The evening sun cast long shadows across Sun City as Elias and Selina made their way through its bustling streets. Their stay at the Dark Ruin had been harsh, but thanks to General Genevieve's assistance in defeating Drakas, they had reached the safety of civilization. The female warrior had not only transported them on her Blazing Phoenix but also provided them with enough Mystic Stones to secure temporary lodging and sustenance.
Now, as they walked through the city's merchant district, Elias observed the vibrant life radiating from the people around them. Sun City lived up to its name. Even as dusk approached, golden light seemed to emanate from the very stones of its buildings. Merchants hawked their wares, street performers entertained crowds, and the air was thick with the aroma of exotic foods and spices.
Elias led the way with Selina following closely behind as they navigated through the bustling crowd.
"Have you been here before?"
Selina asked timidly, her eyes wide as she took in the sights. She had lived in a village outside Sun City, under the influence of the Sun Kingdom. That was before Drakas came and captured her along with her parents to work in the mines within the Dark Ruin. This was her first time venturing into a city within the Sun Kingdom, let alone Sun City, the kingdom's populous hub.
Hearing her question, Elias hesitated. The original Elias had indeed visited Sun City in the past, but he chose his words carefully.
"Yes, I've been here before, but it's been a long time."
They soon found a modest inn near the central plaza. The establishment, called the Golden Hearth, appeared clean and respectable. The place was neither too lavish to drain their limited resources nor too shabby to compromise their comfort. Elias chose it because the original Elias had frequented it in the past.
As they approached the reception desk, the innkeeper, a portly man with a well-groomed beard, looked up from his ledger. He smiled, about to greet them, but his eyes widened in recognition as they settled on Elias.
Although he hadn't seen this person for a long time, and they looked disheveled, as someone who prided himself on having a discerning eye, there was no way he couldn't recognize a former patron.
"By the Sun Goddess!"
The portly man exclaimed, putting on the best performance of his lifetime.
"Young Lord Blaze! It's been years since you graced my humble establishment!"
Elias maintained a neutral expression, neither confirming nor denying his identity.
"We need two rooms for the night."
The innkeeper bowed deeply.
"Of course, of course! For you, Young Lord, our finest accommodations at a special rate."
From the corner of his eye, Elias noticed Selina's reaction. The girl had stiffened, her gaze darting between him and the innkeeper with growing apprehension. Her hands clutched the worn fabric of her dress, and she seemed to shrink into herself, as if trying to become invisible.
Elias sighed, watching her reactions.
After completing the transaction and receiving their room keys, they made their way upstairs. The innkeeper's deferential treatment continued, with promises of complimentary meals and assurances that any needs would be promptly addressed.
Once they reached the privacy of the hallway, Selina stopped, her eyes downcast.
"You're... you're from a noble family?"
She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Although she had addressed him as "Young Master" in the past because Drakas had told her to, she never expected Elias's true identity to be that of a nobleman.
Elias sighed, seeing her worries written on her face. It wasn't her fault that she reacted this way. To common citizens, noble families were no different from holy figures. However, Elias's current identity wasn't that of a true noble. Instead, he was an outcast.
Wait a second. Didn't she hear me explain this to Genevieve on our way here? Was she not paying attention?
Elias pondered, observing Selina with a puzzled expression.
During their journey, Selina had been too tense to follow the conversation between Genevieve and Elias. All her attention was focused on not falling off the back of the Blazing Phoenix, so she only heard bits and pieces of what they said. However, now that she had witnessed how the innkeeper treated Elias, she became nervous.
After a moment's hesitation, he chose to explain.
"I was indeed a noble. But the Blaze Family no longer considers me one of their own. Currently, I'm no different from you."
"But the innkeeper still called you 'Young Lord'..."
"People remember what they want to remember."
Elias interrupted and said:
"What matters is who I am now, not who I was."
Selina's shoulders remained tense, her posture rigid with newfound nervousness. Elias recognized the shift in her demeanor. The realization that she had been traveling with someone of noble birth had created a perceived gulf between them.
"Selina."
He called her name gently.
"You don't need to be nervous around me. I'm no longer part of that world. We're both survivors of Drakas's cruelty, nothing more, nothing less. Do you understand?"
The girl nodded hesitantly, but the wariness in her eyes remained. Elias didn't bother to say any more words of reassurance. He hoped she wouldn't remain that way forever.
After a simple dinner in the inn's dining hall, they retired to their respective rooms. Elias's accommodations were modest but comfortable: a single bed, a small writing desk, and a window overlooking the city's central plaza. As night fell, the streets below came alive with lanterns, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the cool blue of the emerging stars.
Elias sat cross-legged on the bed, his back straight and hands resting on his knees. The events that had transpired had been a whirlwind, leaving little time for reflection or planning. Now, in the quiet solitude of his room, he could finally focus on the challenges that came with being transmigrated.
His most pressing concern was the restriction placed on him by the World Overseer of Mystral. The limitation on his Quantum Sight and overall power was a significant handicap, one he needed to overcome if he hoped to navigate this new world successfully. The ability to glimpse potential futures had been a cornerstone of his power in the Quantum Multiverse, and its absence left him vulnerable.
—He was not a risk-taker.
He had grown accustomed to avoiding risks once he reached the Unified Field Stage as a Quantum Seeker. Having to explore a world without his powers was something he couldn't adapt to quickly.
But perhaps there was a way around this restriction. The idea had suddenly dawned on him when he first awakened his Quantum Sight and discovered the restrictions that came with using it in the real world.
Elias closed his eyes, focusing his awareness inward. His consciousness appeared in his Mental Landscape, taking the form of a spiritual body. With a thought-command, he manifested the grand castle from before and conjured a physical form for himself, seated on a throne like a monarch overlooking the world.