After four whole years, Alger had finally returned to Iron Street.
At first glance, he could see just how much the place had changed. There were more shops now… and with them, more people. A fountain stood proudly in the middle of the street.
But Alger wasn't here for sightseeing. He had come to buy a new sword.
The katana he had purchased years ago from Asper's shop had served him well. Even after being used roughly for years, the blade remained intact. That alone was proof of the blacksmith's craftsmanship. But Alger had grown. He stood taller now, nearly 173 centimeters. The sword no longer suited him. It felt too short, too light, like it belonged to someone else.
Still, he had planned for this. He had saved every coin the headmaster gave him, carefully stashing away his earnings over the years. Apart from the single book he had needed to purchase, he hadn't spent a single coin on anything else. And in the end, he had managed to collect around 350 coins.
The headmaster had helped him convert those coins into pounds. It wasn't much. Nowhere near enough for the blade forged by the King's blacksmith, which cost a staggering nine.
Still, it was something. He should be able to buy a somewhat decent katana.
Still, Alger made his way to the Evergreen Elemental Shop. The surroundings had changed, but the shop itself felt just the same.
He paused at the entrance, wondering how Asper would react to seeing him again.
The moment he stepped inside, he was greeted by the rich, comforting aroma of coffee. The shop was quiet, clean, and warm. Just like the first time.
Asper glanced up at the young man entering his shop. The white hair and green eyes told him all he needed.
"Alger? What a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting you to return anytime soon."
Alger was a bit taken aback. He didn't expect Asper to remember him.
"Asper! I'm here to return your favor."
Asper smiled slightly.
"Of course. A katana, I assume?"
"For exploring, please."
Even if he couldn't afford a sword worth nine pounds, Alger still hoped to find something half-decent with three.
He followed Asper deeper into the shop… but paused in surprise.
The sword forged by the King's blacksmith was gone.
Someone actually bought it? Who in their right mind would buy a sword worth nine pounds?
Asper laid out a few swords for him:
| 7 pounds | 5 pounds | 4 pounds | 2 pounds |
Although Alger was willing to spend the full three pounds he had, the only one Alger could afford was the cheapest one, the two-pound katana.
It didn't look like much. The blade was a little over half a metre long, and the dark wooden handle looked plain, unadorned. But when Alger picked it up, he immediately knew.
The balance was perfect. The weight distribution, the way the blade sliced through the air — it was far superior to his old one.
"The sword you're holding is made from Element ore of the Awakened tier. It can hold small amounts of Inferno Element," Asper said, pausing before continuing. "If I'm not wrong, young man, you have a Tempest gate, correct?"
Alger didn't mind carrying an Inferno-based sword. All he had to do was raise his Inferno gate a few tiers, and then he would be able to use it to its limits. He is planning on doing so after he first brings the Aqua element to the conjurer tier.
"It doesn't matter. I'll take it."
"But…" Asper started to object, but Alger cut in.
"Asper, I'll be fine. Don't worry!"
It took some convincing, but in the end, Alger had a new katana strapped to his belt.
Before leaving, he told Asper that he'd be leaving the city today and might not return for years.
***
Alger was now ready. Ready to take the entrance exam for a school.
Mytherra had many schools, but four stood out.
Each of the four territories had a Grand University, located in their capital. These weren't like ordinary schools; they held mountains of knowledge. Exactly what Alger was searching for.
It had been fifteen years since Alger died, but he still had no answers.
What were the green stars?
Why was there a green star on Earth?
Why did he reincarnate?
Why did he have ten gates?
Why was Terra the same as Earth?
Why was there Elemental Energy in the world?
What was the Unknown?
What were the Calamities?
Why was the Unknown… unknown?
What happened a thousand years ago?
The questions hadn't gone away, they'd only multiplied.
So Alger had made his decision. He would attend a Grand University. And to do that, he had to pass the entrance exam.
Zephyr, the city where Alger lived, was small compared to Stormhollow, the capital of the Eastern Territory, located a few hundred kilometers north of Zephyr. It was a week's journey away. The entrance exam was in 10 days. It was held on the first day of the third month every year.
He wanted to adjust to his new sword... but today was the day he was going to leave Zephyr.
He, Ivory, and Dawn had agreed that they would attend Eastern University together. They were to leave by noon.
There was no time to wait for a carriage.
But Alger didn't need one anyways.
He stepped outside Asper's shop, the wind curling around his feet.
After all, he could conjure the wind itself.
He was faster than any carriage could ever be.