Break

While waiting for the rest of the students to arrive, Loras brought the uncooperative Krios to the infirmary to get his injuries taken care of. He had to force him into it as Krios was unwilling to go and instead wanted to go to their dorm to sleep.

The following day, Krios and Loras were officially declared the winner for the challenge. It took them a little bit of time waiting as it took the rest of the students over night to come out of the forest.

They were both given a mana compression pill as prize for their victory. The pill is extremely helpful for cultivators on the Mana Compression realm as it aids in compressing mana to a certain extent making it easier for cultivtors to go on with the compression cycle.

Their classmates gave them envious looks while the two student they beat at the race looked at them with fury. But they did not pay them any attention as they were more than happy to take their prize.

"Are you going to use the pill now?" Krios asked.

"No. I have broken through to the Mid Mana Compression Realm more than a month ago so I'm not yet ready to break through again." Loras answered.

"Since it's a weekend today and we don't have classes, let's go out of the Academy to explore the city and sell some of the Golden Mana fruits we have."

"You're right! It might fetch a hefty sum for us." Loras answered with excitement.

The two then set out of the academy for the first time since entering the institution. They started walking towards the way of the city center, or as what Krios has recently learned, was called Hacenberg city.

The city was a couple of kilometers away from the academy so the walked for about an hour to reach its center.

"Do you know a place where we can sell the Golden Mana Fruit?" Krios asked his friend.

"I've been here multiple times and I believe there's an Alchemy guild on the eastern side of the city where we can sell these." Loras answered.

"Then lead the way."

Loras sure did lead the way as they navigated through the city. There were a couple of times where they were tempted to stop and just explore the city but they reminded wach other about their purpose.

"Wow, that building is huge." Krios muttered.

"That's the east wing of the royal palace."

"That's just a part of a palace?" Krios was in disbelief with what he just learned.

"Yeah. The palace is three times bigger than that. You can't see it from this angle because the east wing blocks our view."

"That's just crazy. That east wing alone is bigger than my grandfather's palace back home."

"Wait till you see the Aldecian royal palace."

"There's something even bigger than that thing?"

"Yeah. The Aldecian Royal palace is about double the size of the Hacier Royal palace."

"Okay I'm done with this palace sizes. My head can't comprehend that much anymore."

Loras just laughed and they continued walking. They passed by different shops and stalls where people sold everything and anything under the sun.

'This place is so full of life.' Krios thought to himself.

There were a lot of people going about their day. Children playing on the streets. Adults selling and buying wares and products. A typical cuty scenery that Krios dearly missed.

After walking for a while, they stopped in front of a huge building. Loras led Krios inside the open double doors and they made their way through.

"Hi welcome to the alchemist guild! How may I help you?" An attendant on the lobby greeted them.

"We are looking to sell a fruit that we have found." Krios answered as he walked towards the attendant.

"It would depend on the fruit. As you may know, we inly buy fruits that can be used by our guild memebers to concoct pills and practice their alchemy." The attendant explained.

"Then would you be willing to buy this?" He waved his hand and two Golden Mana Fruit appeared on the attendant's desk.

"Oh a Golden Mana Fruit, and at a pristine condition at that." The attendant inspected the fruits then put them back at the desk.

"We would be willing to buy these but unfortunately, we would only buy two of them as our inventory has just been restocked recently."

"That's fine. We'll sell two. How much would you buy it from us?"

"That would be seven hundred thousand gold coins. Three hundred fifty thousand for each."

"Deal." Krios gave one of his and Loras gave another one.

"I also have a proposition." The attendant added.

"We would only buy two, but we can make two other Golden Mana Fruits into a pill for you."

"How much would it cost us?"

"We'll just deduct fifty thousand gold coins for each pill. So you'll receive three hundred gold coins and one Golden Mana Pill each." The attendant said.

"Are you okay with that proposition?" Krios asked Loras.

"Yeah sure. That would be very helpful for us anyway." Loras answered.

"Okay deal." Krios said to the attendant.

Krios and Loras gave two more Golden Mana Fruits to the attendant and she out them away on her storage ring.

"I'll be takkng these to our inventory and would be back after two hours with your pills and gold coins. Would you be willing to wait for them?"

"What do you say?" Krios asked Loras again.

"We'll just come back after four hours." Loras answered the attendant.

The attendant nodded and went deeper into the building while Krios and Loras then went out of the front door.

"Do you have a plan in mind or a place you want to go to?" Krios asked his friend.

"It's almost mid day so I wanted to visit this restaurant my family used to visit whenever we went here." Loras explained.

"That's a good idea as I'm starting to feel hungry."

"Then to lunch we go." Loras once again led the way as they navigated through the busy city streets.

They arrived at a fancy looking restaurant with a flurry of people going in and out of the building.

"We're here." Loras announced and they entered to find a seat.

They found an empty spot and so they went and got comfortable. They ordered their food and while waiting, talked about their plans for the foreseeable future.

"We're about halfway through the school year. I can't believe I lasted that long." Loras spoke.

"What do you mean? You're not a pushover and you're definitely talented. So if anyone can do it, it's you." Krios assured his friend.

"Thanks for that. I really needed some pep-talk recently." Loras was pressured by Krios' progress but he didn't have it in him to tell Krios about what he felt.

He was not jealous of him, he was more frustrated at himself for not being able be at the same pace as Krios. He felt like with Krios' fast progress, it was just about time before Loras becomes a burden to him. Especially during the fight with the Infernal Tiger where he was unable to help Krios.

"I know you feel pressured about how fast I'm going with this cultivation and all." Krios spoke which surprised Loras.

"And you might feel like you're being a deadweight or something." Krios continued and Loras just lowered his head.

"But you don't have to feel that way. You will never be a burden to me. Just be who you are. Just be my friend." Krios said sincerely which made Loras tear up a little.

But before Loras could respond, their food arrived and it broke the sad atmosphere between the two.

"Let's eat!" Krios said and Loras smiled.

They ate and chatted about different topics. They talked about battle arts, their affinities, their families, and their future.

But Loras couldn't help but smile as he felt like a heavy burden was lifted off his shoulders. Krios was right. I will never be a burden if I play the role that I'm supposed to play. And that is to be his friend as much he is a friend to me.

After hours of talking and lounging over at the restaurant, they decided to ho back to the alchemy guild to fetch their stuff

When they arrived, the attendant was already waiting for them. She gave them each a storage ring, each containing three hundred thousand gold goins and one Golden Mana Pill.

"Do we just take the pill as it is?" Krios asked to clarify.

"Yes. You take it when you feel like breaking through to the next realm." The attendant answered.

"Okay. Thanks for taking your time to accomodate us." Krios said.

"It has been my pleasure." The attendant said as she bowed.

The two friends went out of the Alchemist guild building and decided to use their remaining time to sightsee.

"Should we go near the palace?" Loras asked Krios.

"Oh yeah, I really want to see it up close!"

"Okay then to the palace we go!"

They walked toward way of the palace, enjoying their time how every teenager would.