The morning light poured into Amon's small, cramped apartment, rousing him from his sleep. The excitement of the day ahead buzzed through his mind like an electric current.
He jumped out of bed, stretched, and quickly freshened up in the barely functional bathroom. He took a quick, simple bath, nothing luxurious, but enough to get him ready for the day.
He slipped on his white shirt and black trousers, carefully smoothing out any wrinkles. After eating a light breakfast consisting of nothing more than some bread and water, he grabbed his suitcase, felt its weight in his hand, and headed for the front door.
He paused at the threshold, looking back at the small, humble apartment that had been his home for the past three years.
The place wasn't much, no, but it had been a safe space. A home, in its own way.
Sighing, he locked the door behind him. The familiar click of the lock sounded like the closing of an old chapter.
As he stepped outside, the bustling city of Valerion greeted him. The streets were alive with the chatter of the morning crowd. Merchants were setting up their stalls, children were on their way to school, and workers were heading off to their various jobs.
Amon took a deep breath, the cool morning air filling his lungs. Even though life here had been tough, he'd gotten used to it. He'd learned to find small joys in the chaos—the everyday things that made this city feel somewhat bearable. Even the simple act of walking down these crowded streets had a rhythm to it.
With a small smile, he made his way to the market district, where The Iron Mug Tavern stood, as familiar to him as an old friend. The tavern's sign creaked slightly in the wind, hanging low above the wooden door.
He stood in front of the tavern for a moment, gazing up at the sign. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nostalgia.
This was where everything had started for him, where he'd found work and a sense of stability.
As he pushed the door open and entered, the familiar warmth of the tavern washed over him, along with the scents of roasting meat and the faint bitterness of beer.
Inside, Mr. Ellias was busy cleaning a mug behind the counter. His gruff voice filled the air as he chatted with Leon, Martia, and the other workers, who were all bustling around, getting the place ready for the morning crowd. The tavern was never quiet for long.
"Good morning, everyone!" Amon called, a bright smile on his face as he walked in.
He took a deep breath before continuing. "Hey, Mr. Ellias, I've got some good news to share with you."
Mr. Ellias paused, setting down the mug he was polishing, and raised an eyebrow.
"Good news, eh? This should be interesting."
Amon chuckled. He couldn't help himself.
"Last night, I… well, I got a golden ticket to Arcadia Academy."
Amon went on to tell them everything that had happened the previous night, explaining how he'd met the mysterious, drunken woman and how she'd given him the golden ticket.
For a moment, the tavern fell quiet. Mr. Ellias blinked, clearly processing the news, before letting out a loud laugh.
"Well, I'll be damned! You, Amon? Going to Arcadia Academy? That's a hell of a story. I've known you for years, and to think you'll be attending the most prestigious academy on the entire continent... Ha!"
Leon, who had been leaning against the counter with an amused grin, suddenly straightened up, his eyes widening.
"Wait, wait, wait! You, going to the academy? Seriously? You—?" He paused, glancing at Amon before lowering his voice. "Aren't you a little… weak? I mean, can you even survive there? If it were me, I'd never go there. I'd rather sell the ticket."
Leon said this knowing that most of the academy's students were nobles. Surviving there as a commoner could be very difficult.
Martia, who had been silently wiping down the tables, let out a long sigh and turned to face them. Her expression softened, and she gave Amon a brief but encouraging smile.
"He'll be fine. He's been through worse." She paused, then added, "At least, I hope so. Just… stay away from the nobles, okay?"
Amon chuckled nervously.
"Yeah, I'll try my best to stay out of trouble. I've been dealing with nobles since forever, right?"
He gave Leon a wink.
"But no promises. You know how much trouble I can get into."
Martia spoke in a worried tone.
"Just be careful. Don't get into unnecessary fights. It's still surprising that you're leaving all of a sudden."
Amon shrugged.
"I'm not worried. I might be weak, but I'll make it through. And when I get out, I'll have a bright future. Not like I've had much of one up until now. Also, yes, it's all happening so fast."
Mr. Ellias clapped him on the back, his voice full of warmth.
"That's the spirit, boy. You've got grit. You'll need it up there with all those nobles and their fancy magic tricks. I'll miss you, Amon. You've been a good worker here. Not many people can handle my charm."
He chuckled at his own joke, though there was a touch of sincerity in his tone.
"Don't worry, Boss," Amon said with a grin. "I'll come back during vacations. You'll see me around."
Leon was still looking at him with a mixture of disbelief and worry.
"When do you leave, then?"
"The train leaves at 10 a.m.," Amon replied, glancing at the clock on the wall. "Can't afford the teleportation gate. But that's fine. I'm used to taking the long route."
Mr. Ellias nodded with a knowing smile.
"You've got guts, Amon. Alright, you've got a new adventure ahead of you. Make sure you don't waste it. Also, keep that thing safe, or you might just get robbed."
He said the last part jokingly.
Amon felt a sense of warmth welling up inside him. Despite all the difficulties he'd faced in this city, he'd found a small family in this tavern.
They were his first real connections in this world after his parents had died, and after all those years of being alone and struggling to survive.
"Thanks, everyone," Amon said, his voice a little softer now. "I won't forget any of you. And I'll keep it safe. Don't worry."
With that, he gave one last wave and made his way out of the tavern. The air was cool as he stepped onto the street, the sun rising higher in the sky.
The railway station was only a short walk away, so Amon decided to take his time. It was a strange feeling, knowing that this would be the last time he'd walk through the streets of Valerion for a while.
But there was a sense of excitement mixed with the sadness. A new chapter was waiting for him, one he hadn't dared to dream about until now.
As he reached the railway station, he was struck by its Victorian Gothic architecture. The high, arched roof seemed to stretch endlessly, supported by iron beams twisted into ornate patterns.
The trains, powered by mana crystals, were sleek and polished, practically humming with energy.
He bought his ticket to Elarith at the counter. It cost him 200 silver coins. It wasn't cheap, but it was the most affordable option.
Teleportation gates, which offered instant travel, would have cost him 2 gold coins—a sum he couldn't even dream of affording.
He settled down on a wooden bench near the platform, placing his suitcase beside him. Looking up at the large clock on the wall, he saw that it was 9:40 a.m. The train would arrive in twenty minutes, and the journey would take about seven hours.
Amon leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts.
"It's the 10th of the 1st month, Year 1236 E.S.," he muttered to himself, remembering the exact date.
He'd need to make the most of the five days before the academy started. The entrance exams had already taken place, and the academy would officially begin on the 15th of the month.
For now, though, he had a little time to relax.
The sound of the approaching train rumbled through the station, drawing him out of his thoughts.
He stood up, grabbed his suitcase, and headed to the platform as the train came to a halt. Its mana engine hummed with power, and its black exterior gleamed under the light.
He found his seat near the window and settled in. The train slowly began to move, and the city of Valerion gradually receded behind him. Amon stared out the window, his heart heavy but hopeful.
"Goodbye, Valerion," he whispered to himself. "It's been cruel, but there were moments of kindness, too. I'll never forget that."
As the train picked up speed, he let out a long sigh. A new journey awaited him.
He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in years, he felt a spark of hope.
"Here's to whatever comes next," Amon muttered, the smile on his face growing as he looked forward to his new life at Arcadia Academy.