Noctis's potion shop

As the sun begins to set, all the workers are released from the caves, each carrying their hard-earned rewards. Thanks to Cinder's x-ray vision, Legion emerges as the top earner this time—his first victory ever. Despite his exhaustion and the fatigue weighing heavily on his body, he manages to score one extra coin, bringing his grand total for the day to four coins.

"Do you need help?" Blaise, who's looking just fine after gaining the second highest count without any help, asks Legion as they both leave the check-in-station. 

Legion, limping his way out, shakes his head even though he didn't want his help, still unsure about where he stands with Blasie. "Yes…please." He says in between breaths. 

Blasie chuckles slightly and makes his way over, throwing Legions arm over his shoulder as they continue back on their walk. "Is there anywhere you need to go?" He questions. 

"Yes, do you know where the potion store is?" He flips his head to him. 

His eyes open for a second then lightens."Of course. I do go there to get my mother medicine after all, would you like to go there?"

"Mhm." He shakes his head in approval. 

"Can I inquire why you would like to go?" 

"I don't see why not." He says. "I need a healing potion for Morgan, before I came to work I say she got slash by one of the orc's and I can't just leave her like that." 

"That's Legion for you." He laughs lightly. "Always studying others." 

Well that's all I can do now…I'm going to become a monster just now anyways. 

"Yeah." He chuckles awkwardly. 

They moved through the narrow streets, the fading light casting long shadows on the thinly parted snow filled floors. The marketplace was winding down, most stalls closed or packing up for the night, maybe to get ready for the send off later on. 

After this I'll have to go join them as well, and I should probably carry the kids too. 

"Are you going?" Legion asks, curious to know. 

"Going what?" Blaise inquires, but he realises Blaise probably didn't know about the incident that occurred early on. After telling him about it, he sees it dawning on him slowly. "Yeah…I have to go." 

"Oh yeah." Cinder chimes in with a cheerful manor. "I forgot to add, this boy has five cores, his abilities though, I have no idea." 

He has five mana cores? Five of them!

"That's right, if he could have used his abilities he would have been a great magic user by now, seeing that they're a light silver." Cinder says, moving all around him looking intently at his body. "He would probably be a good ally." 

He would…

They walked in silence for a moment, the only sound being the shuffle of their boots on the uneven stone and snow, the faint hum of distant chatter from the few remaining market stalls. 

Legion's mind races, still digesting the revelation that Blaise had five mana cores. It explains why he is able to keep up in the mines without the aid of magic, and why he always seemed so composed despite the grueling work.

"Five cores... and no way to use them," Legion mutters under his breath.

Blaise glances at him curiously but doesn't press the issue. "I just wonder what the outside world is like."he says looking up at the sky. 

"What do you mean? Have you never been out of here?" Legion questions. 

"Never." His eyes fall onto Legion's bright blue eyes. "I have been here since birth. I know everything from the stories of the people who have been sold into this place. About the monster monarchs, the human race is almost close to nothing compared to the monsters and the magic the outside world contains." 

"So…" Legion gulps down the silver that accumulates inside his mouth. "So if you have a chance to get out, or there's a possibility to get out, will you help?" 

At first he looks at him for a second trying to discern his cryptic message. He seems to be hesitant to answer, but does. "Yes, I would take it." 

"And what will you do when you get out?" 

"Become strong." he answers. 

"But for what reason?" 

"To survive," he says sternly. "And help my mother survive, so if there's a way to leave this cold environment and settle her down in a place safe I'll take it."

Good answer. 

Leading them to a small tucked away corner of the marketplace. A faded sign hanging above the door read Noctis's potion store. 

There are a few things I need other than a healing potion.

"Is that why you stole one of the black crystals?" Cinder flies over using his eyes to detect the shard inside his pocket of his rugged pants beneath his cloak. "I'm surprised they don't check you." 

Because they think all humans are dumber than them. The orcs only move with one emotion, anger and one rule of strength, so since they're on top of us they think we can one day conquer them. 

That's where they are wrong, if I must be the first human like time to overpower them I'll do it, I have a goal and staying in this place or dying here won't make me powerful or make me leave a mark on this world. 

As a human or a monster.

As they step into the shop, the soft chime of a bell rings overhead. Their gaze shifts from the door to take in the cozy, open space. Neatly arranged potions line the wooden shelves, and the air is filled with the calming scent of herbs. Warm sunlight filters through the skylight, casting a gentle glow over the room as the sun begins to set.

There aren't just potions, but books placed neatly on shelves as well and wood gadgets of people and monsters next to them. 

"Noctis?" Blaise says softly wondering where she is. "Normally she's over there." He points over to a desk, using his next hand which is not supporting Legion. 

"Maybe she's not here?" Legion says, moving out of Blaise's hold. 

Cinder flies around the shop, his eyes wide as he takes in every detail. Just as he reaches the desk, a sudden burst of energy startles him, causing him to jump. "Oh! Sorry!" A girl exclaims, her long white hair falling in soft waves around her as she quickly adjusts her dress. Her dull pink eyes glance around nervously before she spots Blaise "Customers," she mutters, seemingly to herself, as she tries to regain her composure.

"Noctis!" Blaise moves over with a skip in his step while Legion stays behind. 

 She's Albino. She resembles the people from the modern world I only saw once or twice. 

"Blaise!" She says, seemingly astonished. "I didn't expect you to return today, is your mothers condition getting worse?" She asks while searching for something along her clouded desktop. 

"Head." Blaise signals as she finally catches wind and pulls her glasses down. 

"Thank you." She says with a slight scoff escaping her lips. "I always forget I place them there-" Her eyes land on Legion. "The sick boy!" She points, her eyes widening, "A new face!!"

"Yeah…" Legion snickers dismissively. 

I guess everyone does know him, well me, as the sick and weak boy, but I didn't know she was this young, almost my age, maybe? Yet, that makes it better. 

"What are you guys here for?" She asks exchanging glances from Legion to Blaise. 

"Well I'm not here for me but for him." Blaise gestures to Legion.