The exchange hall stood near the inner ring of Aurelion, where trade routes converged and mana currents flowed clean and stable. Unlike the grandeur of the towers, this place was practical—wide entrances, reinforced walls, and glowing sigils embedded into the floor to suppress volatile energy.
Lucas and Adithya walked side by side, following the soft pull of their System markers.
Neither spoke at first.
The streets were busy. Adventurers, Earth survivors, and native races all moved with purpose. Mana stones changed hands in sealed pouches. Guards watched from elevated platforms, their presence calm but absolute.
They entered the hall.
Inside, the air felt heavier, saturated with refined mana. Floating panels displayed rates that shifted slowly, numbers adjusting with supply and demand.
Low-Grade Mana Stone
→ 12 Elnor per unit
Lucas didn't react, but he memorized it instantly.
He opened his System.
Low-Grade Mana Stone ×158
Total Value: 1,896 Elnor
Not bad. Not enough to draw attention either.
A construct approached—humanoid, faceless, its chest marked with the sigil of exchange.
"State transaction," it said, voice neutral.
Lucas hesitated for half a second, then spoke. "Full exchange. Low-grade stones."
Adithya raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The construct extended its hand. Lucas released the stones from his storage. They materialized midair, a cloud of dull crystals that dissolved into light as the sigils absorbed them.
[Exchange Complete]
Elnor credited: 1,896
Lucas felt the System confirm the transfer. The weight in his storage vanished, replaced by a different kind of pressure—currency always felt more dangerous than power.
Adithya stepped forward next.
"Partial exchange," he said. "Half."
Lucas glanced at him. Smart. Keeping reserves.
When they stepped away from the counter, Lucas finally spoke. "You don't trust systems?"
"I trust options," Adithya replied. "Stones can't be taxed. Currency can."
Lucas smirked. "You think ahead."
Adithya shrugged. "I think quietly."
They exited the hall and the noise of the city rushed back in.
For a moment, Lucas felt lighter.
No stones. No hoard. Just resources converted into choice.
But as they walked away, he couldn't shake the feeling that this exchange—simple as it was—marked the beginning of something else.
Power no longer slept in his storage.
It moved.