Chapter 4: A City of Wonders

  After his escape, the boy wandered aimlessly, feet brushing against dirt paths, eyes wide with confusion. The land stretched out before him—vast, green, alive.

  Eventually, he arrived at a kingdom, though he didn’t know its name.

  To the locals, it was known as the Kingdom of Freedom—a bustling city where humans, beastfolk with animal ears, and even winged people flew freely in the sky. The streets buzzed with laughter, chatter, and the hum of magic.

  People cooked on floating stoves. Children played with glowing stones. There were shops selling swords, scrolls, and items powered by mana. To him, it was all strange—fascinating, but strange.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Drawn by curiosity, he stepped into a small shop filled with mysterious objects—cards, stones, and weapons. The faint glow of magic clung to everything like static.

  The boy approached the counter, trying to communicate with the shopkeeper using clumsy sign language. He pointed to a glowing card. Moved his hands. Tilted his head.

  The shopkeeper, an older man with a single earring and sharp eyes, watched silently for a moment. Then, with a knowing nod, he pulled out a card.

  He cracked it gently between two fingers.

  A small spark danced in the air—brief, harmless, but filled with mana.

  The boy’s eyes widened. So that’s what it did.

  Excited, he pointed to one. The price was written clearly: 1 silver coin.

  He handed over the last coin in his pocket and received the card.

  With childlike curiosity, he broke it.

  A soft glow escaped, and then it vanished—both the card and the coin.

  He reached into his pocket. Empty.

  His heart sank.

  He looked around the vibrant street, the colorful stalls, the laughing people.

  “…I guess I need a job now,” he muttered to himself.