Chapter 1 Mallupci

A thunderous whip of lightning cracking against a tall Willow tree. Charred and cracked bark being propelled into the air by the sudden boom that found itself against the now wooden obelisk. A horrendous outcry echoed through the thicket of green, the old willow tree engulfed within a crimson flame. The wailing only grew louder and more intense as the flames grew out of control. A banshee like shriek abruptly followed by a flash of light that engulfed the entire thicket with a loud repeating of cracks like wood in a fire.

The sound of soft cracking of wooden wheels rolling along a gravel path accompanied with the clicks of a horses hooves filled the empty space of the wagon. A young man laid across the floor in a soft peaceful nap.

"Danlei! Danlei!" ,a soothing voice called out with excitement that broke the continuous cracking of gravel. "We're nearly there! Get up! You're missing the shops!"

With his eyes softly fluttering open the young man's heavy eyelids slowly parted with his long eyelashes to reveal his hazel eyes he had stashed away. The boy looked no older than twenty, as did his companion who was leaning over the young man. A soft smile was printed to her face, maintaining the smile as she brought herself back away from the boy. After giving him the space he needed she had brought her attention to the back of the wagon. Looking out to the street lined with shops, wagons, merchants, and several adventures.

The shops ranged from buildings that captivated the eyes of all to small stands that leaned against the larger building behind them. Almost everything could be sold here. A small family carried melon off from one stand while a burly adventurer left a shop adorned with a shiny helm embedded with enchanting stones. Even an old lady found herself walking off with a small sphere of cloudy glass with a flashing light coming from inside.

The woman was watching all this in astonishment while her companion Danlei still struggled to get up from his rest. Finally coming to when he faced his companion, moving closer to her to join in the sight seeing. She was no older than him, she looked fairly young but had a mature nature to it. She was around the same height as Danlei as well, not to say that Danlei wasn't an average height.

"There's...so many people, it's such different from home. Wouldn't you say so Daoyou?" Danlei faced his companion Daoyou when he asked this. Her sweet returning smile came back to meet his instantly.

"Mhm! I wouldn't say it's bad though, it's different for sure but it's also exciting! Don't you think?" She gleefully filled the wagon with her cheery attitude. The young man seemed to move his eyes off of her as his hand met the back of his head.

"Definitely exciting...hah, just wouldn't be something I'd be use to just yet hah..." His hand seemed to run up and down along his hair as he awkwardly chuckled to himself. His companion ignoring his awkward response to her question quickly had gotten up to her feet. Turning from the opening of the wagon and moving to the gear they had both stored within the wagon. Quickly finding herself sticking her head into a pile of junk rummaging through for something. Quickly and with one hand she manages to raise a large Dane Cresent Axe without any struggle. With her immense pride she almost seemed to skip back to Danlei before sitting next to him again.

"Welllll! If we are going to get my axe repaired or even replaced, we're going to have to get use to these kinds of crowds. The blacksmiths are always bustling with adventurers and guards. We should also think about getting you another sword, Danlei."

"No, don't worry about me. That lump of copper served its purpose. After today I won't be needed that sword anyways. After we're done I'll be selling it anyways. Might get me a few coins if I'm lucky."

"After today? What if your reading doesn't go as you planned Danlei? You know how rare it is to get the highest grade of magic don't you?" Daoyou instantly seemed to shift her tone to that of a worried mother for her friend. Her attention entirely focused on him while her hand seemed to nervously run along the side of the head on her axe.

"Don't worry! I have faith! I've always felt like this was for me, even if I get a mid tier affinity for magic then I'll make it work! I was born for this and my confidence in that will be proven right soon!" With nothing more to say Daoyou let put a soft sigh and gave up on the subject. Letting the two continue their idle chatter while they moved through the city. It wouldn't be long before the two found their way in the center of the capital Mallupci.