The Magic Tower of Yalen, it was called. You could see why, as the royal family has possession of the tower and taxed all of the people that would venture into it.
Markets were cramped around it to buy or sell anything tower-related. The crowd was bustling and many foreigners moved about, dying the crowd with their unique traits. Some were exceptionally tall, bronzed, carrying a darker skin tone. Others were exceedingly pale, having sharp features and pointy noses with slitty-eyes.
As Arthur roamed around in the crowd, he could hear the languages of many merging into a song of diversity. The Eastern tongue Janea with their fast language, the brute but concise words of Halin of giants, and the modern Yalveran language. These were some of the languages Arthur managed to pick up in the crowd.
The Yalveran language was one shared by the merge of three kingdoms in a union, facilitating the trade among the three and the shared knowledge. It was one of the most important languages to learn in the Anera continent since many magic books were written in this language. There was also the fact that the Anerk kingdom boarded the Great Blood Ocean, hosting one of the most important harbors for Anera's trade. Anerk was called as such because it was the gateway to the Anera continent.
Arthur ate from a few stands that specialized in mana-roasted meat and Kieran fruits, a specialty of the Yalen kingdom that was a fruit with a mild-honey taste. Arthur got to enjoy those delicacies as he walked around the capital for the first time and headed toward the tower. He had no plans of entering the tower since he couldn't get stronger at the moment, but he did want to see it for himself.
As the buildings started to appear less frequently, replaced by many defensive measures to assure the citizens, Arthur could see the tower getting closer. Eventually, to see the top of the tower, Arthur had to crane his neck that his chin pointed upward. Even then, the clouds blocked his view. Whirling around the tower as if they were possessed, slight fog permeated the surrounding.
A high wall circularly besieged the tower. Markets and booths were all around the walls, selling essential supplies like potions from Jenea or swords from Halin. It was the first time Arthur saw products from other countries, making it even more appealing. As he made his way through the gate engraved with illustrations of mythical beasts, arcing the only entrance to the tower grounds, Arthur felt like he was a pilgrim as everyone headed there.
There was a sense of unity as Arthur walked among people determined to change their lives. He could almost feel the blood-boiling passion of rising against the odds of life. However, he had no plans of entering. It would be a waste of time for the current him. He had to wait for Sier to find him the mana condensing agent that he mentioned.
It was then that his nose picked up on a foul smell. He thought it came from someone who hadn't bathed for ages, but there was no one close to him. He peered through the crowd as he saw the origin of this stench. His skin crawled and shivered as sweat started pouring from his back.
Standing in the middle of the crowd was a single figure. However, the word figure was not the best word for 'it.' It was a pitch-black entity from head to toe with tar-like substance dancing like flames flickering around it. It had the general outline of a human or a humanoid creature, but Arthur couldn't sense anything 'human' or 'alive' about it. It stood there silently gazing at the tower with someone else with their backs to Arthur.
As if it had sensed his gaze, the pitch-black figure turned around and returned Arthur's gaze. Strangely enough, its face was the only human-like thing about him. However, this could only be said about the general outline of it.
The 'white' of 'his' eyes were also black. His skin was cracked at many places as if it was barely containing what streamed out of it. As if trying to break free, there was also flame-dancing-like tar substance that resembled miniature snakes. His irises were strangely red that it gave Arthur the feeling of looking at a wild beast.
Arthur stood there as the figure scrutinized him, unable to move a muscle. He saw the figure's mouth move as if he was talking to the person next to him. The other person, with a normal-looking appearance, turned around to look at Arthur as well. For some reason, Arthur activated his Camouflage skill instinctively as if he wanted to hide. With the crowd serving as a distraction, he began to move before the other person could spot him. Luckily, he managed to lose them before they were able to identify him. Through the gaps between the crowds' heads, Arthur was able to see the face of the other person. He was stunned when he was able to recognize it, it was the face of an enemy of his. A beautiful face but a vile character.
