Sven, the newspaper delivery boy

Sven wasn't sure what his uncle expected when he sent him to deliver newspapers, but it was evident: it was helping refine his ether. Since starting this new "training," he felt he was able to manipulate his energy more naturally.

Talent? Well, he didn't brag, but… Ah, let me tell it right.

He lived in the city of Ahamura with his uncle Sairon, a somewhat grumpy old man who raised him and was teaching him to control his ether.

Originally, everything was a mess, especially after Sven discovered he had an affinity with the lightning element. It wasn't easy to handle this type of ether: everything around ended up somewhat destroyed. Because of this, they moved to a quieter area of the city.

Now, in the southern zone, near plantations and farms, Sven had more space to make mistakes without causing problems.

Ahamura, a city in the Western Heart of Leruth. The world is divided into two major continents, the Western Heart and the Eastern Heart. Tesarion, almost neighboring Ahamura, is the capital of the West, while Hogarion, which Sven had never visited, is the capital of the East. He had only been to Tesarion a few times in his life.

"Heeeeey, Sveeeeeen!"

While the boy was lost in his thoughts, a familiar voice snapped him out of his trance. Without needing to look back, he already knew who it was. He slowed his pace, while the blueish lightning surrounding him continued to advance, as if carrying a piece of Sven's energy and excitement.

"Weren't you supposed to come by today? I know very well you're not late or anything!"

Sigrid complained, with a slightly pouty expression and crossed arms, trying to look annoyed, but Sven knew it was just an act.

She looked even more beautiful when she blushed, making it challenging to ignore her blue eyes and shiny blonde hair.

"Of course, I wouldn't forget!"

Sven replied, approaching and placing a newspaper on the vegetable stand between them: "That will be three copper coins."

"Won't you give me a little discount? I'm a loyal customer!" Sigrid leaned in, winking and showing a bit of cleavage. Sven looked away, trying to maintain his composure, but it was true that he had imagined that girl without her clothes, more than once.

"You know if I start giving discounts, my uncle will come down hard on me." Sven tried to argue.

"Your uncle loves Sigrid! And he likes both of us too, don't give us lame excuses!"

Scarlet intervened, arriving with some boxes of vegetables. Sigrid's red-haired sister had hair and eyes in a shade of orange, like autumn leaves. Unlike Sven's, which were silver, both hair and eyes, a rarity among any of the races in Leruth.

Next to Scarlet was Toph, the third sister, with black hair and eyes. Toph was the grumpiest of the three. Sigrid was the boldest, and Scarlet, the friendliest.

They made an interesting trio and were the only girls Sven really connected within the city. The three sisters worked hard to help their parents at the vegetable stall. They were known throughout the city as "the Belladonnas."

Sven retorted, visibly annoyed, while adjusting the newspaper bag on his back, "Who told you that? You must think you're special to believe that old man talks about you."

Sigrid, with her typical mischievous smile, replied promptly, "He said it himself. The last time he came to visit us."

Sven cast a suspicious glance, slightly opening his right eye to gauge Sigrid's expression. Was she telling the truth?

"Ah, fuck it, no discount whatsoever. Three copper coins!" he tried to appear disinterested and firm.

Sigrid stuck her tongue out at him while handing over the coins, pretending to be reluctant. "Make sure you use the coins to buy some soap and wash that mouth of yours!"

Shifting his stance as if ready to take off, Sven looked intently at the somewhat busy street ahead of him. Ahamura was a medium-sized city, nothing compared to Tesarion, but still with its own charm and bustle.

"There goes the fastest delivery boy in the city! See, Scarlet? Always trying to show off just because he's improving a tiny bit." Sigrid didn't miss the chance to tease, watching Sven prepare to continue his run.

The mockery in Sigrid's voice was something Sven was already used to. Scarlet always enjoyed the situation, laughing in the background, while Toph, the quietest, just observed.

Sven, however, didn't mind; deep down, he even liked those interactions. He took a deep breath, feeling the flow of energy pulsate through his body. There was no reason for false modesty: he was good at it. It was a unique sensation, as if he could feel his veins throbbing, but instead of just blood, it was the ether, the life force of Leruth, that flowed through them.

Sven accelerated the flow of ether, feeling the warmth originate in the center of his chest, radiating an electrifying energy. His skin tingled, his eyes sparkled with the power he possessed. He rubbed his right foot against the ground, and his body reacted instinctively. Lightning began to appear, dancing along his limbs and concentrating on his feet. When he finally took off, it was like an explosion, shooting forward at a speed of more than 15 meters per second.

"Send my regards to Gray!" Scarlet shouted, as Sven was already speeding away, leaving behind only the echo of his laughter and the luminous trail of his ether.