The next morning, Leon took packed some basic belongings and headed out. He still had 4 gold coins from the earlier trade, and some silver change, so he could have taken a cart. However, he wanted to explore the world, so he chose to go on foot.
The journey to Iridis took three full days. For Leon, it was a trivial distance, and it gave him time to think and practice his Dark Fire Bolt spell along the way, increasing his proficiency. Finally, on the third evening, Leon and Kira reached their destination.
"We are finally here."
As the city finally came into view, even he was impressed. Unlike the rustic, timber-and-stone town of Ashyn, Iridis was a true metropolis. Soaring white towers scraped the sky, connected by elegant bridges. The city walls were massive, polished stone constructions patrolled by disciplined soldiers in gleaming steel plate. The sheer scale of it spoke of immense wealth and power.
"Wow, Leon! It's huge!" Kira's voice echoed in his mind, full of awe. "It's even bigger than the human capital my father took me to see once!"
"Makes sense. As per the information I gathered, this city is the commercial capital of the country. Its size is the biggest among all cities in the country." Leon nodded.
As they approached the main gate, two guards stepped forward, their halberds crossing to block the path. They had lazy, arrogant smirks on their faces.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" the first guard said, his eyes scanning Leon's simple but well-made clothes. "A young boy from the countryside, come to see the big city?"
"There's an entry tax for visitors," the second guard added, tapping the coin pouch at his belt meaningfully. "Two silver coins for anyone passing through these gates, no exceptions."
"Leon, they're lying!" Kira hissed in his mind. "I saw them let three other people in right before us without asking for any money! Look, their coin pouches are already full!"
Leon smiled inwardly. A classic shakedown. He reached into his pouch, but instead of silver, he pulled out a single copper coin. "Is this enough?" he asked with an innocent expression.
The first guard sneered. "A copper? Are you insulting us, boy? Pay the two silver, or you can sleep outside with the rats."
Leon sighed dramatically. "I suppose you're right." He held the copper coin between his thumb and forefinger. Then, with a casual flick, he sent it flying.
The coin shot through the air with a barely audible whizz. It didn't hit the guards. It slammed into the thick wooden signpost twenty feet behind them, embedding itself a full inch deep with a solid thunk.
Bang!
Under the sheer force of the coin, the signpost almost toppled over.
The two guards froze. Their smug expressions vanished, replaced by pale-faced shock. They slowly turned their heads to look at the sign, then back at Leon, who was still smiling pleasantly. Though they were just city guards, they weren't stupid. That was more than a simple display of power; it was a warning.
A display of monstrous strength signifying that the person in front was not to be messed with..
"So," Leon asked, his voice still light and friendly, "about that entry tax?"
"No need! No need at all!" the first guard stammered, frantically waving his hands.
Clap..Clap..
Just then, a slow, deliberate clap echoed from behind them. A tall man with a fiery red hair and an easygoing grin leaned against the gate wall. He wore light, practical armor and had a massive greatsword strapped to his back.
"Now that's how you handle the gate hounds," the man said with a chuckle. He pushed himself off the wall and sauntered over, dismissing the terrified guards with a wave. "Get back to your posts, you two, before you embarrass the city any further."
The guards scurried away without a backward glance. The man turned his attention to Leon, his green eyes sparkling with amusement. "That was quite a flick, friend. Not many mages have that kind of physical control. The name's Ming. Welcome to Iridis." He extended a hand.
"Leon," Leon replied, shaking it.
"Leon," Ming repeated, nodding. "Well, Leon, what brings a man of your talents to our bustling city? Looking for work? Adventure?"
"Just looking to buy some things," Leon said vaguely.
"Is that so?" Ming grinned. "Well, in that case, you'll need this." He tossed Leon a small wooden token bearing the emblem of a roaring griffon. "That's an Adventurer's Guild guest pass. If you're looking for anything rare or unusual, the Guild is the place to start. Stop by sometime, the first drink is on me."
With a final, friendly nod, Ming turned and disappeared into the city's throng.
Instead of heading to the guild, Leon decided to first get a lay of the land. He wandered through the main thoroughfare until he came to a massive, three-story building with a sign depicting a bubbling beaker: "Thorne's Alchemical Emporium."
"This looks promising," Leon murmured.
As he entered, a well-dressed shopkeeper greeted him with a professional smile. "Welcome to the Emporium, young master. This is the largest retail branch of the Alchemist's Guild in the kingdom. How may I assist you?"
"I'm looking for a few materials," Leon said, getting straight to the point. "A Heart of a Sunwood Treant, Tears of a Moonlight Pixie, and a Core of a Golem."
The shopkeeper's smile froze. He blinked. "Sir… I'm not familiar with those items. Are you sure you have the names correct?"
"I am certain," Leon replied.
"One moment." The shopkeeper scurried to a back room. A minute later, he returned, followed by a portly man in expensive robes, his face set in a permanent scowl.
"What is this nonsense?" the manager snapped, not even looking at Leon. "Who is asking for fairytale ingredients and wasting my staff's time?"
"It's this young master, Manager Ezelor," the shopkeeper said nervously.
The manager, Ezelor, finally turned his piggy eyes on Leon. "Sunwood Treants? Moonlight Pixies? Are you a child telling stories? This is a serious establishment. Get out before I have the guards throw you out for speaking gibberish!"
"Get out of my store right now."