It was Tyrin, the person who wanted Arthur's dagger so bad that he sent people after him. If not for Yuran's presence at that time, Arthur doubted if he would have been able to keep his dagger or his life. Tyrin looked among the crowd, seemingly for Arthur, but he was unable to find him.
Arthur saw Tyrin turn around and head into the tower. It was only then that he realized the pitch-black figure was nowhere to be seen anymore. His heart was thudding loudly in his chest as he realized that no one else seemed to notice the black figure earlier.
As he stood there all alone, Arthur found his mouth to be dry. He had no idea what he just witnessed or if any of it was real, but that thing didn't look human or a monster in any way.
'A ghost?' Arthur pondered, but found it highly unlikely. He had seen Hazel's ghosts before; they were ethereal beings that lacked a physical body. This 'thing' or 'person,' Arthur didn't know which of the two, was as real as the people around him.
With a troubled heart, Arthur returned to the hotel unable to ease his mind. There was a certain feeling inside of him that couldn't be described toward that creature.
It was pure loath.
It didn't come from Jizo's will, neither did it come from Arthur's personality, but it came from something far more fundamental. A difference in existence that Arthur felt he couldn't co-exist with this creature.
It was late at night, after a dinner that tasted bland in his room, Arthur decided that he would pay Tyrin back and find out what that creature was. As he has determined his mind, Arthur dialed someone that he has been relying on lately. Someone who was the best to uncover information among the people Arthur knew. It was Si.
***
Emma came down from her room and entered the restaurant where Arthur was waiting for her, rhythmically clanking her heels, pulling Arthur's attention from his breakfast. She wore a simple green robe that seemed a bit oversized, extending to her knees. Under it was a white shirt, black jeans, and leather boots. Her blonde hair was made into a bun with a hairpin holding it together. With her green eyes, more than one head was turned her way.
"Ready to go?" Emma smiled as she slid into the chair in front of him. Arthur had to fake-cough to distract himself from her dazzling appearance, before nodding.
The two left the hotel and headed toward the hills with the workshop. There was a private car that picked them up and cut through the capital's street. It was a bit of a distance from the hills with the workshop on them, but the way felt short with Emma keeping him company as she introduced the workshop to him.
It was called Twilight Workshop, specialized in the research of artifacts and production of artificial artifacts. It couldn't be called a factory since the runes were inscribed manually, but its production output was among the top in the Yalen kingdom. Just to put that into perspective, the Yalen kingdom was known for its artificial artifacts in the Anera continent.
As Arthur felt the car stopping, he peered through the window to see the workshop. A giant rectangular building with surrounding parks presented itself majestically. It wasn't adorned with unnecessarily extravagant decorations, but its simplicity was classy. The walls, painted with shades of beige and gray, were inscribed with what seemed like mana gathering runes judging by the amount of mana Arthur felt as he left the car.
"Welcome to the Twilight Workshop, where only your skill would hold you back," Emma said as she stretched her arms and made a turn dramatically like she was welcoming Arthur to a new world. Arthur was baffled and laughed at her antics.
"I have no worries about my skills,"
"Oh! We have a confident newcomer; everyone should be careful!" Emma placed her hand on her mouth as if she was surprised and Arthur played along.
"What can I say, nothing can stop me," Arthur said while shrugging, earning a laugh from Emma. The two stopped fooling around and entered the workshop.
"Before we present you to the staff, let's get you dressed!" Emma said as she walked excitedly.
"What? What's wrong with my clothes?" Arthur narrowed his eyes. He tried to pick up the pace to walk alongside her as she walked through the reception. She greeted the employees and they stole curious glances at Arthur while bowing respectfully.
"Don't be that sensitive, there's nothing wrong with them. However, we'll have you wear our workshop's formal attire!" Emma said as she made a 360-degree spin as if she was showing Arthur the attire he'd be wearing.
It was the beginning of a hectic day.