maetral City, the road stretched out before them, promising adventure and danger in equal measure. While on the horses Sophie took the opportunity to start telling Ain about how money works " Listen carefully. Our world operates on three major forms of currency: Lincolns, Carats, and Ether Stones. Each has its own value, purpose, and prestige."

Ain nodded, leaning slightly forward on his horse as she began her explanation.

---

"First, we have Lincolns, they are basically every day currency " Sophie began, pulling a small, rectangular bronze coin from a pouch on her hip. The coin bore the image of a towering tree on one side and a radiant sun on the other. She held it up for Ain to see.

"Lincolns are the most common currency. And are what ordinary people use for everyday transactions—buying food, renting rooms, or purchasing basic supplies. One Lincoln is like a single drop of water: useful but not particularly valuable. For example, a loaf of bread might cost ten Lincolns, and a simple meal at a roadside inn could set you back about fifty."

Ain frowned thoughtfully. "So Lincolns are like the foundation of the economy?"

"Exactly," Sophie agreed. "But don't let their simplicity fool you. For most people, earning enough Lincolns to get by is a daily struggle. Farmers, blacksmiths, shopkeepers—they all deal in Lincolns. However, Lincolns alone won't get you far if you're aiming for bigger things."

---

Takin a slight pause Sophie reached into her pouch again and retrieved a shimmering gold coin. "This is a Carat, which I'd say is the currency of the prestige" she said, holding it up. The golden coin gleamed even in the faint light, its intricate engravings depicting a crowned lion giving out the look of the currency of the rich.

"Carats are worth a thousand Lincolns. They're used for more significant purchases—luxury goods, rare items, or high-stakes trade. For example, these mana-infused horses we're riding, cost us three hundred and nine Carats."

Ain's eyes widened remembering how unfazed she looked even when giving out such a sum. "Three hundred and nine carats gone just like that it would have probably been worth about three hundred thousand Lincolns"

"Exactly," Sophie said with a grin. "Carats represent wealth and status. Only merchants, nobles, and adventurers with some renown tend to carry them. They're lightweight compared to Lincolns, making them practical for larger transactions. Oh, and here's an interesting tidbit: Carats are often traded in polished cases or velvet-lined pouches. Presentation matters when you're dealing with the elite."

---

Finally, Sophie pulled out a small, translucent crystal that glowed faintly with an inner light. "And this," she said, her voice lowering as if in reverence, "is an Ether Stone which because of its cost I only have one in all my savings."

Ain stared at the crystal, mesmerized. It radiated an aura of power that made the air feel heavier. "What is it? Some kind of magical artifact?"

"In a sense, yes," Sophie replied. "Ether Stones are the rarest and most valuable form of currency. One Ether Stone is worth a thousand Carats—or a million Lincolns. But their value isn't just monetary. They hold immense magical energy, making them incredibly sought after by mages, scholars, and rulers alike."

She tucked the crystal back into her pouch with care. "Ether Stones are rarely used for ordinary trade. Instead, they're employed in monumental deals—treaties between kingdoms, funding entire expeditions, or acquiring ancient relics. They're symbols of ultimate power and influence."

Sophie turned to Ain, her expression serious. "Understanding the value of these currencies isn't just about knowing what things cost. It's about understanding how power flows in this world. The poor scrape by with Lincolns, the wealthy flaunt their Carats, and the truly powerful control the Ether Stones."

Ain nodded slowly, absorbing her words. "And where do you fit in?"

"For now?" Sophie grinned. "I'm somewhere between Lincolns and Carats. But who knows? With the right choices in the academy —and a bit of luck—WE might one day deal in Ether Stones."Sophie said emphasing we in her tone of speech however Ain didn't seem to notice....

As they rode on, Ain found himself glancing at the pouch inside his cloak, where a handful of Ether stones jingled faintly. Sophie's explanation had opened his eyes to the vast disparities of wealth and power in this world. More importantly, it gave him a greater sense of the importance of his past—if he had this amount of money just stacked in his cloak, how influential had his life as Atrax been?