Meanwhile...
Adrian was living large—or at least pretending to.
He'd been spending tournament prize money like a nobleman's runaway son, strutting through the bustling market district with the confidence of someone who thought taxes were a myth. Eventually, he sauntered into the most expensive restaurant he could find, sat at the plushest seat available, and ordered the priciest item on the menu like it was a happy meal.
They brought him Crispy Belly of the Sunflame: a dish so rare it was said to come from a mythical celestial fire boar that only lived in volcanoes and high-mana zones. The meat glistened with seared edges and as he took one bite, he practically melted into the chair. Mana from the meat surged through his veins like warm honey, making every cell in his body buzz with delight.
