Evan opened his eyes to find himself laying in his bed covered in a few bandages.
He manages to stand up and look at himself in the mirror. Although riddled with small scars and a large on his cheek, evan happily smiles since he was able to actually survive the duel.
'I really am glad I went all in on Julius there. If I didn't manage to get his attention over the week, I might have actually died there to Gram.'
After dressing himself, Evan notices a note onto his desk with his fathers stamp. Opening quickly, his eyes lit up with excitement as the letter had authorized his punishment to be lifted.
"I'm glad you found the letter to your satisfaction. It was quite difficult to convince the lord to agree with the uplifting of your punishment." Julius said, trying to look cool by leaning on Evans' now open door.
'Your the best Julius! I'll make sure to spoil you with thousands of gold when im rich!'
"Why are you leaning on my door? Are you dumb or something and can't look me in the face? Also why do you call my father lord? He was a Count last time I checked." Evan responded, yelling at himself in his head.
"Apologies, forgive my rudeness. And yes, your father is a count. It's just a title I gave him personally." He explained, as Evan nodded.
"Besides that, you are now free to leave the premises and apply to an academy if you wish."
Evan held his chin for a minute, thinking about applying to a lower class academy so he wouldn't need to be near the key characters, but then decided not to since most of the opportunities for himself to grow in power lay there. Looking towards the calendar in his room, he grinned as today marked an event.
'Thank god for the room arrest. Not only was I protected from any minor deaths, but now I don't have to wait for the auction event!'
Evan began to giggle to himself as Julius took his leave. Evan looked around his room as he grabbed his pouch and looked inside. His face shriveled up as he counted 7 gold pieces and 4 silver. Not only that, but Evan was also barred off from receiving any family financial support.
'Damn I really am broke. Well it's not nothing at least, so I might as well continue with the plan.'
After hailing the family carriage, the coach, who was an old man, smiled at Evan before opening the door. As Evan stepped inside and the doors closed, he sat and began to think about what he was going to do. Suddenly, the carriage door swung open, as Talon stood outside and entered the carriage. As the carriage began to ride out of the Asteria property, the two sat in an awkward silence, only interrupted by the rustling of clothes moving.
"S-so I heard you beat up a trainee. You must really be awful to beat up someone like that." Talon spoke, as Evan turned towards him, his face filled with confusion and anger.
"Huuuuh!? Did you forget the part where he challenged me! Not to mention he also awakened his aura at the end of the fight! If anything he should feel bad for challenging me! I never even learned swordsmanship when he did!" Evan yelled, pointing at Talon.
About to argue back, Talon held his tongue as he looked away once again. As Evan stared at Talon for a bit longer, a feeling of hatred slowly rose inside of himself as he looked away as well.
'I cant hate him too much. Evan did try to hurt him pretty bad with the mercenary he hired.'
After an hour, the coachmen opened the doors revealing the city of Bayspire. Located on the edge of the Mortuus Ocean, this was one of the largest fishing and trading cities. As Talon began to wander away, Evan called for him and asked where he was planning to go.
"Why in the world would I tell you that?" Talon said before walking away with a giant pouch of gold in his hand along with his sword.
'Dick. I was only curious.'
As Evan watched Talon disappear into the crowd, he rushed off towards the eastern section of the city, or as it was formerly called, The Dump. He placed his pouch of gold under his shirt and made sure to keep it tightly placed against his body since Evan knew he would be unable to detect a skilled pick pocket. As he eagerly looked towards shop signs, he also began to notice those who had lived in the slums.
'They live in filth. Although if there is a rich, there must be a poor. Thank god I didnt start as anyone overe here.'
After a bit more of walking, Evan noticed a shop sign indicating a green fish with a large arrow piercing its eye as he ran towards it.
'Finally! I found you, you bastard!'
Entering the shop, dust flew everywhere as he began to cough and cover his mouth using his arm. Inside were giant barrels filled to the brim with fish, along with some fishing gear and spears.
"Papa! I think someone entered the shop!" A kid shouted although could not be seen by Evan.
As footsteps echoed through the shop, an older man took the counter. He was quite big and muscular. His hair was a bright acorn brown, along with his beard which seemed to have not been kept very well. Evan stared at him for a little bit of time since within H.K.U, he was face and nameless almost like every mob character.
"Welcome to Fang's emporium, what can I get for you today? W-Wait, are you a noble?!" He asked, exiting the counter and giving a polite bow to Evan.
Although wanting him to stop bowing, Even began to feel a sense of pride as he then looked around the shop.
