Chapter 7: The Market Debut

The market was alive with energy as I pushed my small wooden cart to a central spot near the fountain. Voices rose in a chaotic blend of chatter, bartering, and laughter. I took in the scene, the colors of the awnings flapping in the breeze, the rough hands of merchants counting coins, and the occasional glint of a marine patrol's uniform moving through the crowd. My table held a few simple tools and the star of today's display: the hand-cranked fruit peeler.

I set the peeler in a spot where the morning sun caught its polished metal. People moved past, some sparing a glance, others ignoring it altogether. My heart thumped with anticipation. The success of this day would determine if I could scale up to my next projects.

The first to stop was an older woman with weathered skin and a colorful headscarf. She squinted at the contraption before looking at me.

"What does it do?" she asked, her tone more curious than skeptical.

I took the peeler and demonstrated, placing a fruit onto the spike and turning the crank. The blade moved smoothly, removing the skin in a thin spiral. The onlookers watched, a few murmurs breaking out.

"It peels fruit quickly and evenly. Perfect for busy kitchens," I said, keeping my voice confident but not too eager.

The woman's eyes lit up, and she reached into her pouch. "How much?"

"500 berries," I said, a price low enough to attract attention but high enough to start recouping costs.

She handed over the money, and as I passed the peeler to her, more people began to gather. Whispers spread, word of something new always did. A few merchants eyed my stall, calculating their own strategies if the tool caught on. In less than an hour, I sold three more peelers and took in 2,000 berries.

As midday approached, the sun beat down harder, and the market thinned out a bit as people sought shade and food. I wiped my brow and glanced up to see Livia approaching from the far side of the square. Today, she wore a loose white blouse tucked into dark trousers, her long hair tied back in a braid that fell over her shoulder.

"You've made a splash," she said, nodding toward the nearly empty table. Her brown eyes scanned the coins I'd collected with a look of approval.

"Seems like it," I replied, pocketing the money. "It's enough to reinvest."

Before Livia could respond, a loud voice interrupted the steady hum of the market.

"Make way!" A squad of marines, led by an officer in a neatly pressed coat, pushed through the crowd, dragging a young man in chains. His face was bruised, and he struggled against his captors, shouting defiance in half-slurred words. The crowd fell silent, a collective tension seizing the square.

I watched closely, observing the marines' movements, their handling of the prisoner, and the way the crowd reacted. Fear, curiosity, and resentment all mingled in the air. The officer held up a piece of paper, a bounty poster with a sketch of the prisoner's face and a reward of 50,000 berries. I glanced at it briefly before turning my attention back to the whispers around me.

"Another one caught trying to steal from the docks," someone muttered nearby.

"Ever since the war, they've been cracking down harder," another voice added.

The marines hauled the prisoner away, and the market resumed its pulse, though the unease lingered. I turned back to Livia, who had watched the scene with a neutral expression.

"Things are getting rougher," she said, her voice low.

"More reason to move fast," I said, scanning the crowd for potential customers or threats.

....

By late afternoon, I'd sold out of my stock and gathered 5,000 berries in total. It wasn't a fortune, but it was enough to push forward. I packed up the cart and made my way back to the workshop, where the tools and materials I'd bought were waiting.

Inside, the air was warm and carried the scent of wood shavings and metal filings. I laid out my blueprints and made notes on what needed refining. The bicycle prototype was next, but I needed to take my time. One misstep, and it would attract the wrong kind of attention.

I worked until the evening light began to fade. With each adjustment and bolt secured, the vehicle took shape. It was simple but sturdy, designed for practicality over speed.

....

Training came after work, as always. I set up my obstacles, tying the cloth over my eyes and sinking into the calm that came with focused movement. The room was a maze of tables, crates, and hanging ropes, all designed to sharpen my senses. I moved through it silently, weaving and ducking, brushing past objects but never knocking anything over.

Each time I completed a circuit, I made it harder, changing the layout, adding new elements. The cloth around my eyes heightened my hearing, and the soft scuff of my feet on the floor was the only sound I allowed. My mind tracked each item's location, a mental map updated in real-time.

The exercise was more than just training; it was preparation for the world outside, a place where danger could come from a blade in the dark or a betrayal cloaked in a smile.

....

The next day, I returned to the market, this time with the bicycle. Livia joined me, curiosity piqued when she saw the polished frame gleaming in the morning sun.

"Now that's something," she said, tracing a finger along the handlebars. "I haven't seen anything like it."

"It's simple transportation. No more hauling goods by hand or waiting for a cart," I said, demonstrating how it worked by pushing it forward and hopping on. The wheels turned smoothly, drawing the attention of nearby merchants and townsfolk.

A burly man with tan skin and a deep scar running down his arm approached, eyes locked on the bike. "How much for that?" His voice was rough, but his interest was genuine.

"5,000 berries," I said, holding his gaze.

He let out a low whistle. "Pricey, but if it works like you say, it's worth it."

"It does," I said, stepping off and letting him test it. He rode it a short distance, balancing with surprising ease for someone of his size. When he returned, he dropped a pouch of coins in my hand.

"Deal," he said, a grin splitting his face. "This'll make the deliveries easier."

As the day went on, more people approached, asking questions, trying the bike. I sold another by the end of the day, doubling my earnings and drawing curious glances from nearby stall owners. The bicycle was a hit, but it was also drawing attention, not just from potential buyers, but from those who would want to know where it came from and what else I was capable of.

Livia watched the flurry of activity, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Looks like you're starting to make a name for yourself, Orion."

"Let's hope it's the right kind of name," I muttered, scanning the market and spotting the occasional marine's gaze lingering on me.

I knew the road ahead would only get more complicated, but for now, I had what I needed to move forward.