Five minutes at full speed was enough to wipe out even the strongest mortal.

  Michael was barely able to keep his lunch inside his stomach.

  The horse, whom he nicknamed Sparks, acted like nothing strange had happened.

  They arrived at a pond that was right on the edge of the town he was headed for.

  He wanted to find a place to sleep by late afternoon, preferably somewhere where the horse could stay.

  Across the lake was a group of kids who were swimming. Throwing water at each other.

  It was a good sign, peace.

  That should be everyone's goal at the end of the day.

  Some may argue that his tricking those bandits and knights was against that goal... but who are they to judge...

  Peace is different for everyone.

  Some find peace in a cozy cottage illuminated by a fire. Some see it in their friends and family.

  Others find it in gold and silver.

  Some even find it amid battle, in the blood of their enemies.

  Peace is subjective. No one person will see peace in the same way as someone else.

  Not even the heavens could judge. Their peace was long overdue to end.

  From his past 35 years and the few days he had lived now, Michael wasn't ready to give up on his idea of peace.

  Never again.

  He would rise to the peace and soar above it. Breaking boundaries that shouldn't be broken.

  Power. That's what he wanted, and he will do anything to get it.

  The children had noticed the two, the man and the horse, and ran to their homes.

  It seems strangers weren't liked much here.

  No matter.

  He would only be staying the night.

  "Come on, Sparks. Let's find somewhere to rest."

  Michael grabbed his reins, and Sparks followed him.

  The town's streets were busy. People were walking around shopping, selling food, and other useful daily items.

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  His coin pouch was overflowing, but he didn't need to spend a lot in this small town.

  The group of kids was walking down the road towards him. He held his bag of coins close, he didn't want to chase after some thieves.

  "Hey Kid, I'll give you a couple of coppers if you can point out where I might be able to buy a room and some dinner."

  Ten coppers were usually enough to get a meal for the night.

  Fifty coppers was the usual rent for a night in a 3-star hotel, which was more than enough.

  A hundred coppers were worth a silver coin.

  And a hundred silvers were worth a gold coin.

  If he flashed his silvers around, then it would be like blood in the water. Beggars would surround him in seconds.

  "Fifteen, and I'll find you a place that can repair that sword of yours, too."

  Hmm, an intriguing offer. But it might just be easier to find a new sword. The sword was cracked all over, barely holding from falling apart.

  "Sure. Sounds good."

  The kids started whispering to each other. But he picked up some words.

  'I told you we should have asked for more-'

  'Idiot.'

  The group slowly walked off, leaving the sole kid who started talking to him.

  "What's your name, kid?"

  "What's it to ya?"

  "Unless you want me to call you kid all day."

  "Hmm... Decon. Just follow me."

  The kid walked away, not looking if he was following him.

  He might even give him a tip if this were quick and easy.

  This town was a decent size, crossing a mile or two in size.

  "So, tell me, Decon, what is your city known for?"

  The kid looked at him like he had two heads.

  "What do you mean? Like the history or goods?"

  "Either. What do you know about it?"

  The boy thought as he walked. They passed a couple of shops and carts with colorful fruits.

  The dirty cobblestone road slowly transformed into laid brick. They were getting to the center of the town.

  "Well, you saw the big lake. The chief trades water for other supplies. Other than that, the next big town over has a Spirit Counsel."

  "Hmm, alright. A Spirit Counsel so close to the frontier is interesting."

  A Spirit Counsel is a group of individuals who have achieved mastery of their first spirit.

  When you reach an absolute mastery of your spirit, you can summon them outside your body.

  This allows them to enact your will, separate from the user. Essentially, fighting two people instead of one.

  Also, after you reach that stage, you can summon or capture another spirit.

  The more spirits you have bonded with, the higher tier you are.

  At the end of the day, Michael was just beginning as a tier one mage, far from what he wanted to achieve.

  ...

  The pair had finally made it across town.

  The boy had given him a small tour that was useful, pointing out some useful buildings in the area.

  "Right there is the town's blacksmith. He is great at what he does, but don't expect too much. His schedule is pretty busy."

  "I would expect so if he is the only blacksmith inside the village."

  Decon sighed.

  "Well, technically, he isn't the only one. But the other one is a drunk who only wakes up if he runs out of booze. Barely is able to swing his hammer."

  "Interesting. How far away is the Inn?"

  The boy pointed to a four-story building at the corner of the street. Customers were going in and out constantly.

  "Right there. It's the best local inn where most merchants stay. A bit more expensive than the other three but safer."

  Michael tossed a silver coin to the boy.

  He gasped as he caught the coin and hid it. That was going to be a small fortune.

  "Thank you, Sir. May the greater spirits above bless your day."

  Michael nodded.

  The great spirits... Spirits of the highest rank. Deities, in a sense, or gods. Something like that.

  He didn't believe in them, but most people believed in the church of greater spirits or whatever their name was.

  If he had to fake believing in them, then so be it.

  "Go back to your friends and treat yourself, Decon."

  The boy ran off and left Michael and Sparks to their business.

  Time for rest. Hopefully they could still order dinner. They were hungry.