The Endowment Wine (Part 1)

The Mayor of Imperial City, the man responsible for the operations that kept the city thriving, sat at his polished desk in one of the high-end buildings that dotted the skyline. The windows were open, and a steady gust of wind blew against his face, ruffling his hair as he reviewed a report submitted just that morning.

"What happened yesterday was surreal," he thought, his brow furrowed as he scanned the details. The report, crafted meticulously by the Head Officer, confirmed his suspicions and unease about the treaties binding Asura Kingdom and Biola. "So Biola isn't holding back their shots at provoking us anymore. They've already sent spies to infiltrate our Kingdom, eh?"

Until now, relations between the two kingdoms had been amicable, marked by a prosperous trade agreement. Goods flowed freely between them, fostering mutual benefit and economic growth. Yet, the brazen act of attempted kidnapping within the walls of Asura left him seething. It was a breach of trust that hinted at darker motives lurking beneath the surface.

He closed the report with a sharp snap and gritted his teeth, his mind racing. "We might have to prepare for war," he muttered, fatigue etched in the lines of his face. The memories of the First Magus War haunted him—the chaotic days when young magi were thrust into battle before mastering their powers, forced to fight and die for a cause they barely understood. He would not let Asura Kingdom fall into such turmoil again.

The potential fallout from a war weighed heavily on him. "It would cripple our economy," he mused. The exchange of garments, food, high-quality weapons, and even wine was the lifeblood of their prosperity. If the trade routes were disrupted, the consequences would be dire.

He pondered the implications further. "Biola must have more spies scattered throughout the Kingdom, maybe hidden in the small towns or even in Imperial City itself. This feels too convenient," he grumbled, standing up as the wind tousled his hair even more.

Annoyance surged within him; betrayal had never been on his radar, but now it loomed ominously. He had to act swiftly. "Imperial City is the pillar that supports our economy. If Biola wants to start a war, they will strike from here," he thought, determination settling in as he began to plan his next moves.

While the Mayor plotted his strategy, a different scene unfolded elsewhere in the city.

Kai jolted awake, disoriented, in a bed that was unfamiliar to him. His limbs felt heavy, the remnants of exhaustion clinging to him. He had pushed the limits of his Endowment's power the night before. "Where am I?" he murmured, his head throbbing painfully.

"This is the Imperial Hospital," a nurse replied, causing Kai to turn his head. She was strikingly beautiful, with curly blonde hair and vibrant green eyes that sparkled with concern. Her nurse's attire accentuated her figure, but he barely noticed as his thoughts raced. "You were brought here by the guards."

With a sigh, Kai fell back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling as the pain in his head gradually lessened. "Where's my sister?" he asked, anxiety creeping into his voice.

"She was taken to the Brandon Household after you arrived here," the nurse informed him, reaching for a tray on the desk beside his bed. It was laden with an assortment of fruits. She picked up a red apple, handing it to him with a gentle smile. "Despite overusing your Endowment, you're still able to sit up. You're certainly strong."

Kai grumbled quietly, acknowledging that his constitution was far superior to that of ordinary children his age. Still, he hadn't expected to overextend himself so dramatically. It made sense, given that he had cast spells beyond the current level of his Endowment. Yet, he had always disliked the consequences of pushing his abilities. Regular magi often faced days of incapacitation after overexertion, their Endowments requiring time to recharge.

For someone like him—a god's reincarnation—those effects were less severe, but he still felt the sting of a splitting headache and knew he wouldn't be able to wield his full power until he fully recovered. 'I deserve this,' he thought, chiding himself for his recklessness.

Kai took the apple and raised it to his lips. The fruit looked richer than any he'd encountered in his previous life. "They just came from the Imperial Orchard," the nurse remarked, noticing his hesitation. "So they're really good. Try it."

Reluctantly, he bit into the apple. His eyes widened in surprise as a burst of flavor exploded in his mouth—a sweetness he had never experienced before. He devoured it quickly, the deliciousness urging him to eat more. The hunger he felt surprised him.

With the apple gone, he turned his gaze to the tray, filled with an array of fruits that beckoned him. 'I'm hungrier than I thought,' he realized, as he grabbed a handful of grapes and began to snack. He needed the energy for whatever lay ahead.

As he munched on the fruit, the nurse observed him with a blend of amusement and concern. "You really had a close call. You were unconscious for quite a while," she said softly, her voice calming. "But the guards did a good job getting you here quickly. They were worried about you."

"Why would they worry about me?" Kai asked, puzzled. He was just an ordinary kid in extraordinary circumstances, and he didn't feel deserving of such attention.

"Because you have a reputation," she replied, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "You're known for being a Brandon after all but not only that, you also had an Endowment awakening at such a young age, there are those who believe you could become one of the greatest magi of our time. People are invested in your future."

The weight of her words sank in but he quickly shrugged them off, he had something more important to focus on – his latent Magical energy. His Endowment was undoubtedly powerful but he needed to achieve more power before Biola Kingdom decided to make their move, he couldn't beat the Darkness GUILD without overexerting his Endowment, how would he face against Soldiers?

'Thankfully I know such an item,' He thought.