The morning sky stretched wide above my head, a pale blue slowly warming under the sun's golden light. Thin clouds drifted lazily, reflecting a soft, silky glow, while the fresh air carried the scent of dew and the feeling of a new beginning.
In front of me, people bustled about. Their forms were varied—some had slender faces with pointed ears like elves, while others bore demonic traits: horns, tails, or eyes that glowed faintly. Their clothing was just as diverse as their appearances—robes that shimmered like starlight, armor etched with intricate runes, casual wear that still radiated elegance, and daring outfits that revealed much of their bodies.
Some carried floating orbs that hummed with weak energy, while others walked alongside small creatures like miniature dragons or beasts from other worlds. Every step, every movement, seemed to speak of a life far from ordinary, where power and art fused perfectly.
The streets themselves were alive. Stalls sold exotic foods that steamed and glowed in strange colors, merchants demonstrated spinning magical charms that sparked in the air, while airships drifted above, casting long shadows over the crowd below.
Everything felt extraordinary, mesmerizing, and strangely familiar—as if the chaos of life had been condensed into a single panorama of endless wonder.
I tightened my grip on the backpack, feeling the weight of my situation pressing down, yet a spark of curiosity—and attraction—ignited deep inside. The street, though not crowded, was busy with people coming and going. Around me were buildings in an old European style but still exuding a modern touch.
In the sky, iron airships with a single wing blocked the light beneath them. I marveled at the beauty of this world. Since I loved reading books, I often explored fantasy novels, and this world contained every element of fantasy I had imagined—coming together to form a perfect whole.
I quickly made my way through the crowd and headed toward a building that stood out among the rest.
The building looked sturdy and tall, with stone walls adorned with delicate carvings and stained glass windows reflecting the sunlight. Above the main entrance hung a large wooden sign with golden engravings reading "Pusat Perdagangan Astralyth."
I stepped closer, and an attendant opened the door for me. I entered, taking in the spacious interior with its high ceilings and shelves full of valuable goods. At the far end, a man in suits with a monocle on one eye stood to greet me.
Without much small talk, I placed my backpack on the desk in front of him and said, "I want to sell everything."
He smiled faintly, then asked permission to open the bag in front of me. With professional movements, he unzipped it and looked inside. His eyes widened slightly at the jewelry, watches, crystal rings, and various other luxurious items neatly stacked within.
"Sir, since you have quite a lot of items, may I check in the back?" he asked.
I nodded immediately. Not long after, a female attendant appeared, gesturing for me to follow, and led me to a comfortable room with plush chairs and a low table filled with various pastries.
I sat down, and the attendant offered me a drink. I asked for tea.
While enjoying the unique flavors of the food around me, the attendant poured warm tea. As I sipped it, the freshness and aroma immediately enveloped my senses. The taste… was unlike any tea I had ever had. I was certain it must be extremely expensive.
Soon after, another man entered, bowed slightly before me, then unfurled a scroll and said, "Sir, here is the itemized price list and the total amount you will receive from the sale."
I held my breath as my eyes scanned the neatly written numbers on the scroll. All the items I had placed in the backpack—jewelry, crystals, watches, and other luxury goods—added up to 2,835,420 Orialis, the currency of this world.
The number… was staggering. Even for an ordinary noble, this amount could buy a house in the capital of Celestra.
"So, sir, would you like to receive it in cash, or should we transfer it to your bank account?" he asked politely.
"My bank card was blocked by my father. Can the payment be postponed until I make a new account?" I asked, realizing that carrying this much money might not be a good idea.
"In that case, how about we help you create a new bank card affiliated with our bank?" he smiled and continued, "You are not the first to sell their assets because their card was blocked."
"Really? Then I'll rely on you," I said. I didn't regret coming here from the start, their service had been truly professional and satisfying.
He then handed me a sheet of paper and a pen. I quickly filled out the form, and surprisingly, the ink on the paper disappeared after a few seconds, ensuring the confidentiality of the information I entered.
After that, I handed the paper back to him. He immediately left, leaving me and the attendant in the room. About thirty minutes later, he returned, handing me a black card engraved with a quill and coin on top, along with the backpack I had brought.
After the brief conversation, I quickly headed to my next destination. Initially, I wanted to check my condition first, but according to what the hotel attendant had said earlier, the place to buy potions was closer to the Pusat Perdagangan Astralyth than the hospital. So I decided to purchase an Aetherium Potion Level 1 before checking my condition.
After walking a fair distance, the building selling potions immediately caught my attention. It wasn't very large, with smooth golden-hued stone walls adorned with carvings of plants and alchemical symbols that glowed faintly, as if signaling the wonders within. Above the entrance hung a black wooden sign with silver engravings that read "Apotek Arcana Lumineth," featuring a symbol of a small bottle emitting starlight, surrounded by slowly spinning circles of energy.
I stepped inside, and the herbal aroma immediately filled my nose. I quickly made my way to the reception desk.
"Welcome, sir. What potion would you like to purchase?" the receptionist greeted warmly.
"I want to buy an Aetherium Potion Level 1, in an amount sufficient to break through to Radiant Level 1," I replied.
I was confident the price wouldn't be too high, with my current wealth, the amount wouldn't make much impact.
The woman in front of me looked confused. "Aren't you a Level 3 Radiant? Is there a special reason you're buying an Aetherium Potion Level 1?"
Her question startled me. How did she know I was supposedly a Level 3 Radiant, matching Lucian's previous power? Could some of Lucian's strength still remain in this body, and was my earlier assumption wrong?