Elysium

Amongst the people who lives in this world, some of them can awaken their power to hold and use the magical particle called Mana which exist in the air. This ability to manipulate mana will manifest at the range age of 7 to 10. This phenomenon is called Budding.

Budding is, by many, called a blessing for the people who experienced it. They say they would be someone important, free from the shackle of being ordinary. This is of course, not entirely true. The ability to control mana is not a guarantee for a good life nor is an indicator of how good of a person is.

What's come after budding is, of course, blooming. Blooming usually happened at the age of 16, though there are multiple case where it happened outside of that age. Also, not every person who experienced budding will be able to bloom.

When a person manage to Bloom, they will recive a gift from a "god", called Innate Talent. The source of Innate Talent is questionable, but from the testimony of people who have bloomed, they said they met 'god' who later bless them with their power.

The appearamce of this 'god' differs from one person to another. Some said they look like a child, some said took an appearance of a maiden. Rumor spread that the beings those people met are different 'god'. This rumor obviously has been denied by the temple of light, as they won't let such blasphemy to spread far and away.

I was sceptical about it though. I am not a devout follower of the temple of light, though i do feel higher being exist, i was never sure about it. Speaking of which, today is the day i turn 17, which means i am already seen as a young adult.

I stand in front of the cleric who hold a silver bowl full of water. He slowly and gently splarted the water to my head. After that he touched my head softly and began his chant. Words of prayer were sang until the ceremony comes to an end.

I looked at the rows of empty benches. Only two figures who are currently sitting there. Allen and Eviette.

I originally never invited anyone to my coming of age ceremony. I though it was useless since no one will bat an eye, but just like what i anticipated, those two people are here.

I reached them as soon as the ceremony ended.

"Congratulation! You are a man now"

"It's hard to believe you are already 18, my lord. Time truly went quickly."

I smiled at both of them.

"Thank you"

It warms my heart to spend time with them. I never expected something like a family, but i appreciate their willingness to stand with me. It feels nice to have people i that can trust. It's like warm blanket in a cold night.

"By the way, do you have time to spend this night?"

"Yeah i do. Why?"

"Ah i just wants to show you something. Well then, prepare yourself. We will be out tonight."

I frowned my eyebrows. "To where?"

"I'll tell you later. Just get yourself ready alright?"

I nodded my head. It's a rare occasion for Allen to ask me out, so i don't think i can refuse it. I hope we can spend more time while we can before life gets busier.

*****************

'Allen, isn't this the way to the Alfmir?"

"Yes, it is"

Alfmir is a place known for it's night life. It is the part of the empire that became the destination for wealthy figure to have some fun. A city full of night entertaiment, and no poor people dare to enter the city. It is a place where thousands of gold coins are treated as mere chump change.

As you would imagine, i never went to that place before, simply because i don't want to spend money needlessly. I am not favored by the emperor, so if i made a bad reputation as a prince who likes to throw away his money, then i might face a problem i that can't solve.

Currently, i am sitting inside this moving cartiage across Allen which refused to explain anything to me. It only takes roughly an hour from the capital to Alfmir, but it felt like an eternity for me. Allen being a little less talkative compared to his usual self made my anxiety rise.

The carriage we ride is quite different from the ones that i saw Allen use. The exterior is more modest with less bright color used. Don't get me wrong it still looked expensive, just not the used-by-a-prince kind of expensive. The interior, however, is pretty much the same.

Also, he brings minimum guards, which also dressed as ordinary knight instead of the royal guard. We went incognito.

The carriage went from the dirt road to the pavement road as we entered the city. I can see all the colorful light sparkling as far as the eyes can go. There are a lot of people, and it was a very lively city, despite the darkness of the night. It seems what they say to be a sleepless city to be accurate.

The carriage went on deeper into the city. It finally stopped in front of a building.

"Let's go"

Allen urged me to exit the carriage. I followed him as he jumped out.

IIt kind of surpised me of how the building we stopped at was actually a parking lot. After a short walk, the true destination finally revealed to me. It was like a mansion, with it's tall gate and vast yard filled with well-maintained plants and flowers. Even the wall is made out of marble.

We went into the building. Inside, there was a receptionist located between two stairs. Allen went and whispered something to the receptionist. The receptionist nodded his head as a confirmation, and then Allen urged me to follow him.

"Hey, what kind of place is this? Are we meeting someone"

"Hmm? Ah no, nothing like that. This is Elysium, the best brothel you could find."

"A- what?! Brothel?!"

"Hehe. Please clam yourself. We are here to just eat. No need to get worked up"

"Couldn't you just find a restaurant to do that?"

"This place offer protection to it's costumer. I choose this place because i don't want anyone to find out. Would be trouble some if we get crowded because of our status right?"

I did not respond. To be honest, i don't like a shady place such as brothel, but i can't just run away.

We then went inside a room with a round table at the center of it. We sit across each other. The interior of the room is unbelievable to me. How can a brothel have this much money to built a place comparable to a high noble mansion?.

"As i said before, this is the best brothel in the entirity of the empire."

As if he can read my minds, Allen began to explain.

"There are lot of service that they provide, which are mostly beneficial to high ranking nobles. They even said this is a place where you could have a safe meeting is. There even rumor saying Elysium will protect it's client as long as they get paid, no matter what the backgound is."

"That seems dangerous"

Allen chukled. "Don't worry. No one dares to spill blood on this area."

Just as he completed his sentence, the door to the room opened. A couple of women entered the room bringing a bunch of dishes in their trays.

"We haven't ordered anything though?"

"Ah, i already did. I ordered their specialty as i i made the reservation."

The once empty table is now filled with various foods. Allen raised a glass, and one of the woman filled it. Speaking of which the two woman left us afterward.

"Hey Marvis, have you drink yet?"

"No."

Allen raised another glass and handed it to me.

"Drink it"

"But i-"

"Here. Take a look"

Allen gulped down the liquid in a single instance.

"Your turn"

I hesitated for a moment. The truth is, i feel a litte bit scared. I don't know what to expect form the drink. But I gather my courage and steeled my soul. I gulped down the drink in a single try, just like what Allen did.

"Puah...hah.."

A cold amd burning sensation running down through my throat. The bitter taste of the drink lingers in my mouth, with a hint of sweet and smoky sensation.

"Ahahaha. That's it! You did well!"

"Hah...what is this?"

"It's a special drink from Elysium. I think it's called Everlong? Perhaps it's too strong for a begginer, just like what they said."

Allen poured more of the drink into his glass before drinking it in one go.

"Now, to celebrate your coming of age, let's eat to our hearts content!. "

We smiled at each other. The food was great. There are many dishes that i have never had before, as well as a common dish. All of them taste delicious. Both of us spend our time eating and talking about many stuff. Without realizing it, the once filled-with-food table is now already empty again.