Magnus' territory by daylight was nothing like the quiet Moonspire Hall. The moment Devon stepped past the outer rune gates, the world exploded into color, sound, and life.
Market stalls lined the broad stone avenues, some made of carved frostwood, others floating on suspended platforms held aloft by shimmering mana. Vendors shouted prices in multiple languages with goods ranging from enchanted herbs to spell-forged metals, dragonbone charms, volatile potions, and glowing mana crystals.
The air smelled like warm bread, cold lightning, incense, and sweet elven nectar.
Devon walked slowly, head turning left and right, absorbing all of it. He'd spent his life inside tight walls, Redstone pack, Ravenmoon pack, a marriage contract he had never expected, and emotions he was never allowed to express. But here…
Here, the world spread open like a new sky.
For the first time in years, he felt something that resembled freedom.
