"Well… that was unexpected," Felix said with a grin, eyeing the shattered coin. "Good thing I've got more coins."
Sylra blinked at him. "What does that even mean? Is it normal for coins to break like that?"
Felix shrugged. "It is when you sit next to a guy mourning his long-lost lover."
Sylra gave him a deadpan look. "Your jokes keep getting worse. They're not even funny anymore—they're just annoying."
Their banter was still going strong when the carriage finally rolled to a stop before a towering, elegant structure.
A butler stepped forward, bowed, and opened the door.
"Welcome to the Duke's Estate of Duskthorn."
Felix and Sylra stepped out of the carriage, gazing up at the castle-like mansion.
"We made it just in time. Evening already," Felix noted, stretching his arms.
"Obviously," Sylra replied. "They do a lot of traveling, they know how to schedule things."
Felix looked around. "So… what now? We've reached the capital. Time to part ways, I guess?"
Sylra nodded slowly. "Yeah. I should probably go find the registration center for the competition."
"And I've still got Master Darian's errand to finish," Felix added. "Still not sure what I'm doing, honestly."
The two began heading in separate directions — until Kaelan's voice called out behind them.
"Where are you two going?"
They turned.
"To get our stuff done," Felix answered. "Sylra needs to check on the competition, and I have to finish Darian's task."
"No rush," Kaelan said, smiling warmly. "You can do that tomorrow. I'll have one of my guards show Sylra around in the morning. For now, stay here as my guests."
He looked at Felix. "And you — I'd be very interested to hear about what Darian's got you doing."
Kaelan gave the butler a slight nod.
"Show them to their rooms. Let them rest."
"Right this way, sirs," the butler said politely, turning to lead them.
As they walked down the grand hallways, Sylra leaned closer to Felix and whispered, "So… what exactly is this task Master Darian gave you?"
Felix waved a hand lazily. "Nothing big. Just a delivery to the academy."
"What kind of delivery?"
"You remember those herbs Master asked us to find? That's it."
Sylra looked skeptical. "They don't have herbs here in the capital?"
"They do. But only as processed potions. Masters wanted the raw stuff to be delivered, and it was for someone important to him. So…"
Sylra didn't push further, though he clearly wasn't convinced.
The butler stopped at a doorway.
"This is your room, sir," he said to Sylra before continuing down the hall with Felix.
They walked in silence for a bit before the butler spoke up.
"You're one of Master Kaelan's acquaintances, right?"
Felix nodded. "Yeah. Not exactly close friends, but… not strangers either."
The butler chuckled. "You're quite good at conversation. Are you here to participate in the competition?"
Felix laughed. "Nope. Just here to finish a task. Like you heard."
"Oh yes — something for Master Darian, wasn't it? Are you his student?"
"Kind of," Felix replied. "Not officially. Not like Sylra."
Soon, they arrived at Felix's room.
"Please rest well, sir," the butler said, bowing.
Felix stepped inside. The room was spacious and quiet — too quiet. He sat on the couch, grabbed a piece of fruit from the basket on the table, and stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Before long, his eyes grew heavy. He dozed off.
But not for long.
A knock at the door woke him.
"Sir," a maid called softly. "Master Kaelan would like to see you."
Felix stretched, yawned, and opened the door.
"I'll be right there."
He followed her through the dim corridors. As they walked, he tried to make small talk.
"This place is huge. If no one guided me, I'd have been lost ages ago."
The maid said nothing. Not even a glance.
Eventually, they reached a guard who took over and led Felix through the garden.
At the far end, under a resting pavilion, sat Kaelan, waiting with a warm smile.
"The guest has arrived," the guard announced.
"Ah, Felix. Come, sit," Kaelan said, gesturing to the seat beside him.
Felix sat, looking curious.
"So," Kaelan began. "What's this task Darian gave you?"
"Nothing major," Felix replied. "Just delivering something to the academy."
"Delivering? To which academy?"
Felix blinked. "Wait, there's more than one?"
Kaelan chuckled. "Of course. There are academies for swordsmanship, magic, combat, alchemy… take your pick."
Felix groaned. "Of course Darian didn't say that…"
Back at Darian's place, the master suddenly sneezed.
"Someone must be talking about you," the maid nearby said with a smile.
To be continued.