Chapter 33: Money talks.

Chapter 33: Money talks.Kael left the guild. (If I were back in my world—Earth—these 170 gold coins would be worth around 8,500 dollars. But here? Earning that much isn’t easy unless you’re a noble, a royal, or a high-ranking hero.) "Let it slide". He walked down the streets of the east district, heading toward the open market. The smell of roasted meat, herbs, and fresh ink from scroll vendors mixed in the air. Kael stopped in front of a clean, wooden storefront with a sign that read "Valden’s Potions & Curios." Small vessels of bottles of various colors lined the shelves inside, glowing faintly under crystal lamps. As Kael entered, a bell rang above the door. Behind the counter stood an old man. "Welcome," the shopkeeper greeted warmly. "Looking for something specific?" "I need one mana restoration elixir," Kael said, glancing at the shelves, "and a few for training—strength, stamina, or anything useful for the body." The shopkeeper nodded, pulling out a small vessel. "This is our standard Mana Restoration Elixir. Potent, quick-acting, good for combat or recovery after fighting or during the combat." "But do not consume too much". I nodded. He placed the bottle on the counter. "That one’s 15 gold coins." (Expensive) (i shouldn’t spend all my money, I will need at the near future) "Give me five more of this". The man turned and picked up four more bottles. "Are there any other potions that are beneficial for body?" An old man turned again and picked a red-orange elixir and a green one with swirling herbs. "This here’s Vigour Elixir—for stamina, helps during physical training. That’s a Strength Booster, temporary increase in muscle output. Each one is 15 silver coins." "In total, it cost 15 gold coins and 30 silver coins". "Are you a student?", old man asked. (I shouldn’t tell anyone and must not let anyone know about me). "No, I am just a freelancer", I replied. Kael pulled out the coins Varn had given him. I gave 90 gold coins and the old man gave back 10 silver coins. He stepped out from the shop and went to have some lunch. He ate huge amount as usual at some of the restaurant and some people were watching in shock. Then he nodded to himself, "time to train" He left as fast as possible. 30 minutes! Thirty minutes later, Kael reached his dormitory, walking past the quiet halls of Arcadia’s academy. The evening sun was nearly gone now and it was almost dark. The corridor was calm—most students were either out in the city or resting after a long day. Kael locked the door behind him and dropped his bag onto the desk. He exhaled slowly. S~eaʀᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. Two days. He glanced at the calendar posted beside his shelf. "We have two more holidays left". Perfect. He sat on the edge of his bed, his mind already organizing a mental checklist. "Today and tomorrow—I’ll focus completely on mana control." "The day after tomorrow... I’ll begin training that skill at gymnastics." Kael reached into his cloak and pulled out his elixirs he bought. Five mana restoration elixir, and two enhancement potions. He kept them gently on the table. Before he started to train, he took a light shower. After taking a shower he changed clothes and began. He crossed his legs, sat upright on the floor, and placed both hands on his knees. The night passed in silent focus. Kael didn’t leave his room. He didn’t speak to anyone. He repeated basic control exercises—drawing mana, circulating it through his limbs, and then releasing it in measured pulses. The next day followed the same pattern. He didn’t push for power. Kael knew better. "Control first. Then quantity." By evening, the second day of rest was coming to an end. Then came Sunday. Kael headed straight to the Academy Gymnastic Hall. He stood alone in the hall. The—Astral Severance. Kael exhaled slowly and took his stance. Legs grounded. Core firm. Arm steady. Then, with a deep breath—he moved. He swung the sword and the mana behind it dispersed too early. Again. He reset, centered himself, and tried once more. And again. And again. After several failed attempts, his mana was starting to dip. He narrowed his eyes and reached into his pouch, pulling out a small glass vial filled with swirling liquid—the Mana Restoration Elixir he bought from the shop. Kael hesitated for only a moment before drinking it. Sip. The liquid was cool, smooth, and slightly bitter. The effect was immediate. WHUMP— A surge of mana rushed through his body like a wave crashing into a dam. His veins felt as though they lit up from the inside. The intense energy erupted as restored mana flooded every veins in his body. "Tch—this thing’s strong... very effective." The elixir was extremely effective. In mere seconds, his drained mana pool was filled—almost full. "With this much... I can probably unleash Astral Severance twice more at full power." But he also remembered the shopkeeper’s warning. "Don’t drink too much in a short span. They’ll overcharge your core, and your body won’t keep up. It’s like flooding a cracked dam. You’ll feel recovered at first, but then the backlash hits." Kael took a deep breath to steady the flow, letting the mana settle inside him. Then, gripping his sword tightly, he moved again. This time he exhaled and focused. Astral Severance. The blade sliced through the air—and this time, it was a little more powerful than last time. He held the stance for a moment longer... then dropped his arms, panting softly. It hadn’t been perfect. But it had been real. The skill responded. He could feel it—closer than before. For the next few hours, Kael continued training for the same technique, using what remained of the elixir’s power. He didn’t try to push for more than two unleash rather he learned to swing the swords. He’d felt the limit—any further would tear his body. And he needed to last. By the night, the mana had faded, and Kael’s breathing slowed. He practiced until midnight.