He knew all too well where he was at. In H.K.U, this place was one of Evan's favorite shops since he found useful items here that kept him alive in most of his runs consistently. He was even able to learn the secret phrase which allowed him to shop here at any point in the game, whether it was early or late.
'It's just like it was in the game. Although I could do without the fishy smell.'
"Yes I am. You may pick up your head for I come to you with business."
"O-Of course sir! What do you need?" He asked.
"Firstly, what's your name?" Evan questioned, as the man spoke.
"Mako sir!"
"Ok Mako, im in need of some "Shark eyes""
Mako grew a grin as he nodded, proceeding to lead Evan down towards the basement. A wide variety of most likely Illegal items were shown all around the place. Evan instantly began looking around as his excitement got the better of him.
'A book of black magic! A giant Ice stone!? A mask that can alter your face and voice!? Am I in heaven?'
Getting a hold of himself, he quickly went to the back and grabbed a small circular item that was pitch black along with a cloak. Heading to the shop counter, the man smiled before ringing him up. Before leaving the shop, Evan gave his thanks to the man and asked for him to hold onto his item he had bought before walking out of the slums to the shopping district wearing the cloak.
'Finally! All that's left now is to attend the auction!'
Quickly rushing over, Evan stopped in front of a giant building where a guard stood. Walking towards the guard, he analyzed Evan who showed the crow ring insignia. As the guard inspected it, he nodded before opening the doors.
Evan braced himself as he walked inside, revealing what seemed to be hundreds of masked people. A man who stood near held out a wide selection of masks as Evan grabbed one that was a white rabbit.
Putting it on, he began to wander around, seeing most of the people here conversing or hiring murderers from bands that were advertising. Looking at the clock on the wall, he had noticed he came a bit early and would need to wait.
Deciding to converse with a few of the other masked people, around half an hour passed as the lights within the section Evan was inside dimmed as everyone began heading towards the giant room filled with chairs. Following, Evan took a seat that held a small number on a stick for bidding as he looked up.
"Ladies and gentleman, we thank you for your continued patronage and have been able to bring yall today some exodic goods! Now, to start off today's auction, we will be starting off strong! Bring them out!" A man who stood on the stage announced, before cracking his whip.
Evan began to grin as he began to witness people being dragged onto the stage. This wasn't a regular action for items but instead, slaves. Evan leaned forward as he waited, multiple slaves being hauled on only to be sold.
Finally after what seemed like forever to Evan, another batch of slaves were called fourth. Evans' face embedded with excitement, as instead of multiple slaves being dragged out, only one came. It was an older man who was missing a leg and covered in giant scars that ravaged his entire body.
'Yes! He's finally out now! I should try to get him before anyone else does!'
"Here we have one of our greater catches! A human warrior around his 30s, who was captured and well trained. This guy here can practically fight 10 people at once! Starting off at 1 gold! Anyone?" The announcer asked, only to gain silence.
Raising his stick in the air, the announcer happily pointed out Evans' bid. After a few seconds another guy with the mask of a lion raised his stick before shouting out.
"10 gold!"
Evan looked at him, his face full of anger before calming down as he smirked when he saw the person. A man who held a book full of numbers, leaned towards the lion masked man and began to whisper to him.
"S-Sir Nash! Please control yourself, we only have a bit of gold left to spare before we purchase the item your father asked for!" He whispered, as the man looked at him.
"Calm down, I just always ask father for more money if we need it, plus look at the size of that guy, 10 gold is more than enough to secur-"
"20 gold!" Evan shouted.
The man looked back towards Evan only to be met with a giant smile as Nash gripped his bidding stick in anger.
"30 gold!" Nash exclaimed.
"40!"
"50!"
Nash was beginning to get more furious as the man beside him tried to calm him down.
"S-Sir! Anymore and we wont-"
"Shut it! I have this under control! I'm getting that damn slave if it's the last thing I do here!" He shouted before looking back towards Evan who had placed another bid. Evan looked at him, giving a devious smirk before waving at him.
"T-That bastard!"
"Please sir, just calm down and thi-" The man beside him pleaded before being cut off.
"100 gold!"
The entire room went silent before the announcer happily repeated the bid, asking if anyone else wished to bid before it was too late. Nash looked back towards Evan with an arrogant look before seeing him who was clearly disinterested. His face turned pale as he sat back down in his seat as the man beside him stood.
"Fucking idiot." The man said before leaving him alone.
"Going once! Going twice! Sold, to the fellow with the lion mask!" The announcer said before bringing out the next batch.
Evan laughed to himself as he watched the Nash begin to freak out.
'Well it's sad I wasn't able to get him, but that's not why I'm here anyways. I guess its time to finally speak with the owner of this establishment and make a deal!'